About Annuity FYI & Somerset

Who We Are, How We Work & Full Disclosure

Most financial websites talk about “putting clients first.”
At AnnuityFYI and Somerset, that isn’t a slogan. It’s the filter for every decision we make.

This page explains who we are, how we work with you, and our full disclosure—in plain English. By using www.annuityfyi.com and any pages or links from it, you agree to our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and the disclosures below. The terms “Annuity FYI,” “AnnuityFYI,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to AnnuityFYI.com, Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC, and our affiliated Somerset companies and representatives. “You” means any user of this website.

Our Roots & Leadership

AnnuityFYI.com and the Somerset family of companies—including Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC, Somerset Wealth Management, LLC, and Somerset Securities, Inc.—were all founded by Thomas B. Hamlin, widely regarded as one of America’s leading annuity experts and retirement specialists for more than 35 years.

Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC, founded in 1997, is an independent Oregon-based firm that wholly owns and operates AnnuityFYI.com as well as the Conquering Retirement with Annuity FYI podcast.

For over 25 years, AnnuityFYI.com has been a direct-to-consumer platform for people who want straightforward, unvarnished guidance on fixed annuities and retirement income. Experience here is measured not just in years in the industry, but in years under the same roof—our top six Somerset team members alone represent more than 100 years of combined tenure at Somerset.

From the beginning, we’ve operated with one simple rule:

Educate first. Recommend second. Never put our interests ahead of yours.

We know that if we consistently act in your best interest, the business will take care of itself..

How We Work With You

When You Call
When you dial our toll-free number (866-410-5315) during normal business hours, your call rings directly into our Portland, Oregon headquarters, not a generic call center.

• A grateful, professional Somerset team member—often someone who has been with Somerset for 10 years or more—answers your call.

• That team member may or may not be licensed; their job is to welcome you, understand what prompted your call, and quickly—typically within seconds—connect you with a properly licensed Somerset annuity professional.

• That licensed professional can then listen, ask questions, and begin to help you think clearly about your options.

Every professional you speak with is part of the Somerset team. We are generally able to assist clients in all 50 U.S. states, subject to licensing requirements and product availability in each state. When appropriate, we may also accommodate conversations outside standard business hours.

When You Email or Request Information Online
When you contact us by email or submit a form on AnnuityFYI.com:

• Your inquiry is routed directly to a licensed Somerset annuity professional, never to a random third-party lead buyer.

• That same professional may work with you throughout the process, as you move from initial questions to more detailed planning, and even throughout what we hope will become a satisfying long-term relationship, so you’re not repeating your story over and over.

In every interaction, our mission is to:

• Understand your goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, income and liquidity needs, and overall retirement picture;

• Answer your questions in clear, straightforward language; and

• Where appropriate, provide specific fixed annuity information and recommendations that align with your needs and objectives.

Every conversation is designed to be educational, collaborative, and no-pressure. You are never obligated to purchase anything through us. If you ultimately decide that an annuity is right for you, we would be honored to be the firm you choose to help implement that decision through Somerset—but that choice is always yours.

What AnnuityFYI.com Is (and Is Not)

AnnuityFYI.com is a fixed-annuity-only website. Our platform is dedicated exclusively to fixed annuities and related fixed income solutions—no stock picking, no trading tips, no speculative products.

We focus on:

• Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs)

• Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs for growth and/or lifetime income)

• Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIAs)

• Deferred Income Annuities (DIAs) and related fixed income products

On the site you’ll find specific annuity information—product names, sample rates, features, and comparison tools—available to anyone, whether or not you ever contact us. Our goal is to publish the kind of detail we would want if we were the client.

At the same time, it’s critical to be clear:

• All website content is general and educational in nature.

• It does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, or needs.

• It should not be relied upon by itself as legal, tax, investment, or individualized financial advice.

Personalized recommendations only happen in direct communication (phone, email, video, or in-person) with a properly licensed Somerset professional, who can ask questions, learn about your circumstances, and help you assess whether a particular annuity or strategy is suitable for you.

Any decision you make should be based on:

• The information you share with your licensed Somerset professional;

• Product illustrations, contracts, and disclosure documents; and

• Input from your own tax, legal, and financial advisors.

Guarantees, Risk & What “Fixed” Really Means

The annuities we focus on are general account insurance products. They are:

• Not sold by prospectus or private placement memorandum (PPM); and

• Not directly exposed to stock or bond market losses the way variable annuities or other securities can be.

When held according to their terms, fixed annuities are designed so that principal and contractual guarantees are insulated from day-to-day market volatility. That does not mean there is no risk or no complexity. Fixed annuities involve trade-offs and constraints, including:

• Surrender charges and withdrawal restrictions

• Market value adjustments (where applicable)

• Caps, participation rates, and/or spreads on indexed strategies

• Rider fees and other contract charges, which may or may not apply depending on the product, riders, and features selected

• Tax treatment of growth and withdrawals

• The claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company

All guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the insurer that issues the contract. Fixed annuities are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, and guarantees are further subject to the rules and limits of any applicable state guaranty association. State guaranty associations are not a substitute for the insurer’s financial strength; coverage limits vary by state and are not something we or the insurer can promise or control.

Variable Products, Securities & Advisory Services

Neither AnnuityFYI.com nor Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC offers or transacts in securities, variable annuities, or any product sold by prospectus or PPM. This website is dedicated exclusively to fixed annuities and related fixed income solutions.

That said, your financial life is bigger than any one product. Depending on where the conversation naturally goes and what your broader needs look like, your licensed Somerset professional may, where appropriately licensed and registered, shift gears and discuss:

• Variable annuities and variable life insurance

• Mutual funds, ETFs, and other securities

• Fee-based, fiduciary wealth management and financial planning

Those registered products and advisory services are not offered through AnnuityFYI.com, but through our affiliated regulated entities:

• Somerset Securities, Inc. (member FINRA/SIPC) – for brokerage and securities business; and

• Somerset Wealth Management, LLC – our Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), for fee-based advisory and fiduciary wealth management services.

Variable annuities, variable life, and other securities:

• Involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal;

• Are generally offered by prospectus, which details risks, charges, and expenses; and

• Should be reviewed carefully before you invest or make any commitment.

Advisory services are governed by separate fiduciary advisory agreements and disclosure documents (such as Form ADV), which describe the scope of our fiduciary responsibilities, services, fees, and potential conflicts of interest.

Independence, Compensation & Conflicts—Handled in the Open

Annuity FYI and the Somerset companies are independent. We are:

• Not owned by any insurance company, bank, or large brokerage firm; and

• Able to work with more than 100 insurance carriers, giving us a broad, competitive product shelf rather than a single “house” line-up.

For fixed annuities and other insurance products, we are typically compensated by the issuing insurance company in the form of commissions or other customary compensation if you choose to purchase a product with our help. Over the years, the word “commission” has picked up a negative reputation in some corners of the financial world. In the fixed annuity space, that’s often undeserved. The commission—your agent’s or agency’s compensation—is baked into the product on a net basis, meaning you do not pay an additional line-item fee on top of what you see. The insurance company pays that compensation as part of its acquisition cost, in lieu of hiring and managing a large internal sales force. By working with independent agents and firms like Somerset, insurers can turn a variable cost into a more predictable acquisition expense, which can help them manage pricing and long-term stability.

When you compare this structure with ongoing fee-based wealth management, the all-in cost of many fixed annuities can, especially over longer holding periods (for example, 5+ years), compare very favorably to continuous asset-based advisory fees—depending on the specific products and accounts being compared. That’s why we encourage clients to look past headlines and sound bites and instead compare the actual, long-term economics of each approach in their own situation.

None of this eliminates potential conflicts of interest. Different products and carriers can still pay different amounts. We address that head-on:

• We maintain a broad, independent product shelf instead of pushing one company’s products.

• We lead with education and transparency, not pressure or urgency.

• We focus on suitability and long-term fit for your goals, not on what pays the highest commission.

• We back that up with written disclosures, supervision, and a culture built around doing the right thing even when no one is looking.

We cannot claim perfection—but we can and do commit that we will never knowingly put our interests ahead of yours. Our processes, training, and firm culture are designed around that standard.

You will receive additional details about fees, commissions, and potential conflicts in carrier disclosures, advisory documents, and other written materials when you engage a licensed or registered Somerset professional.

Your Role & Key Limitations

All financial and insurance decisions involve trade-offs and risk. Fixed annuities can provide valuable guarantees and predictable income, but no strategy can:

• Guarantee that all of your financial goals will be met;

• Fully protect against inflation, changing tax laws, or every market and longevity risk; or

• Ensure you will never experience a reduction in purchasing power or lifestyle.

Any past illustrations, example rates, or hypothetical scenarios are not guarantees of future performance. Rates, product features, and availability can change over time and may vary by state and carrier.

You play a critical role in getting this right. You are responsible for:

• Carefully reviewing all contracts, disclosures, and (for variable products) prospectuses;

• Considering how any product or strategy fits into your broader financial, tax, and estate plan; and

• Consulting with your own qualified tax, legal, and financial professionals before making any decision.

We’ll bring decades of expertise, independence, and candor. You bring your goals, your questions, and your judgment. Together, that’s how good decisions get made.

Availability & Jurisdiction

Products, features, and services described on this website may not be available in all states, jurisdictions, or to all types of investors. Nothing on this site is intended as a solicitation, offer, or recommendation where such solicitation, offer, or recommendation would be unlawful or inconsistent with local law or regulation.

Our Commitment to You

Since Somerset’s founding in 1997 and AnnuityFYI.com’s launch shortly thereafter, Thomas B. Hamlin and the Somerset team have been guided by a consistent belief:

Treat every client like family, explain the trade-offs honestly, recommend only what we’d be comfortable owning ourselves, and the relationship will take care of the rest.

We are honored when you invite us into your retirement planning. Our commitment is to deliver:

• Clear, unhurried explanations

• Thoughtful, experience-driven guidance

• A respectful, no-pressure client experience

• And a relentless focus on keeping your interests ahead of our own

If that’s the kind of relationship you’re looking for, we’d be grateful for the opportunity to earn your trust.