People are not getting much growth to so-called safe money investments such as savings accounts or money markets, leaving much riskier ways to try and achieve growth. But buffered ETFs are an off-the-beaten path tool that could work in some portfolios. In this episode, Bennett Thayer of Innovator ETFs joins Tim and Jeff to discuss this investment vehicle.

Takeaways

• The buffered ETF was formed in 2018. It gives the holder upside exposure to a degree against indexes like the S & P 500 or Russell 2000, and built in buffers at 9, 15 or 30 percent on the down side
• They are designed to help people in preservation mode such as retirees by providing them a way to still be invested in the stock market with its earnings potential way above what banks offer, and also limit the losses in case of a market correction
• It also provides liquidity, where money can be made available quickly for when it may be needed, as opposed to an annuity-type investment where liquidity can be limited