029: Annuities: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

When many people think of annuities, they say, “Oh my gosh, that’s horrible.” Many people either love or hate them, but this is almost never the right perspective to take. Why is this? It’s simple: many financial planners can’t clearly explain where it makes sense to use annuities or make sense of the complicated industry terms surrounding them. Annuities are one of many investing tools available - just like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. You have to have the right tools to get to where you want to go, and you need to understand exactly which tools will better your situation, whether you’re transitioning into retirement or already retired. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down what annuities really are, how they work, and how they might - or might not - make sense as part of your retirement portfolio. You’ll learn the basic terminology surrounding these products, the different types of annuities, and the ways that the financial industry makes this far more complicated than it ought to be. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: Why so many people have such polarized opinions about annuities - and why either loving or hating annuities is such a flawed approach. Red flags that should always stop you from buying any financial product, including annuities. The four basic types of annuities and the important terminology that defines these products. The major difference between fixed indexed and variable annuities - and how these terms get used interchangeably. Show Notes To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit TheRetirementTrainer.com/29 How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan?  We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com