John L. Olsen |
November 18, 2013 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity Definition, Deferred Annuities, Fixed Annuities, Immediate Annuities, Index Annuities, John L. Olsen, Member Posts, Variable Annuities
If you’re like most people, you find the subject of annuities confusing. Just the terminology would befuddle anyone – “exclusion ratio”, “annuitization”, “indexed”, “cap rate”, “participation rate”, etc. As if that weren’t enough, the terms are not applied uniformly. Some writers about annuities refer to the kind that produces an income immediately after purchase as an “immediate annuity”; others call it a “payout annuity”. “Equity index annuity” and “fixed indexed annuity” are used almost interchangeably to refer to the same type of contract. And some...
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Stan The Annuity Man |
November 14, 2013 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity Bonuses, Ask Stan The Annuity Man, Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities, Member Posts
Question: Every agent I meet with is pushing a bonus as the main reason to buy the indexed annuity they are recommending. They make it sound like it’s free money, but I’m skeptical. What’s the truth about these upfront bonuses? Robert from Muncie, Indiana Answer: Phenomenal question Robert, and so important in the current over hyped annuity environment and the unregulated wild wild west of annuity internet promoters. Upfront bonuses really became popular around 5 years ago as an obvious way for insurance companies to...
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Rob Brinkman |
November 4, 2013 |
Annuity Basics, Income Riders, Index Annuities, Rob Brinkman, Variable Annuities
One of the most popular new benefits of both variable and fixed indexed annuities is setting guaranteed income amounts with the use of Income Riders. Many of these riders offer contractual guaranteed income benefits of 6%, 7%, 8%, and even 10% in some instances. Sadly, the majority of consumers either have not understood (or were misled) how these income riders actually work. These riders, when sold correctly for the ideal client, are one of the most powerful retirement benefits in the country. However, if you...
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Rob Brinkman |
October 7, 2013 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity Definition, Annuity Videos, Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities, Member Posts, Rob Brinkman, Variable Annuities
Have you been sold or “pitched” an annuity and you have no idea if it is the right kind of annuity for your specific needs? As you hopefully know, there are numerous types of annuities that are designed to address a specific risk or groups of risks that many retirees face. A set of pros and cons for one annuity type is often completely different when analyzing benefits and features of other types. Education is key, and the video below does a great job in...
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John L. Olsen |
October 1, 2013 |
Annuity Basics, Annuity Suitability, Annuity Taxes, Deferred Annuities, Fixed Annuities, Immediate Annuities, Index Annuities, John L. Olsen, Member Posts, Miscellaneous Annuity Info, Variable Annuities
If you are considering the purchase of some kind of annuity, you know what you want and need. But how can you determine whether the annuity product being recommended to you will meet your needs better than a different kind of annuity or some non-annuity alternative (such as a CD or mutual fund)? And how did the insurance agent showing you the annuity decide that the product he’s showing you is the one most suitable for you? The answer to both questions lies in that...
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Rob Brinkman |
September 27, 2013 |
Annuity Basics, Index Annuities, Member Posts, Rob Brinkman
Just what is this hyped up “Hybrid” Annuity that so many annuity agents and financial advisors are talking about? The term ‘hybrid annuity’ is often used to describe a Fixed Index Annuity (FIA). In this video, Rob Brinkman explains how a Fixed Annuity chassis is used as a platform for the “Hybrid” Annuity, and how the insurance company provides its Index Annuity owners with the opportunity to participate in market upswings while being protected from market downturns with the use of options. The following FAQs...
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Stan The Annuity Man |
September 26, 2013 |
Annuity Basics, Ask Stan The Annuity Man, Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities, Member Posts, Variable Annuities
Question: Annuities seem to be the hot financial product with all of the advisors I have recently met with. They can’t be good for every single person, so who should not buy an annuity in your opinion? from Walt S. in Lincoln, Nebraska Answer: Great question for the annuity buying public Walt. Much appreciated for the opportunity to provide this much needed answer. First of all, it’s important to know what annuities actually are and what they should solve for within your portfolio. Annuities are...
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John L. Olsen |
September 18, 2013 |
Annual Reset, Annuity Basics, Annuity Caps, Annuity Definition, Index Annuities, John L. Olsen, Member Posts, Participation Rate
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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Rob Brinkman |
September 17, 2013 |
Annuities in IRAs, Annuity Videos, Index Annuities, Member Posts, Rob Brinkman, Variable Annuities
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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Rob Brinkman |
September 10, 2013 |
Annuity Videos, Fixed Annuities, Index Annuities, Member Posts, Payout Factor, Rob Brinkman
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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