Your Annuity Questions—Answered, Clearly and Quickly

An annuity is a financial tool that can help you accumulate funds for retirement on a tax deferred basis, and then turn your savings into a steady stream of income—either right away or down the road.

You typically buy it from an insurance company using a lump sum or a series of premium payments.

In return, they agree to pay you a reliable income over time—often for the rest of your life. It’s one way to create more confidence in retirement, knowing that this income won’t stop when your job does.

That depends on the type of annuity. Many annuities, like fixed and fixed-indexed ones, are built to protect your money—your principal is never at risk from market losses, whereas a variable annuity is subject to market losses.

These products are backed by the financial strength of the issuing insurance company, so it’s important to choose one with a strong reputation and solid credit rating.

We only work with top-rated carriers to help ensure your money is in good hands.

Yes, many annuities allow for penalty-free withdrawals—usually up to 10% per year—after the first year.

While annuities aren’t meant to be “liquid” like a checking account, you won’t be completely locked out of your funds – although the withdrawal will be subject to income taxes and potentially a 10% IRS penalty if you’re under age 59-1/2.

Some even offer enhanced access for things like illness, nursing care, or emergencies. We’ll walk you through the fine print and make sure you understand exactly what flexibility you have.

Annuities aren’t one-size-fits-all. But if you’re concerned about outliving your savings, want predictable income, or are looking for protection from market downturns, a fixed annuity could be worth considering.

We help you understand how an annuity might—or might not—fit into your broader retirement strategy, with no pressure to buy.

That’s more common than you might think.

Annuity contracts can be confusing, especially if no one took the time to explain it properly. We offer no cost annuity checkups where we review your existing contract and explain—in plain English—how it works, what fees or guarantees are involved, and whether we believe it’s still a good fit for your goals.

With most annuities, you can name one or more beneficiaries. That means any remaining value can be passed to your loved ones—often avoiding probate.

Some annuities pay income only during your lifetime, while others include features that help protect your heirs.

You’ll have choices, and we’ll help you pick the right structure for your wishes.

Not at all. While annuities do have some rules about withdrawals and timing, you’re in charge of when (or if) you start receiving income. Many newer annuity options are designed to offer more flexibility than you might expect.

We’ll make sure you understand your options so you can keep control of your plan and your future.

Start by exploring the resources on our site—videos, articles, real-time rate comparisons.

If you still have questions, we offer a no cost, no-obligation 15-minute Clarity Call with an experienced annuity professional. It’s a safe space to get answers.

No pressure, ever—just the information you need to make a confident decision.