Stan The Annuity Man |
January 23, 2014 |
Annuity Basics, Ask Stan The Annuity Man, Deferred Annuities, Fixed Annuities, Immediate Annuities, Index Annuities, Longevity Annuities
Question: I’m looking to set up a guaranteed lifetime income stream to start sometime in the future. Which is better, longevity annuities or income riders? from Tom in Portland, Oregon Answer: Excellent “head scratcher” Tom, and this is one of the most important questions currently in the world of annuities. What you are talking about is target date or income later planning. You want to plan a lifetime income stream to turn on in the future, and would like to be able to know to...
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Anton Hendler |
January 16, 2014 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity123, Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities, Member Posts
As with any investment, one makes a call based on risk and reward. Fixed Index Annuities continue to offer one of the best trade-offs in the market. However, it is still important that one stays abreast of what is happening in the market and what products are being offered as these change on an ongoing basis in response to the market and what demand is driving the insurance companies to offer. For instance, as interest rates remain low, but the markets showed increases over the...
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Carl Ostenson |
January 10, 2014 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity123, Carl Ostenson, Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities, Member Posts
Question: What happens at the end of my annuity? Answer: Usually people that ask me this question are typically talking about either a fixed rate annuity or an indexed annuity. So I’ll answer the question with those in mind (ie. a 5 year fixed annuity or a 10 year indexed annuity). So let’s look at each type separately: Note: You will see that the big difference between the two types is Option #1. With indexed annuities you can usually stay with them as long as...
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Howard Hafetz |
January 8, 2014 |
Annuity123, Fixed Annuities, Howard Hafetz, Index Annuities, Member Posts
I thought that would get your attention! Does anyone really believe that I, or anyone else, can predict the future? Then why is it that so many people believe the so-called experts that call for certain stocks or interest rates to move in the direction they “predict”. Isn’t it obvious to everyone that if any of these charlatans actually knew what any equity would do in the future that the last thing they would do is tell the world? Markets, by definition, have buyers and...
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Richard Ericson |
January 7, 2014 |
Annual Reset, Annuity Basics, Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities
Potential can be such an enticing, positive word. I’ve recruited and coached young men with potential. In my opinion, potential can also be a negative word. The young man that still has potential is not real useful in the game. Potential checks don’t cash very well at the bank. Potential returns are marketed to consumers, and consumers invest for potential all the time. Potential returns, at some point, are not real useful to you. If I could guarantee you an average rate of return of...
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Anton Hendler |
January 6, 2014 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity123, Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities, Member Posts
The next time you hear that the market has averaged 7% or 10% over the last so many years; you need to be wary about who is making the claim and how they are basing their assertion. An average rate of, say, 7% is only an average of the rates of the past so many years divided by the number of years. If you were to apply the formula to your actual money, you will find quite another result if the market has been in...
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Anton Hendler |
December 20, 2013 |
Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities, Member Posts
Written By: Ike Ikokwu, CFP, CPA, CTC, MSPFP in Atlanta, GA In Part 1 of this article, I talked about how exciting a time it is to be an investor; that is, assuming you are currently invested in the market (click here to read Part 1). As of that writing, both the DOW and S&P 500 hit major milestones by crossing over 16,000 and 1,800 respectively. Well, the NASDAQ, decided it too would not be left out of the party and during the week of...
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Anton Hendler |
December 18, 2013 |
Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities, Long Term Care, Member Posts, William Clay Tucker
Written By: William Clay Tucker, CAP, CMFC, CRPS in Canton, GA When does it make sense to own a Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) that provides an enhanced income payment for Long Term Care (LTC) needs? First of all, there is no replacement for a good LTC policy that covers 3-5 years of potential care needs with a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) applied to the benefit payment. The only reason not to have LTC coverage is if you are able to fully cover these costs...
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Jason Soloman |
December 17, 2013 |
Annuity Basics, Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities, Jason Soloman, Member Posts
The debate about fixed annuities has been going on for years. Some advisors/insurance agents will only sell indexed annuities to retirees; other advisors/agents won’t associate their name with such products. I on the other hand believe that for the right person, an indexed annuity could be a piece of a holistic retirement plan. Listed below are 3 reasons I like and hate indexed annuities. Things I love About Indexed Annuities 1. Income For Life People can bash the Social Security system all they want, but...
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Keith L. Collins |
December 12, 2013 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity123, Fixed Annuities, Member Posts
For most retirees living on a fixed income, every penny counts. Unfortunately for them, every penny counts to the Internal Revenue Service too. There’s no arguing that taxes on social security are incredibly high. As a matter of fact, according to current tax law, up to 85 percent of a person’s Social Security income is taxable when their total ‘threshold income’ exceeds a set limit. What is threshold income? Threshold income is the government’s formula for determining how much of a person’s Social Security is...
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