Guaranteed Income Options
Contracts that can provide income for a set period or for life, per the terms selected.
What It Is
Understanding Retirement Solutions
The accumulation phase is largely about contributions, time and market exposure. The distribution phase introduces risks that don't matter much beforehand: sequence-of-returns risk, longevity risk, and the very human risk of changing plans during a bad market.
Annuities as an Income Tool
An annuity is a contract with an insurance company. In exchange for a premium, it can provide a stream of income, in some cases for life. Fixed annuities credit a declared rate. Fixed indexed annuities credit interest based on an index formula with a floor and a cap. Income riders, where available, can provide guaranteed withdrawal amounts, usually for an additional charge.
Guarantees in an annuity are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer, not by a government agency. Carrier financial strength genuinely matters here.
What we don't do
We don't suggest annuitising everything, and we don't recommend surrendering an existing contract without comparing surrender charges, existing benefits and what would actually be gained. Where a rollover or replacement is being considered, you should see that comparison in writing.
Key Features
What This Coverage Can Do
Features vary by carrier, product and state. We'll confirm exactly what's available for your situation before anything is recommended.
Principal Protection Options
Fixed and fixed indexed products designed not to lose value from index declines.
Index-Linked Growth
Interest credited on an index formula, subject to caps and participation rates.
Tax-Deferred Accumulation
Growth inside a deferred annuity is generally tax-deferred until withdrawal.
Rollover Coordination
Working alongside your existing 401(k), IRA or pension decisions.
Legacy Provisions
Beneficiary and death benefit options so remaining value passes on.
Who It's For
Is This a Fit for You?
If one or more of these sounds like your situation, it's worth a conversation. If none of them do, we'll tell you that too.
Pre-retirees within 10 yearsClose enough that a bad market sequence would genuinely hurt.
Those without a pensionNo employer-guaranteed income stream to build a floor from.
Conservative saversMore concerned with keeping what they have than maximising returns.
People worried about outliving moneyLongevity is the risk that quietly compounds every other one.
Retirees with idle cashLarge balances sitting in low-yield accounts with no plan attached.
Anyone facing a rollover decisionA job change or retirement date forces a choice worth getting right.
How It Works
Our Four-Step Process
01
Discovery Call
A conversation about your family, your obligations and what you're actually worried about. No pitch.
02
Needs Analysis
We put real numbers to it: debts, income, existing coverage, and size the gap.
03
Market Comparison
We shop 40+ carriers against your specific profile and show you what came back.
04
Placement & Review
We handle the application and underwriting, then review the policy with you annually.
Questions
Frequently Asked
Are annuities a good idea?
For some people, for part of their money, yes. As a place to put everything, almost never. Annuities trade liquidity and upside for certainty. If you value a predictable income floor and can leave the money alone, that trade can be worth it. If you may need the funds soon, it usually isn't.
What are the real costs?
Depending on the product: surrender charges during an initial period, rider fees for income or death benefit guarantees, and caps or spreads that limit crediting. Fixed and fixed indexed annuities often have no explicit annual fee unless a rider is added. You should be given the full charge structure before signing anything.
What does 'guaranteed' actually mean here?
Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. They aren't FDIC insured. State guaranty associations provide limited backstops that vary by state. This is why we weigh carrier financial strength ratings carefully.
Should I roll my 401(k) into an annuity?
Sometimes, but it isn't automatic. Your 401(k) may have low-cost institutional funds and creditor protections worth keeping. A rollover should be compared side by side: fees, guarantees, liquidity and control, not assumed.
What if I need my money early?
Most deferred annuities allow a penalty-free withdrawal of a set percentage annually, with surrender charges beyond that during the surrender period. Withdrawals before age 59½ may also carry an IRS penalty. Liquidity needs should be planned for outside the contract.
How do you get paid on this?
On annuity and insurance products we're compensated by the issuing carrier, typically as a commission. We'll tell you the compensation structure of anything we recommend if you ask, and you should ask, of anyone.
Important
This page is general information, not a recommendation or an offer of coverage. Product availability, features, riders,
pricing and underwriting rules differ by carrier and by state, and all coverage is subject to the terms of the issued policy.
Nothing here is tax or legal advice.
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