“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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Annuity Horror Stories Debunked: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
07/02/2025
Annuity Horror Stories Debunked: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Why do agents tell stories? Protecting yourself from bad pitches Don’t listen to these stories The only two important questions Key Takeaways: In sales, managers will often tell their people that stories sell and that they do, so you have to watch out for hypotheticals, testimonials, and anecdotal “evidence.” Here’s how you can protect yourself from liars who’d sell you stories: write down their sales pitch exactly as they said it and how you understood it. Sign and date it at the bottom and flip it over to them. Have them sign the contract, so they’re on the hook if they lie in their pitch. Never base your decision on a back-tested number; those are stories. If they tell you all about the people who own what they're selling, don’t listen - those are stories. Never base your decision on up-front bonuses; you’re smarter than that - there’s no such thing as free money. There are only two important questions: “What are the contractual guarantees?” and “When do you want those contractual guarantees to start?” By answering those two, we can determine whether you even need an annuity or which type will provide the highest contractual guarantees if you need an annuity. There are no stories with contractual guarantees. "Don’t buy the dream because you’re going to own the contractual reality. Don’t buy the story, buy the contract." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Planning Lifetime Income for Your Spouse: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
06/25/2025
Planning Lifetime Income for Your Spouse: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuities for your spouse and loved ones Throwing darts at death Planning for cognitive decline Filling in financial gaps Key Takeaways: Using a trust, you can set up an immediate annuity purchase to trigger when you pass away to provide lifetime income for your spouse using a designated lump sum. You can use annuities to lovingly handcuff your young beneficiaries, providing them with guaranteed income instead of a lump sum. Buying an income rider, deferring it out, and setting it up as a joint-life policy is like throwing darts at death because you don’t know when you’re going to die. Death is not a good strategy. The problem with planning for something for your spouse in case of cognitive decline is that you don’t know when you will have cognitive decline, especially if you are already in cognitive decline. You can set up a plan that will fill in financial gaps that your spouse can enjoy when you pass away, and it can be set up so that your death triggers it. However, you can also throw some calculated, contractual darts if that’s what you prefer. "Now, while you're alive, if there's something like a pension or something that's going to be reduced upon your death, we should start planning upon your death to replace that gap for your spouse. That can be done at the time of your death - it can be triggered by your death. Or we could throw some calculated contractual darts. " — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Ventilator Annuity Lifetime Income: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
06/18/2025
Ventilator Annuity Lifetime Income: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Solving for longevity risk Four products for lifetime income Focusing on guarantees Key Takeaways: There is no ROI until you die. Up until then, it’s a transfer of risk to the annuity company to solve for longevity risk. The longevity risk is the fear that you’ll outlive your money. An annuity will pay as long as you’re breathing, even if you are on a ventilator. The annuity industry has four major types: Single Premium Immediate Annuities, Deferred Income Annuities, Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts, and Income Riders. All four provide a lifetime stream as long as you are breathing or if you set it as joint-life, as long as you or your spouse is breathing. Forget all the shiny things that agents try to make you fixate on. Focus on the guarantee that you will get paid as long as you’re breathing. You could also structure the contract so that your money goes to your beneficiaries when you die. "The good thing about turning on lifetime income stream and transferring that risk to an annuity company to pay for as long as you're breathing or on a ventilator is that it's turnkey. And there will come a point if we live long enough that we will need that income to be turnkey." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Push Comes to Shove Annuities: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
06/11/2025
Push Comes to Shove Annuities: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuities with a push-comes-to-shove feature Advantages of liquidity Balance between potential and liquidity Why flexibility matters in annuity planning Meeting diverse financial needs through annuity design Key Takeaways: Certain annuity products, such as the MYGA (Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity), fixed-rate annuity, and CD annuity, offer a liquidity option known as the "push-comes-to-shove" feature, allowing penalty-free withdrawals in case of emergencies. The "push-comes-to-shove" feature in annuities provides access to funds when faced with unexpected financial circumstances, offering peace of mind and flexibility. By allowing penalty-free withdrawals, these annuity products cater to individuals seeking a balance between growth potential and liquidity, ensuring financial security during unforeseen events. The inclusion of the "push-comes-to-shove" feature in annuity products reflects an understanding of the need for accessible funds, particularly in times of crisis or emergencies. Annuity providers recognize the importance of offering products that not only provide long-term growth opportunities but also address the potential need for immediate access to funds, catering to the diverse financial needs of their clients. "Annuities that provide you the liquidity, either taking out interest or 5% or 10%, those are push-comes-to-shove annuities." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Annuity Companies Are Not Smarter Than Banks: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
06/04/2025
Annuity Companies Are Not Smarter Than Banks: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuity companies are more regulated than banks Features that protect the annuity industry There is no run on annuities How the banking crisis will affect the annuity industry Key Takeaways: Annuity companies are more regulated than banks, with features like surrender charges and market value adjustments that prevent runs on the company. Annuity companies are required to invest in investment-grade bonds, providing stability, unlike banks that had to sell bonds during the recent crisis. Lifetime income products offered by annuity companies, such as SPIAs and DIAs, are irrevocable and provide a guaranteed income stream for life, preventing panicked withdrawals. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) plays a crucial role in overseeing annuity companies and protecting consumers, and the recent banking crisis will likely lead to increased oversight of the annuity industry. "The bottom line: the annuity industry has put in place features to not only protect you, the consumer, which is their ultimate goal, period, but to protect the industry as well." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Annuity Light Switch Income Guarantees: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
05/28/2025
Annuity Light Switch Income Guarantees: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Why would you want to stop taking in income? Three types of irrevocable lifetime income teams Light-switch Annuity Products Key Takeaways: There a myriad reasons why you would want to stop taking income, and there are annuity reasons that allow for this. One reason could be if tax laws change in the future and you want to shut down the income stream to not getting taxed, or when you want the income to accumulate for your death benefit. The three types of irrevocable income lifetime income streams are Single Premium Immediate Annuity, Deferred Income Annuity, and Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts. A Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity is the annuity industry version of a CD. It allows you to take out interest while keeping the capital intact, and it’s a light-switch annuity product. Another light-switch product is an income rider attached to an indexed annuity. "There are annuities that aren't light switch annuities: SPIAs, DIAs, and QLACs - but there are annuities that are light switch for income, MYGAS, and then income riders which are lifetime income products." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Scars of Scarcity: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
05/21/2025
Scars of Scarcity: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The fear of running out of money Solving the fear of running out Is FORO more important the FOMO? Using math to address FORO Key Takeaways: Most of us didn’t grow rich. We saw what it was like to live in scarcity, and today, many of us still carry those scars. Despite having millions or a portion of that, some people might still feel poor and fear running out of money. If you’re worried about running out of money or won’t have enough in your retirement, consider looking into strategies that provide guaranteed lifetime income. The fear of running out is more important to address than the fear of missing out, especially for chapter two of your life. In addressing FORO with annuities, we’re solving for lifetime income or protecting the principal and peeling off the interest. One more way to address FORO is to do some math and remove the emotionally-charged memories from the equation. Annuities are math; they’re not hypotheticals. "The fear of running out can be solved with annuities in combination with the best annuity you have on the planet, which is Social Security and principal protection products and contractual guarantees. We can solve for the scars of scarcity." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Keep Your Powder Dry Annuity Income Planning: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
05/14/2025
Keep Your Powder Dry Annuity Income Planning: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The value of annuities for lifetime income planning Laddering strategy with annuities Placing an annuity inside a trust Key Takeaways: When it comes to planning for lifetime income, annuities can be a valuable tool. However, it's essential to approach annuities with strategies that allow for flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. By purchasing multiple annuities with different start dates, you can create a steady stream of income that aligns with your needs over time. This approach, called laddering, allows you to adjust your income as your requirements change, providing a level of flexibility that a single annuity may not offer. By placing an annuity inside a trust, you can maintain control over the asset while still benefiting from the lifetime income it provides. This strategy can be particularly useful for those who want to ensure their assets are managed according to their wishes, even if they become incapacitated. "It's a keep your powder dry strategy, meaning that you can go into this with a plan in place for future income needs in the future. You know exactly to the penny what that's going to be. But if something changes between now and then, you can get all your money back because the underlying value walk away money is with that Indexed Annuity, which is a Fixed Annuity." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Avoiding Common Pitfalls With Annuity Purchases: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
05/07/2025
Avoiding Common Pitfalls With Annuity Purchases: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Focusing on contractual guarantees What annuities solve for Common annuity pitch traps Key Takeaways: Avoid non-guaranteed hypotheticals and focus on contractual guarantees when considering annuities. Buy annuities for specific needs like principal protection, income, long-term care, or legacy, not for market returns. Be wary of urgency sales pitches, steak dinner seminars, advisors behaving like friends, backdated performance illustrations, promised market participation with no downside, upfront bonuses, and showing other clients' accounts as proof of returns. "Do not fall for market upside but no downside. Do not fall for market participation with principal protection. All those yummy sales pitches that look like they should go on a t-shirt. Do not fall for that. Do not fall for the upfront bonus." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Comparing Index Annuity Income Riders and DIAs: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
04/30/2025
Comparing Index Annuity Income Riders and DIAs: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: An overview of Deferred Income Annuities Finding the best fit Income Riders attached to Indexed Annuities Key Takeaways: DIAs are essentially single-premium immediate annuities deferred past one year. It has no moving parts, no annual fees, and no market attachment, making it a straight transfer of risk for lifetime income. DIAs can be used in Roth and traditional IRAs, and are taxed based on the account type. DIAs are efficient, no-cost, no-fee transfer-risk pension products that can be deferred for up to 40 years. Compare DIAs and income riders on Fixed and Indexed Annuities to find the best fit based on contractual guarantees and flexibility. Income Riders attached to Indexed Annuities provide future income needs. Income Riders are separate ledgers that cannot be cashed in or transferred, but can be used to determine a lifetime income stream. They offer flexibility, such as a 10% free withdrawal annually, but this can disrupt the income rider guarantee. Compare both DIAs and income riders using the four filters: contractual guarantees, carrier ratings, flexibility, and fees. "Don't fall for sales pitches. These are contractually guaranteed commodity products. There's not one that's better than the other, and if you use those four filters, you're going to make a good decision." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Keep Your Powder Dry Annuity Income Planning: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
04/29/2025
Keep Your Powder Dry Annuity Income Planning: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The value of annuities for lifetime income planning Laddering strategy with annuities Placing an annuity inside a trust Key Takeaways: When it comes to planning for lifetime income, annuities can be a valuable tool. However, it's essential to approach annuities with strategies that allow for flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. By purchasing multiple annuities with different start dates, you can create a steady stream of income that aligns with your needs over time. This approach, called laddering, allows you to adjust your income as your requirements change, providing a level of flexibility that a single annuity may not offer. By placing an annuity inside a trust, you can maintain control over the asset while still benefiting from the lifetime income it provides. This strategy can be particularly useful for those who want to ensure their assets are managed according to their wishes, even if they become incapacitated. "It's a keep your powder dry strategy, meaning that you can go into this with a plan in place for future income needs in the future. You know exactly to the penny what that's going to be. But if something changes between now and then, you can get all your money back because the underlying value walk away money is with that Indexed Annuity, which is a Fixed Annuity." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Fixed Rate No Brainer: Shootin' It Straight with Stan (TAM Classic)
04/23/2025
Fixed Rate No Brainer: Shootin' It Straight with Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Should you purchase I Bonds? Treasuries are as safe as it gets Five places to put your money Inflation is personal Key Takeaways: Purchasing I Bonds is a no-brainer. Go to treasurydirect.gov to buy direct from the treasury I Bonds. Treasuries are as safe as it gets because they can tax us and confiscate our money to pay them off, and that would happen if we needed to do that. The downside to I Bonds is that they don’t allow you to put as much money in them. There are only five legitimate places to put your money that protects the principal and that you’re not going to lose a dime, and you’re going to get an interest rate. Those five are money markets, CDs, fixed-rate annuities - also called MYGAs, treasuries, and Triple A-Triple A insured municipal bonds. Inflation is personal. Don’t get too caught up on inflation because most people in retirement will not be affected that much by it. Ask yourself if you’re being affected by it, or are you overplanning? "If it’s a no-brainer, then it’s a no-brainer, and I-Bonds are the ultimate no-brainer. You can do it every year, so why not put it on your calendar and do it every year? It just makes sense. " — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Traditional or Reverse MYGA Ladder Strategies: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
04/16/2025
Traditional or Reverse MYGA Ladder Strategies: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Traditional laddering with MYGAs What is “reversing”? Traditional laddering and reversing Key Takeaways: You do a traditional 3-year, 4-year. 5-year ladder if you are hoping that rates will go higher. It’s a strategy you use when you want to have money as the rates are rising so that you can attach yourself and lock yourself in with those higher rates. Reversing is the opposite of laddering; you lock in the MYGA for 10, 9, 7, or 10, 7, or 5 years because the rates are falling. This is also a great strategy to use with MYGAs since MYGAs are not callable, the rates are locked in. If you are undecided whether you should ladder or reverse, you can put half your money in one and half in the other to get a more balanced outcome. What’s important is that you should have some of your money be not callable. "A lot of times when Powell raises interest rates, the annuity industry yawns. You can't time it; there’s no sweet spot. There's no arbitrage moment." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Lovingly Handcuffing Your Beneficiaries with Annuities: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
04/09/2025
Lovingly Handcuffing Your Beneficiaries with Annuities: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Protecting your beneficiary from dumb choices How Stan lovingly handcuffs his beneficiaries Handcuffing your loved ones is good for them Key Takeaways: Lovingly handcuffing your beneficiaries with annuity guarantees protects them from making dumb decisions with lump sums. Stan has written in the trust that when he dies, there will be a lifetime income annuity purchase for each of his daughters, guaranteed to pay them for the rest of their life as long as they are breathing. Your beneficiaries might not react positively to you giving them income instead of a lump sum, but handcuffing them contractually is the right thing to do and it will be good for them in the long run. "Death is not a good strategy, because you can only use it once. But wouldn't it be good to know regardless of what happens, that they're taken care of? And that lifetime income stream is going to be in place?" — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Belt & Suspenders Annuity Strategies: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
04/02/2025
Belt & Suspenders Annuity Strategies: Shootin' It Straight With Stan (TAM Classic)
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: State guaranty funds The true safety of the industry Life insurance companies are more regulated Assigning unused money to beneficiaries Key Takeaways: If you look at the state guaranty fund, each state has a specific rule in place to protect you and your money in case something happens to the carrier. You should be buying the claims-paying ability of the life insurance company from the standpoint of safety. The true safety of the annuity industry is the industry policing itself. Life insurance companies are not smarter than banks, they’re just more regulated. The company is handcuffed from making financially stupid decisions. You can structure an annuity so that 100% of any unused money goes to your family or beneficiaries. "You can protect yourself and your hard-earned money in a myriad of ways. You can protect it by buying very good companies, by buying underneath the state guarantee fund within your state, and by structuring the policy so that 100% of any unused money goes to your family or beneficiaries." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Annuities: A Strategy, Not a Game: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
03/26/2025
Annuities: A Strategy, Not a Game: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Retirement planning is not a game Asking hard questions Diversification and limits Two key questions to ask Key Takeaways: Stan emphasizes that choosing an annuity is not about sales tactics or commissions, but about protecting your life's hard-earned savings and creating a secure retirement strategy. Always ask detailed questions about the annuity product, understand its contractual guarantees, and don't buy something you can't fully comprehend. If an advisor can't explain it clearly, walk away. Don't put more than 50-60% of your investable assets into annuities. Shop across multiple carriers for the best contractual guarantees and focus on your specific needs using the PILL framework (Principal protection, Income for life, Legacy, Long-term care). When considering annuities, focus solely on the contractual guarantees. Ask two key questions: "What do you want the money to contractually do?" and "When do you want those contractual guarantees to start?" This approach helps create a predictable, surprise-free retirement income strategy. "Every single time when someone's pitching you something, I want you to think to yourself, ‘this is not a game. Let me ask hard questions. Let me understand everything before I make a final decision on this hard earned money.’” — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Swap Your Income Rider for a SPIA: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
03/19/2025
Swap Your Income Rider for a SPIA: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Income Riders vs. Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIA) Comparison Process Strict rules Probability of Improvement Key Takeaways: Stan explains that in some cases, you can potentially swap an income rider from a variable or indexed annuity for a SPIA with a higher guaranteed lifetime income stream. To determine if a transfer makes sense, you must: compare the income rider amount, use the accumulation value (not the income rider value), ensure the new annuity provides a higher contractual guarantee, verify the transfer is a non-taxable event The annuity industry has strict rules to prevent unnecessary "flipping" of annuities. Any transfer must demonstrate a clear financial benefit to the consumer, with a side-by-side comparison showing a higher contractual guarantee. Stan estimates that about 70% of the time, you won't beat the existing income rider by transferring to a SPIA. However, he recommends checking to ensure you have the highest possible contractual guarantee. "The annuity industry does not want agents and advisors out there transferring an account to create a commission for the agent or advisor. Whatever you think about the annuity industry, they really do care about the consumer." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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FIAs: The Real Story: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
03/12/2025
FIAs: The Real Story: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuities were never meant to be a market product The complexity of index options Misleading sales pitches to avoid listening to Annuities solve for your specific goals Key Takeaways: Fixed indexed annuities were created in 1995 to compete with CD returns, not to provide true market participation. They are fixed annuities issued by life insurance companies, regulated at the state level, and not securities. There are over 750 index option choices and 50+ indices, with complex calculation methods that can change annually. Most index options are one-year long, and the insurance company can modify terms at each anniversary. Common sales pitches like "market upside with no downside" are misleading. Upfront bonuses are essentially marketing tricks, and claims about free long-term care are inaccurate. The most legitimate use is for guaranteed Income Riders. Indexed Annuities should be bought for principal protection, CD-like returns, or future income streams - not for growth. Always solve for specific financial goals and shop for the highest contractual guarantees across carriers. "If you buy the dream, you're going to own the contractual reality, which means that if you're going to buy them, buy the contractual guarantee." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Annuities and Timing The Cost of Waiting: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
03/05/2025
Annuities and Timing The Cost of Waiting: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: You can’t time annuities Annuities provide guarantees The cost of waiting Annuities are not bought for market growth Key Takeaways: You can't time the market when it comes to annuities - there is no "perfect" time to buy. Annuities can provide different contractual guarantees like principal protection, lifetime income, legacy, and long-term care coverage. There is a cost to waiting to purchase an annuity, as you may miss out on payments. Do not buy annuities for market growth, but rather for the contractual guarantees they provide. "There is a cost of waiting. Does that cost pay off? If you wait, it can pay off for lifetime income because you're older, but you have to factor in the payments that you missed while you were waiting to get the higher payment." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Gap Filling Income Strategies Before Social Security: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
02/26/2025
Gap Filling Income Strategies Before Social Security: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Gap Filling and Annuity Options: Social Security Timing and Considerations: Balancing Emotional and Financial Well-being: Flexibility and Lifetime Guarantees with Annuities: Key Takeaways: You need to find ways to cover your income needs before Social Security kicks in, typically from ages 62 to 70. Consider using strategies like Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIAs) or Multi-Year Guarantee Annuities (MYGAs) to provide contractual income during this gap. SPIAs pay a guaranteed income for a specific term, while MYGAs offer a fixed interest rate with the potential to preserve your principal. When deciding whether to take Social Security at age 65 or 70, consider your personal circumstances. Factor in the payments you'll miss while waiting for a higher payout and how long it will take to recoup those amounts. Think about living for the present and enjoying your money now rather than solely focusing on maximizing every penny. Reflect on the emotional and lifestyle aspects of your financial planning. Prioritize your personal happiness and well-being by doing things for yourself and living life to the fullest. Stan encourages turning on the lifetime income stream sooner rather than later, especially if you've spent a lifetime scrimping and saving. Use annuities to provide both lifetime guarantees and gap-filling strategies. Explore these options based on your specific needs and circumstances to bridge the gap between now and when Social Security kicks in. Consider both period certain Immediate Annuities for guaranteed income over a specific term and MYGAs for interest income while preserving your principal. "If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Every single time. There are limitations to every strategy. You just have to weigh the good and the bad to see if it makes sense." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Lifestyle Income Guarantee: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
02/19/2025
Lifestyle Income Guarantee: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Retirement planning essentials Achieving financial security in retirement Determining a lifestyle number Key Takeaways: Lifestyle income guarantees are crucial for retirement planning, allowing retirees to live their desired lifestyle without worrying about market fluctuations or economic uncertainties. Annuities are the only financial products that can provide contractually guaranteed lifetime income, which can be combined with other sources like Social Security and pensions to achieve financial security. It's important to determine a "lifestyle number" - the monthly income needed to live comfortably and enjoy retirement, beyond just covering basic expenses. A combination of financial products can be used to achieve this lifestyle income guarantee. "At the end of the day, it's about your lifestyle. It's about living chapter two of your life, and checking off all those boxes and making sure that you maximize every single day and be happy about it every day." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Annuity Companies Are Not Smarter Than Banks: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
02/12/2025
Annuity Companies Are Not Smarter Than Banks: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuity companies are more regulated than banks Features that protect the annuity industry There is no run on annuities How the banking crisis will affect the annuity industry Key Takeaways: Annuity companies are more regulated than banks, with features like surrender charges and market value adjustments that prevent runs on the company. Annuity companies are required to invest in investment-grade bonds, providing stability, unlike banks that had to sell bonds during the recent crisis. Lifetime income products offered by annuity companies, such as SPIAs and DIAs, are irrevocable and provide a guaranteed income stream for life, preventing panicked withdrawals. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) plays a crucial role in overseeing annuity companies and protecting consumers, and the recent banking crisis will likely lead to increased oversight of the annuity industry. "The bottom line: the annuity industry has put in place features to not only protect you, the consumer, which is their ultimate goal, period, but to protect the industry as well." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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4 Contractual Paths to Income Later: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
02/05/2025
4 Contractual Paths to Income Later: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: 4 contractual paths to future income Factors that affect the suitability of a plan for your situation Immediate Annuities No free lunch Key Takeaways: There are 4 main contractual paths to achieve future income: 1) Buying an immediate annuity when income is needed, 2) Using a "My Go-To SPIA" Fixed-Rate Annuity, 3) Purchasing a deferred income annuity (DIA), and 4) Buying an Indexed Annuity with an Income Rider. Each of the 4 options has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on the individual's specific needs, goals, and preferences around factors like control, flexibility, and predictability of the income stream. Immediate annuities are straightforward "commodity" products that simply transfer risk, while DIAs provide a guaranteed future income stream that can be calculated in advance. Income riders on indexed annuities offer flexibility but come with tradeoffs. Understand the nuances of each option and don’t fall for overly-optimistic sales pitches, as there is no "free lunch" when it comes to annuities. "If it sounds too good to be true, it is every single time." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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The Reality of Inflation: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
01/29/2025
The Reality of Inflation: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Should you complain about inflation? The people actually impacted by inflation Annuity products that provide solutions for inflation Avoiding media influence regarding inflation Key Takeaways: Stop complaining about inflation. For those who have worked hard and saved, higher prices for groceries and gas are manageable. Focus on living your life to the fullest rather than worrying about inflation. Recognize the reality that 60% of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck and are severely impacted by inflation. While it's understandable to be concerned, those with significant savings should not let inflation dominate their financial decisions. Be wary of annuity products that claim to provide solutions for inflation. Annuity companies do not give anything away, and any potential inflation adjustments come with significantly reduced initial payments. Stop being influenced by constant media coverage of inflation. Inflation is a long-term issue that will always be present, but it should not dictate your daily life and enjoyment. Focus on your health, family, and living in the present. "Buy the eggs, buy the milk, fill the cart with gas, do the best you can and go live your life to the fullest every single day. Buy nice stuff if you can afford it. Buy nice food if you can afford it. But don’t complain about it while you’re doing it." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Building a Pension from Scratch: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
01/22/2025
Building a Pension from Scratch: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Using annuities to create a pension The best inflation annuity Focusing on guarantees Key Takeaways: Annuities can be used to create a personal pension that provides a guaranteed lifetime income stream, similar to a traditional pension. The main annuity types discussed are Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIAs), Deferred Income Annuities (DIAs), Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs), and Income Riders. Social Security is considered the best inflation annuity and pension, and no commercial annuity can fully protect against inflation without significantly reducing the initial payment. Relying solely on Social Security may not be enough for many retirees. When evaluating annuities, the focus should be on the contractual guarantees, not hypotheticals or marketing claims. The "best" annuity is the one that provides the highest contractual guarantee tailored to the individual's specific needs and situation. "There is no “best [annuity]”, regardless of what your agent or advisor might tell you. Best means highest contractual guarantee. Best means solving for your specific situation." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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When Annuitization Becomes the Final Choice: Shootin' It Straight with Stan
01/15/2025
When Annuitization Becomes the Final Choice: Shootin' It Straight with Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Options that annuities provide Living off interest When to annuitize Laddering interest rate movements Key Takeaways: Annuities provide more options than just immediate lifetime income annuities. There are various types like Multi-Year Guarantee Annuities, Index Annuities, Variable Annuities, and Deferred Income Annuities that can be used for different income needs. With current interest rates, it may be possible to live off the interest from a portfolio of fixed-rate annuities and CDs without having to annuitize and lock in a lifetime income stream. This can provide more flexibility. Annuitization should be viewed as a last resort option if interest rates drop significantly and living off the interest is no longer sufficient. It's important to maintain a diversified approach. When using fixed-rate annuities and CDs for income, it's recommended to ladder the products to avoid having to time interest rate movements. This provides more stability and flexibility. "Annuitization at this point in time, for a lot of you out there that have large sums of money, is a last resort. And we will go there if rates move down, but if they remain at these levels at the time of this tape and they go up from here, then you're going to be able to, potentially, hopefully, depending on what your income needs are, take the interest and never touch the principle." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Strategic Retirement Planning Using Annuities: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
01/08/2025
Strategic Retirement Planning Using Annuities: Shootin’ It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: The Annuity Pill Questions to ask when considering an annuity Annuities are contracts Key Takeaways: Remember the acronym PILL, as the four primary things that annuities solve for. P stands for principal protection, I stands for income for life, the first L stands for legacy, and the other L stands for long-term care. When considering an annuity, ask yourself these two important questions: “What do you want the money to contractually do?” and “when do you want those contractual guarantees to start?” Annuities are great if you buy them only for their contractual guarantees. You own an annuity for what it will do, not what it might do so buy wisely. "Annuities solve for four primary things: principal protection, income for life, legacy, and long-term care and if you don't need to solve for these items, then you do not need an annuity of any type. " — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Can a 9-Year-Old Understand Your Annuity?: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
01/01/2025
Can a 9-Year-Old Understand Your Annuity?: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Buy only what you understand Don’t fall for bad sales tactics Seeking the facts Key Takeaways: Annuities should be simple and easily understandable; if not, avoid purchasing them. Don't fall for misleading sales tactics, bonuses, or unrealistic projections from agents motivated by personal gain. There are extensive options for index annuities, but few experts; exercise caution, do not trust sales pitches, and seek factual information from credible sources. "If you can't explain it to a 9-year-old, you shouldn't buy it." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Annuities Are for Do-It-Yourselfers: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
12/25/2024
Annuities Are for Do-It-Yourselfers: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuities are DIY products Focusing on contractual guarantees What annuities solve for Key Takeaways: Annuities are do-it-yourself products that allow self-management without advisor fees. Annuities provide contractual guarantees, and shopping for carriers with the best rates is important. Annuities are for do-it-yourselfers focused on contractual guarantees, not hypotheticals, sales pitches, or hype. Annuities can solve principal protection, income for life, legacy, and long-term care needs for pro-consumer buyers. "For all of you do-it-yourselfers out there that's been managing your own money… annuities are right up your alley because they are do-it-yourself products." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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Interest Rates & Annuities: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
12/18/2024
Interest Rates & Annuities: Shootin' It Straight With Stan
In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: How lifetime income is priced Don’t time annuity purchases Laddering annuities Key Takeaways: Lifetime income annuities are primarily based on your life expectancy. Interest rates play a secondary role in the pricing. Higher interest rates will positively impact annuity pricing. Don't try to time the market for annuity purchases; base decisions on contractual guarantees. Consider laddering annuity purchases to take advantage of future pricing changes. "Remember, lifetime income annuities are primarily based on your life expectancy or life expectancies if joint at the time you take the payment. Interest rates play a secondary pricing role." — Stan The Annuity Man. Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: Email: Book: : YouTube: Get a Quote Today:
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