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      <title>Latest News Current Issue</title>
      <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/index.html</link>
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      <language>en-us</language>
      <copyright>Copyright 2008 Retirement Income Reporter. All rights Reserved.</copyright>
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      <pubDate>Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:11:48 EDT</pubDate>
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      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[RIIA Committee Seeks Research For Projected Curriculum]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The committee will solicit the best academic research in several areas deemed essential for advisors who want to meet the retirement income challenge. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/183282-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Sun Life Offers Value-Added Retirement Income Program ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The "Retirement Blueprint" kit contains materials to assess client needs, customize income plans and cultivate client relationships. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/183283-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[SEC Still Rattling Sabers at EIAs]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[If a proposed rule is adopted, only those with securities licenses could sell EIAs, which would be regulated the same way securities are regulated. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/183284-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Couples Will Need $85,000 To Insure For Long-Term Care—Fidelity ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[More than half of Americans over age 65 will eventually need at least a year of long-term care, and about 20% will require more than five years of care.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/183285-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Wishful Thinking Dominates Withdrawal Rates]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[MetLife's 2008 Retirement Income IQ Test found that 69% of pre-retirees overestimate the rate at which they can draw down their savings.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/183286-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Retirement Un-Preparedness is a Global Problem, MetLife Survey Shows]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Nearly half of U.S. employees and millions of workers abroad have not taken steps to determine their income needs in retirement.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/183036-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Public Pensions Defend Role In Letter To Congress]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Pension plans have set aside roughly $3 trillion in assets to pay for future benefits, says the National Association of State Retirement Administrators.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/183037-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Defined Benefit Plans Outperform 401(k) Plans ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Over a 12-year period, defined benefit plans outperformed defined contribution plans by nearly 14%, according to Watson Wyatt Worldwide. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/183038-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[AIG SunAmerica Offers Flexible, Extended VA Roll-Up]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[With AIG SunAmerica's new variable annuity living benefit option, the income base may increase each year for up to 15 years, even if withdrawals are taken.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/183039-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Immediate Annuities Favored by Retirement Professionals—RIR Poll]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Forty-one percent of respondents would use half their 'mother's' liquid assets to buy a single premium immediate annuity (SPIA) and invest the other half in a balanced index fund.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/183040-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[John Hancock Offers Quarterly GLWB Step-Ups]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[John Hancock now offers quarterly step-ups on its Income Plus for Life variable annuity guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182827-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[First Quarter 2008 VA Net Sales Rise 12.3%, to $7.2 billion ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Year-over-year, net sales of variable annuities rose in the first quarter of 2008, while total sales were up a half-percent. But total VA assets fell in the first quarter compared to the last quarter of 2007.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182828-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Get a Second Life, Aviva USA Tells Agents]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Aviva USA is inviting current and prospective agents to the company's "private island" in the Internet-based virtual world, Second Life.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182829-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Many Insurance Executives Predict Higher M&amp;E, GLWB Fees ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Some 65% of executives expect &#8232;charges for lifetime withdrawal guarantees to go up and about 55% expect fees for minimum withdrawal guarantees to rise.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182830-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Last Chance to Vote on Mom's Retirement Income Strategy]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Have you voted in our online poll? If not, you're in luck. The voting booth will stay open an additional week.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182831-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Fixed Annuity Sales Up 35.2% in First Quarter 2008  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[A steeper yield curve lifted fixed annuity sales to $18.8 billion in the first quarter of 2008, up 35.2% compared to the same period in 2007.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182600-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[What's The Right Income Plan for Your Mom? ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Take our new homepage poll, which asks you to vote for the decumulation strategy most suitable for a 65-year-old woman with $500,000 in savings. You get four options from which to choose.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182601-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Fidelity International Challenges Value of Living Benefits]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[In a new report, the fund giant's global unit estimates a one-in-70 chance that a lifetime withdrawal guarantee would pay out more than it cost.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182602-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[In Wake of Income Survey, Nationwide Launches Advisor Service]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The carrier created an Income Planning Desk to serve as a consultant on income solutions for investment professionals and their clients. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182603-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[New York Life Adjusts Annuity Inflation Adjustment  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[New York Life's lifetime income annuities now give contract owners the option to increase their annual payout by one percent to 5% per year.   ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182604-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Barclays To Sell Life Assurance Business]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Barclays Wealth seeks a buyer for its £7 billion life assurance business.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182390-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Lincoln Financial Launches 403(b) Tool]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The Lincoln 403(b)e SURE Advantage will help plan sponsors meet the administrative burdens of next year's new IRS regulations.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182391-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Great American Advisors and FundQuest Launch New Business]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The Great American Portfolio Strategies Program will offer investment advisors and clients an expanded choice of investment products.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182392-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[FINRA Warns About 401(k) Debit Cards]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The organization warns that the "tempting convenience" of the cards can harm the card user's future retirement security.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182393-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Returns During Retirement Are Crucial To Income Security]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[New research from Russell Investments challenges the belief that retirement income depends mainly on investment performance before retirement. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182394-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[New Legislation Would Bolster Veteran's Benefits]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 would give family members full pension benefits when a service member dies while on active duty.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182195-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Inflation Tops List Of Retirement Concerns]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Long-term care insurance, health insurance, and maintaining a surviving spouse's standard of living are all seen as being impacted by inflation.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182196-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[E*Assist Offers Variable Annuity Comparison Tools  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The calculators allow registered representatives to compare the benefits of variable annuity products and analyze the outcome of a 1035 exchange.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182197-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Wachovia Appoints New Retirement Chief]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[John Papadopulos, a 12-year Wachovia veteran, is replacing Robert Reid as president of Wachovia's Retirement and Investment Group.   ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182198-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Jackson National Launches Two New OptiMAX Fixed Annuities]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[OptiMAX Level Rate One and OptiMAX Level Rate Two offer a choice of interest rate guarantee periods, guaranteed principal, and flexible withdrawal provisions. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/182199-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[AIG Unit to Sell Custom VAs in Japan]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The Japanese branch of American International Group's U.S.-based American Life Insurance Company will provide variable annuities to the customers of Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181962-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[With Short-Term Rates Down, Fixed Annuity Sales Soar]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[A steeper yield curve gives fixed annuities a competitive advantage over certificates of deposit.  ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181964-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Americans Still Financially Unprepared For Retirement]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The same consumer spending habits that bolster the economy have also resulted in a net savings rate of about zero, S&amp;P says. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181943-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Aegon Introduces Variable Annuity in U.K.]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The product is an alternative to income annuities and systematic withdrawal plans, which the English call "income drawdown."]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181944-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Genworth Launches Living Benefit for Managed Accounts]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA["The concept of taking an insurance guarantee and adding it to a managed account product is at the forefront of our industry," said Ronald Cordes, AssetMark's chairman.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181945-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Allstate Announces Unbundled GLWB  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Allstate will offer a guaranteed lifetime income option to investors in its ClearTarget target date funds.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181946-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Cerulli Predicts Growth And Obstacles for VAs]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Individual annuity assets could reach $2.9 trillion in 2012, up from $2.1 trillion today, says Cerulli Associates.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181947-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Pacific Life Offers 8% Bonus on $100,000+ VAs  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The Pacific Value Edge will provide an immediate credit of 6% on investments of less than $100,000 and 8% on investments of $100,000 or more. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181693-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[MetLife Launches New Web Site For Retirees]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[At the new site, researchers at the firm's Mature Market Institute (MMI) tackle some of the hot-button issues within the retirement market.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181694-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Hartford Simplifies Its VA Product Line]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The new Leaders variable annuity combines features of the Leaders Suite and the Director M Suite.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181697-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Back-to-Back Bear Markets Would Justify GLWB  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[A "living benefit" rider could make sense under severe market conditions, according to an article in the May 2008 issue of the Journal of Financial Planning.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181698-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Advanced Sales Corp. Released From SEC Civil Suit ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The Chicago-area research firm had been a 'relief defendant' in a $2.8 million investment fraud complaint against its president's former husband. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181700-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Annuity Payout Rates Hit Five-Year High in U.K.]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Annuity payout rates have hit a five-year high in the United Kingdom amid a "rate war" among providers, according to a newswire report. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181487-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Fidelity Launches New Annuity Fund Options ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Fidelity has added several new fund options to several of its variable annuities.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181488-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Advanced Sales Reports Variable Annuity Data]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Between 10 and 15 independent broker/dealers report at least 50 VA transactions per day and $70 million in gross revenues per year, the  Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, firm has found. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181489-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Investors Want 'Financial Quarterbacks'--Cerulli]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[ "The investment management side of an advisor relationship is really becoming commoditized," said Cerulli spokesman Scott Smith. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181490-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[ING Gains from Citigroup Sub-Prime Woes  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[By acquiring CitiStreet, the Dutch banking giant becomes the third-largest defined contribution business in the U.S., managing $351 billion. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181491-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[IMSA Defends Its Members After TV Expose´]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[While unethical sales to seniors remain a concern, IMSA-qualified companies "adhere to high, verifiable standards for all consumers."  ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181295-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[House Seeks Better Disclosure  of 401(k) Fees  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[A bill increasing disclosure of fees to 401(k) plan participants is opposed by the mutual fund industry and the Bush administration.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181299-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Another Delay for Parts of "Suitability" Rule ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has asked the SEC to delay the effective date of paragraphs (c) and (d) of FINRA Rule 2821. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181300-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[At Pershing, AnnuityNet Leaps Over Blue Frog ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Pershing, the prominent clearing firm, switched annuity order-entry software vendors in November 2007, in a move not previously publicized.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181301-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Pick the Next U.S. President Today]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[When visiting the Retirement Income Reporter home page, don't forget to participate in our current poll.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181302-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[InsuranceNewsNet Calls NBC Broadcast "Tabloid Journalism"]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Dateline NBC's April 13 report on high-pressure sales of index annuities (IAs) presented an unbalanced view of annuities, said InsuranceNewsNet.com, an insurance producer website.  ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181006-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Simplify, Simplify, TowerGroup Advises VA Issuers]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Annuity issuers must reduce product complexity, streamline the sales process, and ensure the suitability of sales, according to new research by TowerGroup. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181007-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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         <title><![CDATA[Bank Reps Warm Up to Immediate Annuities]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Some bank reps are finding that income annuities can be the ideal way to make sure clients do not outlive assets, American Banker reported.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181008-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[RIIA To Create Retirement Income Designation]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The Boston-based nonprofit association is developing a course of study that will lead to a Retirement Management Analyst designation.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181009-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[FundQuest Offers Retirement Income Management System to Advisors]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[FundQuest, a turnkey asset management company, is adding a new open-architecture Retirement Income Management System to its platform.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/181010-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Phoenix and Jefferson National Issue Flat-Fee Variable Annuity]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The Portfolio Advisor will have a flat insurance fee of $20 a month, compared to the average variable annuity mortality and expense risk ratio of 1.35%.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180882-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[England Braces for an Invasion of  U.S.-Style Variable Annuities]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[U.K.-based insurance companies are trying to reassure investors that their VAs won't be as complicated as the U.S. versions, according to a newswire report. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180883-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[The Hartford Practices What It Preaches  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Starting in 2009, The Hartford's 401(k) plan will offer a deferred income annuity option to the plan's participants, The Hartford announced.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180884-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[The Retirement Income Crisis Spawns a Bevy of New Books]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Five authoritative new books about the future of retirement income security in America have appeared or will appear this year.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180885-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[NAVA Responds to NBC Exposé of Old Annuity News]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[In its statement, NAVA said that it and the insurance industry "are categorically opposed to unethical annuity sales practices."]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180886-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[SEC Inches Toward a Resolution of EIA Debate]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) expects to propose a plan this year to address concerns about sales of equity-indexed annuities (EIAs), especially to older investors.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180598-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

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         <title><![CDATA[Allianz Life Enters Japan's VA Market]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Allianz Life Insurance Japan Ltd., a unit of Allianz SE, will begin distributing deferred variable annuities through Nikko Cordial Securities in April. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180599-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Jackson National's New Roll-Up Option Has a Twist]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The new LifeGuard Freedom option offers a 7% increase in the benefit base in any year during the first 10 years in which withdrawals are not taken. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180600-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[AXA's New Rollover VA Aims For Large DC Plans]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Crossings: My Lifetime IRA is a variable annuity designed for employees taking rollover distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans at Fortune 1000 companies]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180601-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA["LifePay Plus" Lifts ING in 2007 VA Sales Rankings]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Sales of ING variable annuities climbed 45% in the fourth quarter of 2007, ranking the company second among variable annuity providers. At the end of 2006, ING ranked eleventh.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180602-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[E*Assist Delivers "Rule 2821 Compliance Solution"  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[E*Assist has launched a new product that helps broker/dealer firms fulfill the requirements of new 'suitability rule.' ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180407-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[AXA Equitable Offers New Tracking Tool for Advisers]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[AXA Equitable's new online tool, called 'Performance,' allows advisers to track the day-to-day and long-term performance of their AXA variable annuity subaccounts. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180409-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Three Insurers Join Pershing's Annuity Platform ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Pershing's Subscribe annuity platform now offers annuities from MetLife Investors, Principal Financial Group, and Symetra Life. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180410-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[AIG SunAmerica Adds Seven Percent VA Roll-Up]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[The new option guarantees that the lifetime income base will be at least double the purchase premium if the investor takes no withdrawals for the first 10 contract years.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180411-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[MetLife to Provide Income Annuities for BGI's DC Plans  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Participants in BGI-managed 401(k) plans can now contribute part of the employer match to a MetLife deferred income annuity contract.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180412-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Allianz Adds GLWB Option to Indexed Annuities]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America has added a lifetime withdrawal option to its MasterDex Plus deferred equity-indexed annuities.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180112-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[VA Asset Managers Cool Toward ETFs—Cerulli  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Many VA asset managers would rather offer index funds than ETFs as investment options, according to a Cerulli Associates survey.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180113-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Integrity Adds New VA GLWB and Fund Options  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Integrity Life Insurance Company has enhanced three variable annuity products--AnnuiChoice, PINNACLE, and a new L-share contract called AdvantEdge.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180114-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Many Boomers Don't Expect To Retire at All]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Half of today's pre-retirees plan to work early in retirement and one in three expect to work throughout retirement, American Banker reported.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180115-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Net VA Flow Hits $33.4 billion in 2007, or 18.3% of Total Sales ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[For 2007, total VA premium flow was $182.2 billion, up 15.8% from the prior year. Net flow for 2007 was $33.4 billion, up 12.1% from 2006 but only 18.3% of total flow. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/180116-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Fixed Annuity Sales Fall 9% in 2007]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Estimated fixed annuity sales for calendar 2007 were $65.1 billion, down 9.0% from 2006. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/139034-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[New GLWB from Monumental Life and Transamerica ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA['Architect,' a new guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit, is now offered on select Monumental Life and Transamerica Financial Life variable annuities.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/139035-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Annuity Marketers Lag in Video Presentations, Study Finds  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Only four of 10 firms offered online promotional images of annuity products, and just one firm provided a Flash-based video.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/139036-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Wealth2K Updates its Income Tool for Advisers]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Wealth2K has introduced an updated version of its all-in-one web-based retirement income planning solution for advisers.   ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/139037-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[RIR Editor Publishes "Annuities for Dummies"]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Annuities for Dummies, by RIR editor Kerry Pechter, defines annuities, explains how they work, and describes the different types of annuities in plain language. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/139038-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Protective Life Joins the Double-Your-Income-Base Club]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Protective Life Insurance Company has added  guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits to the SecurePay guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit of its AccessXL and RewardsB2A variable annuities. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/138842-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Lincoln Enhances A Lifetime Income Option]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Lincoln Financial Group joined the ranks of variable annuity issuers who allow contract owners to at least double the basis of their guaranteed lifetime income payments after a ten-year waiting period. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/138759-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Wachovia Leads All Banks In Annuity Income]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Wachovia Corporation earned more fees and commissions from annuity sales—$483 million—than any other U.S. bank holding company in 2007, the Bank Insurance Market Research Group reported.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/138766-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Individual Annuity Sales Rose 8% in 2007]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Total individual annuity sales in the U.S. rose to a record $257.4 billion in 2007, up 8% over 2006, according to LIMRA International.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/138736-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Investors Can't Tell a Broker from an Adviser: SEC/RAND]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[New study reveals public ignorance about fiduciary duty]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122348-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[FINRA Slams Banc One for Unsuitable VA Exchanges]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[JPMorgan Securities Unit Fined $225K for Pushing VAs on Septugenarians]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122349-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Prudential Raises The Bar on VA Roll-Up Rate]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Win/Win With 7% Income Benefit Base Increase Guarantee]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122350-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Could Rule 2821 Spark a Training Boom?]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Kaplan Financial Helping B/Ds Comply With New FINRA Rule]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122320-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[VAs to Thrive in Europe]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Aging, Wealthy Population to Create 'Va Va Voom']]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122322-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Net Sales of VAs in Recovery Mode  ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Third Quarter Sales Virtually Flat Overall]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122323-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[A Big Step Toward Straight-Through-Processing]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Fidelity Integrates Annuity Platform on Broker Workstation]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122312-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Fixed Annuities Get Slight Lift from Erratic Equities Market]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[But Sales Still Trailing 2006 Figures]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122313-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[U.S. Individual Annuity Sales on Record Pace    ]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Up 6% Through 3Q07 to $189.4 Billion]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122314-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[AXA Unleashes 'Gorilla Marketing' Tactics]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Updates Campaign With Four New TV Ads]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122303-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blue Frog Offers Combined Product Profiles]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Combines Information From Manufacturers, Distributors]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122304-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Lincoln Burnishes Public Website]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Underscores Retirement Income Management]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122305-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Retirement Jitters Are Global, Hartford Survey Shows]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Japanese, Americans Most Worried]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122300-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
      </item>

      <item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blue Frog Announces System Upgrade]]></title>
         <description><![CDATA[Affirm for Annuities Now Compliant with ACORD 2.16]]></description>
         <link>http://www.retirementincomereporter.com/news/122301-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</link>
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