What Is a Retirement Annuity?

Are you nearing retirement and wondering exactly what is a retirement annuity and if you actually need one? If you want to protect your savings from stock market crashes and guarantee that you never outlive your money, you need to understand how these financial tools operate. In this completely unfiltered video, Shawn from The Annuity Expert breaks down exactly how does a retirement annuity work. He explains the two main phases of an annuity (the accumulation phase and the income phase) and details the various ways you can withdraw your money—from basic systematic withdrawals to adding a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) that acts as an unbreakable personal pension plan. Shawn also walks through the exact types of contracts available on the market today, including Fixed Index Annuities, MYGAs, QLACs, and the ones you should generally avoid entirely, like Variable Annuities and DIAs. You will also learn powerful, advanced strategies: how a 44-year-old secured $100,000 a year for life using just $450,000 (compared to the $2.5 million a wealth manager would require), how to bridge the income gap if you delay Social Security until age 70, and how to protect your portfolio from devastating long-term care costs. With payout rates currently sitting at 20-year highs in 2026, now is the time to understand how these contracts can lock in your financial security. 📊 Want an objective, zero-pressure look at the different types of retirement contracts and which one fits your specific needs? Read our full guide here: 👉 https://www.annuityexpertadvice.com/annuity-basics/retirement-annuity/ 📞 Call our team for free, no-obligation advice to build a bulletproof retirement income plan at: 770-755-1565