Advisors' businesses around the world have been impacted by the growth of government regulations, including near-total bans on commissions.

Plan sponsors and recordkeepers agree that a focus on retirement income will be one of the biggest retirement practice trends in the future, according to MetLife research.

Sales of voluntary insurance products rose in 2011 to $5.5 billion in premium, fueled chiefly by the largest producer channel, benefit brokers, according to a new report.

Whole life is turning out to be the biggest driver in growth across the entire industry, with its security of premium, according to LIMRA research.

While fewer than 1 in 10 Americans say their lifestyle is more than they can afford, more than 21 percent say their monthly spending exceeds their income at least half of the year.

The report also suggests the DOL develop more proactive approaches to educational outreach and improve access to Form 5500 data.

An average of 64.3 percent of employees eligible to participate in their organizations 403(b) plan made contributions to the plan in 2011, new research reveals.

AnnuitySpecs.com says sales of FIAs were up 13 percent, with a year-ending total of $8 billion.