The following Disclosure, together with our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, governs your use of www.annuityfyi.com and any pages or links from it. By using this website, you agree to these terms. The terms “Annuity FYI,” “AnnuityFYI,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to AnnuityFYI.com, Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC, and our affiliated Somerset companies and their representatives. The term “you” refers to any user of this website.
Founding, Ownership & History
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, who is considered by many to be among the top annuity experts and retirement specialists in America for over 35 years.
Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC is an independent Oregon-based firm founded in 1997 that wholly owns and operates AnnuityFYI.com, as well as the Conquering Retirement with AnnuityFYI podcast.
For more than 25 years, AnnuityFYI.com has served as a direct-to-consumer resource for learning about, comparing, and obtaining fixed annuities and retirement income solutions, with a focus on clear education, easy-to-use tools and calculators, personalized guidance, and a no-pressure client experience.
How We Work With You
Phone Inquiries
When you call our toll-free number (866-410-5315) during normal business hours, your call is answered directly at our Portland, Oregon headquarters by a grateful, professional Somerset team member—often someone who has been with Somerset for 10 years or more. That person may or may not be a licensed professional; their role is to welcome you, understand the nature of your inquiry, and promptly—typically within seconds—connect you with a properly licensed Somerset annuity professional who can answer your questions and discuss your situation in detail.
All of the professionals you speak with are members of the Somerset team, and we are generally able to assist clients in all 50 U.S. states, subject to applicable licensing requirements and product availability in your state. On occasion, calls may also be answered outside of standard business hours where appropriate.
Email & Online Inquiries
When you contact us by email or through an online form on AnnuityFYI.com, your inquiry is handled by a licensed Somerset annuity professional, and every professional you work with is part of the Somerset team. We can help you regardless of which U.S. state you are contacting us from, again subject to applicable licensing and product availability in your state.
Our mission in every conversation 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 product information and recommendations aligned with your needs and objectives.
Every interaction is intended to be educational, collaborative, and no-pressure. You are never obligated to purchase any product or service 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.
Website Content vs. Personalized Recommendations
The content on AnnuityFYI.com—including articles, FAQs, rate tables, calculators, tools, videos, and other resources—is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. Website content does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs, and it should not be relied upon by itself as legal, tax, investment, or individualized financial advice.
Personalized recommendations are provided only in direct communication (phone, email, video, or in-person) with a properly licensed or registered Somerset professional who can ask questions, learn about your circumstances, and help you evaluate whether a particular annuity or strategy is suitable for you. Any decisions 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.
The Types of Products We Focus On
AnnuityFYI.com is a fixed-annuity-only website. We focus exclusively on fixed annuities, sometimes called “guaranteed return annuities,” including:
- 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
These are general account insurance products. They are not sold by prospectus or private placement memorandum (PPM), and they do not expose your principal to direct stock or bond market losses in the way that variable annuities or other securities can. When held according to their terms, fixed annuities are designed so that principal and contractual guarantees are insulated from day-to-day market volatility.
However, fixed annuities are still subject to important limitations and risks, including but not limited to:
- 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
- Tax implications of withdrawals and distributions
- The claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company
All guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer and 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 levels and applicability 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 private placement memorandum (PPM). This website is dedicated exclusively to fixed annuities and related fixed income solutions.
However, depending on the direction of your conversation and your broader financial needs, your licensed Somerset professional may, where appropriately licensed and registered, “switch hats” and discuss:
- Variable annuities and variable life insurance
- Mutual funds, ETFs, and other securities
- Fee-based, fiduciary wealth management and financial planning
These registered products and advisory services are offered 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 contains important information about risks, charges, and expenses; and
- Should be reviewed carefully before investing or making any commitment.
Advisory services are governed by separate advisory agreements and disclosure documents (such as Form ADV), which describe services, fees, and conflicts of interest.
Our Independence & How We Are Paid
AnnuityFYI and the Somerset companies are independent. We are not owned by any insurance company, bank, or large brokerage. We represent over 100 insurance carriers, which allows us to compare products across multiple companies rather than promoting a single “house” brand.
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. In some cases, you may instead (or additionally) engage us for fee-based advisory relationships through Somerset Wealth Management, LLC, which are compensated by clearly disclosed advisory fees.
Because compensation can vary by product and carrier, potential conflicts of interest can arise. We work to address these through:
- A broad, independent product shelf;
- An education-first, no-pressure approach;
- A focus on suitability and long-term fit for your goals; and
- Clear written disclosures, client agreements, and regulatory documents.
You will receive additional details about fees, commissions, and potential conflicts in carrier materials, advisory documents, and other written disclosures when you engage a licensed or registered professional.
Important Limitations & Your Responsibility
All financial and insurance decisions involve risk. While fixed annuities can provide valuable guarantees and predictable income, 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 not 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 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.
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 Ongoing Commitment
From the founding of Somerset in 1997 and AnnuityFYI.com shortly thereafter, Thomas B. Hamlin and the Somerset team have been guided by a simple principle: educate first, recommend second, and always place the client’s interests ahead of our own.
We are honored when you choose to include us in your retirement planning and are committed to providing clear information, thoughtful guidance, and a respectful, no-pressure experience every step of the way.
