Seven Questions to Ask Before Purchasing an Annuity

Seven Questions to Ask Before Purchasing an Annuity

Purchasing an annuity can represent a meaningful long-term financial commitment. The decision should involve more than comparing an advertised interest rate, a bonus, or an income illustration. Annuities are insurance contracts with different structures, guarantees,...
How Inflation Can Affect Your Retirement Income

How Inflation Can Affect Your Retirement Income

Retirement income planning is not simply about how much money you expect to receive when you stop working. It is also about what that income may be able to purchase in the years ahead. Inflation is one of the most important factors to consider. What Is Inflation?...
Why an Annuity Second Opinion May Be Worth Considering

Why an Annuity Second Opinion May Be Worth Considering

If you purchased an annuity several years ago, you may not remember every provision of your contract. Perhaps you remember an interest guarantee, an income rider, or a feature intended to benefit your family. But how much do you know about the current contract value,...
Understanding Annuity Fees and Surrender Charges Before You Buy

Understanding Annuity Fees and Surrender Charges Before You Buy

Annuities can offer different accumulation and income features, but understanding their costs is an essential part of evaluating the complete contract. Some costs are deducted directly from contract value. Others may be reflected in interest-crediting limitations or...
What Is a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit?

What Is a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit?

When researching retirement annuities, you may encounter a feature called a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit, commonly abbreviated GLWB. This provision is designed to address an important retirement concern: the possibility of needing income for longer than...
Five Retirement Risks That Deserve Your Attention

Five Retirement Risks That Deserve Your Attention

Retirement planning often begins with an important question: How much money will I need? But accumulating a particular dollar amount is only part of the equation. A thoughtful retirement conversation also considers the risks that could affect those savings and the...
Will Your Retirement Income Last as Long as You Do?

Will Your Retirement Income Last as Long as You Do?

One of the most important questions people face when approaching retirement is surprisingly straightforward: Will my income last as long as I need it? Unfortunately, the answer is not always simple. Retirement can extend across several decades. During that time,...
A Healthier Financial Future Starts With a Retirement Income Plan

A Healthier Financial Future Starts With a Retirement Income Plan

Retirement is a significant life transition. After years of working, building savings, and preparing for the future, attention often shifts from accumulating money to understanding how those resources may support everyday life. That change makes retirement income...