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<title>RIA News Focus | Published News</title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com</link>
<description>Your Source for Social News and Networking</description>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:58:22 EDT</pubDate>
<language>en</language>
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<title><![CDATA[A flight to safety]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-flight-to-safety</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-flight-to-safety</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:58:22 EDT</pubDate>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-flight-to-safety</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Stock market volatility has caused some advisers to shy away from the sexiest  life insurance policies and#8212; variable universal life and variable life and#8212; and to steer clients to a tamer cousin, universal life.<br/><br/>6 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[A renewed confidence]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-renewed-confidence</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-renewed-confidence</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:58:20 EDT</pubDate>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-renewed-confidence</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Investment advisers' confidence in the financial health of the insurance industry and#8212; though still underwhelming and#8212; is on the rebound, according to the InvestmentNews 2010 Insurance Product Survey.<br/><br/>3 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Answers on Credit Ratings Are Long Overdue]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=answers-on-credit-ratings-are-long-overdue</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=answers-on-credit-ratings-are-long-overdue</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:58:17 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=answers-on-credit-ratings-are-long-overdue</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Raise your hand if you can explain why anyone still believes in credit ratings.One of the enduring questions of the financial crisis is how the credit ratings establishment got so much so wrong for so very long. How could century-old institutions like the Moody's Investors Service give their triple-A blessings to subprime junk?It is time - in fact, past time - for Washington to get some answers. <br/><br/>4 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Living And Death Benefit Riders: How Do They Work]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=living-and-death-benefit-riders-how-do-they-work</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=living-and-death-benefit-riders-how-do-they-work</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:58:17 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category></category>
<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=living-and-death-benefit-riders-how-do-they-work</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The annuity contracts that were first offered by insurance carriers over a century ago were relatively simple instruments. They were designed to insure the risk of superannuation, or outliving one's income, and provided a guaranteed income stream to annuitants in return for either a lump-sum or periodic investment. But annuity contracts have become increasingly complex over the years... SF Gate: <br/><br/>3 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Advisors Expanding Retirement Income Offerings, Survey Finds]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=advisors-expanding-retirement-income-offerings-survey-finds</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=advisors-expanding-retirement-income-offerings-survey-finds</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:58:16 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category></category>
<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=advisors-expanding-retirement-income-offerings-survey-finds</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Polarized attitudes toward annuities remain; more focus on riskA new survey further confirms the growth opportunity for advisors from focusing on retirement income products and strategies. However, the report also notes heightened concern among brokers and RIAs with managing investment risk for investors.The Continued Evolution of Retirement Income Delivery: An Analysis of Leading Practices in Ad<br/><br/>5 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[The Dog Days of Summer for the S&P: Revisiting Predictions]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=the-dog-days-of-summer-for-the-sp-revisiting-predictions</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=the-dog-days-of-summer-for-the-sp-revisiting-predictions</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:58:16 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=the-dog-days-of-summer-for-the-sp-revisiting-predictions</guid>
<description><![CDATA[At the beginning of August 2010, we used our model of the S&amp;P 500 to make three predictions of where stock prices would go during the month.  We predicted:  The level the S&amp;P 500 would average in the early part of the month (1123-1175).The average level of stock prices to which the S&amp;P 500 would go next (1074-1127).The change in the year-over-year growth rate of stock prices that woul<br/><br/>4 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Making a switch pay]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=making-a-switch-pay</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=making-a-switch-pay</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:25:58 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=making-a-switch-pay</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Clearing firms, facing declining revenue and in-creased competition, have something new to worry about: More and more broker-dealers are seeking loans as an incentive to sign on with a new firm.<br/><br/>5 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[DOL should not regulate generally accepted investment theories, employer groups say]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=dol-should-not-regulate-generally-accepted-investment-theories-employer-groups-say</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=dol-should-not-regulate-generally-accepted-investment-theories-employer-groups-say</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:25:51 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=dol-should-not-regulate-generally-accepted-investment-theories-employer-groups-say</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Employer groups, responding to the Labor Department's proposed investment advice regulations on May 5, 2010, said that the DOL should not attempt to regulate what constitutes "generally accepted investment theories."In the proposed investment advice rules, which were issued in March 2010, the DOL made a request for public comment on the conditions applicable to investment advice arrangements that<br/><br/>6 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[We Need A Fiduciary Standard For All]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=we-need-a-fiduciary-standard-for-all</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=we-need-a-fiduciary-standard-for-all</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:25:51 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=we-need-a-fiduciary-standard-for-all</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Brokers and registered investment advisors don't treat their clients the same way. Investors should end "buyer beware."All advisors should be held to the same code of conduct. Most investors assume that they can trust their financial advisors to act in their best interest. What they don't know is that some advisors are legally required to act for them while others are not. The financial reform ac<br/><br/>5 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Live long and prosper with annuities]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=live-long-and-prosper-with-annuities</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=live-long-and-prosper-with-annuities</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:25:51 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category></category>
<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=live-long-and-prosper-with-annuities</guid>
<description><![CDATA[With the right genes, longevity insurance a plus Among the many risks retirees face is living too long and outliving their money.Of course, the first part is a risk many would welcome. It beats the alternative.Fortunately, there is a solution in longevity insurance, better known as annuities or life annuities. These are contractual arrangements between an "annuitant" -- yourself -- and a life ins<br/><br/>5 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Judge Lets Claims Stand in Annuity Case]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=judge-lets-claims-stand-in-annuity-case</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=judge-lets-claims-stand-in-annuity-case</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:12:05 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category></category>
<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=judge-lets-claims-stand-in-annuity-case</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A federal judge in Rhode Island let stand some civil legal claims by two insurance companies against an estate-planning attorney and others who used newspaper ads to recruit dozens of terminally ill people for purchases of variable annuities.The judge, in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., in a Wednesday ruling let stand fraud, conspiracy and other claims against the estate-planning attorne<br/><br/>7 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Franklin investor William Spencer pleads guilty in Ponzi scheme]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=franklin-investor-william-spencer-pleads-guilty-in-ponzi-scheme</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=franklin-investor-william-spencer-pleads-guilty-in-ponzi-scheme</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:12:05 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category></category>
<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=franklin-investor-william-spencer-pleads-guilty-in-ponzi-scheme</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The former Franklin investment advisor accused of mail and wire fraud in connection with an alleged $1.5 million "Ponzi" scheme is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in federal court.William W. Spencer, 68, entered his guilty plea May 28 before Judge William Haynes, according to court documents. The U.S. Attorney's office for Middle Tennessee initially charged Spencer in April with six cou<br/><br/>6 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[New York Eyes Annuity Withdrawal Disclosures]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=new-york-eyes-annuity-withdrawal-disclosures</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=new-york-eyes-annuity-withdrawal-disclosures</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:12:05 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=new-york-eyes-annuity-withdrawal-disclosures</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The New York State Insurance Department is drafting advice that would encourage annuity sellers to warn consumers about the dangers of taking early excess withdrawals.Insurers that are selling annuities with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit features should provide disclosure "in the sales presentation before the contract is issued and again at the time an excess withdrawal is requested," Mic<br/><br/>6 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Our June Market Forecast Project]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=our-june-market-forecast-project</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=our-june-market-forecast-project</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:12:05 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category></category>
<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=our-june-market-forecast-project</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Money managers are always looking for an advantage to help them better understand the market and get an edge in their stock selection process. The Applied Finance Group's (AFG&rsquo;s) Market Forecast Project &#40;MFP&#41; has served that purpose for over 300 investment professionals that participate, and it continues to grow. In our 11th issue of the MFP we have identified the favorite long and <br/><br/>7 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[England vs. France: Gilts to Score in Final Minute...]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=england-vs-france-gilts-to-score-in-final-minute--</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=england-vs-france-gilts-to-score-in-final-minute--</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:12:05 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=england-vs-france-gilts-to-score-in-final-minute--</guid>
<description><![CDATA[At the request of one of our readers,  and with the UK Budget announcement tomorrow, we thought today was as  good a day as any to do a piece on the UK's credit rating.A popular  view, at least until the UK election, was that the UK would get  downgraded, as its budget deficit of 11% rivaled that of Greece. It was also hypothesized that  the cost of bailing out the financial system would lead to <br/><br/>10 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[LPL picks bad time to go public]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=lpl-picks-bad-time-to-go-public</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=lpl-picks-bad-time-to-go-public</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:08:45 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=lpl-picks-bad-time-to-go-public</guid>
<description><![CDATA[If LPL decides to launch anytime soon and#8212; as of yet, no date has been set and#8212; it will be doing so smack dab in the middle of an incredibly difficult market for IPOs in general and financial services stocks in particular.<br/><br/>8 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[A 'major tax hit' lurking for financial planners]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-major-tax-hit-lurking-for-financial-planners</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-major-tax-hit-lurking-for-financial-planners</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:08:43 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-major-tax-hit-lurking-for-financial-planners</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Senate Democrats this week will try to cobble together the 60 votes required to pass legislation that would renew dozens of tax breaks and#8212; and introduce several tax hikes and#8212; some of which would significantly affect the financial planning industry.<br/><br/>4 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[I-Team: Annuity Lawsuit Update (Video)]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=i-team-annuity-lawsuit-update-video</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=i-team-annuity-lawsuit-update-video</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:08:42 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category></category>
<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=i-team-annuity-lawsuit-update-video</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A judge has dismissed some claims against a Cranston lawyer involved in a controversial annuities program...Turn to 10: I-Team: Annuity Lawsuit Update (Video)<br/><br/>6 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[A look at how people pay for retirement]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-look-at-how-people-pay-for-retirement</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-look-at-how-people-pay-for-retirement</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:08:42 EDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=a-look-at-how-people-pay-for-retirement</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Retirement planning isn't about "the number," but the numbers -- your assets, liabilities, expenses, and income. The more you know about those numbers, the more likely your retirement plan will become a reality instead of a pipe dream.And a new report will help you get a better handle on at least one of those numbers: income. The average retiree depends on four sources of income in retirement, ac<br/><br/>4 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Joan Aragone: Be careful of direct mailings]]></title>
<link>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=joan-aragone-be-careful-of-direct-mailings</link>
<comments>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=joan-aragone-be-careful-of-direct-mailings</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:08:40 EDT</pubDate>
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<guid>http://www.rianewsfocus.com/story.php?title=joan-aragone-be-careful-of-direct-mailings</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It's nice to be popular. Or is it?I recently received at my home an innocuous-looking postcard mailing - one of those tear-off-and-mail-the-attached-card formats - announcing itself as an update on California long-term care.Printed in black and white with a prepaid postage return, it looked official, as though the state were sending me information I needed to know.An anonymous message - no name o<br/><br/>6 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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