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Retire The Risks

Retirement Planning

Annuities

Fixed vs. variable annuities

These two products share a name and almost nothing else. They’re regulated by different regulators, sold by different people, and behave very differently when markets fall.

 Fixed & fixed indexedVariable Who bears market riskThe insurer (you have a floor)You (value moves with subaccounts) Regulated asInsurance product — state insurance departmentsSecurity — SEC and FINRA Sold withState insurance licenseSecurities license (Series 6/7) plus insurance license Typical fee loadSurrender charges, capped upside, rider costsMortality & expense, fund fees, rider costs GrowthFixed rate or index-linked, cappedUnlimited, tied to underlying funds LiquiditySurrender schedule, usually 5–7 yearsSurrender schedule, often longer; possible CDSC Best suited forGuaranteed income and principal protectionTax-deferred accumulation for people already maxing other accounts

I’m licensed and appointed for fixed and fixed indexed annuities. I do not sell variable annuities. If your situation genuinely calls for one, I’ll tell you that and point you to someone who can help.

The one question that settles most of it

Are you trying to grow money or protect income? Retirement planning is mostly the second one. People who need the first usually shouldn’t be buying an annuity at all — they should be contributing more to a tax-advantaged account.

Which one fits your situation?

Bring your current statements and we’ll work through it.

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