Independence First. Transparency Always.
AnnuityFYI.com is owned and operated by Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC, an independent firm. We’re not owned by any insurance company, bank, or large brokerage firm, and we’re able to work with 100+ insurance carriers, giving us a broad, competitive product shelf rather than a single “house” lineup.
This page explains—plainly—how we’re compensated and how we handle potential conflicts in the open.
1) Our Independence
Because we’re independent, we can help you compare options across a wide range of carriers and product designs—so you can focus on the best fit for your goals, not a limited menu.
2) How We’re Sompensated (Fixed Annuities & Other Insurance Products)
If you choose to purchase a fixed annuity (or other insurance product) with our help, we’re typically compensated by the issuing insurance company in the form of commissions or other customary compensation.
What that means in practical terms
- You generally don’t pay an additional line-item fee to us on top of the annuity pricing you see. In the fixed annuity space, compensation is typically “baked in” on a net basis as part of the insurer’s overall acquisition costs.
- Insurers pay independent agencies as an alternative to hiring and managing a large internal sales force.
We know the word “commission” can carry baggage in some corners of the financial world. In fixed annuities, the structure is often misunderstood—so we prefer to be direct about it.
3) Commission vs. Fee-based Advice: We Encourage Apples-to-Apples Comparisons
Depending on the specific products and time horizon, the all-in cost of many fixed annuities can compare favorably to ongoing asset-based advisory fees—especially over longer holding periods (for example, 5+ years). We encourage you to compare the real long-term economics of each approach in your own situation, rather than relying on headlines or sound bites.
4) Conflicts Exist—Here’s How We Address Them
Commissions can vary by product and carrier. That’s a potential conflict, and we address it head-on.
Our approach includes:
- A broad, independent product shelf (not a one-company lineup).
- Education and transparency first, not pressure or urgency.
- A focus on suitability and long-term fit, not “what pays most.”
- Written disclosures, supervision, and a culture built around doing the right thing.
We can’t claim perfection—but we do commit that we will never knowingly put our interests ahead of yours, and our processes are designed around that standard.
5) What You’ll Receive in Writing
When you engage with a licensed Somerset professional, you’ll receive additional details about fees, commissions, and potential conflicts in carrier disclosures, advisory documents, and other written materials.
If you discuss advisory services or registered products
AnnuityFYI.com is a fixed-annuity-focused website, but if your conversation expands into advisory services or securities/registered products, those are offered through Somerset’s affiliated regulated entities and governed by their own disclosure documents (such as Form ADV), which describe fees and conflicts.
Quick FAQs
Do I pay Annuity FYI a fee?
No. For fixed annuities, we’re (Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC) typically compensated by the issuing insurer if you purchase a product with our help.
Does compensation change the annuity rate or pricing I receive?
Fixed annuity compensation is generally part of the insurer’s overall acquisition costs, rather than an added “line item” billed to you.
What if different products pay different compensation?
That’s a real potential conflict. We address it through independence, education-first guidance, suitability focus, and written disclosures and supervision.
Where can I review the details?
Details may be found in the carrier’s disclosure documents and other written materials provided during the recommendation/purchase process. Should they not be, you should ask the agent how much compensation/commission the product pays.
All guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer. Fixed annuities are not FDIC-insured and are subject to contract terms and applicable state guaranty association rules and limits.
