Why do many advisors lean toward or avoid annuities, and what can make them rethink? New research highlighted in the NBER Reporter by Wharton Professor Olivia S. Mitchell and co-author Abigail Hurwitz reveals the behavioral and financial forces driving financial advisors’ annuity recommendations, and how client health and other characteristics influence their retirement advice.…Read More
What if a new approach to 401(k) plans could pay retirees stable lifetime incomes, with lower costs and better protection against running out of money? New research by Wharton professor Olivia S. Mitchell and co-authors explores how using deferred lifetime income annuities would reshape retirement wellbeing. …Read More
Despite today’s favorable annuity rates, few retirees select them, and most 401(k) plans don’t “nudge” them to do so. Wharton Professor Olivia S. Mitchell with co-authors Vanya Horneff and Raimond Maurer explore how ‘pretty good’ lifetime payouts from retirement plans can be made more accessible. Their research underscores the need for including deferred annuities as a default approach for 401(k) plans. …Read More
As policymakers and employers consider including annuities in retirement plans, questions remain about their implementation. A recent article explores the trade-offs of making annuities the default in retirement plans. Wharton professor Olivia S. Mitchell offers expert insights on fiduciary risks, participant preferences, and financial literacy gaps, highlighting the balance between…Read More
Many retirees risk outliving their savings, yet few employers offer tools to help manage spending in retirement. Wharton professor Olivia S. Mitchell examines why plan sponsors are slow to adopt decumulation solutions. Her insights spotlight the growing urgency for better retirement income planning amid rising financial uncertainty.…Read More
