Annuity Rescue

You’ve Probably Read the Bad Press

Let’s deal with that first, because otherwise it sits there. There are bad annuities. Plenty of them, sold by people who never explained the fees or the surrender schedule to the person signing.

An annuity is a sophisticated instrument, and it only earns its place when it’s tailored to your needs and your goals. Built well, one can offer tax-deferred growth, protection from market losses, and, depending on the product and its riders, income for life. So the useful question is narrower than “are annuities bad.” It’s this: was the annuity you own right for you, or was it right for the agent who sold it to you?

When an Annuity Stops Feeling Like a Good Decision

Many annuities carry surrender charges of 7 to 9 percent if you move your money before the term is up, which can make it feel like you’re stuck even when a better option exists.

Comparing What You Have to What’s Actually Possible

We compare what your annuity is actually earning against what you were told when you bought it, and against what moving it would cost you in surrender charges. In many cases, a carrier bonus can offset or exceed that charge, but the real number depends entirely on your specific annuity and current carrier offers.

Annuity guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Annuities may be subject to fees, surrender charges, and holding periods that vary by insurance company, and are not FDIC insured. Any specific bonus or return percentage discussed is state- and carrier-specific at the time of the conversation, not a fixed, universal number.

You Decide, We Don’t Push

This is a review, not a sales call. You’ll leave with a clear picture of your real numbers either way, whether that means moving your money or leaving it exactly where it is.

Frequently Asked Questions