What Women REALLY Want

Jennifer Calandra | January 31, 2014 | Annuity Basics, Retirement Planning

I have had hundreds of conversations with women regarding their money. Each has their own story, their own goals and vision for their future. I’ve met with a variety of different women; single women in their early 20’s just beginning to accumulate their wealth, divorcees who are trying to make sense of what just happened and what it now means for them,  and widows who are overwhelmed not only with loss, but also with their new role as the captain of their financial ship.

When asked the simple question of what they are looking for when it comes to their money, most often I get the same answer-Safety & Security.  You see, as women, we view money very differently and we tend to have a more purpose- driven approach to how we are invested. When it comes right down to it, we want to know that we have a plan in place that will meet our expenses, that will make things easier for our children and grandchildren and a plan that will allow us to spend time building memories rather than watching the stock market go up and down. We want to know that when the time comes to retire that we get the opportunity to enjoy the retirement we worked so hard for and deserve. When I have these conversations, take all of this into consideration and look at the investment solutions available, an annuity may come to mind.

I need to preface this by saying that the use of an annuity is not suitable for everyone. There are pros and cons to owning an annuity and also various types, so you need to make sure you work with a financial professional who can help you discover if this is a fit for you.

When considering the use of an annuity, you must take into consideration multiple factors: your circumstances, objectives, your time horizon, your income, just to name a few. There is no one–size-fits-all financial product that is the right choice for everyone. You are unique and your retirement plan needs to be as well.

In today’s marketplace, an annuity is the only personal financial vehicle that can offer both growth potential and the security of guaranteed income payments.

Many women view the stock market as a risky, volatile sort of “beast” of its own and often express fear and apprehension toward investing in it. In recent years, this fear has led to the evolution of new financial products and strategies that allow investors to participate while also protecting and preserving safety. Through these types of solutions, you can experience the benefits of potential growth and appreciation without exposing your hard-earned money to high risks. Today, the fixed index annuity has become a very popular solution for many Americans.

Fixed index annuities allow you the opportunity to participate in a portion of a market index and enjoy positive gains without the risk of a negative return in any contract year. They also offer 100% principal protection and tax deferral. Fixed index annuities come in contract terms as short as five years with the majority being offered for a term of 10 years. This type of annuity has become quite popular over the last decade.  However, be cautious.  I would venture to say, there are more fixed index annuities that may not be best for you.   So, choose wisely given your financial situation and work with a qualified, trusted advisor.

To learn more from this author, click here (Jennifer Calandra).

 

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