Background and Context: A Battle Over the “Story” an FIA Illustration Can Tell Fixed index annuities occupy a complicated space in retirement planning. They are insurance products, not direct stock-market investments, but their credited interest is often tied to the performance of an external index. That makes illustrations especially powerful: they can show a consumer […]
Showing 59 articles
-
Annuities 101 The Battle Over Fixed Index Annuity Illustrations
-
Industry News AM Best Puts Delaware Life, Clear Spring and Gainbridge on Negative Outlook: What It Means for Annuity Owners
Updated August 20, 2026 On July 31, 2026, AM Best revised its rating outlooks to negative for three annuity carriers owned by Group 1001 Insurance Holdings: Delaware Life Insurance Company, Clear Spring Life and Annuity Company, and Gainbridge Life Insurance Company. All three kept their Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and their Long-Term Issuer […]
-
Annuities 101 Lottery Payout Options: Annuity vs. Lump Sum (2026)
How Powerball and Mega Millions annuity payments work, how they are taxed, and how to decide between the lottery lump sum and the 29-year annuity.
-
Annuities 101 Annuity Sales Hit $461 Billion in 2025 | Demand Continues
U.S. Annuity Sales Hit a Record $461 Billion in 2025 Every year LIMRA publishes the industry’s scorecard for annuity sales. The 2025 full-year numbers just came out, and they confirm what we have been seeing in our own shop: Americans within a decade of retirement are pulling serious money out of brokerage accounts and putting […]
-
Annuities 101 Best Annuities for a Social Security Bridge (2026)
How to Use an Annuity as a Bridge to Social Security Delaying Social Security from age 62 to age 70 increases your monthly benefit by roughly 77%. For someone who would receive $1,800/month at 62, that delay means $3,186/month for life instead. The math is compelling. The problem is practical: how do you cover your […]
-
Annuities 101 The Annuity Bridge Strategy: How to Delay Social Security to Age 70
Last updated: July 23, 2026 The annuity bridge strategy is one of the most powerful – and underused – retirement income moves available to pre-retirees in their early 60s. The concept is straightforward: use annuity income to cover your living expenses from age 62 to 70, so you can let your Social Security benefit grow […]
-
Annuities 101 How to Retire at 62: A Step-by-Step Financial Plan
Last updated: May 1, 2026 How to Retire at 62: A Step-by-Step Financial Plan Retiring at 62 is absolutely achievable, but it comes with three gaps most people underestimate: three years without Medicare, up to five years before full Social Security benefits, and a portfolio that has to last 25-30 years. Get those three gaps […]
-
Annuities 101 Average Social Security Benefit by Age (2026): What You Can Expect
Last updated: May 1, 2026 Average Social Security Benefit by Age (2026): What You Can Expect The average Social Security retirement benefit in 2026 is $2,071 per month, or roughly $24,852 per year. That number sounds reasonable until you compare it to what retirement actually costs. Most retirees spend between $50,000 and $60,000 per year, […]
-
Annuities 101 Social Security Break-Even Age: When Does Waiting Actually Pay Off?
Last updated: May 1, 2026 Social Security Break-Even Age: When Does Waiting Actually Pay Off? The break-even age is the point at which your cumulative lifetime benefit from waiting to claim Social Security finally surpasses the cumulative total you would have collected by claiming earlier. Before that age, the early claimer is ahead. After it, […]
-
Annuities 101 When Should I Claim Social Security? Age 62 vs. 67 vs. 70 Compared
Social Security at 62 vs. 67 vs. 70: Which Claiming Age Pays the Most? The short answer Claiming Social Security at 62 permanently cuts your benefit to 70% of what you would get at full retirement age. Waiting to 67 (the FRA for anyone born in 1960 or later) gives you 100%. Waiting to 70 […]
