“Fun With Annuities” The Annuity Man Podcast
Fun With Annuities® Podcast is hosted by America’s Annuity Agent, Stan The Annuity Man®. Hear brutal annuity facts with no sales pitches from the top independent agent in the country, licensed in all 50 states. Author of 7 books, Stan dives deep on all annuity types and strategies. It’s fun, learning the contractual truths on how annuities actually work and if they’ll fit your personal retirement lifestyle. Listen in on how you can be livin’ the reality, not the dream.
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Jimmy Dean Sausage Annuity Legacy Strategy: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
03/08/2026
Jimmy Dean Sausage Annuity Legacy Strategy: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Planning for a lasting legacy to protect clients and business continuity Creating a client-first culture by prioritizing guarantees over commissions Fostering radical transparency through honesty and owning mistakes Using trust and straightforward service to stand out in a commoditized market Key Takeaways: Preparing for the future keeps client trust intact even after the founder is gone. Documented processes and succession plans ensure smooth operations. Continuity strengthens reputation and confidence. Prioritize guarantees over commissions to align the team with client outcomes. Focus on what the client receives, not what the team earns. This builds credibility and trust. Honesty guides every decision and strengthens relationships. Owning mistakes openly fosters loyalty. Clear communication reduces friction. In a commoditized market, trust and client focus set you apart. Straightforward, consistent service matters more than product complexity. Clients remember integrity above all. "Annuities are commodity products. We all sell the same thing. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are lying." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Lifetime Income Is the Ultimate Outcome: Fun With Annuities
03/03/2026
Lifetime Income Is the Ultimate Outcome: Fun With Annuities
In this episode, The Annuity Man discusses: Building lifetime income as the real retirement goal Securing your income floor before adding complexity Using annuities to solve income and protection problems Locking in guarantees before longevity shifts the math Key Takeaways: Retirement planning is not about account balances but about creating income you cannot outlive. “Chapter One” is for accumulation, but “Chapter Two” only works when a reliable lifetime income replaces your paycheck. Without that income foundation, lifestyle freedom in retirement is fragile. Guaranteed sources like Social Security, pensions, and recurring IRA distributions form your income floor. If that floor already covers your lifestyle, additional annuities may be unnecessary. Retirement strength begins with certainty, not excess products. Annuities are designed to address four needs: principal protection, income for life, legacy, and long-term care. For lifetime income, structures can protect spouses and beneficiaries, countering the common “money goes poof” misconception. Proper design determines outcomes. As AI and medical advances extend life expectancy, insurers will eventually adjust payout assumptions downward. Today’s guarantees may be more favorable than future quotes once updated tables reflect longer lifespans. For those planning to secure a lifetime income, timing could materially impact results. "If lifetime income is the ultimate outcome, you need to start planning for that now. You need to start locking those guarantees in now." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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The Best Kind of Money Is Guaranteed Money: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
03/01/2026
The Best Kind of Money Is Guaranteed Money: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Building an income floor before chasing growth Using annuities for risk transfer, not market upside Avoiding hype and choosing guarantees that last Key Takeaways: Retirement is about securing essential expenses with contractual guarantees, not chasing hypothetical returns. The priority is creating an income floor through sources like Social Security, pensions, and properly structured annuities. Once that foundation is set, the rest of the portfolio can pursue growth without threatening stability. Annuities are transfer-of-risk products, not growth engines meant to mirror the stock market. They are designed to provide principal protection, lifetime income, legacy options, and long-term care support. Buying them for upside potential misunderstands their purpose and creates misplaced expectations. Promises of upside with no downside, flashy bonuses, and inflated back-tests are red flags because nothing in an annuity is free. The right questions are what you want the money to contractually do and when those guarantees should begin. Strong lifetime income planning also requires highly rated carriers, since once you commit, there are no mulligans. "What's the best annuity? The answer is, it's the one that solves for your specific situation and provides the highest contractual guarantee with a solid, highly rated company." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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It’s Time to Consider a Respirator Annuity: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
02/22/2026
It’s Time to Consider a Respirator Annuity: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Understanding what lifetime income really guarantees Separating guarantees from projections Understanding the structure before judging the product Thinking strategically about longevity timing Key Takeaways: A lifetime income annuity pays as long as you are alive, even in extreme medical situations. It transfers longevity risk from you to the insurance company. The guarantee is contractual, not conditional on health or account value. Many products are sold with optimistic growth illustrations, but projections are not promises. The real value lies in the contractual income guarantee. Decisions should be based on what must happen, not what might happen. Taxation depends on the type of account funding the annuity, not the annuity label itself. Payout structures like life with a cash refund determine what heirs receive. Clarity on structure prevents confusion and costly assumptions. If life expectancy continues to rise, future payout rates may decrease. Locking in income today could secure stronger lifetime payments. Timing is a strategic response to longevity risk. "All lifetime income from all lifetime income products… is a combination of return of principal plus interest." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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RMDs Are in Essence a Forced Annuity: Fun With Annuities
02/17/2026
RMDs Are in Essence a Forced Annuity: Fun With Annuities
In this episode, The Annuity Man discusses: RMDs as a built-in income stream Building a reliable income floor for Chapter Two Stacking income sources intentionally Choosing truth over product-driven advice Key Takeaways: Required Minimum Distributions are not just tax events but forced withdrawals that create predictable income. Like Social Security, they function as an annuity whether you planned for one or not. Seeing RMDs as income rather than irritation changes how retirement planning is approached. Retirement is reframed as Chapter Two, a season focused on lifestyle and freedom. The priority is creating a guaranteed income floor that covers essential expenses regardless of markets. With that baseline secured, retirees gain confidence and flexibility in their financial decisions. An income floor can include Social Security, pensions, RMDs, dividends, rentals, bonds, CDs, treasuries, and MYGAs. RMDs must be factored in because they are predictable and legally required. Failing to include them can lead to unnecessary product purchases and inefficient planning. Not everyone needs to buy an additional annuity. If projected RMD income already meets lifestyle needs, additional guarantees may be unnecessary. A truth-first approach prioritizes client needs over sales, reinforcing trust and long-term credibility. "You already own an annuity, and it's called Social Security, and it's the best inflation annuity on the planet." — Stan the Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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How Will AI Affect Annuities?: Fun With Annuities
02/03/2026
How Will AI Affect Annuities?: Fun With Annuities
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Anticipating AI-driven longevity shifts Understanding how annuities are truly priced Locking in today’s assumptions before they change Choosing guarantees and carriers with intention Key Takeaways: Advances in artificial intelligence are expected to significantly extend life expectancy, especially through medical breakthroughs. Longer projected lifespans will materially affect how lifetime income products are priced in the future. Lifetime income annuities are driven primarily by life expectancy tables, not just interest rates. Longer expected lifespans mean more payments and lower annual income for new buyers over time. Current annuity pricing does not yet reflect potential AI-driven longevity gains. Securing income under today’s tables may result in higher lifetime payouts than those available later. Lifetime income annuities function as risk-transfer products, not return-on-investment vehicles. Selecting A-rated or better carriers is critical to ensure guarantees remain intact as longevity assumptions evolve. "Lifetime income is all about that income floor, the income coming in, or the income you’re planning for your spouse or your kids." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Kick the Tax Can Forever With MYGAs: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
01/25/2026
Kick the Tax Can Forever With MYGAs: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
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 withdrawals are taken. This allows earnings to compound uninterrupted over time. At the end of a MYGA term, funds can be withdrawn or rolled into a new MYGA. A 1035 exchange allows this rollover without triggering taxes. This process can be repeated to defer taxes indefinitely. MYGAs often allow limited annual withdrawals, with gains taxed first. They appeal to those seeking stability, tax efficiency, and legacy growth. "Multi-year guarantee annuity is the annuity version of a CD—fixed rate, no moving parts, no market attachment." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Tom Hegna: Don't Worry, Retire Happy! (From the Vault)
01/20/2026
Tom Hegna: Don't Worry, Retire Happy! (From the Vault)
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 do a side-hustle or work longer. Having a huge income guaranteed allows you to make riskier and therefore more rewarding investments. When the account is drawn down to zero, the annuity company is still on the hook to pay. “They found that the happiest people in retirement were those people who were surrounded by their families and friends, and had guaranteed paychecks every single month." — Tom Hegna Check out Tom’s Books here: Connect with Tom Hegna: Website: LinkedIn: Facebook: Twitter: Pinterest: YouTube: Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Consider Giving Your Money Away Now: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
01/14/2026
Consider Giving Your Money Away Now: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
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 redefine traditional approaches to wealth transfer. Reducing unnecessary financial strain does not eliminate accountability or growth. Thoughtful assistance can coexist with independence and character development. Structured gifting and professional guidance enable sustainable generosity. Legacy is strengthened when wealth is deployed with purpose and long-term clarity. "We don't wait until death to give everything away or for them to get it. We help them as they're going along." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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The New Financial “F” Word: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
12/31/2025
The New Financial “F” Word: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
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 unsuitable annuity and insurance products. Titles and certifications do not replace critical evaluation of financial advice. Do your own research, ask questions, and verify recommendations, especially when products are complex or seem too good to be true. Relying solely on an advisor's credentials can expose you to financial harm. Stan recommends fee-only fiduciaries for non-annuities but urges extra caution when advisors sell annuities. Seeking second opinions and consulting specialists helps protect against misleading or unethical guidance. "People are hiding behind a certification. They're hiding behind that F‑word, fiduciary, to recommend products that make no sense." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Terry Savage: Chicken Money Is Still Tasty (From the Vault)
12/30/2025
Terry Savage: Chicken Money Is Still Tasty (From the Vault)
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 possible future financial crises and plan for them, regardless of political outcomes. Social Security is a primary source of retirement income. Seek trusted financial advice from fiduciaries who fully disclose costs and operate on a fee-only basis. See to it personally that you are able to customize your financial plan according to your goals. Have an income floor to protect yourself against market fluctuations and ensure financial stability. Social Security is a strong foundation for retirement income. Build on it with guaranteed products. Consider both the short-term and the long-term in your financial plan. "Chicken money, by definition, is money you cannot afford to lose, and as such, it belongs in things like short-term CDs, treasury bills." — Terry Savage Connect with Terry Savage: Website: LinkedIn: Facebook: New Book Link: Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Life Insurance Loans Are Not Income: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
12/24/2025
Life Insurance Loans Are Not Income: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
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 and attractive projections. High internal fees and commissions often benefit the agent more than the client. If a pitch sounds too good to be true, it usually deserves deeper scrutiny. Life insurance works best when focused on its core purpose: a tax-free death benefit. Level term coverage maximizes protection while minimizing cost and complexity. Avoid products with indexes, market ties, or unnecessary moving parts. Running illustrations at 0% growth reveals the true impact of fees and loan costs. This stress test shows whether a policy can sustain itself over time. Life insurance should be positioned as protection, not a tax-free income strategy. "With life insurance, you buy the most death benefit you can for the least amount of money. It's that simple." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Roth IRA Annuity Industry Insanity: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
12/17/2025
Roth IRA Annuity Industry Insanity: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
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 independently of any annuity recommendation. Evaluate tax impact, break-even timing, and personal comfort before acting. Watch for bonuses, churning, and pressure to “flip” existing annuities. Focus on guarantees, documentation, and advice from qualified tax professionals. "You should never do a Roth conversion without talking to a Certified Financial Planner, a CPA, or tax lawyer. Period." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Michael Finke: Why Annuities Make Sense Right Now (From the Vault)
12/16/2025
Michael Finke: Why Annuities Make Sense Right Now (From the Vault)
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 risk or transfer it. Your future lifestyle is at stake. It’s not going to be easy, but you must first recognize that you’re not going to live forever. You have to decide how you could spread out your savings to accommodate your lifestyle until you die, or if you want to spend more money to have less worry. If you can be more flexible, then inflation’s impact won’t be that big of a deal. Also, there’s no perfect product to solve for inflation. There are options that could help you have some stability through it, like Social Security and I Bonds. "If we model out 1000 different potential retirements, the ones who will have an annuity will, on average, be happier, but the ones with an investment portfolio might have a slightly higher probability of success. But there is no information about what failure means." — Michael Finke Connect With Michael Finke: Website: LinkedIn: Facebook: Twitter: Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Death as an Annuity Strategy: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
12/10/2025
Death as an Annuity Strategy: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
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 across multiple generations. Tools like SPIAs and QLACs offer flexible ways to create guaranteed income streams for spouses and heirs, making them valuable components of a well-structured legacy strategy. Working with estate planning lawyers and unbiased annuity professionals—such as firms that operate without commissions—helps ensure these strategies are tailored properly and set up without delay. "You need to set these things up so that when you die, things are triggered and happen exactly like you want them to happen." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Warren Buffett’s 2 Rules for Annuities: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
12/03/2025
Warren Buffett’s 2 Rules for Annuities: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
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 protect client interests. PILL stands for principal protection, income for life, legacy, and long-term care. This framework aligns annuities with client goals and priorities. It provides a clear structure for evaluating annuity suitability. "With annuities, you’re transferring the risk to the life insurance company that issues the annuity." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Moshe Milevsky: Learning from History with Annuities (From the Vault)
12/02/2025
Moshe Milevsky: Learning from History with Annuities (From the Vault)
In case you missed it, I have decided to circle back to one of my Fun With Annuities episodes that just cannot be missed. This one has annuity gold, and it is definitely a must-listen. In this episode, The Annuity Man and Moshe Milevsky discuss: The problem with annuities What’s a tontine? How income increases with tontines The gap between healthspan and lifespan Key Takeaways: The point of annuities is to generate a predictable income even when you can no longer make decisions yourself due to cognitive decline. That’s why agents have to make sure the clients understand and continue to understand what they are buying and what contractual guarantees they have in place. A tontine is one of the many strategies people use to finance themselves in retirement, in which the longest-living people get the most income, while the people who didn’t live a long time get a smaller amount of income. Tontines increase the income for all living people involved as time passes because the same income amount is being split within a group that gets smaller as members pass away. The mortality rate becomes a real interest rate - this is most interesting in the current inflationary times. Money alone doesn’t solve your problems; just throwing money at a problem won’t make it go away. You need to do something with it to solve your problems, and one of the biggest problems in aging is the gap between health span and lifespan. "When you have a product that is meant to help people that are eventually going to cognitively decline, there's a higher burden of care there because you got to make sure that they understand what they're buying and they continue to understand what they're buying." — Moshe Milevsky Connect with Moshe Milevsky: Website: Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Comparing Myga Interest Rates to Spia Rates: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
11/26/2025
Comparing Myga Interest Rates to Spia Rates: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Distinguishing annuity types Applying the PILL strategy Interpreting annuity yields Securing contractual understanding Key Takeaways: Understanding the purpose of different annuities is crucial: MYGAs provide guaranteed interest on principal like a CD, while SPIAs deliver a lifetime income stream tailored to longevity. Each serves a distinct financial goal. The "PILL" framework—Principal protection, Income for life, Legacy, Long-term care—helps determine whether an annuity aligns with your needs and long-term planning priorities. Evaluating yields requires nuance: MYGA interest compounds tax-deferred without reducing principal, whereas SPIA "rates" reflect life expectancy and combine principal with interest, making direct comparisons misleading. Before purchasing, ensure you fully understand an annuity's contractual guarantees, avoid relying on hypothetical rates, and seek reliable sources for accurate information to make informed decisions. "We’re looking at a principal-protected product and an income product. Now right there. You should say, I’m not sure we can compare those two… because [they’re] two different categories." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Annuity Zero Is Not Your Hero: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
11/19/2025
Annuity Zero Is Not Your Hero: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: What does “zero is your hero” mean Dirty tactics that agents use to sell annuities A more rational alternative to the CD product Zero is not your hero Key Takeaways: The phrase “zero is your hero” means that when the market goes down, you will not lose any money. In this world that we live in, you should always be getting some interest on your money. Be wary of these two dirty tactics agents use to sell annuities: back-tested numbers and upfront bonuses. Don’t base your decision on the past; base it on the future. Don’t buy a product for the upfront bonus. Also, there’s no such thing as a “market upside with no downside.” Instead of buying a product where you’re locked in for seven to ten years, why not buy a MYGA? It’s a CD product where you can lock in on shorter terms of one, two, three, four, or five years. Zero is not your hero. If zero is your hero, you might as well dig a hole and put all your money in it. If anyone tells you that zero is your hero, just tell them to shut up. Be rational, don’t buy the dream. "Zero is not your hero. We are in inflationary times. I don’t care if we’re in inflationary times or not; you need your money to grow. Period. " — Stan the Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Rick Ferri: Core-4 Portfolios for Simplistic Success (From the Vault)
11/18/2025
Rick Ferri: Core-4 Portfolios for Simplistic Success (From the Vault)
In this episode, The Annuity Man and Rick Ferri discuss: Outperforming 90% of investors Developing a simple portfolio Five ways to improve your portfolio Facing the risks Key Takeaways: Investing is not as difficult as others would have you believe. The best way to invest is to keep things simple; the fewer moving parts, the better. Develop a simple portfolio that will hold four funds, two stock funds and two bond funds. The bond funds have to be some fixed income type of allocation, while on the stock side, you do a stock market index fund and a total international fund. Are you going to be active or passive? Select a portfolio strategy. Determine whether you’re going to be aggressive or conservative and assess if you need a higher rate of return and if you can handle high volatility. In bad times, remember that “this too shall pass.” Investing doesn’t come without risk. Everything in life has risks. Even burying your money has a risk; inflation will eat away at its value. It’s better to face the risk. "The idea is simplicity. Be simple, be low-cost, be consistent, stay the course, be tax-efficient." — Rick Ferri Connect with Rick Ferri: Website: Facebook: LinkedIn: Twitter: Books: Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Political Chaos Equals Contractual Opportunities: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
11/12/2025
Political Chaos Equals Contractual Opportunities: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: How chaos leads to both risks and opportunities What contributes to financial uncertainty? Maximizing lifestyle and financial security Locking in guarantees Key Takeaways: Political chaos leads to both risks and opportunities in investments, especially regarding annuities. Market volatility and potential government actions (like new cryptocurrency regulation) create financial uncertainty. Evaluate your age, health, and risk to maximize lifestyle and financial security. Locking in contractual guarantees such as lifetime income and principal protection helps prepare for uncertainties. “Political chaos equals opportunity for locking things in. For contractual guarantees. You have opportunity for lifetime income guarantees." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Crypto Dice Throw or Annuity Guarantees: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
11/05/2025
Crypto Dice Throw or Annuity Guarantees: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Choosing guarantees over speculation Knowing your “PILL” for protection Building your income floor Balancing risk with security Key Takeaways: Crypto investments are like rolling dice, while annuities provide contractual guarantees and predictable results. Building financial security means focusing on what you can count on, not what you can guess. The four reasons for owning an annuity are Principal Protection, Income for Life, Legacy, and Long-Term Care. These act as anchors for stability when market uncertainty rises. Social Security and pensions already provide a guaranteed income. Evaluating whether you need more ensures that your financial base remains steady even when the markets shake. Instead of chasing bonuses or hypothetical returns, consider moving some assets from high-risk areas like crypto into products with clear, guaranteed outcomes. "You own an annuity for what it will do, not what it might do. The ‘will do’ is the contractual guarantees of the policy." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Wade Pfau: Retirement Income Style Awareness (From the Vault)
11/04/2025
Wade Pfau: Retirement Income Style Awareness (From the Vault)
In this episode, The Annuity Man and Wade Pfau discuss: Retirement Income Style Awareness (RISA) framework Wade’s different viewpoint on retirement 4% rule of thumb and its limitations The truth about retirement planning strategies Key Takeaways: Understanding one's preferred retirement income strategy via the Retirement Income Style Awareness (RISA) framework. It assesses different retirement strategies that align with the retiree’s needs and goals, such as total return investing, time segmentation or bucketing, and essential versus discretionary expenses. Go beyond viewing retirement as a mere cessation from work and consider it as attaining fiscal independence to pursue passions and goals without dependency on income from employment. Read Wade Pfau’s article on the 4% rule of thumb and its limitations. Additionally, explore the potential benefits of annuities as a tool for sustaining retirement spending over a long retirement. Explore the broader international experience in financial markets and retirement planning to better understand the uncertainties and challenges involved. Consider the impact of low interest rates on bond returns and the need for diversified retirement income strategies. “We need to figure out what retirement strategy works for each individual because what works for one person may not work for another. It's about finding the style that resonates with you.” - Wade Pfau Connect with Wade Pfau: Website: LinkedIn: Twitter: Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Market Freestyle or Annuity Lifestyle: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
10/29/2025
Market Freestyle or Annuity Lifestyle: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Building stability through guaranteed income Balancing growth with protection Turning profits into long-term security Planning now for future calm Key Takeaways: Relying solely on volatile markets can be risky, especially with age. Creating an “income floor” through Social Security, pensions, and annuities ensures predictable income and peace of mind. The “market freestyle” approach offers growth but carries volatility. Shifting gradually toward an “annuity lifestyle” locks in income, protecting gains and reducing financial stress during downturns. When markets perform well, it’s wise to secure profits by converting them into guaranteed income sources like annuities—protecting your principal before inevitable market corrections. Financial stability comes from proactive planning, not reaction. Avoid waiting for the next crash; design a plan today that blends market opportunity with lifetime income guarantees. "Market freestyle is fine for a portion of your money. But annuity lifestyle, what annuity lifestyle means is that you can lock in guarantees so that you go live your life." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Do Not Throw Annuity Darts at Your Death: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
10/22/2025
Do Not Throw Annuity Darts at Your Death: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Planning spousal income with precision Avoiding risky annuity strategies Building protection through legal planning Resisting sales pressure and complexity Key Takeaways: Secure your spouse’s future by designing an intentional plan, not by guessing or rushing into annuities. Reverse engineer the exact income amount they will need, and let legal mechanisms trigger it at the right time. Precision brings peace of mind. Never buy annuities based on fear of death or timing. Emotional decisions lead to inflexibility and regret. Smart financial planning means keeping control until the moment it truly matters. Work with estate planning lawyers to structure income that activates when needed. Trusts can ensure seamless transitions and guaranteed income after death. Legal planning replaces guesswork with confidence. Ignore flashy pitches and confusing riders that promise more than they deliver. Financial security is built on clarity, not complexity. Simplify, stay flexible, and only commit when you understand every detail. "Death is not a good strategy, because you can only use it once." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Fixed Index Annuities Tailored to Your Goals: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
10/15/2025
Fixed Index Annuities Tailored to Your Goals: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The purpose of Fixed Index Annuities Buying only for contractual guarantees Why do some agents oversell Index Annuities Understanding contractual guarantees Key Takeaways: Fixed Index Annuities are designed for principal protection and lifetime income, not market growth. Buy annuities only for contractual guarantees, not for upfront bonuses or agent projections. Index Annuities are complex products often oversold by agents for high commissions. Buyers should thoroughly understand contractual guarantees before purchasing Fixed Index Annuities. "This is your money. Don't believe the hype, believe the contract and own an annuity for what it will do, not what it might do." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Annuity Guarantees That Can Change Your Life: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
10/08/2025
Annuity Guarantees That Can Change Your Life: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuity solutions to retirement problems The four things that annuities solve for How annuities can give peace of mind, flexibility, and freedom Key Takeaways: Retirement can be a daunting prospect, with the uncertainty of how long your savings will last and the fear of running out of money. However, annuities offer a solution to these concerns by providing contractual guarantees. Annuities can provide principal protection, ensuring that your initial investment is safe. They also provide income for life, allowing you to have a steady stream of income throughout your retirement years. Additionally, annuities can help leave a legacy for your loved ones and even cover long-term care expenses. By creating an income floor with annuities, retirees can have peace of mind knowing that their basic expenses are covered. This allows for greater flexibility and freedom in spending during retirement. "Contractual guarantees matter, and contractual guarantees change lives." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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You Already Own 2 Annuities (Here’s Why): Shootin' It Straight With Stan
10/01/2025
You Already Own 2 Annuities (Here’s Why): Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The best inflation annuity on the planet The second annuity you already own RMDs are an annuity payment Key Takeaways: Annuities that adjust for inflation offered by the private sector have their initial payments drastically lowered to make up for the index increase. You don’t need to get that because you already own the best inflation annuity on the planet: Social Security. The second annuity you might already own is attached to your Individual Retirement Account. A 401k, 403b, or 457 is a tax-deferred type that you’re eventually going to roll into an individual IRA. Your Required Minimum Distribution is also an annuity. It creates an annual lifetime income stream. As long as you have IRA assets, you’re going to have to take RMDs. "You definitely own one [annuity], you most likely own two, and you could own three - so what does that mean to you? That income floor takes you through chapter two of your life." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Will More Money Actually Make You Happier in Retirement?: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
09/24/2025
Will More Money Actually Make You Happier in Retirement?: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Think again, would more money change your life? Peeling off the interest Are you really affected by inflation? Live your life now Key Takeaways: Why do you still keep money in the markets when you’ve won the game? Think about it, would more money really change your life? If the answer is no, then why are you putting your money at risk? Treasuries, CDs, Fixed-Rate Annuities, and MYGAs are at a level where you can just peel off the interest, never touch the principal, and never pay any fees. 60% of adults have less than $400 to their name. Those people are the ones really affected by inflation, not millionaires like you. If you need more money, go get it. But for those who don’t need it, why are you still trying to chase more? You don’t need to put your resources into volatility; what you need to do is to live your life now. "Why are you putting all or a portion of your hopes and dreams in potential returns? Keyword: ‘potential.’ The only potential in your life should be the potential for you to live your life on your own terms because you've earned it. The potential is doing things for you." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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The Retirement Income Rule You Can’t Ignore: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
09/17/2025
The Retirement Income Rule You Can’t Ignore: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Preserving principal Matching products to time horizons Adapting to changing rates Prioritizing peace of mind Key Takeaways: The “never touch the principal” rule emphasizes generating retirement income from interest alone, keeping original capital intact for protection and legacy. CDs and treasuries are best for terms under three years, while MYGAs provide tax-deferral benefits and stronger returns for longer durations. High interest rates make this strategy attractive now, but if rates fall, retirees may need to pivot to options like immediate annuities for steady income. This approach emphasizes guaranteed returns, protection from volatility and fees, and thoughtful planning, including reviewing MYGA rates, evaluating assets, and considering a spouse’s needs. "Never touch the principal. Those are the four words I want you to focus on." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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