Protective Aspirations variable annuity offers clients flexibility and guaranteed lifetime income, addressing retirement concerns like market volatility, healthcare costs, and evolving financial needs. With features like SecurePay Protector, it enables higher early retirement income, while also adapting to unforeseen challenges. 

The single-age withdrawal rates stand out, allowing retirees to maximize value based on their exact retirement age rather than broad age bands. For healthcare, the SecurePay NH benefit provides additional income during nursing home stays without impacting lifetime guarantees.

 Protective’s focus on customization and strong guarantees ensures financial professionals can build tailored strategies for long-term stability and adaptability. 

Finsum: Variable annuities offer an appealing solution for those who want a little more flexibility in  their annuity  options for 2025

Artificial intelligence is becoming crucial in financial advisory operations, automating tasks and enhancing efficiency. This allows advisors to focus more on client interaction and strategic work.

 AI leverages big data and advanced analytics to identify patterns, detect market trends, and anticipate client needs with greater precision. Consequently, clients receive more personalized advice and recommendations. 

Additionally, integrating various financial technologies enhances client engagement and produces better outcomes. The rise of open architecture ecosystems enables the integration of best-of-breed solutions tailored to a firm’s specific needs.

Finsum: AI tools can be used for simpler tasks like client outreach and personalization but also for more advanced tasks like portfolio construction. 

Retaining top financial advisors is crucial for building a competitive wealth business, and many advisors wonder what they should consider before switching firms while firms consider what it takes to retain key talent. Beyond recruitment, retention significantly impacts the success of wealth management firms by maintaining high-performing advisors and increasing their productivity. 

Advisors should emphasize the importance of integrated technology solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity, making it more compelling for an advisor to stay. It’s critical that your firm understands and addresses your needs through improved technology and flexible work options which can help aid you in being more productive with clients. 

The role of advanced, seamlessly integrated technology platforms is highlighted as a key factor in retaining advisors by boosting their client service capabilities and overall satisfaction.

Finsum: Advisors should consider the total package before changing firms and technology is one of the most critical ways a firm can assist your productivity. 

Demand for US Treasuries continues to be strong despite high levels of issuance. According to the Treasury Department, foreign holdings of Treasuries saw their fifth monthly increase, reaching new highs.

As of the end of February, foreigners held $7.97 trillion of US Treasuries, nearly 9% higher than February 2023. Japan is the largest holder of Treasuries, outside of the US, at $1.17 trillion, which is the most since August 2022. 

However, some believe that the country may be looking to boost the value of its currency, as it hit a 34-year low against the dollar earlier this week. In 2022, Japan intervened in currency markets by selling dollars and buying the yen when it was at similar levels. As a result, its holdings declined by $131.6 billion due to these transactions. 

Another trend is that China’s holding of Treasuries continues to decline. The country held $775 billion in Treasuries, a decline of $22.7 billion from the previous month. This is the lowest amount since March 2009. 

Europe saw the biggest monthly increase of $27 billion and owns $320 billion in total. Great Britain also saw a $9 billion increase in Treasury holdings to reach $701 billion. 

Finsum: Despite recent volatility in US Treasuries, foreign holdings continue to rise. Japan remains the largest owner of Treasuries, while China continues to reduce its stake.

Emerging market assets often witness significant yet brief fluctuations around Election Day, with their performance linked to the electoral outcome. Historical data suggests that emerging market assets fare better during periods of a unified US government or with a Democratic president. However, this data is limited, spanning only eight presidential election cycles. 

To gauge this year's potential impact on emerging markets, it's crucial to analyze key channels of influence, including changes in US macroeconomic variables, trade policy, and geopolitics. The outcome of the US election could significantly affect these factors, influencing emerging market assets. Trump's presidency might lead to faster US economic growth but increase uncertainty in trade and geopolitics, while a Biden presidency could maintain the status quo. 

Despite political considerations, long-term portfolio construction should remain impartial, with emerging market assets playing a pivotal role due to their diversification benefits and potential for higher returns. 

Finsum: Don’t let political biases crowd out your investment decisions.