What are the steps to buy an annuity?

There are five: identify your strategy and goals, choose the right type of annuity, compare trusted and highly rated providers, complete the application and suitability review, and fund the annuity. Most buyers move from consultation to a funded contract in about three to four weeks.

How do I avoid getting ripped off when buying an annuity?

Define your goal first, buy only the product type that fits it, confirm the carrier is rated A- or better, and compare at least three quotes. Read the surrender schedule and any rider fees before signing, and use your state’s free-look period to cancel if the contract does not match what you were told.

Where can I buy an annuity?

You can buy through banks, brokerage firms, or directly from insurance carriers, but an independent agency lets you compare many carriers at once instead of a single company’s products. Wherever you buy, the contract is issued and guaranteed by the insurer, so carrier strength matters most.

Can I cancel an annuity after I buy it?

Yes. Every state requires a free-look period, commonly 10 to 30 days, during which you can cancel the contract and receive a full refund of your premium. Use it to double-check the terms and the payout illustration.

How much money do I need to buy an annuity?

Most carriers require a minimum premium of $10,000 to $25,000, and a few accept as little as $5,000. There is no out-of-pocket fee to buy a fixed annuity; you simply deposit your premium. Ready to shop without the guesswork? Compare today’s fixed annuity rates, request a free quote, or call 855-277-8088 and a licensed team member will compare strong, top-rated options across 90+ top annuity companies, with no cost or obligation. Free Quote

Home › Our Process

Our Process: How We Work With You

Buying an annuity should not feel like buying a used car. Here is exactly how we work, what we do for you, and what you can expect at every step.

Request a Free Comparison Call 855-277-8088

The 5 Steps From First Conversation to Funded Contract

Most people do not buy an annuity in a single sitting. They take weeks, sometimes months, working through the questions and getting comfortable with a 5, 7, or 10 year commitment. Our process is built for that pace, not against it.

1. Discovery call, at no cost and with no obligation

You schedule a call or reach us directly at 855-277-8088. We listen first, asking about your retirement income gap, your tax bracket, your timeline, and your risk tolerance. We do not pitch a product on this call, and most discovery calls run 20 to 30 minutes.

2. Independent market search

We work with 90+ top annuity companies. After your discovery call we go to the full independent market, including carriers that do not distribute through wire houses or bank platforms, and pull the products that fit your situation.

You receive a written comparison showing rates, surrender schedules, riders, ratings, and side-by-side projections. No verbal-only quotes.

3. Recommendation and questions

We walk you through the comparison, recommend the option that best fits, and explain the trade-offs. If a carrier we do not represent is offering a meaningfully better product for your situation, we will tell you.

Then we answer questions, as many times as it takes. Most clients have follow-up calls with a spouse, attorney, or CPA before deciding, which is normal and welcomed.

4. Application and funding

When you are ready, we prepare the application electronically and walk you through every required disclosure, free-look period, and signature. Funding happens by 1035 exchange, IRA rollover, or wire transfer.

We coordinate directly with the receiving carrier and your existing institution to keep paperwork moving. Most contracts are issued within 5 to 15 business days.

5. Ongoing service for the life of the contract

We do not disappear after the commission clears. We remain your point of contact for rate renewals, RMD coordination, beneficiary changes, carrier statements, and the decision about what to do at the end of your surrender period.

When carriers update products, raise rates, or release new riders, we tell you.

What Makes Our Process Different

We earn from the carrier, not from you

We are an independent licensed annuity brokerage. We earn a commission from the issuing insurance company when you purchase, the same way every licensed annuity producer does. That commission does not affect your rate, your guaranteed value, or any contract term, and you pay no fee to work with us.

We do not sell your information

When you call us or submit a quote request, you are talking to our team. Not a network of producers who paid for your contact details, and not a lead aggregator that will resell your phone number to ten different people. The annuity industry has a serious lead-selling problem and we do not participate in it.

We show you the full independent market

Some platforms only show you carriers that pay them the most. We show you the full independent market, including carriers that do not distribute through the large platforms, which is frequently where the best rates are. We do not need the commission on any single transaction to keep the business running.

Mental health and financial health, together

Kiara Caudill, our CEO, is a licensed mental health counselor with a Master’s degree, and she still practices counseling alongside her insurance work. That background shapes every client conversation.

Retirement decisions are not purely financial. They are threaded with fear of outliving your money, fear of making the wrong choice, and fear of losing the identity that came with a career. Kiara listens first and helps clients find the balance between what the math says and what they can actually live with.

Our Credentials, Plainly

Licensed in 47 states
Working with 90+ top annuity companies, including A.M. Best A++ rated carriers such as MassMutual, New York Life, and Athene
Jason Caudill, MBA, Founder. More than 20 years in financial services, including a Fortune 500 wealth management firm (Raymond James)
Kiara Caudill, CEO. Licensed insurance professional and licensed mental health counselor
BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating and 35+ verified reviews
2025 Insurance Business Review, recognized as the Top Multi-Carrier Annuity Platform
Established 2020 in the Indianapolis area, with $130 million+ in annuities placed
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM EST, Saturday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST

What We Will and Will Not Do

We will

Send you a written comparison with rates, surrender schedules, ratings, and projections, not just a verbal quote
Explain the trade-offs of every recommendation, including what the product does poorly
Tell you if a carrier we do not represent has a meaningfully better product for your situation
Coordinate funding directly with your existing institution and the receiving carrier
Stay your point of contact for the life of the contract

We will not

Pressure you to decide on a phone call, or pitch a product on the discovery call
Sell, share, or trade your contact information
Recommend a product that pays us more if a different one is better for you
Send you to a third party who paid for your details
Disappear after the contract is funded

Not sure an annuity is right for you at all?

Start with the pros, cons, and a 6-step framework in our guide to whether you should buy an annuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to work with My Annuity Store?

Nothing. You pay no fee to work with us. We earn a commission from the issuing insurance company at the time of purchase, the same way every licensed annuity producer earns, and that commission does not change your rate, your guaranteed value, or any contract term.

How long does the process take from first call to funded contract?

It varies. Some clients move in two weeks because they have already done their research, while others take two to three months to compare options carefully or wait for a 1035 exchange to clear. Our typical client takes four to six weeks from discovery call to funded contract.

Can I work with you if I already own an annuity?

Yes. We offer a free annuity review for contracts you already own. We will read your contract, explain what you actually have, and tell you honestly whether it makes sense to keep it, exchange it via 1035, or do nothing. If doing nothing is the right answer, that is what we will tell you.

Do you only sell certain carriers?

No. We are an independent brokerage working with 90+ top annuity companies and we are not captive to a single insurance company. We have no production quotas with any carrier, so we have no incentive to push one product over another beyond choosing the one that is actually best for you.

What states do you operate in?

We are licensed in 47 states.

Ready to Start the Conversation?

The first conversation is free and takes 20 to 30 minutes. You will leave it with a clearer understanding of whether an annuity makes sense for you, whether or not you ever buy one from us.