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What’s The Truth About Bonuses On Indexed Annuities?

Stan The Annuity Man

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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Annuity Acronyms Explained (GLWB, GMAB, GMDB, and GMIB)

Rob Brinkman

Annuity Acronyms! How can you understand them all? GLWB, GMAB, GMDB, GMIB – what do they all stand for? This video will teach you exactly what each annuity acronym means and how it affects you. To begin, usually an acronym on an annuity refers to some type of annuity rider. And usually (like 99% of the time) a rider costs money. Meaning there is an annual fee to have the rider. So if you aren’t 100% sure you need the rider, don’t add it to...

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Why Buy a CD-Like Annuity Instead of a Bank CD?

Carl Ostenson

The “Plain Jane” vanilla ice cream in the annuity world is called a Fixed Rate Annuity…also known as MYGA (Multi Year Guarantee Annuity). She’s really pretty boring….you agree to deposit money at an insurance company for a certain period of years, 2-10+ year contracts are all available. In return, the insurance company agrees to keep your money safe and pay you a fixed rate of interest for that term. At the end of the term, you can take your money and do something else with...

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What Are “Discounted Annuities”?

Carl Ostenson

Written By: Ken Olshein in Houston, TX Investors looking for a higher return than that of a Traditional Annuity, an Immediate Annuity, a Bond, a Certificate of Deposit (CD) or Money Market fund with similar risk should consider Discounted Annuities….also known as Secondary Market Annuities. These are structured settlements consisting of payment streams (or a lump sum payment) that are sold by Factoring Companies who purchase them from claimants looking to get cash in exchange for their future payments. The discount comes in because the...

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Should I Take A Lump Sum Or The Annuity Payments?

Stan The Annuity Man

Question: I’m leaving my current job and have been given a couple of options concerning my retirement plan there.  Should I take the lump sum and move on, or should I take the annuity payment? Eric G. from Fullerton, California Answer: Great question Eric, and one that does not have a perfect “one size fits all” answer.  First of all, when you leave an employer, sometimes they offer you a lump sum option that you can transfer to a personal IRA to manage however you...

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Annuity Surrender Charges Explained

John L. Olsen

Surrender charges are imposed by most, but not all, Deferred Annuities (Immediate Annuities generally impose no surrender charges because most Immediate Annuities cannot be surrendered for cash). It is vitally important that prospective buyers fully understand the impact of these charges on the Deferred Annuity’s cash surrender value, when they’re imposed, and when they’re waived. Some critics of annuities assert that surrender charges are wholly unattractive, that they always work to the buyer’s disadvantage. This is neither accurate nor fair. Let’s look, now, at how...

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Truth About Income Riders On Fixed Index And Variable Annuities

Rob Brinkman

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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Ernest Caponegro, President of I & E Insurance Agency Joins the Annuity123 Network of Retirement Income Advisors

Rob Brinkman

Annuity123 is excited and honored to report that Ernest Caponegro has joined its network of retirement income advisors for the benefit of consumers in New Jersey who are in need of obtaining personalized retirement income guidance.  Please see below for an overview of Mr. Caponegro’s experience: Company Name: I & E Insurance Agency Brief Business Description: My Financial Career started in 1978 at the investment Banking department of EF Hutton, I then earned a Stock Brokers License and became a manager and Investment Advisor for...

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What Is A Secondary Market Annuity?

Stan The Annuity Man

Question: What is a secondary market annuity?  Also, where and how can I buy them if I’m interested? from Jess in Brookfield, Wisconsin Answer: Excellent question about a very small (but growing) niche market within the annuity world.  As you know, there’s a secondary market for just about every product on the planet, and that includes annuities.  If you are shopping for higher yield and higher payments, then this might be a product type that you want to explore because yields can be 2% higher...

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Safe Money Alternatives To The Market

Stan The Annuity Man

Provided By: The Annuity Guys If you are having nightmares or restless nights about the volatility of the stock markets, it may be time to examine your own asset allocations.  Fortunately, you have many options to choose from…the challenge is learning about your various options. Watch as the Annuity Guys reflect on some of the safe money alternatives available to those individuals who want or need to get out of the market. Note: You can either click on the video picture below or click here...

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