Retiree who bought variable annuity in IRA granted recovery of losses, attorneys’ fees and costs (NASD, 2003) BellSouth retiree Gwen Sims was convinced by a financial planner, who conducted a retirement planning class she attended at a local university, to invest her pension assets in a variable annuity. Brian Smiley convinced a panel of NASD arbitrators […]
A Warning About Variable Annuities
Brokers love variable annuities, but most investors should view them as toxic investments. Variable annuities are basically mutual funds contained within a highly expensive insurance “wrapper.” They are attractive to brokers because they offer almost unbelievably high commission payouts which the client never sees, but pay through high annual expenses and large “surrender charges” which […]
Brian Smiley Speaks on Arbitration and Variable Annuities at NASAA and NAIC Seminar
Brian Smiley spoke before a joint training seminar conducted by state securities (NASAA) and insurance regulators (NAIC). Mr. Smiley’s topics included “Insurance and Securities Anticipated Scams” and “What Every Regulator Needs to Know About NASD Arbitration.”
CWA Retiree’s Investment Nightmare A Cautionary Tale for Members Taking Lump Sum Pensions
Brian Smiley mentioned in Communications Workers of America Like many CWA members, Gwen Sims had a lump sum pension option, and she chose the cash payout instead of a monthly pension benefit when she retired from Bell South in 2000 at age 50.
