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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John P. Grimes |
January 15, 2014 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity123, Income Riders, Index Annuities, John Grimes, Member Posts
We’ve all heard the expression ‘have your cake and eat it too’. It’s a pretty simple dilemma; if you have your cake and eat it… then it’s gone. If you don’t eat the cake, you still have it but don’t get to enjoy it. Wouldn’t it be nice to have it both ways? It’s like being rewarded without taking any risk or getting something nice without having to pay for it. So you’ve done some research about fixed indexed annuities and you find there are...
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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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John P. Grimes |
January 7, 2014 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity123, Index Annuities, John Grimes, Member Posts
The short answer is; I don’t know… but I wish I did! Before you give up on me and keep searching, hear me out. If I knew with certainty the answer to that question, I would devote 100% of my energy and money to playing the stock market because I would know the direction and amount of volatility to expect in the future. Of course that’s not possible so we have to make our decision based on what we do know. Let’s take a step...
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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 |
January 6, 2014 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity123, Index Annuities, Member Posts
Creating wealth is one of the most challenging, while at the same time, one of the most rewarding endeavors one might undertake. To be certain we have the right perspective on wealth, money isn’t everything and it certainly won’t buy you happiness. However, having money (and lots of it) certainly can help make life easier while you focus on other aspects of life that bring intrinsic joy and happiness to you – separate and apart from money. With that being said, if you take a...
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John P. Grimes |
December 26, 2013 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity Bonuses, Annuity Caps, Annuity123, Index Annuities, John Grimes, Member Posts, Payout Factor
In the years before Indexed annuities were offered (pre 1995), fixed annuities had only one rate you needed to know to compare policies; the fixed interest rate. Assuming the companies had similar financial strength ratings it was pretty easy to pick the best annuity for your needs: Who was offering the highest interest rate? Fortunately (or unfortunately if you long for simpler times), annuities today come with many moving parts. Riders that provide guaranteed lifetime income, long term care benefits and enhanced death benefits are...
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John P. Grimes |
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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