I thought it might be useful to occasionally show you how I use annuities to benefit real clients in Toledo and Northwest Ohio. So, here’s an actual planning situation. My client is 70 years young and has roughly $380,000 in IRAs. Social Security and a pension provide the income she needs to live a secure and comfortable retirement. Bank savings and a money market fund provide emergency and opoortunity funds. We’re considering putting $120,000 — about one-third of her IRA mon

Compare results for a 70-Year Old with a $100,000 IRA. RMDs and account balances across two types of annuities.

Retirement planning often feels like navigating a maze with many unknowns. One of the most common questions is whether an annuity fits into your retirement plan. Annuities can offer steady income, but they are not the right choice for everyone. To help you decide, there is a clear, three-step process that answers the most important question: does an annuity belong in your retirement plan? This process helps you verify your need, justify an insured solution, and match the righ

Purchase the Right Annuity for You - Not the One You Are Being Sold Take the time to review options from several annuity providers. It is your money, after all. Savvy buyers approach annuity decisions with confidence and precision. Annuities can offer tax deferred growth and a dependable income stream for retirement, yet their complexities demand a clear understanding. Here are three pivotal questions that discerning annuity buyers ask before committing. 1. What type of annu

Discover a conservative way to generate the retirement income you want - and free up dollars for additional liquidity.

Stock markets are at all-time highs in the US. The Dow Jones Industrial Average trails the other major indexes, up only 18% in the past...

Two minute video explains how getting old impacts your IRA accounts.

In 1984 a medium sized life insurance company made a portfolio allocation "bet" that caused its trajectory to soar for the next 30-years....

I'm not sure which came first when it comes to scrambled eggs and chicken sandwiches. But I know what HAS TO COME FIRST when you are...

Have you heard about indexes that use algorithms or mathematical formulas to guide their asset allocation? No human money manager. A...

A syndicated columnist each year writes about how he allows young trick-or-treaters to choose from two treats. One treat is a small piece...

Fixed Indexed Annuities guarantee that you cannot lose money due to market performance. That quality makes them an option for your...

Two retirees recently told me that they are waiting for 8% before they move their nest egg out of the bank. They both mentioned articles...

Imagine you have a Roth IRA, a 401(k) at work and a brokerage account. A fairly typical situation these days. You are 65-years old and...

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Think this question over- Does your financial advisor really listen to what you say and does he still today have new ideas to improve...

Last year was a good one for the "stock market". The major stock indexes all had double digit gains. Of course there were some stocks...

You may have heard of "Income Buckets" before. This proven strategy to generate retirement income often uses three buckets of money- each...

Do you include an annuity or two as a part of your retirement savings? Annuities are a common part of many retirement accounts because...

This is the 25th anniversary of the introduction of a safe money retirement option, the Index Annuity. Here we will look at the...