2019 Retirement Industry Conference

It’s easy for us all to assume we know what our customers want and need. Too often, we build complex solutions, new products, and experiences based on what we “know” to be true. What happens when that assumption is wrong, and your idea doesn’t resonate with your customers? In this session, we’ll focus on how to think differently and build small, iterative, in-market tests to better understand your customers’ behaviors. By focusing on the minimally viable solution, you can get into market quickly, learn what your customers want, and use that to inform your business case and decisions going forward.

Attend this session to learn how distributors are acting and reacting to new players in the institutional space, regulatory initiatives, and economic forces that influence employers and employees alike.

A panel of leading fraud prevention experts from insurance and financial services will discuss the evolving nature of fraud, the threats it poses to both our customers and our brands, and the new processes and tools that are being developed and deployed to deter and thwart attempted fraud. We will also preview some of the new tools and other resources being developed by the industry as part of the LIMRA LOMA Fraud Initiative. To help frame the panel discussion, Paul Henry will share recent LIMRA research on the evolving nature of fraud, the industry response, and consumer expectations. Audience participation and questions are encouraged.

In his opening remarks, Dave Levenson will share some of the significant trends that are blurring the lines between wealth management, life insurance and retirement, creating new opportunities to help more consumers achieve retirement security.

1.2 EA Non-Core Credit Hours

Innovation in the software-based financial technology (FinTech) sector has attracted significant attention because of its clear potential to disrupt existing global financial services models. The FinTech Revolution will only occur, however, if this nascent technology overcomes challenges in cybersecurity, digital identity and legal regulation. In his presentation, Rosenbach provides audiences with important insight on the trajectory of key technologies driving FinTech, the current regulatory environment and avenues for reform to spur FinTech growth, and the potential for FinTech to shift the balance of the global economy and geo-political centers of gravity.

1.2 EA Non-Core Credit Hours

A confluence of factors have contributed to a significant evolution in the design and delivery of defined contribution retirement benefits in the past decade. In this session, the presenters will discuss recent trends in defined contribution retirement plans, with a focus on strong plan design, advancing technology, and the incorporation of behavioral economics principles.

Attend this session to learn how new tools are allowing advisors to build better retirement solutions. See how technology companies are partnering with distributors and carriers to better incorporate annuities into planning. Understand how tools help advisors today, and what innovative solutions are under development.

In this ever-changing regulatory landscape, what current strategies are retirement plan providers using for their asset retention programs? Have companies continued along, scaled back, or made adjustments relative to the DOL fiduciary-related standards of interaction? In this session, learn how industry leaders are approaching asset retention and addressing the aging/retiring workforce.

There are many excuses that the industry uses to rationalize why insurance sales around the world are not increasing, including too much regulation, an expensive delivery system, people not wanting to think about bad events, and competition for disposable income. The Geneva Association recently completed a survey of 7,000 individuals in seven countries to dig deeper into the underlying psychology behind lack of insurance purchasing — and the results may surprise you! Are lack of sales self-inflicted? This session will focus on annuity sales.

What got us here won’t get us there. Learn how insurance companies are preparing for the future by investing in venture capital and a culture of innovation. If you’re not willing to disrupt yourself, someone else will.

The DOL rule has been vacated but talks about Best Interest standards continue. The SEC, NAIC and individual states are working on proposals. How aligned are the different regulators and what will their solutions mean for the retirement industry? Understand how the regulators are approaching what’s best for consumers, the industry, and public policy goals.

1.2 EA Non-Core Credit Hours

As federal retirement reform legislation lurches forward in fits and starts, common themes have emerged (e.g., open MEPs, new/enhanced safe harbors, and incentives for start-up plans).  Against this legislative backdrop, numerous industry developments are unfolding (state-sponsored retirement, fintech, expanding gig economy).  Collectively, these seemingly disparate force vectors have the potential to fundamentally reshape the retirement industry.  Join us as we explore both pending legislative changes as well as the dynamic, evolving environment within which these changes may ultimately be implemented.

Stress is a leading cause of chronic disease, and financial concerns are a top stressor.  Fortunately, a platform approach to financial wellness can drive positive behavior change, including increased retirement savings, all while expanding employers’ benefits. Attend this session to learn more about this approach.

1.2 EA Non-Core Credit Hours

The workforce and the labor economy has changed significantly in recent years. With the advent of contingent and non-traditional workers and increasing automation, the employment deal of the future is different from what we have seen in the past. The economic reality of younger generations is different than what prior generations have experienced, and it introduces new challenges for the future of retirement. During this session, we will cover how individuals and companies are adapting to the new reality and the challenges new generations are encountering in their efforts to achieve financial wellness and retirement readiness.

Despite a recent slowing across the full U.S. population, life expectancy has continued to increase for target markets of financial and insurance companies. Speakers in this session will discuss mortality drivers and their potential impact on further changes in longevity, and provide insights on the implications for individual retail retirement products.

There is no better time to change the narrative on protected lifetime income than now! The demand for guaranteed lifetime income will reach $780 billion with four in 10 non-retirees interested in converting assets into products with guaranteed lifetime income. The Alliance for Lifetime Income is bringing awareness and educating Americans on the importance of protected lifetime income for a more secure retirement. You will leave this session invigorated from hearing the results of LIMRA’s Industry Image research, the accomplishments and results from the Alliance for Lifetime Income, and what’s next on transforming our industry’s image.

Creating a competitive product is not enough to succeed in the fee-based (commission-free) insurance market. Using technology to enhance the advisors’ experience and ease of doing business is paramount to success. Several independent platforms are being launched to include insurance products within advisory networks. These platforms may simplify advisory fee transactions and trading for annuities, create consolidated statements, balance portfolios, and more. This session will address the following questions: What are some of these technology platforms? Why should I integrate with them? How is technology being used to promote and distribute insurance products?

The presentation will offer insights from a research study on words and phrases to use to more effectively communicate with plan participants.“Retirement” may not be the hottest debate in the political arena right now, but it’s highly influenced by the media, which in turn influences the court of public opinion.  Not a regulatory update, but a primer and historical level-set, this session explores the presentation and sides of retirement issues employers, advisors and individuals have faced for generations, offering a new perspective on all the sides of this decades-old topic, and insights into how stakeholders can maximize retirement program and planning opportunities.

Sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices

1.2 EA Non-Core Credit Hours

For most workers and their families, Social Security provides the foundation for retirement income and planning. In this session, the Chief Actuary at the Social Security Administration will discuss the level of benefits the program currently provides, financial challenges for financing these benefits for the future, and features of the benefits offered that can be varied to best suit workers in different circumstances.

Registration is limited to 45 participants

This interactive session will present the results of a Long-Term Care Think Tank initiative exploring new LTC financing product ideas. The work included concept design and actuarially supported pricing, extensive consumer research, demand projections, and financial modeling of the impact on tax revenues and Medicaid expenditures. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their feedback in a small group format on potential opportunities and risks related to two concepts, "Lifestage Protection" and “Retirement Plus” that will inform the ongoing work of the LTC Think Tank.

1.2 EA Non-Core Credit Hours

This session will present the results of a recent survey of five generations — Millennials, Gen Xers, Early Boomers, Late Boomers, and members of the Silent Generation — on financial perspectives of aging and retirement and related issues. The study compares and contrasts the habits and financial behaviors of these different generations and how these impact retirement preparedness and outlook. Results will also be presented on family related values and attitudes of each generation.

The need for guaranteed income solutions for consumers is growing because of longer life expectancy and decreasing prevalence of defined benefit plans. Yet annuity sales focused on income guarantees are on the decline. Listen as a panel of distribution partners discuss how advisors approach retirement income planning with clients. Learn why/how annuity products are or are not used and how annuities can better complement income planning solutions.

1.2 EA Non-Core Credit Hours

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to maximizing access and coverage to retirement plans for all workers. A number of states and even municipalities have created their own mandatory retirement plans, while Congress is considering legislation that would expand retirement plan access. Speakers in this session will provide an update on these initiatives, and discuss the merits of these different approaches.

1.2 EA Non-Core Credit Hours

Financial decisions made during consumers’ transition out of the workplace have a significant impact on their quality of life in retirement. Today’s retirees face unique challenges: the decline of traditional pension and health plans, the instability of the stock market, and expensive medical and long-term care costs.

So how can our industry help people achieve a secure retirement? While financial security is critical, consumers must also consider their health, personal capabilities, and social networks. Come hear Steve Vernon share these simple yet powerful strategies that can help consumers enjoy their retirement years.

The retirement industry has been challenged to find scalable and effective ways to motivate plan participants to save. Learn how technology is enabling fresh approaches to engage participants emotionally, encouraging greater savings, and creating the next generation of participant experience.