The IRI Insight is the Insured Retirement Institute's educational news service that will help financial advisors better convey the benefits of insured retirement strategies to their clients as they look for more guarantees and less stress in this post-crisis world. An 8-page newsletter, the IRI Insight is inserted every other month into Financial Planning, On Wall Street, and Bank Investment Consultant.

The complete November 2009 IRI Insight is available in PDF here or by clicking on the individual articles listed below.

1. Click to view the entire IRI Insight

   View from the President by Cathy Weatherford
   An overview of the IRI Insight and the ways IRI is working to ensure Americans find financial guarantees and prepare for the future.
2. Parting Thoughts on a Year Well Spent by Mark Casady, Chairman, LPL Financial and past IRI Chairman of the Board
   A look back at the amazing transformation of NAVA into the Insured Retirement Institute over the past 12 months.
3. Restoring Retirement Confidence by James Shepherdson, Executive Vice President, AXA Equitable and IRI Chairman of the Board
   Helping consumers understand insured retirement products and the ways to recover from the financial crisis
4. Q&A with NAIC CEO Dr. Therese Vaughan on the State of U.S. Insurers Today
   Understanding the role and solvency of state insurance guarantee funds and the image of the insurance industry since the financial crisis.
5. With Costs on the Rise, Social Security Likely Remains Flat
   The impact of the recent announcement that there will not be a cost of living adjustment to Social Security benefits for 2010.
6. VAs' Value Offsets Costs in an Uncertain World
   Weighing the costs of variable annuities against the benefits of a lifetime guarantee.
7. Understanding the Impact of Revenue Ruling 2008-24
   Breaking down the tax consequences of a partial exchange involving nonqualified annuity contracts.
8. Incentivizing Workers to Invest by Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL)
   Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite outlines the Retirement Security Needs Lifetime Pay Act which she introduced with Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) to incentivize workers to invest in a retirement annuity.
9. Come 2010, Roth IRAs Are Available to All Investors
   Many investors with a household income of $100,000 or more are unaware that after January 1, 2010 they have the opportunity to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. The advantages include tax-free withdrawals in retirement, no required minimum distributions and tax-free income for heirs who inherit an account.
10. Debunking Variable Annuity Myths
    When examined in light of today's market, and investors' eagerness for guarantees, many of the myths surrounding variable annuities begin to melt away. Advisors and clients are discovering that these investments provide protection at a cost commensurate with their price and potential future tax savings.