Matt Ackermann

Jim Dario, a managing director of product and strategy at TD Ameritrade Institutional, says clients expect 24/7 attention from their vendors, and advisers need to find the right technology tools to streamline their process while still managing to enjoy their own life, home, hobbies and family.

Market volatility has made annuities markedly more attractive in the past year.

Following a pair of bear markets, advisers know the days of buy-and-hold investors with 60/40 portfolio allocations are over.

Roth IRA conversions surged last year, particularly in the fourth quarter as investors looked to take advantage of regulatory changes.

For younger employees the possibility of an enjoyable retirement is dwindling. According to a study by Aon Hewitt, Generation Y workers can expect stagnant wages, job insecurity and a steady decline in pension plan and retiree medical benefits.

A survey, which was conducted in May and June of 2010, indicated that 72% of new employees said the retirement program is an important reason they will stay with their employer, up from 51% in 2009.

Pre-retirees who continuously held a 401(k) plan with Fidelity Investments for the past 10 years more than doubled their account balances, according to data released by the company.

Nearly 20 years after they were first introduced, exchange-traded funds remain unfamiliar territory for many investors.