Products July 13, 2015

SSA Makes Benefit Data Available for Advice Tool

Betterment will use newly available Social Security benefit data in its RetireGuide advice engine.
Reported by

During the White House Conference on Aging, automated investing provider Betterment, said it will update its advice engine to utilize newly available Social Security data.

To assist Americans in their financial planning, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be providing individuals with an easily transferrable data file with the information contained in their monthly Social Security benefit statement. Betterment will be integrating these data files into RetireGuide, an advice engine that informs customers whether or not they are invested correctly for a comfortable retirement.                                           

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Betterment notes that RetireGuide builds a customized savings and investing plan that takes into account all of an individuals’ investment accounts, including those with other providers, and spouse holdings. Using the information from the Social Security Administration, Betterment will be able to provide their customers with an even more accurate plan to better prepare for retirement, the firm said.
Deals & People July 13, 2015

Lockton Expands Executive Benefits Practice

Daniel Barry will join the Mountain West office.
Reported by

Lockton is expanding its retirement services practice with a new executive benefits expert. Daniel Barry will be joining the firm as senior vice president, working out of Denver and Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of the Mountain West team.

A 26-year veteran of the insurance and non-qualified deferred compensation (NQDC) industries, Barry joins the firm from Principal Financial Group.

“We have a significant executive benefits presence in the central and western parts of the country. Bringing Daniel on board helps us take our business nationwide,” says Chuck McDaniel, chief executive officer of Lockton’s Mountain West office. Barry is a nationally recognized expert on NQDC plans, McDaniel adds.

Pam Popp, president of Lockton’s retirement services business, who joined the firm last September, adds: “Nonqualified plans are complex for both the organizations that sponsor them and the individuals who participate in them. There are not a lot of people with Daniel’s level of expertise. Our clients will benefit tremendously from having him as part of their Lockton team.”

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