Manulife Investments is expanding its product allocation strategy with a new investor website designed to help consumers apply the strategy to their own portfolio as they work with their advisor.

As part of an initiative launched for advisors in 2008, Manulife is adding a new rich-media investor website to help consumers learn more about product allocation and how it can help them better plan and protect their retirement income.

“It’s not enough these days to simply try to increase our savings as a way to plan for retirement,” says Roy Firth, executive vice president of Manulife Financial.

“Each of us needs to shift our behaviour — away from simply saving, to find the very best types of products we need to generate reliable and sustainable income from those savings.”

The product allocation tool helps advisors and investors understand the importance of the mix of products needed to reduce retirement risks. It separates a client’s portfolio into three retirement product categories: annuities, Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit products and non-guaranteed income sources such as traditional products like mutual funds, with systematic withdrawal plans.

An online product allocation tool available to advisors allows them to help evaluate a client’s current portfolio based on those categories and then project the likelihood that an income stream will be sustainable.

“Asset allocation plays an important role in the wealth accumulation phase of investing,” said Firth. “But the right mix of investment products for those who require income is necessary to mitigate risk for a sound retirement income plan.”

The new website offers a range of educational video resources to help investors plan for retirement while working closely with an advisor. For those without an advisor, they can click on a tab that will help them connect with a financial advisor who can explain how product allocation can help them plan for retirement and better manage their finances.

Consumers can also download a brochure that explains the risks faced in retirement, and can use an interactive tool to find out what matters most to them in retirement.

IE