Pros and Cons: Annuities in Retirement Savings Plans

Across the country, people are saving for retirement. It is true that many people lag behind when it comes to setting aside funds for the future, but despite this lag – where the typical couple aged 56-61 has only $17,00 set aside – there are many options available. Employer-sponsored plans, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and …

Protecting Your IRAs From Rollover Penalties

Individual Retirement Accounts, or IRAs, remain some of the leading retirement savings instruments used by Americans in the workforce. IRAs can be opened by anyone, and by funding these accounts with the maximum annual contribution, it is possible to set aside a substantial amount of money for future use. IRAs come in many forms, including …

Retirement Preparedness Plans: Are You Ready?

Most people understand that the future is uncertain. In most of our lives, we realize that preparing for the future is simply part of our existence. Retirement planning is a critical part of that overall preparedness process; setting aside funds for future expenses is a smart way to ensure security long after we are no …

Executive Order May Shape the Future of Retirement Savings

Big changes may be coming to the retirement planning process, thanks to an Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump in August 2018. The Order is designed to help Americans save for retirement by allowing them to keep their accumulated savings in tax-deferred accounts for a longer period of time, and by allowing smaller business …

Can Fixed Indexed Annuities Benefit Retirement Savings?

There are many options when it comes to setting aside money for retirement. Individuals planning for life after they quit working can select numerous investment strategies such as IRAs, stock and bond investments, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. There are times, however, when all of these retirement options do not provide the steady income one needs …

Saving for Retirement: It’s Not Too Late

As we work through our lifetimes, it is important to set aside funds for the future. Retirement planning is a critical part of adult life, yet far too few Americans take this aspect seriously. Numerous surveys and financial studies have indicated that on average, Americans are woefully underprepared for their life after retirement. Most of …

How to Keep More of Your Retirement Income from “Unwanted Heirs”

Everyone wants to keep as much of their money to pass on to family, heirs and loved ones.  Many people assume that when they die, their assets are automatically distributed to heirs and loved ones.  However, there are several “unwanted heirs” that may step forward to claim their share of your estate before your loved …

How to Change Your Retirement Portfolio for Superior Results

A happy retirement begins with the security of knowing that a person’s retirement income will not outlast their life.  Many sites give early retirement tips but fail to take into consideration that the average retiree is now living longer.  Retirement calculators that show workers how they can enter early retirement fail to take into consideration …

Comparing Retirement Income Payment Options

When approaching retirement and the last decade of stock market ups and downs, many people wonder how to protect retirement income from economic collapse.  There are two popular options to protect retirement savings:  Joint and survivor annuity payment option or retirement income protection funded with life insurance. Joint/Survivor Annuity Payout Option Versus Retirement Income Protection …

Understanding Withdrawal Guarantees

Withdrawal guarantees are a guaranteed way to plan for retirement income.  They can be paired with features such as lifetime income riders and are often features of variable annuity contracts.  For retirees wanting added security to their retirement income, guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIB) and lifetime income riders provide peace of mind that retirement will …