Long-term care costs can significantly affect retirement outcomes, with the Department of Health and Human Services projecting 70% of Americans over 65 will need some form of long-term care. Ronald Skolnik of Skolnik Retirement Solutions discusses common misconceptions about LTC costs and funding sources.

Advisors can use a structured framework to discuss annuities with clients to bridge the communication gap and help them make informed decisions, writes financial planner Ethan Lohr. He suggests a four-bucket approach focused on cash reserves, earned income, secure income, and growth and legacy. This method helps identify the right type of annuity and funding source, Lohr writes.

Leaders from Manulife and AXA shared their approach to AI integration, touching on the value of deploying tools across the value chain and focusing on ongoing training and change management.

Traders are increasingly positioning for a half-point rate cut by the Federal Reserve at its September meeting. The most notable position, at roughly $10 million, could yield $100 million if the Fed delivers a 50 basis-point reduction. "As the market readies for Powell's speech at Jackson Hole, we'll argue that the biggest risk for Treasuries is if the Fed Chief chooses to throw cold water on the widely anticipated September rate cut," Ian Lyngen, head of US rates strategy at BMO Capital Markets, said.

Financial advisors should play a more active role in estate planning, implementing and reviewing plans regularly, according to Randy Fox of Two Hawks Consulting. Fox cites the need for advisors to crunch the numbers to demonstrate the potential growth of clients' estates and notes the importance of preparing heirs for inheritance.

Financial advisors are increasingly using emotional connection to build trust with prospective clients during initial meetings. Brendan Frazier of RFG Advisory emphasizes the importance of reflective listening and understanding the client's motivations for seeking advice, while David Bigelow of Coldstream advises against pushing for commitment too early, advocating for a multi-meeting approach to build rapport.