Tag Archives: Security Benefit

Security Benefit Launches “Failure is Not an Option” Retirement Income Campaign

October 24, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Leading Provider Of Retirement Income Solutions Addresses Urgent Planning Problem For Pre- And Post-Retirees

Topeka, KS, October 23, 2012 – Security Benefit Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, today announced the rollout of its “Failure Is Not An Option” campaign, a program designed to help financial advisers and their clients generate more predictable income in retirement with less risk.

Executives at the firm, a leading provider of retirement savings and income vehicles for America’s retirees, say the campaign addresses an urgent need for new planning strategies that produce sustainable retirement income.

“It’s one thing to know that today’s retirement portfolios demand a smarter balance of growth and safety to effectively achieve a stream of lifetime income,” says Michael P. Kiley, Security Benefit Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer. “The challenge is finding solutions to that end.”

Security Benefit began preparing for the campaign in July when it commissioned Milliman, Inc., one of the world’s largest independent actuarial and consulting firms, to conduct a study on income-product allocation. The firm plans to announce the full results of the research later in the month.

“It’s no secret that financial advisers are questioning traditional approaches to retirement planning,” says Kiley. ”We want to help these professionals find innovative and better ways to meet the challenge. The Milliman study tells us there are real solutions emerging in the form of improved strategies that promise to generate more income at less cost with less market risk.”

An integral part of the campaign will be the “Retirement Income Challenge” website. Specifically built for financial advisers, the site includes an “Income Calculator” and a sophisticated modeling tool designed to help optimize retirement income portfolios similar to the Modern Portfolio Theory approach.

Subsequent “Failure Is Not An Option” materials will include white papers, research reports and byline articles on securing income in retirement.

Security Benefit, backed by the superior general account management capabilities of Guggenheim Investments, a subsidiary of Guggenheim Partners, is uniquely positioned to bring fresh ideas to a vital market. With a comprehensive suite of retirement savings products, including both accumulation and income annuities, retirement plans, and mutual funds, the firm serves individual and institutional investors through a broad network of independent financial representatives.

Long committed to helping financial advisers meet their clients’ retirement needs, Security Benefit was the industry’s fourth-largest provider of fixed indexed annuities in the second quarter of 2012 according to Beacon Research.

About Security Benefit Corporation
Founded in 1892, Security Benefit Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, is a leading provider of savings and income solutions for America’s pre- and post-retirees. Security Benefit Corporation targets multiple wealth segments and channels of distribution through an independent, merit-based distribution structure. By leveraging Guggenheim’s superior general account management capabilities into highly competitive products, Security Benefit Corporation focuses on the retirement savings market providing a full range of services to independent distributors including broker/dealers, IMOs, and other financial service providers. Security Benefit is indirectly controlled by Guggenheim Partners, LLC. To learn more about Security Benefit, visit www.securitybenefit.com.

For more information, please contact:

Dan Mahoney, Communications Strategy Group
(970) 405-8060
dmahoney@csg-pr.com

Michel’ Cole, Security Benefit Corporation
(785) 438-3396
Michel.cole@securitybenefit.com

In all states except New York, annuities are issued by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company (SBL). SBL is not authorized in and does not transact insurance business in New York.

Contact:
Dan Mahoney
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(970) 405-8060
dmahoney@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

Security Benefit Partners With fi360

April 24, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

New Relationship To Provide Powerful Tools For Independent 401(k) Advisors

Topeka, Kansas, April 23, 2012 – Security Benefit Corporation, a leading provider of retirement savings and income vehicles throughout the nation, today announced it has formed a partnership with fi360, the premier organization for fiduciary education, investment analytics, support services, and industry insights for financial professionals.

With the relationship, advisors and plan sponsors will have no-cost access to fi360’s highly regarded fi360 Fiduciary Score® analysis of Security Benefit’s recently launched SecurePoint Retirement 401(k) product. SecurePoint includes the expertise of Mesirow Financial as ERISA 3(38) fiduciary in the selection, monitoring, and replacement of 401(k) plan investment alternatives.

“We’re confident that advisors will find fi360’s reports beneficial,” said Jim Mullery, President, Security Distributors. “Access to a powerful fiduciary tool like fi360 will go a long way toward helping independent investment advisors build and manage sound 401(k) businesses.”

Known for its full-circle approach to investment fiduciary education, practice management, and support, fi360 offers world-class training, tools, and resources essential for fiduciaries to effectively and successfully manage their roles and responsibilities. The firm’s designation training provides instruction towards earning the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst™ (AIFA®) professional designations.

“We see this as a mutually beneficial relationship,” said Blaine Aikin, fi360’s CEO, “and a chance for us to immediately add real value to advisors in the small- and mid-size retirement plan market.”

Additional information on SecurePoint and Security Benefit’s Corporate Retirement Programs is available at securityretirement.com.

For more information, please contact:
Michel’ Cole, Security Benefit Corporation
(785) 438-3396
Michel.cole@securitybenefit.com

Laura Parsons, CSG-PR
303-887-2911
lparsons@csg-pr.com

About Security Benefit Corporation
Founded in 1892, Security Benefit Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, is a leading provider of savings and income solutions for America’s pre-and post-retirees. Security Benefit Corporation targets multiple wealth segments and channels of distribution through an independent, merit-based distribution structure. By leveraging Guggenheim’s superior general account management capabilities into highly competitive products, Security Benefit Corporation focuses on the retirement savings market providing a full range of services to independent distributors including broker/dealers, IMOs and other financial service providers. Security Benefit is indirectly controlled by Guggenheim Partners, LLC. The firm’s se2 division is an award-winning and nationally recognized provider of administrative services for the insurance and financial services industry. To learn more about Security Benefit or se2, visit www.securitybenefit.com or www.se2.com.

About Guggenheim Partners
Guggenheim Partners is a privately held global financial services firm with more than $125 billion in assets under management. The firm provides asset management, investment banking and capital markets services, insurance, institutional finance and investment advisory solutions to institutions, governments and agencies, corporations, investment advisors, family offices and individuals. Guggenheim Partners is headquartered in New York and Chicago and serves clients around the world from more than 25 offices in 10 countries. For more information, please visit www.guggenheimpartners.com.

About fi360
fi360 offers a comprehensive approach to investment fiduciary education, practice management and support that has established them as the go-to source for investment fiduciary insights. With substantiated Practices as the foundation, fi360 offers world-class fiduciary Training/Education, Tools and Resources that are essential for fiduciaries and those who provide services to fiduciaries to effectively and successfully manage their roles and responsibilities. Fi360 assists those who rely on their fiduciary education programs, professional AIF® and AIFA® designations, Web-based analytical and reporting software and resources to achieve success. For more information about fi360, please visit www.fi360.com or Twitter: @fiduciary360.

The Security Benefit SecurePoint RetirementSM 401(k) product is a Trust Account under §401 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Services are offered through Security Distributors, Inc., a subsidiary of Security Benefit Corporation.

Contact:
Laura Parsons
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-887-2911
lparsons@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

Security Benefit Launches Innovative Total Value Annuity

April 3, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Unique Index Coupled with Successful Manufacturing and Distribution Creates Marketplace Excitement

Topeka, Kansas, April 02, 2012 – Security Benefit Corporation, a leading provider of retirement savings and income vehicles throughout the nation, today announced the launch of its Total Value Annuity, a fixed index annuity (FIA) offered exclusively through four elite independent marketing organizations (IMOs).

“We’re building on the success of our recent efforts to put unique and competitive products into the hands of respected national distribution organizations,” said Michael P. Kiley, Security Benefit Corporation Chief Executive Officer. “We are eager to again partner with Advisors Excel, together with three other elite marketing organizations, Creative Marketing, Gradient Financial and Impact Partnership.”

Through this very timely offering, Security Benefit is leveraging its state-of-the-art administrative platform as well as the highly effective distribution model that proved so effective with last year’s Security Income Annuity (SIA) launch.

“Our Total Value Annuity targets savers with an eye toward asset accumulation and we believe is a sensible part of our retirement savings and income product strategy,” said Doug Wolff, President, Security Benefit Life. “Our TVA extends Security Benefit’s fixed index annuity product line that includes the SIA and has rapidly become one of the top four selling products in the industry,* positioning Security Benefit as one of the fastest growing fixed index annuity providers in the nation.”

The Total Value Annuity comes as close to fully addressing the retirement challenge as any product on the market. Kiley expects his firm’s latest offering to help financial advisors and their clients address the three most important issues they face as they plan their financial future:

• Accumulation with Minimized Risk,

• Guaranteed Income for Life, and

• Death Benefit Option for Wealth Transfer to Heirs

The Total Value Annuity was designed to protect retirement savings and provide interest on those savings. Built with three different interest crediting options, Security Benefit’s newest product offers a fixed interest rate option or performance based interest results from the S&P 500® Index and/or the 5 Year Annuity Linked TVI Index (ALTVI). Annuity owners can choose to allocate all of their money to one interest crediting option or any combination of the three.

The ALTVI was built with a goal of providing positive returns through diversification, non-correlation and stabilized volatility. Its index provides the Total Value Annuity a unique alternative to the performance of traditional asset classes.

In addition to its flexible interest crediting options, the Total Value Annuity can be structured to provide guaranteed income for life through the optional Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Rider, or to provide for others upon the owner’s death through the Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit Rider.

“We believe our TVA can be a sensible part of retirement savings, and addresses many of the challenges and issues faced when approaching or entering retirement,” said Wolff. “

For more information, please contact:
Michel’ Cole, Security Benefit Corporation
(785) 438-3396
Michel.cole@securitybenefit.com

Laura Parsons, CSG-PR
303-887-2911
lparsons@csg-pr.com

About Security Benefit Corporation
Founded in 1892, Security Benefit Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, is a leading provider of savings and income solutions for America’s pre-and post-retirees. Security Benefit Corporation targets multiple wealth segments and channels of distribution through an independent, merit-based distribution structure. By leveraging Guggenheim’s superior general account management capabilities into highly competitive products, Security Benefit Corporation focuses on the retirement savings market providing a full range of services to independent distributors including broker/dealers, IMOs and other financial service providers. Security Benefit is indirectly controlled by Guggenheim Partners, LLC. The firm’s se2 division is an award-winning and nationally recognized provider of administrative services for the insurance and financial services industry. To learn more about Security Benefit or se2, visit www.securitybenefit.com or www.se2.com.

The Security Benefit Total Value Annuity (Form 5700 (3-12) and ICC 12 5700 (3-12)),, a flexible premium deferred fixed index annuity contract, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) Rider (form 5720 (3-12) and ICC 12 5720 (3-12)) and the Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit (GMDB) Rider (Form 5721 (3-12)), optional riders available for purchase with the Security Benefit Total Value Annuity, are issued by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. Product features, limitations and availability may vary by state. Not available in all states. Not a deposit. Not insured by any federal agency. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. May go down in value.

*According to a ranking from AnnuitySpecs.com’s Indexed Sales & Market Report, 4Q2011, of all the Indexed Annuity products sold, Security Benefit went from unranked on 1/1/2011 to number 4 in Indexed Annuity Sales as of 12/31/11.

The Annuity Linked TVI Index, ALTVI, RBS, The Royal Bank of Scotland and the DAISY device logo are trademarks of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and have been licensed for use by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc or one of its affiliates. Security Benefit Life Insurance Company annuities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc or The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc make no representation and offer no advice with regard to purchasing any Security Benefit annuity. None of The Royal Bank of Scotland plc or any of its officers, employees, representatives or agents accept any responsibility for the appropriateness or suitability of any Security Benefit annuity for any purchaser, the performance of the Annuity Linked TVI Index or any Security Benefit annuity or the accuracy or completeness of this document.

TVI, TVI Index, Trader Vic Index, EAM Partners L.P., and EAM are trademarks of EAM Partners L.P. (“EAM”). The Trader Vic Index™ was created and is owned by EAM. EAM developed, maintains and is the sole party responsible for the methodology that is employed in connection with the Trader Vic Index™. RBS has provided a contribution to the Trader Vic Index™ in a limited manner. RBS’s contribution is limited to performing calculations and data distribution in connection with the Trader Vic Index™. EAM does not sponsor, endorse, sell, or promote this or any annuity contract or other vehicle that is offered by third parties and that seeks to provide an investment return based on the returns of the Trader Vic Index™, nor shall EAM be liable for any errors, misstatements or omissions in any communications with respect thereto. A decision to invest in any such annuity contract or other vehicle should not be made in reliance on any of the statements set forth in this document. Prospective purchasers are advised to make such a decision only after carefully considering the risks associated with purchasing such an annuity or other vehicle, as detailed in the offering materials prepared by or on behalf of the issuer of the annuity contract or vehicle.

Services are offered through Security Distributors, Inc., a subsidiary of Security Benefit Corporation (Security Benefit). ©2012 Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. All rights reserved. 88-00001-24 2012/04/01

Contact:
Laura Parsons
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-887-2911
lparsons@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

Security Benefit Corporation Launches New, Redesigned Website

March 31, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Major Update for Securitybenefit.com Promises Fresh Look, Easier Navigation

Topeka, Kansas, March 30, 2012 – Security Benefit Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, today announced the launch of its upgraded and redesigned www.securitybenefit.com website.

“Today’s business world requires access to instantaneous information with clear and compelling Web navigational tools,” said Dave Clauson, 2nd Vice President, Marketing Communications, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. “Our new website features a cutting-edge design with intuitive navigation and clear paths so financial advisors, consumers, and employers can get the information they need when they need it.”

Clauson said that whether it’s an individual looking for account information or exploring career opportunities, or it’s a financial advisor managing or building a book of business, the company’s new website provides unparalleled ease to access information.

“Beginning today, our online visitors will enjoy a much more vibrant Web experience, one that engages them with bold new colors, full-page graphics, and a clean, uncluttered design,” said Michel’ Cole, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Security Benefit Corporation. “Our new Web features exemplify our commitment to helping investors reach their retirement goals.”

Security Benefit’s new Web design is consistent with the firm’s vision to be America’s thought-leading retirement savings and income company, positioning the firm as a leading provider of savings and income solutions for America’s pre- and post-retirees. Security Benefit targets multiple wealth segments and channels of distribution through an independent merit-based distribution structure.

“Security Benefit’s website provides all the in-depth information and access necessary to quickly and effectively educate the visitor on all aspects of the company’s financial products and services,” said David Harrelson, Acquity Group, who helped in the website redesign. “The website has a sophisticated new look and feel that appeals to multiple audiences and provides a cohesive architecture and framework for telling a compelling Security Benefit story.”

The site will retain existing account and reporting functionality. The Group Trading Platform and www.securitybenefit.com will not change and the same URL may be used for all sites. Financial representatives and clients retain their existing account information, passwords, and user IDs to access the site.

For more information, please contact:
Michel’ Cole, Security Benefit Corporation
(785) 438-3396
Michel.cole@securitybenefit.com

Laura Parsons, CSG-PR
303-887-2911
lparsons@csg-pr.com

About Security Benefit Corporation
Founded in 1892, Security Benefit Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, is a leading provider of savings and income solutions for America’s pre-and post-retirees. Security Benefit Corporation targets multiple wealth segments and channels of distribution through an independent, merit-based distribution structure. By leveraging Guggenheim’s superior general account management capabilities into highly competitive products, Security Benefit Corporation focuses on the retirement savings market providing a full range of services to independent distributors including broker/dealers, IMOs and other financial service providers. Security Benefit is indirectly controlled by Guggenheim Partners, LLC. To learn more about Security Benefit, visit www.securitybenefit.com.

Services are offered through Security Distributors, Inc., a subsidiary of Security Benefit Corporation (Security Benefit).

Contact:
Laura Parsons
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-887-2911
lparsons@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

White Paper from Drinker Biddle Considers Risk Mitigation Approach to 401(K) Plan Design

January 27, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

‘Fiduciary Partnership Service’ From Security Benefit Can Help Both Plan Fiduciaries And Financial Representatives According To Law Firm’s Analysis

Topeka, KS, January 26, 2012 – Security Benefit Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, is making available a new white paper from the law firm, Drinker Biddle, considering the Fiduciary Partnership Service created by Security Benefit and Mesirow Financial.

The paper — Selecting Investments: The Security Benefit® Fiduciary Partnership Solution — analyzes the specific challenges facing plan fiduciaries and financial advisors providing services to their plan clients.

Authored by Bruce Ashton, Fred Reish, and Summer Conley — each recognized among the top lawyers in the nation representing 401(k) and other retirement plans — the paper concludes that the approach designed by Security Benefit and Mesirow Financial offers a complete solution to certain fiduciary challenges.

“We worked hard with the professionals at Mesirow Financial to create a program that removes the fiduciary pressure from plan advisors and assists plan sponsors with their fiduciary obligations at the same time,” says Kevin Watt, Vice President of Security Benefit. “This analysis by Drinker Biddle confirms we were fairly successful in our efforts.”

The paper outlines the pressures employers are under to offer a well-designed, well-managed retirement plan, typically a participant-directed 401(k) or 403(b) plan, for their employees.

According to co-author Reish, an employee benefits partner with Drinker Biddle, one of the key choices employers must make — the selection of investment alternatives to be offered to the participants — may seem almost unmanageable given the roller-coaster ride the financial markets have experienced since 2008.

“The solution is for the plan to engage a discretionary investment manager to take on the responsibility of selecting and monitoring the plan’s investment options,” says Mr. Reish. “This approach limits the plan fiduciary’s liability exposure and relieves the financial adviser of the pressure to provide services that step over the fiduciary line.”

Designed for 401(k) plan fiduciaries and financial advisors, Selecting Investments: The Security Benefit® Fiduciary Partnership Solution, can be accessed at Security Benefit’s website, securitybenefit.com.

About Security Benefit
Security Benefit, a Guggenheim Partners Company, is a leading provider of retirement plan services throughout the nation, primarily in the education marketplace, and offers a variety of compelling and customized fixed and variable annuity products. The firm’s se2 division is an award-winning and nationally recognized provider of administrative services for the insurance and financial services industry. To learn more, go to securitybenefit.com.

About Guggenheim Partners
Guggenheim Partners, LLC is a privately held global financial services firm. The firm provides investment management, investment banking and capital markets services as well as insurance and investment advisory solutions for institutions, corporations, governments and agencies, investment advisors, family offices and individuals. Guggenheim Partners is headquartered in New York and Chicago and serves clients from more than 25 offices in nine countries.

About Mesirow Financial
Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded in 1937, it is an independent, employee-owned firm with approximately 1,200 employees in locations globally. The firm is well capitalized and has been consistently profitable, with capital of $302 million, revenues totaling $510 million for fiscal 2011 and $59.1 billion in assets under management, of which $31 billion are in currency and commodities as of September 30, 2011. With expertise in Investment Management, Global Markets, Insurance Services and Consulting, Mesirow Financial strives to meet the financial needs of institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals. For more information about Mesirow Financial, please visit mesirowfinancial.com.

Contact:
Laura Parsons
CSG-PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-887-2911
lparsons@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com/

Business

Ultra Exclusive Offering from Security Benefit Promises Consumer Benefits

January 24, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Security Benefit® Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, today announced that four independent marketing organizations (IMOs) have been selected to participate in a unique product manufacturing and distribution model for its subsidiary, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company (SBL)

Topeka, KS, January 23, 2012 – Security Benefit® Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, today announced that four independent marketing organizations (IMOs) have been selected to participate in a unique product manufacturing and distribution model for its subsidiary, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company (SBL).

SBL, marking its 120th year of helping people build retirement savings, also announced plans to launch a fixed index annuity (FIA) product early in the second quarter, specifically designed for exclusive distribution through four select IMOs. The organization became one of the fastest growing fixed index annuity providers in the industry last year with the introduction of its Secure Income Annuity (SIA)*.

“The limited distribution model, implemented with SIA, revealed incredible efficiencies while diversifying the revenue stream. Bringing that success together with elite IMOs who have highly efficient marketing and sales models, allows us to build more benefits into the product that may make it more advantageous for the client,” says Michael Kiley, Security Benefit’s Chief Executive Officer.

Criteria, such as the ability to meet the high demands of top U.S. agent producers and the IMOs’ overall agent service models, were part of the firm selection process. Furthermore, each IMO is limited to an initial 500 agent participants in keeping with the exclusive offering.

As evidenced in the sales results, consumers have been extremely receptive to the Secure Income Annuity. This provided an opportunity for SBL to leverage that success and apply those components to this unique effort. SBL recognized that establishing exclusive partnerships with prestigious marketing groups was a critical part of the equation. Further educating consumers on the advantages of fixed index annuities is important to the organization; an effort they hope further emphasizes their commitment to the FIA marketplace.

A Guggenheim Partners Company
In 2010, Security Benefit was purchased by a group of investors led by Guggenheim Partners, a privately-held, diversified financial services firm with more than $125 billion in assets under supervision. As a Guggenheim Partners company, Security Benefit has moved to capitalize on Guggenheim’s superior general account management capabilities to provide more consumers with better retirement income solutions.

With focus on retirement income for our clients, Security Benefit built on its long history of product development to become one of the fastest growing retirement product providers in the industry. With the launch of the firm’s first fixed index annuity last year, Security Benefit has garnered much attention with their growth and has quickly become one of the leading issuers of FIAs in the U.S.

About Security Benefit
Security Benefit, a Guggenheim Partners Company, is a leading provider of retirement plan services throughout the nation, and offers a variety of compelling and customized annuity products. The firm’s se2 division is an award-winning and nationally recognized provider of administrative services for the insurance and financial services industry. To learn more, go to www.securitybenefit.com.

The Security Benefit Secure Income Annuity (Form 5800 (11-10) and ICC10 5800 (11-10)), a flexible premium deferred fixed index annuity contract, is issued by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. Product features, limitations and availability may vary by state. Not available in all states. Not a deposit. Not insured by any federal agency. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. May go down in value.

*According to a ranking from AnnuitySpecs.com’s Indexed Sales & Market Report, 3Q2011, of all the Indexed Annuity products sold, Security Benefit went from unranked on 1/1/2011 to number 13 in Indexed Annuity Sales as of 9/30/2011.
99-00462-45 2012/01/19

Contact:
Laura Parsons
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-887-2911
lparsons@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

Security Benefit Offers a Dozen Specific Tips to help Prepare for Retirement

January 20, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

“12 For ‘12” From America’s Retirement Income Company

Topeka, KS, January 20, 2012 – With 2011, coming to a close, Security Benefit Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, looks forward to the New Year with its “12 FOR ‘12” — A Dozen Specific Tips to Help Prepare for Retirement.

“While most Americans will be spending 20 years or so in retirement, less than half of us are actively considering how much we’ll need to save for that reality,” says Jim Mullery, President of Security Distributors, Inc., Security Benefit’s distribution company. “We’re offering up these dozen tips to at least get folks thinking about retirement planning.”

12 Retirement Tips For 2012

1) DETERMINE WHEN YOU’RE GOING TO RETIRE – This is typically the foundation for an individual’s preparation and planning. Your date and plans can change, of course, but setting a date is the starting point from which other retirement planning happens.

2) TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS – And it doesn’t matter whether you’re facing impending retirement or you have decades left. There’s no guarantee that Social Security benefits won’t be reduced or the retirement age raised. And many companies are phasing out their pension plans.

3) CALCULATE HOW MUCH MONEY YOU’LL NEED – Many experts suggest that you will need about 70 percent of your pre-retirement income. But even then, could you really afford to take a 30 percent cut in your income when you retire? Take advantage of the many free tools offered by retirement product providers to help fine-tune your estimate.

4) DON’T IGNORE FREE MONEY – Employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s are some of the best deals around. These savings plans allow you to make pre-tax contributions and you don’t have to pay taxes on the contributions and earnings until the funds are withdrawn. Better yet, many employers will match a portion of your contributions.

5) ANTICIPATE LIFESTYLE CHANGES – Explore how your life might change after you retire. You may not need two family cars. You may be able to retire to a smaller home in a less expensive area. You may also be able to cut back on wardrobe. Healthcare, travel and hobby expenses will probably increase.

6) MAKE SMALL SACRIFICES – Little things really add up over time. Assuming an 8% annual effective rate of return, giving up these perks could translate to numbers like this in 30 years:???

1 movie date per week = $96,692?

1 latte per day = $253,817?

1 family dinner out per week = $483,461

Assumes ongoing contributions and 26 pay periods per year. Price assumptions: 2 movie tickets at $10 each, latte at $3.75, family dinner at $50. Assumes 4% inflation of prices each year. There is no guarantee these figures will be attainable in the future. Returns are not indicative of the performance of any specific investment. Investments are subject to market risk and may lose value.

7) DON’T TOUCH YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS – Many people turn to their retirement savings to help them when they’re in a financial bind. Do everything you can to leave your retirement savings intact.

8) MANAGE YOUR MONEY WELL – Build an emergency fund, pay down debt, participate in your retirement plan at work, consider other ways to save money, if you’ve changed jobs consider a rollover of your retirement savings into a self-directed IRA.

9) TAKE IT WITH YOU – If you find a new job, don’t make the mistake of cashing out your 401(k) plan, no matter how small the balance.

10) BUILD A PORTFOLIO THAT WORKS FOR EVERY STAGE OF YOUR LIFE – To make sure you’re on track across the phases of life, it’s important to regularly review the performance of the assets in your portfolio. Investing for retirement that’s several decades away is much different than retirement that’s right around the corner.

11) DIVERSIFYING IS SMART AT ANY LIFE STAGE – Your asset allocation will probably change as you move through different life stages, such as when you’re ready to buy a home, become a parent, send a child to college, and so on.

12) PLAN FOR TOMORROW TODAY! –?The sooner you get started the greater your chances of obtaining your retirement goals. A valuable action that can help you have the kind of retirement you long for is to meet with your plan representative or personal financial advisor at least once a year.

Security Benefit, which provides retirement and investment solutions through independent financial representatives around the country, offers a number of retirement planning calculators and other planning tools at www.securityretirement.com.

About Security Benefit:
Security Benefit, a Guggenheim Partners Company, is a leading provider of retirement plan services throughout the nation, offering a variety of compelling and customized fixed and variable annuity products. The firm’s se2 division is an award-winning and nationally recognized provider of administrative services for the insurance and financial services industry. To learn more, go to www.securitybenefit.com.

About Guggenheim Partners:
Guggenheim Partners, LLC is a privately held global financial services firm. The firm provides investment management, investment banking and capital markets services as well as insurance and investment advisory solutions for institutions, corporations, governments and agencies, investment advisors, family offices and individuals. Guggenheim Partners is headquartered in New York and Chicago and serves clients from more than 25 offices in nine countries.

DISCLOSURES:

Annuities are long-term investments suitable for retirement planning

In all states except New York, annuities are issued by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company (SBL). In New York, annuities are issued by First Security Benefit Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York (FSBL), Rye Brook, NY. SBL is not authorized in and does not transact the business of insurance in NY. Securities are distributed by Security Distributors, Inc, a subsidiary of SBL. SBL and FSBL are affiliates and wholly owned by Security Benefit Corporation (“Security Benefit”). Security Benefit is indirectly controlled by Guggenheim Partners, LLC.

Contact:
Laura Parsons
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-887-2911
lparsons@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com