How to Reverse Engineer Annuities to Fight Inflation: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
“Fun With Annuities” The Annuity Man Podcast
Release Date: 08/06/2025
“Fun With Annuities” The Annuity Man Podcast
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Understanding MYGAs as CD alternatives Using tax deferral to improve long-term growth Extending deferral through strategic rollovers Evaluating liquidity and fit Key Takeaways: A Multi-Year Guarantee Annuity functions like a CD with a fixed rate and a defined term. It offers principal protection, no market exposure, and predictable growth. Terms typically range from one to ten years, depending on the carrier. Unlike CDs in non-qualified accounts, MYGA interest is not taxed annually. Taxes are deferred until...
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In this episode, The Annuity Man and Tom Hegna discuss: Saying no to DIY retirement What is the right age for retirement is How annuity addresses inflation Securing guaranteed lifetime income with annuities Key Takeaways: Retirement is not a DIY project; do it with a professional. The age for retirement would not be the same for many. If you want to get the optimal age, you have to spend some time calculating all the factors that go into it. Be creative in doing something that can help your retirement. It’s okay if you have to...
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In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Giving while you’re alive to create a meaningful impact Letting background inform legacy decisions Balancing support with personal responsibility Building a living legacy through intentional planning Key Takeaways: Providing financial support earlier in life can influence long-term stability and opportunity. Assistance during early adulthood often carries greater practical value than delayed inheritance. Financial philosophies are shaped by upbringing and lived experience. Recognizing these influences can help...
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In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Questioning the fiduciary label Recognizing bad advice despite credentials Performing personal due diligence Choosing advisors carefully and staying informed Key Takeaways: “Fiduciary” is often misused by advisors as a marketing badge rather than a guarantee of acting in the client’s best interest. Consumers should not assume a plaque or certification automatically equals sound advice. Even certified fiduciaries can make improper or risky recommendations, as illustrated by a reverse mortgage case leading to...
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In this episode, The Annuity Man and Terry Savage discuss: What is “chicken money”? Considering future crises in your financial plan Seeking trusted advisors Building an income floor Key Takeaways: Your “chicken money” is money that you can’t afford to lose. CDs, treasury bills, money markets, AAA municipal bonds, and MYGAs are suitable options. MYGAs and CDs are great for principal protection and tax deferral benefits. Focus on having an income floor and principal protection in retirement plans. It’s important to consider...
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In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Understanding why life insurance loans are not income Questioning glossy tax-free income pitches Keeping life insurance simple and purpose-driven Testing illustrations and setting clear expectations Key Takeaways: Loans from a life insurance policy are not income, just as bank loans are not income. They are tax-free only because they must be repaid, not because they create earnings. Calling them “tax-free income” is a misleading sales framing. Many life insurance illustrations rely on optimistic assumptions...
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In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Seeing through product-driven Roth pitches Recognizing political risk in long-term tax planning Keeping conversions separate from annuity products Avoiding shiny-object sales tactics Key Takeaways: Treat Roth conversions as tax decisions rather than annuity strategies. Rely on math and tax guidance instead of sales-driven framing. Understand that tax-free structures like Roths can face future policy shifts. Plan with awareness that political changes may affect long-term assumptions. Run conversion numbers...
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In this episode, The Annuity Man and Michael Finke discuss: Annuities are more attractive today Protecting your future lifestyle Cutting little slices from the birthday cake There’s no perfect product to solve for inflation Key Takeaways: At the time of this episode’s taping, near-retirees can lock in 5.2% on five-year MYGAs for the next five years; however, it may go up or down. When buying an annuity, you're buying yourself a minimum standard of living forever, no matter how long you live. You have to choose if you want to shoulder the...
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In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Designing dependable inheritances Structuring income for generations Choosing tools for guaranteed legacy streams Partnering wisely with trusted professionals Key Takeaways: Integrating annuities into estate plans allows individuals to pass on structured, reliable income rather than lump-sum inheritances, protecting beneficiaries from mismanagement or market risk. Estate plans can specify lifetime payments, joint-income arrangements, or funds designated for annuities, giving families long-term financial stability...
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In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Prioritizing safety and guarantees Selling only contractual commitments Using PILL to guide purpose Key Takeaways: Annuities should focus on protecting principal and providing a reliable income. Strong insurance carrier backing ensures certainty and reduces risk. Avoiding speculative products maintains financial security for clients. Only offer annuities with contractual guarantees, not hypothetical promises. Market-based growth claims are often unrealistic and misleading. Contractual commitments provide clarity and...
info_outlineIn this episode, The Annuity Man discussed:
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Products that adjust for inflation
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Thinking rationally about inflation
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Reverse-engineering annuity
Key Takeaways:
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Many bad sales pitches out there mention a way to beat inflation using indexed products that adjust for inflation. What really happens is that the annuity company severely lowers the initial payment to make up for any potential increase.
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Think rationally about inflation. It’s customizable to everybody, meaning not everyone is affected the same way. Some are not even affected at all.
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Start with the goal or the need. How much more do you need in order to live the life that you want? To solve for that difference, you’ve got to shop all carriers and see which offers the highest contractual guarantee that will fit the goal or the need.
"Just hold until you need to fill the gap in income for inflation. Don't be proactive; don't throw darts at it. But if you do want to throw darts - let's buy income that starts at a future date." — Stan The Annuity Man.
Connect with The Annuity Man:
Website: http://theannuityman.com/
Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com
Book: Owner’s Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g
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