September 18, 2013 3:36 pm
Published by alexhouse
There are several different kinds of index annuities, but the “Annual Reset” type is the most commonly sold (and bought). The name refers to the interest crediting period – the length of time over which gains and losses in the equity index (often, but not always, the S&P500®) will be measured and index-linked interest will be calculated and credited. There are different types of annual reset annuities. Some measure monthly index movements, from which they calculate and credit interest annually (the “Monthly Sum” or “Monthly...
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September 17, 2013 6:55 am
Published by alexhouse
When does it make sense to put an annuity inside of an IRA (Individual Retirement Account)? This is a frequent question and the answer lies in what you are wanting to accomplish with your particular investment. We all know that annuities are tax-deferred and so are IRAs. So, is an investor paying for tax-deferral unnecessarily when utilizing an annuity inside a qualified plan? In this video, Rob Brinkman explores this question and gives some answers to when it does and doesn’t make sense to put...
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September 16, 2013 9:57 am
Published by alexhouse
Provided By: The Annuity Guys If you are having trouble sleeping, you could count sheep or you could think about fixed annuities. Solid, unexciting, stodgy and downright boring are all wonderful terms to describe fixed annuities….along with safe, steady and simple. Fixed annuities offer competitive interest rates, typically a couple of percentage points higher than bank CDs and money markets. They were never designed to give returns comparable to the stock market, but this is due to the fact that they remove a layer of...
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September 12, 2013 8:59 am
Published by alexhouse
Question: Is an annuity considered life insurance? Do they work the same? from Ted in Miami, FL Answer: Most people don’t know this, Ted, but annuities are actually issued from life insurance companies….so in essence they are life insurance products. However, annuities and life insurance are vastly different when it comes to how they are taxed. As a side note, when it comes to anything involving taxes, you should always consult with a qualified CPA or tax lawyer. Annuity agents are not tax advisors, and...
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September 10, 2013 11:25 am
Published by alexhouse
In this video, you will learn some advanced annuity concepts, the pros and cons of annuities, and why annuities are similar to apples in the fact that there is only so much juice you can squeeze from each product. Given the large amount of Index Annuities available for investors, the average consumer can quickly get overwhelmed. This educational video walks the viewer through the different variables and how they affect one another inside an annuity contract. This educational video explains (in a very detailed, yet...
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September 9, 2013 7:00 am
Published by alexhouse
Written By: The Annuity Guys Most of the mainstream media decries annuities as bad investment choices sold by unscrupulous agents solely to earn high commission. CNN/Money even states “annuities frequently charge other high fees as well, usually including an initial commission of up to 10% of your premium or investment”. The key word in this statement is “up to” – the majority of fixed annuities today are in the five to seven percent range assuming the agent elects to take the commission up front. It is important to keep...
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September 5, 2013 10:26 pm
Published by alexhouse
The short answer is “Maybe, but don’t do it just because you can. Do it if it’s the only answer to a problem and you know exactly what you are doing.” IRAs and 401ks will pass on by way of contract to whomever you name as the beneficiaries. They will bypass the probate process and the lawyers involved automatically. A trust does not have to be involved if there is a beneficiary form. Most of the time, you do not need to name a trust...
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September 5, 2013 2:39 pm
Published by alexhouse
Question: My parents live in Florida, don’t have much money, and have only bought CDs from an investment standpoint. Now every month, it seems, they are calling me to explain an annuity the bank is trying to sell them. Why is their bank branch now pushing annuities so hard? from Fred in Sarasota, FL Answer: Great question, and this is happening nationwide, not just in Florida. This madness all started a few years ago when it became legal for banks to sell investments to their...
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September 4, 2013 8:20 am
Published by alexhouse
During our careers the emphasis on retirement planning shifts many times. When we begin our working careers the emphasis is on purchasing that first home. The focus turns to our family and making sure our children have all of the essentials needed as they are raised. During this time we are aware that someday we want to retire. We focus on setting enough back to match what our employer is placing in the work 401K plan. When we receive a raise or bonus often times we...
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September 3, 2013 11:26 am
Published by alexhouse
Written By: Barry Goldwater in Newton, MA The way we think about our health is extremely interesting in a denial sort of way. There is a very large pod of people who practice some of the unhealthiest lifestyles and who believe nothing adverse will affect their health moving forward. This is why greater than half the population in overweight and many of them detrimentally so even though there is evidence reported every week that asserts that practically every disease can be controlled by weight loss...
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