Featured Annuity Insights Article
Are Annuities Right for You? Here’s How to Decide
Are Annuities Right for You? Here’s How to Decide Consider Arthur, a small business owner who recently sold his company and wanted a safe place for part of his nest egg. He was comfortable with the idea of a long-term investment and also wanted access …
Previous Annuity Insights Articles
Make Sure the Annuity You May Buy isn’t Oversold
Make Sure the Annuity You May Buy isn’t Oversold The other day, I was browsing MarketWatch, a prominent financial news and information website, and noticed an advertisement by an annuity service company proclaiming a 14% guaranteed first-year annuity payout. 14%! …
Believe It or Not, Annuities Can Still Make Sense at 80
At 80, it’s not too late for an annuity. Higher payouts, guaranteed income, less investment stress, and fraud protection make it a smart choice.
Thinking About a Fixed Annuity? Now May Be the Time to Act.
Fixed annuity rates are at decade highs, but Fed cuts could lower payouts soon. Lock in today’s rates to secure steady income before yields drop.
What Residents of The Villages Might Want to Know if their Knowledge of Annuities is Limited
With Social Security’s future uncertain, many retirees are turning to annuities for guaranteed lifetime income. Steve Kaufman explains the basics—from immediate and fixed indexed annuities to structured options—while cautioning buyers to understand fees, surrender charges, and insurance company ratings.
Underscore the Importance of Sidestepping Painful and Lasting Annuity Mistakes
Annuities can offer lifetime income and peace of mind—but only if you avoid the common pitfalls. From misunderstanding fees and surrender charges to rushing into a decision based on bonus offers, many buyers make avoidable mistakes. This article breaks down what to watch out for, how to compare options wisely, and why working with a knowledgeable wealth management firm can make all the difference.
Be Scrupulous About Purchasing an Annuity or Annuities This Year
As we approach the middle of the year, there are folks, as always, thinking seriously about buying an annuity or adding to their annuity collection. But buyer beware. This is no routine year…
Shopping for an Annuity? It’s Important to Avoid Mistakes
Annuities are selling in record numbers because they make a lot of sense for near-retirees and retirees. After all, they essentially grow funds, in some cases handsomely, in impunity. Still, some perspective is in order.
Annuities Have Their Place, But Avoid the “Steak Dinner” Routine
Have you ever been invited to attend a “free” steak dinner, courtesy of a financial advisor or two? Periodically, it crops up at The Villages, and if you don’t come across one here, you almost certainly will at some point…
About Steve Kaufman
Steve Kaufman is a long-time writer and business reporter and has been an annuity
researcher and wordsmith for a decade on behalf of Somerset Wealth Strategies, a
Portland, Oregon-based investment advisory firm. He has been a business news
reporter for multiple newspapers for a quarter century. He is a graduate of the
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
