WHAT\u27S PUZZLING YOU ... IS THE NATURE OF VARIABLE ANNUITY PROSPECTUSES

Variable annuity prospectuses contain too much information, and the Author contends that usually the reader gives up using them to make buying decisions. This Article discusses the challenge of writing effective variable annuity prospectus disclosures that will drive more informed decision-making by unidentified consumers who span a diverse range relating to financial literacy. The Article also examines how a lack of uniformity in industry jargon hampers consumer comprehension. Communication within the financial industry has gravitated toward design-based disclosure rather than solution-based disclosure, adding further confusion. By utilizing literacy studies conducted by the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and continued collaboration between the financial industry and its regulators, the financial industry can better understand the financial literacy of its intended audience and determine how to teach consumers what they need to know. The Author contends that while other industries have identified how to empower consumers with the working knowledge needed to make informed decisions, the financial industry has not done so. Plain English disclosures will help improve suitability and drive more informed decision-making. The Author recommends improving the Form N-4 (variable annuity registration statement). Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority find that sales agents benefit from completing both basic annuity training as well as each product issuer’s training. Further, the Author proposes that the use of technology will improve consumer decision-making. This technology includes interactive text and video interspersed prospectuses on handheld devices

WHAT\u27S PUZZLING YOU ... IS THE NATURE OF VARIABLE ANNUITY PROSPECTUSES

Variable annuity prospectuses contain too much information, and the Author contends that usually the reader gives up using them to make buying decisions. This Article discusses the challenge of writing effective variable annuity prospectus disclosures that will drive more informed decision-making by unidentified consumers who span a diverse range relating to financial literacy. The Article also examines how a lack of uniformity in industry jargon hampers consumer comprehension. Communication within the financial industry has gravitated toward design-based disclosure rather than solution-based disclosure, adding further confusion. By utilizing literacy studies conducted by the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and continued collaboration between the financial industry and its regulators, the financial industry can better understand the financial literacy of its intended audience and determine how to teach consumers what they need to know. The Author contends that while other industries have identified how to empower consumers with the working knowledge needed to make informed decisions, the financial industry has not done so. Plain English disclosures will help improve suitability and drive more informed decision-making. The Author recommends improving the Form N-4 (variable annuity registration statement). Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority find that sales agents benefit from completing both basic annuity training as well as each product issuer’s training. Further, the Author proposes that the use of technology will improve consumer decision-making. This technology includes interactive text and video interspersed prospectuses on handheld devices

PREFERENCES OF MID-ATLANTIC SEAFOOD BUYERS TOWARD FARM-RAISED HYBRID STRIPED BASS

A market survey of three mid-Atlantic food-fish market levels was conducted to provide information on finfish buyers' market characteristics, finfish attribute preferences, and buyers' attitudes toward farm-raised hybrid striped bass. Results showed that most firms are located in the suburban areas, and they purchased their fish from producers and wholesalers. Quality was rated as the most important finfish attribute; and, aside from restaurants, buyers are generally familiar with hybrid striped bass and indicated that it could easily be substituted for wild striped bass. Most buyers were either not sure or feel hybrid striped bass could not substitute for other fish species although they all expressed a willingness to offer farm-raised hybrid striped bass. Finally, the possibility of fish farmers selling directly to all market levels has great potential if the fish size is around two to three pounds and the form is whole for the wholesaler and retailer and fillet for the restaurants.Consumer/Household Economics,

MID-ATLANTIC SEAFOOD BUYER PREFERENCES TOWARD FARM-RAISED HYBRID STRIPED BASS

Consumer/Household Economics,

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE POTENTIAL WHOLESALE MARKET FOR CRAWFISH IN THE MID-ATLANTIC

Agribusiness,

Diagnosis of Methionine/Valine Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease by Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification

A patient with a heterozygous variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) with a methionine/valine genotype at codon 129 of the prion protein gene was recently reported. Using an ultrasensitive and specific protein misfolding cyclic amplification–based assay for detecting variant CJD prions in cerebrospinal fluid, we discriminated this heterozygous case of variant CJD from cases of sporadic CJD