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Variable & Indexed Annuities

Found 35 Articles.
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inflation-protected-never-ending-lifetime-income

Inflation-Protected Never-Ending Lifetime Income with Annuities

November 1, 2005

Retirement planning boils down to solving two problems: providing an income for life, and ensuring that income retains its purchasing power. Running out of money and watching the purchasing power of one’s income erode are two of the greatest retirement fears. Financial services companies constantly are developing products and strategies to alleviate these fears. As […]

how-to-maximize-returns-in-equity-annuities

How to Maximize Returns in Equity Annuities

July 1, 2005

Investment dollars are pouring into equity index annuities. These annuities come close to producing what retirees and near-retirees want and need: guaranteed income with safety of principal and inflation protection. We covered EIAs in past visits. They are a hybrid of fixed annuities and variable annuities. An investor pays a premium to the insurer to […]

analyzing-the-new-annuities

Analyzing the New Annuities

June 1, 2005

Few investors right now are buying the old-fashioned annuities. But as they shift from their accumulation years to their distribution years, many investors want some key features of annuities: tax deferral, guaranteed income, and income that cannot be outlived. Insurers are responding with an array of new features. Some are worth considering; others are the […]

how-to-grow-annuity-income

How to Grow Annuity Income

January 1, 2005

Old-style defined benefit pension plans are looking more attractive to many retirees and near-retirees. A defined benefit (DB) plan pays a fixed monthly amount for life, and many even increase the payment for inflation each year. When the stock market is volatile and uncertain, and bond yields are low, a DB plan can look good. […]

new-looks-in-annuities

New Looks in Annuities

October 1, 2004

Recent changes are making annuities hot again. At least that’s what the annuity sellers want you to believe. Some of the new annuity features are attractive. But others are just sales gimmicks. The biggest changes are in fixed annuities. The bear market in stocks initially drew investors to safer investments, such as fixed annuities. But […]

equity-indexed-annuities

Equity Indexed Annuities

September 1, 2004

Equity indexed annuities are back. Sharp stock market moves seem to stir sales of these annuities. A strong stock market draws conservative investors to them, seeking higher returns than their fixed income investments. A bear market causes other investors to look for a safer way to invest in stocks. Unfortunately, few investors really know what […]

overdue-annuity-abuse-crackdowns

Overdue Annuity Abuse Crackdowns

July 1, 2004

Regulators finally are focusing their efforts on some negative aspects of the variable annuity market that we’ve been discussing for years. Recently, several actions were taken by the National Association of Securities Dealers and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The NASD, which regulates its broker members, in April proposed new rules governing variable annuity marketing. […]

whats-left-for-variable-annuities

What’s Left For Variable Annuities?

August 1, 2003

Some of the strongest opponents of the 2003 tax cuts were insurance companies. It’s no wonder. The new law significantly tarnishes the appeal of variable annuities and cash value life insurance. Market forces, meanwhile, are making fixed annuities less appealing to some investors. A Variable Annuity allows the owner to select how the account is […]

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