You Get What You Ask For
You don’t get what you don’t ask for! The other way to say the exact same thing is, “You get what you ask for.”
Recently, my freshman daughter was trying out for the high school volleyball team. In my opinion, she has the ability to be playing, or at least competing, with the junior varsity team, but she tried out for the freshman team. I told her, “If you want to play on the junior varsity team, you need to ask. What is the worst thing the coach can tell you? The worst-case scenario, the coach says no and you don’t get what you don’t ask for.”
When I meet with prospective clients, they hesitate to ask or express what it is that they want. I’m not certain why that is. After all, don’t you want to understand YOUR retirement? Questions create understanding, and looking at all of the tools available may create a better option. The worst-case scenario is you discover that your existing retirement vehicle or plan IS indeed the best strategy for you.
Let me give a short football analogy. The goal is for the offense to score a touchdown, go 80 yards and cross the goal line (just like your retirement goal). If your coach only taught you one play, it should consist of throwing a 50-yard pass every down. That one play will cover the most ground and is the best way to score. If this was the only play you knew, would you call it every play? Of course not! The risk goes up and the chance of success goes down, but I’ve got a great receiver and quarterback. I’ve got a great advisor and the market could give me a touchdown. Even better, if you were at the 20-yard line, would you still throw a 50-yard pass? You don’t get what you don’t ask for. Mix in some risk-free investments that have the potential for good gains WITHOUT any risk. If you know that your account, or at least a large percentage of your portfolio, is always compounding at 6 to 7% annually, then throwing a 50-yard bomb once in a while will reward you. You are maximizing your potential, and the major part of your portfolio is always gaining ground.
I’ve heard all the rationale, “My advisor said I would be ok,” or, “I don’t want to be an inconvenience,” and even, “My investments will be ok.” Like I said, you don’t get what you don’t ask for.
What would you like to ask for? I want to help you, but I do have one question: Is what you’re asking for reasonable? If it is, I can help.
Risk-free investment? You need to understand the power of indexing, lock and reset, and lifetime income benefit riders. Equity-indexed annuities are risk-free investments. You don’t get what you don’t ask for.
Excellent growth? What are your expectations? 20% annual growth? 1%? Keep throwing 50-yard passes every down and see how many you complete. An equity-index annuity will earn a reasonable rate of return, without ever having a single down year. You get what you ask for.
Access? Typically with an equity-index annuity, you can withdraw up to 10% after the first year.
Lifetime income? The number one concern from investors is outliving their retirement funds. With an equity-indexed annuity and the attached income rider, investors are guaranteed an income stream for life or an income that you cannot outlive.
Distribution? With an equity-indexed annuity, there are multiple ways to distribute the accumulated assets in the contract. The best way for you depends on your particular goals.
Passing on as much as possible to your beneficiary? Some investors want a conservative strategy to pass assets to their spouse, children or charity of their choice. With an equity-indexed annuity, the amounts may be enhanced with the right enhanced death benefit rider.
Liquidity? A brokerage account will be your best bet. Equity Index Annuities have access, there is a contract and a surrender schedule which is a long term commitment.
Long-term care? One client shared that he had never invested in long-term care. His wife’s health deteriorated, and at the time I met with him, long-term care was too expensive. Ask for it. You can get the benefit of long-term care, and the benefits are available to you regardless of your health. One company we work with will double your income-stream value when you meet two of six of the activities of daily living.
Tax deductible? Only premiums within qualifying government retirement accounts are tax deductible. Equity Index annuities are tax deferred. Business owners in need of larger tax deductions should ask me how!
Tax-free income? A Roth IRA in an equity-indexed annuity grows and is distributed tax-free.
You get what you ask for! As an investor, what is it that you want?
For details on this product, call me at (303) 749-5853 or email to rich@retirepr.com.
To learn more from this educator, click here (Richard Ericson).
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