Fun with Annuities Podcast is hosted by America’s Annuity Agent, Stan Haithcock, The Annuity Man. Hear brutal annuity facts with no sales pitches from the top independent agent in the country, licensed in all 50 states. Author of 7 books, Stan dives deep on all annuity types and strategies. It’s fun, learning the contractual truths on how annuities actually work and if they’ll fit your personal retirement lifestyle. Listen in on how you can be livin’ the reality, not the dream.
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Focusing on contractual guarantees What annuities solve for Common annuity pitch traps Key Takeaways: Avoid non-guaranteed hypotheticals and focus on contractual guarantees when considering annuities. Buy annuities for specific needs like principal protection, income, long-term care, or legacy, not for market returns. Be wary of urgency sales pitches, steak dinner seminars, advisors behaving like friends, backdated performance illustrations, promised market participation with no downside, upfront bonuses, and showing other clients' accounts as proof of returns. "Do not fall for market upside but no downside. Do not fall for market participation with principal protection. All those yummy sales pitches that look like they should go on a t-shirt. Do not fall for that. Do not fall for the upfront bonus." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: An overview of Deferred Income Annuities Finding the best fit Income Riders attached to Indexed Annuities Key Takeaways: DIAs are essentially single-premium immediate annuities deferred past one year. It has no moving parts, no annual fees, and no market attachment, making it a straight transfer of risk for lifetime income. DIAs can be used in Roth and traditional IRAs, and are taxed based on the account type. DIAs are efficient, no-cost, no-fee transfer-risk pension products that can be deferred for up to 40 years. Compare DIAs and income riders on Fixed and Indexed Annuities to find the best fit based on contractual guarantees and flexibility. Income Riders attached to Indexed Annuities provide future income needs. Income Riders are separate ledgers that cannot be cashed in or transferred, but can be used to determine a lifetime income stream. They offer flexibility, such as a 10% free withdrawal annually, but this can disrupt the income rider guarantee. Compare both DIAs and income riders using the four filters: contractual guarantees, carrier ratings, flexibility, and fees. "Don't fall for sales pitches. These are contractually guaranteed commodity products. There's not one that's better than the other, and if you use those four filters, you're going to make a good decision." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The value of annuities for lifetime income planning Laddering strategy with annuities Placing an annuity inside a trust Key Takeaways: When it comes to planning for lifetime income, annuities can be a valuable tool. However, it's essential to approach annuities with strategies that allow for flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. By purchasing multiple annuities with different start dates, you can create a steady stream of income that aligns with your needs over time. This approach, called laddering, allows you to adjust your income as your requirements change, providing a level of flexibility that a single annuity may not offer. By placing an annuity inside a trust, you can maintain control over the asset while still benefiting from the lifetime income it provides. This strategy can be particularly useful for those who want to ensure their assets are managed according to their wishes, even if they become incapacitated. "It's a keep your powder dry strategy, meaning that you can go into this with a plan in place for future income needs in the future. You know exactly to the penny what that's going to be. But if something changes between now and then, you can get all your money back because the underlying value walk away money is with that Indexed Annuity, which is a Fixed Annuity." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Should you purchase I Bonds? Treasuries are as safe as it gets Five places to put your money Inflation is personal Key Takeaways: Purchasing I Bonds is a no-brainer. Go to treasurydirect.gov to buy direct from the treasury I Bonds. Treasuries are as safe as it gets because they can tax us and confiscate our money to pay them off, and that would happen if we needed to do that. The downside to I Bonds is that they don't allow you to put as much money in them. There are only five legitimate places to put your money that protects the principal and that you're not going to lose a dime, and you're going to get an interest rate. Those five are money markets, CDs, fixed-rate annuities - also called MYGAs, treasuries, and Triple A-Triple A insured municipal bonds. Inflation is personal. Don't get too caught up on inflation because most people in retirement will not be affected that much by it. Ask yourself if you're being affected by it, or are you overplanning? "If it's a no-brainer, then it's a no-brainer, and I-Bonds are the ultimate no-brainer. You can do it every year, so why not put it on your calendar and do it every year? It just makes sense. " — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Traditional laddering with MYGAs What is “reversing”? Traditional laddering and reversing Key Takeaways: You do a traditional 3-year, 4-year. 5-year ladder if you are hoping that rates will go higher. It's a strategy you use when you want to have money as the rates are rising so that you can attach yourself and lock yourself in with those higher rates. Reversing is the opposite of laddering; you lock in the MYGA for 10, 9, 7, or 10, 7, or 5 years because the rates are falling. This is also a great strategy to use with MYGAs since MYGAs are not callable, the rates are locked in. If you are undecided whether you should ladder or reverse, you can put half your money in one and half in the other to get a more balanced outcome. What's important is that you should have some of your money be not callable. "A lot of times when Powell raises interest rates, the annuity industry yawns. You can't time it; there's no sweet spot. There's no arbitrage moment." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Protecting your beneficiary from dumb choices How Stan lovingly handcuffs his beneficiaries Handcuffing your loved ones is good for them Key Takeaways: Lovingly handcuffing your beneficiaries with annuity guarantees protects them from making dumb decisions with lump sums. Stan has written in the trust that when he dies, there will be a lifetime income annuity purchase for each of his daughters, guaranteed to pay them for the rest of their life as long as they are breathing. Your beneficiaries might not react positively to you giving them income instead of a lump sum, but handcuffing them contractually is the right thing to do and it will be good for them in the long run. "Death is not a good strategy, because you can only use it once. But wouldn't it be good to know regardless of what happens, that they're taken care of? And that lifetime income stream is going to be in place?" — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: State guaranty funds The true safety of the industry Life insurance companies are more regulated Assigning unused money to beneficiaries Key Takeaways: If you look at the state guaranty fund, each state has a specific rule in place to protect you and your money in case something happens to the carrier. You should be buying the claims-paying ability of the life insurance company from the standpoint of safety. The true safety of the annuity industry is the industry policing itself. Life insurance companies are not smarter than banks, they're just more regulated. The company is handcuffed from making financially stupid decisions. You can structure an annuity so that 100% of any unused money goes to your family or beneficiaries. "You can protect yourself and your hard-earned money in a myriad of ways. You can protect it by buying very good companies, by buying underneath the state guarantee fund within your state, and by structuring the policy so that 100% of any unused money goes to your family or beneficiaries." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Retirement planning is not a game Asking hard questions Diversification and limits Two key questions to ask Key Takeaways: Stan emphasizes that choosing an annuity is not about sales tactics or commissions, but about protecting your life's hard-earned savings and creating a secure retirement strategy. Always ask detailed questions about the annuity product, understand its contractual guarantees, and don't buy something you can't fully comprehend. If an advisor can't explain it clearly, walk away. Don't put more than 50-60% of your investable assets into annuities. Shop across multiple carriers for the best contractual guarantees and focus on your specific needs using the PILL framework (Principal protection, Income for life, Legacy, Long-term care). When considering annuities, focus solely on the contractual guarantees. Ask two key questions: "What do you want the money to contractually do?" and "When do you want those contractual guarantees to start?" This approach helps create a predictable, surprise-free retirement income strategy. "Every single time when someone's pitching you something, I want you to think to yourself, ‘this is not a game. Let me ask hard questions. Let me understand everything before I make a final decision on this hard earned money.'” — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Income Riders vs. Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIA) Comparison Process Strict rules Probability of Improvement Key Takeaways: Stan explains that in some cases, you can potentially swap an income rider from a variable or indexed annuity for a SPIA with a higher guaranteed lifetime income stream. To determine if a transfer makes sense, you must: compare the income rider amount, use the accumulation value (not the income rider value), ensure the new annuity provides a higher contractual guarantee, verify the transfer is a non-taxable event The annuity industry has strict rules to prevent unnecessary "flipping" of annuities. Any transfer must demonstrate a clear financial benefit to the consumer, with a side-by-side comparison showing a higher contractual guarantee. Stan estimates that about 70% of the time, you won't beat the existing income rider by transferring to a SPIA. However, he recommends checking to ensure you have the highest possible contractual guarantee. "The annuity industry does not want agents and advisors out there transferring an account to create a commission for the agent or advisor. Whatever you think about the annuity industry, they really do care about the consumer." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuities were never meant to be a market product The complexity of index options Misleading sales pitches to avoid listening to Annuities solve for your specific goals Key Takeaways: Fixed indexed annuities were created in 1995 to compete with CD returns, not to provide true market participation. They are fixed annuities issued by life insurance companies, regulated at the state level, and not securities. There are over 750 index option choices and 50+ indices, with complex calculation methods that can change annually. Most index options are one-year long, and the insurance company can modify terms at each anniversary. Common sales pitches like "market upside with no downside" are misleading. Upfront bonuses are essentially marketing tricks, and claims about free long-term care are inaccurate. The most legitimate use is for guaranteed Income Riders. Indexed Annuities should be bought for principal protection, CD-like returns, or future income streams - not for growth. Always solve for specific financial goals and shop for the highest contractual guarantees across carriers. "If you buy the dream, you're going to own the contractual reality, which means that if you're going to buy them, buy the contractual guarantee." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: You can't time annuities Annuities provide guarantees The cost of waiting Annuities are not bought for market growth Key Takeaways: You can't time the market when it comes to annuities - there is no "perfect" time to buy. Annuities can provide different contractual guarantees like principal protection, lifetime income, legacy, and long-term care coverage. There is a cost to waiting to purchase an annuity, as you may miss out on payments. Do not buy annuities for market growth, but rather for the contractual guarantees they provide. "There is a cost of waiting. Does that cost pay off? If you wait, it can pay off for lifetime income because you're older, but you have to factor in the payments that you missed while you were waiting to get the higher payment." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Gap Filling and Annuity Options: Social Security Timing and Considerations: Balancing Emotional and Financial Well-being: Flexibility and Lifetime Guarantees with Annuities: Key Takeaways: You need to find ways to cover your income needs before Social Security kicks in, typically from ages 62 to 70. Consider using strategies like Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIAs) or Multi-Year Guarantee Annuities (MYGAs) to provide contractual income during this gap. SPIAs pay a guaranteed income for a specific term, while MYGAs offer a fixed interest rate with the potential to preserve your principal. When deciding whether to take Social Security at age 65 or 70, consider your personal circumstances. Factor in the payments you'll miss while waiting for a higher payout and how long it will take to recoup those amounts. Think about living for the present and enjoying your money now rather than solely focusing on maximizing every penny. Reflect on the emotional and lifestyle aspects of your financial planning. Prioritize your personal happiness and well-being by doing things for yourself and living life to the fullest. Stan encourages turning on the lifetime income stream sooner rather than later, especially if you've spent a lifetime scrimping and saving. Use annuities to provide both lifetime guarantees and gap-filling strategies. Explore these options based on your specific needs and circumstances to bridge the gap between now and when Social Security kicks in. Consider both period certain Immediate Annuities for guaranteed income over a specific term and MYGAs for interest income while preserving your principal. "If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Every single time. There are limitations to every strategy. You just have to weigh the good and the bad to see if it makes sense." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Retirement planning essentials Achieving financial security in retirement Determining a lifestyle number Key Takeaways: Lifestyle income guarantees are crucial for retirement planning, allowing retirees to live their desired lifestyle without worrying about market fluctuations or economic uncertainties. Annuities are the only financial products that can provide contractually guaranteed lifetime income, which can be combined with other sources like Social Security and pensions to achieve financial security. It's important to determine a "lifestyle number" - the monthly income needed to live comfortably and enjoy retirement, beyond just covering basic expenses. A combination of financial products can be used to achieve this lifestyle income guarantee. "At the end of the day, it's about your lifestyle. It's about living chapter two of your life, and checking off all those boxes and making sure that you maximize every single day and be happy about it every day." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuity companies are more regulated than banks Features that protect the annuity industry There is no run on annuities How the banking crisis will affect the annuity industry Key Takeaways: Annuity companies are more regulated than banks, with features like surrender charges and market value adjustments that prevent runs on the company. Annuity companies are required to invest in investment-grade bonds, providing stability, unlike banks that had to sell bonds during the recent crisis. Lifetime income products offered by annuity companies, such as SPIAs and DIAs, are irrevocable and provide a guaranteed income stream for life, preventing panicked withdrawals. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) plays a crucial role in overseeing annuity companies and protecting consumers, and the recent banking crisis will likely lead to increased oversight of the annuity industry. "The bottom line: the annuity industry has put in place features to not only protect you, the consumer, which is their ultimate goal, period, but to protect the industry as well." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: 4 contractual paths to future income Factors that affect the suitability of a plan for your situation Immediate Annuities No free lunch Key Takeaways: There are 4 main contractual paths to achieve future income: 1) Buying an immediate annuity when income is needed, 2) Using a "My Go-To SPIA" Fixed-Rate Annuity, 3) Purchasing a deferred income annuity (DIA), and 4) Buying an Indexed Annuity with an Income Rider. Each of the 4 options has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on the individual's specific needs, goals, and preferences around factors like control, flexibility, and predictability of the income stream. Immediate annuities are straightforward "commodity" products that simply transfer risk, while DIAs provide a guaranteed future income stream that can be calculated in advance. Income riders on indexed annuities offer flexibility but come with tradeoffs. Understand the nuances of each option and don't fall for overly-optimistic sales pitches, as there is no "free lunch" when it comes to annuities. "If it sounds too good to be true, it is every single time." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Should you complain about inflation? The people actually impacted by inflation Annuity products that provide solutions for inflation Avoiding media influence regarding inflation Key Takeaways: Stop complaining about inflation. For those who have worked hard and saved, higher prices for groceries and gas are manageable. Focus on living your life to the fullest rather than worrying about inflation. Recognize the reality that 60% of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck and are severely impacted by inflation. While it's understandable to be concerned, those with significant savings should not let inflation dominate their financial decisions. Be wary of annuity products that claim to provide solutions for inflation. Annuity companies do not give anything away, and any potential inflation adjustments come with significantly reduced initial payments. Stop being influenced by constant media coverage of inflation. Inflation is a long-term issue that will always be present, but it should not dictate your daily life and enjoyment. Focus on your health, family, and living in the present. "Buy the eggs, buy the milk, fill the cart with gas, do the best you can and go live your life to the fullest every single day. Buy nice stuff if you can afford it. Buy nice food if you can afford it. But don't complain about it while you're doing it." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Using annuities to create a pension The best inflation annuity Focusing on guarantees Key Takeaways: Annuities can be used to create a personal pension that provides a guaranteed lifetime income stream, similar to a traditional pension. The main annuity types discussed are Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIAs), Deferred Income Annuities (DIAs), Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs), and Income Riders. Social Security is considered the best inflation annuity and pension, and no commercial annuity can fully protect against inflation without significantly reducing the initial payment. Relying solely on Social Security may not be enough for many retirees. When evaluating annuities, the focus should be on the contractual guarantees, not hypotheticals or marketing claims. The "best" annuity is the one that provides the highest contractual guarantee tailored to the individual's specific needs and situation. "There is no “best [annuity]”, regardless of what your agent or advisor might tell you. Best means highest contractual guarantee. Best means solving for your specific situation." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Options that annuities provide Living off interest When to annuitize Laddering interest rate movements Key Takeaways: Annuities provide more options than just immediate lifetime income annuities. There are various types like Multi-Year Guarantee Annuities, Index Annuities, Variable Annuities, and Deferred Income Annuities that can be used for different income needs. With current interest rates, it may be possible to live off the interest from a portfolio of fixed-rate annuities and CDs without having to annuitize and lock in a lifetime income stream. This can provide more flexibility. Annuitization should be viewed as a last resort option if interest rates drop significantly and living off the interest is no longer sufficient. It's important to maintain a diversified approach. When using fixed-rate annuities and CDs for income, it's recommended to ladder the products to avoid having to time interest rate movements. This provides more stability and flexibility. "Annuitization at this point in time, for a lot of you out there that have large sums of money, is a last resort. And we will go there if rates move down, but if they remain at these levels at the time of this tape and they go up from here, then you're going to be able to, potentially, hopefully, depending on what your income needs are, take the interest and never touch the principle." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The Annuity Pill Questions to ask when considering an annuity Annuities are contracts Key Takeaways: Remember the acronym PILL, as the four primary things that annuities solve for. P stands for principal protection, I stands for income for life, the first L stands for legacy, and the other L stands for long-term care. When considering an annuity, ask yourself these two important questions: “What do you want the money to contractually do?” and “when do you want those contractual guarantees to start?” Annuities are great if you buy them only for their contractual guarantees. You own an annuity for what it will do, not what it might do so buy wisely. "Annuities solve for four primary things: principal protection, income for life, legacy, and long-term care and if you don't need to solve for these items, then you do not need an annuity of any type. " — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Buy only what you understand Don't fall for bad sales tactics Seeking the facts Key Takeaways: Annuities should be simple and easily understandable; if not, avoid purchasing them. Don't fall for misleading sales tactics, bonuses, or unrealistic projections from agents motivated by personal gain. There are extensive options for index annuities, but few experts; exercise caution, do not trust sales pitches, and seek factual information from credible sources. "If you can't explain it to a 9-year-old, you shouldn't buy it." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuities are DIY products Focusing on contractual guarantees What annuities solve for Key Takeaways: Annuities are do-it-yourself products that allow self-management without advisor fees. Annuities provide contractual guarantees, and shopping for carriers with the best rates is important. Annuities are for do-it-yourselfers focused on contractual guarantees, not hypotheticals, sales pitches, or hype. Annuities can solve principal protection, income for life, legacy, and long-term care needs for pro-consumer buyers. "For all of you do-it-yourselfers out there that's been managing your own money… annuities are right up your alley because they are do-it-yourself products." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: How lifetime income is priced Don't time annuity purchases Laddering annuities Key Takeaways: Lifetime income annuities are primarily based on your life expectancy. Interest rates play a secondary role in the pricing. Higher interest rates will positively impact annuity pricing. Don't try to time the market for annuity purchases; base decisions on contractual guarantees. Consider laddering annuity purchases to take advantage of future pricing changes. "Remember, lifetime income annuities are primarily based on your life expectancy or life expectancies if joint at the time you take the payment. Interest rates play a secondary pricing role." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: What a MYGA and SPIA is MYGA to SPIA Strategy Flexibility and Control Key Takeaways: MYGA is the annuity industry's version of a CD, offering locked-in, non-callable interest rates annually. SPIA is the original lifetime income annuity, with a long history dating back to Roman times and used for pension payments. Use a MYGA to lock in a guaranteed interest rate for a specific duration, such as five years then take out interest or up to 10% penalty-free, depending on the specific MYGA. At the end of the duration, the Myga can be transferred to a SPIA, with a non-taxable event transfer. The MYGA to SPIA strategy takes advantage of the control and flexibility that these two products offer. MYGAs and SPIAs also do not have any annual fees, which makes them very cost-effective. "You can have your cake and eat it too - just a few bites. You can protect the principal. You can peel off interest, if needed, during that duration of the MYGA, and at the end of that term, you have full control of the asset." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: What annuities are for Establishing an income floor How to actually adjust for inflating needs Securing an income stream through annuities Key Takeaways: Annuities provide contractual guarantees for principal protection, lifetime income, legacy, and long-term care (PILL acronym), offering advantages over market investments focused solely on growth. Prioritize establishing an income floor or guaranteed income stream, particularly through fixed annuities, to cover essential expenses in retirement. Reject cost-of-living adjustment annuities and instead incrementally purchase additional annuities to address inflating needs in retirement. Income flooring through annuities is especially important for securing a spouse's income stream after the death of a partner, providing a contractual, guaranteed income stream that is more reliable than the 4% withdrawal rule. "Annuities for lifetime income is the only product category that's going to pay for as long as you're breathing. You're transferring the risk to the annuity for the life insurance company that issues the annuity." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: An overview of Deferred Income Annuities Finding the best fit Income Riders attached to Indexed Annuities Key Takeaways: DIAs are essentially single premium immediate annuities deferred past one year. It has no moving parts, no annual fees, and no market attachment, making it a straight transfer of risk for lifetime income. DIAs can be used in Roth and traditional IRAs, and are taxed based on the account type. DIAs are efficient, no-cost, no-fee transfer-risk pension products that can be deferred for up to 40 years. Compare DIAs and income riders on Fixed and Indexed Annuities to find the best fit based on contractual guarantees and flexibility. Income Riders attached to Indexed Annuities provide future income needs. Income Riders are separate ledgers that cannot be cashed in or transferred but can be used to determine a lifetime income stream. They offer flexibility, such as a 10% free withdrawal annually, but this can disrupt the income rider guarantee. Compare both DIAs and income riders using the four filters: contractual guarantees, carrier ratings, flexibility, and fees. "Don't fall for sales pitches. These are contractually guaranteed commodity products. There's not one that's better than the other, and if you use those four filters, you're going to make a good decision." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Why are Indexed Annuities sold in a misleading way? Indexed Annuities are not growth products What annuities are for Key Takeaways: Because Indexed Annuities are a high-commission product for agents, they are often promoted in a misleading manner, obscuring their true nature and limitations. Indexed Annuities are not growth products, they are designed for principal protection, CD-type returns, and Income Riders. Indexed Annuities lack dividends, limiting their potential for growth. When it comes to annuities, remember that you should only base your buying decision on contractual guarantees. Annuities solve for these specific goals: Principal protection, Income for life, Legacy, and Long-term care. "The upfront bonus is candy for the stupid. Buying an Index Annuity for that upfront bonus is like buying a brand-new car for the stereo system. That should be irrelevant to your decision." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The Annuity PILL Choosing an annuity carrier Putting the client's best interest first The future of the annuity industry Key Takeaways: The acronym PILL stands for Principal Protection, Income for life, Legacy, and Long-term care. If you don't need to contractually solve for one or more of those items in the PILL, then you don't need an annuity of any type. Never buy an annuity for market growth. Once you've determined what you want the money to contractually do and when you want the guarantees to start, we'll shop all carriers, listing all the top contractual guarantees offered. Annuities are commodity products. Some carriers should not be recommended even if they offer the highest contractual guarantees. These carriers either do not or do not have the capability to put the client's best interest first. There are some processing issues, hiring issues, and workforce issues, but all will be solved. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but the industry is on the way to fixing problems and improving systems. "My grandfather always told me, ‘If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.' That is our business model." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The Annuity PILL The best inflation annuity Annuities are a transfer of risk Key Takeaways: Annuities provide lifetime income, principal protection, legacy planning, and long-term care benefits. If you're not solving for any of those, then you don't need an annuity. Social Security is the best inflation annuity and you can use it along with pensions to establish an income floor. Annuities offer contractually guaranteed solutions by transferring risk to insurance companies. "Remember that you own an annuity for what it will do, not what it might do." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The purpose of Fixed Index Annuities Buying only for contractual guarantees Why some agents oversell Index Annuities Understanding contractual guarantees Key Takeaways: Fixed Index Annuities are designed for principal protection and lifetime income, not market growth. Buy annuities only for contractual guarantees not for upfront bonuses or agent projections. Index Annuities are complex products often oversold by agents for high commissions. Buyers should thoroughly understand contractual guarantees before purchasing Fixed Index Annuities. "This is your money. Don't believe the hype, believe the contract and own an annuity for what it will do, not what it might do." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man and Steve Parrish discuss: What are QLACs? Transferring longevity risks Creating a secure income floor in retirement How annuities are priced Key Takeaways: QLACs (Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts) are a pro-consumer annuity product that allows transferring longevity risk by using IRA assets for lifetime income guarantees via insurance companies. Longevity risks require pooling mortality credits via longevity annuities from highly-rated carriers to ensure lifelong income. QLACs provide a secure income floor in "chapter two" (retirement), avoiding RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) and offering no fees. Annuities are better for longevity risk pooling and income than the flawed 4% withdrawal rule. Annuities are primarily priced based on life expectancy, interest rates play a secondary role in that computation. "Older you is not going to be the same as the younger you. Take my word for it. You want to have peace of mind. You're not going to want to have to call your broker every month when the economy is going crazy. You want to play with your grandkids, go golfing, whatever, and to know that you've locked in some income." — Steve Parrish Connect with Steve Parrish: Blog posts: https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveparrish/?sh=61590d633079 Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Focusing on contractual guarantees What annuities solve for Common annuity pitch traps Key Takeaways: Avoid non-guaranteed hypotheticals and focus on contractual guarantees when considering annuities. Buy annuities for specific needs like principal protection, income, long-term care, or legacy, not for market returns. Be wary of urgency sales pitches, steak dinner seminars, advisors behaving like friends, backdated performance illustrations, promised market participation with no downside, upfront bonuses, and showing other clients' accounts as proof of returns. "Do not fall for market upside but no downside. Do not fall for market participation with principal protection. All those yummy sales pitches that look like they should go on a t-shirt. Do not fall for that. Do not fall for the upfront bonus." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Transferring risk through annuities The annuity PILL Annuities are for guarantees and not growth Key Takeaways: Fixed Annuities provide lifetime income by transferring longevity risk to insurance companies. They offer over 40 different structures, such as life/joint life with cash/installment refund. Buy annuities only if your goal is any of these: principal protection, lifetime income, legacy options, and long-term care coverage. Annuities are contracts. They are bought for contractual guarantees and not hypothetical or theoretical market growth. "With good information, you can make good decisions." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man and Jack Lenenberg discuss: Annuities and long-term care The three primary types of long-term care coverage Tailored long-term care Planning for the future Key Takeaways: Annuities provide principal protection, lifetime income, legacy planning, and long-term care coverage for uninsurable individuals. Long-term care insurance providers offer cash indemnity benefits without requiring receipts for paid caregivers. The three primary types of long-term care coverage are traditional standalone long-term care insurance policies, asset-based life insurance policies, and asset-based long-term care annuities. Asset-based long-term care provides customizable inflation-adjusted lifetime benefits, allowing clients to design plans tailored to their needs and budgets, with the option to recoup unused funds. People need income, legacy, and long-term care planning regardless of interest rates or politics, and these products help eliminate stress by transferring risk. Therefore, initiation conversations with your family, update your documents, and work with a professional team. "Regardless of insurance and products, when it comes to long term care planning, the most important thing for our clients is to have conversations with your family, with your loved ones, with your children." — Jack Lenenberg Connect with Jack Lenenberg: Website: https://longtermcareinsurancepartner.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacklenenberg/ Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuity marketing gimmicks The complexity of Indexed Annuities What annuities are for Key Takeaways: Bonuses for annuities are marketing gimmicks and provide no real value. Contractual guarantees are the most important aspect of annuities. Indexed annuities are complex products with components like caps, spreads, and participation rates that limit upside gains. These components can change annually, making the product difficult to understand. Annuities are designed for risk transfer through contractual guarantees, not market growth. Traditional investment vehicles are better options for market growth. "Annuities, regardless of the type are transfer of risk, contractual, guaranteed products. It's a contract between you and the life insurance company." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: How to use Indexed Annuities efficiently The two sides of an indexed annuity Focusing on what annuities really do Key Takeaways: Indexed Annuities can be used as an efficient delivery system for Income Riders, which provides guaranteed lifetime income. There are two sides to an Indexed Annuity: the accumulation value (hopes and dreams) and the income rider amount (guaranteed lifetime income). Focus on contractual guarantees and avoid misleading information. Don't attend seminars that offer unrealistic returns and instead, focus on what annuities will actually do. "You should never buy any annuity type for what it might do. You will always own it for what it will do." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man and Pam Krueger discuss: Finding fiduciary financial advisors Customizing an annuity according to your goal Rejecting pushy pitches from agents Avoiding costly mistakes through education Key Takeaways: Seek independent, fee-only, fiduciary advisors focused solely on your interests, not commissions or product sales. Avoid one-size-fits-all annuity recommendations; annuities should be evaluated based on individual needs and financial situations. Take advantage of the one-year do-not-solicit period after rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA to avoid urgent pitches from agents pushing specific products. Thoroughly educate yourself, analyze the product, and seek a second opinion before committing large sums to annuities to avoid costly mistakes. "People know when they're looking for advice, they want a fiduciary. They want someone who's fee-only because they want someone who works only for them, not someone who sells insurance or sells mutual funds" — Pam Krueger Connect with Pam Krueger: Website: https://wealthramp.com/ | https://www.pamkrueger.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamkrueger/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/PamkruegerTV Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Pragmatic approach to financial planning How annuities are primarily priced Four primary benefits of annuities Closing the gap with annuities Key Takeaways: Prepare for either party leadership scenarios to ensure financial stability. Approach financial planning with a pragmatic mindset, always employing the use of research and contractual guarantees. Life expectancy drives lifetime income from annuities. Annuities are commodity products, and their guarantees change based on market conditions and demand. If you are expecting interest rates to decrease or taxes to increase, then consider locking in good contractual guarantees by shopping from various carriers. Here are the four primary benefits of annuities: principal protection, income for life, legacy, and long-term care. When buying annuities, ask yourself these two questions: what do you want the money to do, and when do you want the guarantees to start? Your income floor consists of your Social Security, pensions, dividend stocks, and other income sources. Use annuities to fill the gap between the income floor and other sources of income. "Annuities are not market products, they're not growth products, they're contractually guaranteed transfer of risk products that solve for four primary things: principal protection, income for life, legacy, long term care." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: How different your life could be with more money Retiring from work and the markets Investing safely and smartly Living off of guarantees Key Takeaways: People in the news and most financial advisors will tell you always to keep money in the markets, but you have to ask yourself this: will more money make your life any different? If you love the ups and downs of the markets and treat it like a passion or a hobby, then it's alright to stay in it, but most people out there should be retiring both from work and the markets. When you invest money in the market, invest an amount that you won't care about, something that won't keep you up at night or upset your plans if you lose. Remember the trifecta of safe money: MYGAs, CDs, and treasuries, which you can get at treasurydirect.gov. These three provide guaranteed annual interest rates, and you can live off of these guarantees. "Retire from your job, retire from the markets. Live your life. There are no U-Hauls behind hearses; you can't take it with you." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Ensuring a stable retirement regardless of politics How annuities are priced Planning for political uncertainty Tailoring annuities to your financial goals Key Takeaways: Annuities provide a guaranteed income floor regardless of political outcomes. Take emotions out of financial decisions, and focus on building an income floor for your retirement. Life insurance companies primarily price annuities based on life expectancy. Although a Cost Of Living Adjustment can be attached to annuities, it could lower your initial payments to make up for that adjustment. Prepare for both political outcomes by considering various different financial strategies. Have a plan in place to manage taxes and protect assets. Have a fact-based approach when it comes to planning and focus on contractual guarantees. Be rational, practical, and pragmatic. Structure an annuity to meet your specific financial goals. Consider both qualified and non-qualified accounts when planning for retirement. Have a comprehensive financial plan that includes annuities and other financial instruments. Utilize annuities to plan for your legacy and provide an income for your heirs. "What I'm encouraging you to do is get rid of the politics - this is about your money, your family, your legacy. With money, whether you're in the stock market, bond market, annuity market, it should be a non-emotional, fact-based decision." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Lifetime income and principal protection Return of your money Peeling of the interest to solve income needs Key Takeaways: Annuities aren't only for lifetime income, some products just protect the principal like a MYGA or a Fixed Annuity. With lifetime income, annuity companies are on the hook to pay a return OF your principal plus interest as long as you are breathing. Will peeling off the interest, never touching the principal, and getting a return ON your money solve your income needs? MYGAs give you the option to lock in interest rates for one year up to ten years. "If you choose the return ON then all we're going to have to do at the end of the maturity of that MYGA is roll it to another MYGA and hope that rates are at a good level. If rates go down, we can always transfer that [MYGA] to an immediate annuity for lifetime income. So you can play both sides a little bit." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: When is it a good time to buy an annuity? Are annuities for market growth? Annuity sales tactics to be wary of Key Takeaways: Annuities aren't for everybody. If you need to transfer risk, need contractual guarantees, or solve for principal protection, income for life, legacy, or long-term care, then it's a good time to buy an annuity. If your goal is market growth, then an annuity is not for you. Annuities are not market-growth products. When buying an annuity, you're buying a contract, which means you'll own it for what it will do, not what it might do. Don't buy an annuity because someone promised “market upside with no downside”, “principal protection with market participation”, or that they'll give you an upfront bonus. These common sales tactics mislead the buyer into buying the dream but owning a contractual reality far from what was pitched. "Is it a good time to buy an annuity? The answer to that is, do you need to transfer risk? Do you need contractual guarantees? Do you need to solve for principal protection? Income for Life legacy or long term care?" — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man and Terry Savage discuss: What is “chicken money”? Considering future crises in your financial plan Seeking trusted advisors Building an income floor Key Takeaways: Your “chicken money” is money that you can't afford to lose. CDs, treasury bills, money markets, AAA municipal bonds, and MYGAs are suitable options. MYGAs and CDs are great for principal protection and tax deferral benefits. Focus on having an income floor and principal protection in retirement plans. It's important to consider possible future financial crises and plan for them, regardless of political outcomes. Social Security is a primary source of retirement income. Seek trusted financial advice from fiduciaries who fully disclose costs and operate on a fee-only basis. See to it personally that you are able to customize your financial plan according to your goals. Have an income floor to protect yourself against market fluctuations and ensure financial stability. Social Security is a strong foundation for retirement income. Build on it with guaranteed products. Consider both the short-term and the long-term in your financial plan. "Chicken money, by definition, is money you cannot afford to lose, and as such, it belongs in things like short-term CDs, treasury bills." — Terry Savage Connect with Terry Savage: Website: https://www.terrysavage.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TerryTalksMoney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesavagetruth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Terrytalksmoney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Savage-Truth-190870517609983/ New Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119645441/ref=pe_2313400_441222210_em_1p_0_lm Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Locking in for three years and over The top three safest money When to go for CDs and treasuries Key Takeaways: Ask yourself how long you want to lock the money in for. MYGAs provide the highest contractual guarantee if it's three years and over compared to CDs and treasuries. The safest money out of all three would be treasuries, the second safest money is CDs, and the third safest would be MYGAs. Buy treasuries only from treasurydirect.gov. If you're going to lock in money for three years and in, the better option would be to go for CDs and treasuries because if it's less than three years, MYGAs historically will not provide the highest contractual guarantee. "Three years and in CDs and treasuries three years and out multi-year guarantee annuities." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The right product for the right situation What is lifetime income? Income from interest Key Takeaways: An agent selling an annuity product as a one-size-fits-all product is like a doctor prescribing one medication for everyone. There is a right product for the right circumstance, and if a person doesn't need an annuity, they shouldn't be sold one. Lifetime income is a transfer of risk pension product that an annuity company is contractually obligated to pay as long as you or your spouse are still breathing. It is priced primarily on your life expectancy, and interest rates play a secondary role. A multi-year guaranteed annuity is the annuity industry's version of a CD. You can purchase a MYGA, never touch the principal, never pay a fee, just peel off interest, and then live off that. "with annuities at this point in time at the time of this taping, and I hope it continues. You have two choices: lifetime income or interest income - it's all about money coming in establishing that income floor. " — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Planning with simplicity Annuity products overview Consumer-focused future of annuities Tuning out the noise Key Takeaways: Lifetime income is priced primarily on your life expectancy and interest rates play a secondary role in pricing. Shop all carriers for the highest contractual guarantee, don't gamble your retirement on hypothetical and theoretical numbers. Seek simplicity in planning. Indexed annuities are going to keep getting pitched, and often through misleading and hyperbolic statements, by sales agents because of the high commission. Indexed annuities aren't bad products, they are great delivery systems for lifetime income through the attachment of an income rider. Companies must realize the importance of putting consumers first and giving them the power to make the choices that they want to make through education and other helpful resources. Annuities should be bought and not sold, agents have the responsibility to make sure the client understands their contract fully. Tune out the noise of the media and look into your life instead. Think about things that matter to you, things that make you happy, and focus on making more time for that. Eliminate the things in your life that are not adding to your joy. "If you're in chapter two of your life in retirement, I want you to maximize the day. I want you to start structuring your day for fun and for relaxation and for reflection." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Acknowledging your wealth The scars of scarcity Should you be worried about inflation Setting up contractual guarantees Key Takeaways: Be rational about the wealth that you have. Don't say you're not rich if you are not one of the 40% of Americans today who have $400 to their name and are struggling. Acknowledge the wealth that you've earned. Many people have what can be called the “scars of scarcity.” Experiencing poverty in one's youth or growing up amid an economic crisis tends to leave scars in the mind of a person. People with the scars of scarcity tend to be needlessly cautious about spending a little extra money on things like food, travel, or other things. Inflation affects those who are on the low end of the country. If you are rich and worried about inflation, then you are not doing the math. A hike in the price of gas or eggs isn't going to affect you; it's going to affect the other 60% of people in America. With annuities, you can set things up contractually so that there's a lifetime income stream that you can never outlive, or you can just live off the interest and never touch the principal. "I need you to start acting rich. Put that team of advisers around you because you are rich, whether you think you are or not. Start acting a little bit more annuity rich, meaning put guarantees in place so you can go live your life and not worry about it." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Automating your income Establishing an automated income stream Reverse-engineering your income goal Key Takeaways: Automating your income is about creating more income floor to add to your lifetime income stream with Social Security which increases with inflation. This is where annuities come into play since that's what they're put on this planet to do. Establish a good lifetime income stream that will provide for your spouse or family. Keep it simple, and make it automated, so they wouldn't have to worry about a single thing when you've either passed or reached a decline in your cognitive faculties. By reverse-engineering your income goal, you can solve for the least amount of money you'll need to solve for that income goal contractually. Don't worry about inflation, focus on computation and guarantees. "Automate your income so you don't have to worry about that monthly income. Now that you need to, you can just go live your life." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man and Sheryl Garrett discuss: The role of a financial planner How the industry should be Hiring the right planner Being aggressive with cash flow Key Takeaways: Many personal, financial, economic, and psychological things are coming together all at once. The planner's role is to help clients see through all of that and reach out to the appropriate specialist when they need certain products or services fulfilled for the clients. Everybody has questions about their personal finances. People in the industry should be working towards making it easier for people to understand finances. Don't hire anybody with disciplinary issues on their records. There are plenty of people to pick that don't have any on the record. Make sure the person you're talking to is working as a fiduciary. We need to be aggressive about our cash flow. Aggressive, conscious of where our money is going, where it's coming from, and how it will move in the future. "We've been trained to go get a second opinion if we have a significant medical issue come up, but why in the world do we not get a second opinion if we're getting ready to make a decision as significant as retirement." — Sheryl Garrett. Connect with Sheryl Garrett: Website: https://garrettinvestmentadvisors.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherylgarrett/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SherylGarrett Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Claiming your social security You can't time annuities Three phases of retirement Key Takeaways: Social security payments get higher if you wait until 70 because you're older which means that your life expectancy is less, meaning that there are fewer projected payments. Fewer payments mean that those payments will be higher. It's simple, but that doesn't mean that that is always the better choice. You can't time it with annuities, you can't time it with lifetime income. Annuities are priced primarily based on your life expectancy. However, this doesn't mean that you should wait until you are seventy before you get a lifetime income. There are three phases of retirement: go-go, slow-go, and no-go. Go-go when you are still rolling, slow-go is when you start to feel slow down, and no-go is when you have severely decreased physical and mental faculties. Make your decisions based on what phase you're in and what your goal is. "There are no sweet spots with annuities. There's no arbitrage moment with annuities. The older you are, the higher the payment for lifetime income when you're looking at life to make them it's that simple." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Creating a solid income floor for retirement Considering your income Many ways to create income Key Takeaways: Going into chapter two of your life, you have to do your own thing. Stop keeping score. You've already won the game, you already have enough money, so why are you still playing? It's important to have non-correlated income sources for your retirement such as pensions, rental properties, and annuities in order for you to create a solid income floor that's not affected by market fluctuations. Factor in how much income you need in your retirement, what you want to do with your money, how you want the money to work, what kind of risks you want to shoulder, and what risks you want to transfer. Interest rates are at a point at the time of this taping where people can protect the principal and take interest off of the top. This way, you'll create your income floor without putting your capital at risk. "If there's a gap in your floor, what are you going to do? You're not just going to leave the gap, right? If you have a gap in your income floor, you're going to fill it. You're going to fill it with as little amount of putty or fake wood as you can. With annuities, you do the same thing." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!
In this episode, The Annuity Man and Rick Ferri discuss: Outperforming 90% of investors Developing a simple portfolio Five ways to improve your portfolio Facing the risks Key Takeaways: Investing is not as difficult as others would have you believe. The best way to invest is to keep things simple; the fewer moving parts, the better. Develop a simple portfolio that will hold four funds, two stock funds, and two bond funds. The bond funds have to be some fixed income type of allocation, while on the stock side, you do a stock market index fund and a total international fund. Are you going to be active or passive? Select a portfolio strategy. Determine whether you're going to be aggressive or conservative and assess if you need a higher rate of return and if you can handle high volatility. In bad times, remember that “this too shall pass.” Investing doesn't come without risk. Everything in life has risks. Even burying your money has a risk; inflation will eat away at its value. It's better just to face the risk. "The idea is simplicity. Be simple, be low-cost, be consistent, stay the course, be tax-efficient." — Rick Ferri. Connect with Rick Ferri: Website: https://rickferri.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIndexer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-ferri-b6994010/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rick_Ferri Books: https://www.amazon.com/Richard-A.-Ferri/e/B001IGJTE8%3F Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today - https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!