In the same way that we prepare for inclement weather, it is crucial also to protect ourselves from rough financial conditions. These economic storms can leave us vulnerable and without a safety net, so it is essential to have a backup plan and invest in financial insurance, such as annuities. 

Annuities can provide a stable income stream and help safeguard our financial well-being in times of economic uncertainty. Don't wait until it's too late to prepare – make sure to have a plan in place to protect yourself from financial risks and be ready for any unexpected challenges that may come your way.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[3:15] Annuity and inclement weather

[3:52] Winter came fast and hit hard

[4:27] When we get a bunch of snow, and it melts, that sets things up to even worse scenarios

[5:50] Now Bryan's ready with his tire changes, tow rope, and power tools to get prepared for the winter season

[7:13] There are a lot of things we should do to prepare for the inclement weather

[11:20] Emergency savings, long-term care, etc., are substantial investments

[11:30] To save money in the future and save time, you have to have preparation

[11:47] To start buying an annuity is just shifting assets from one place to a safer place

Key Quotes:

[5:55] "I carry all that stuff because I prefer to help instead of risk being stuck waiting for help."

[12:07] “Annuities don't cost you anything.”

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter
Call Annuity Straight Talk at 800-438-5121 or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com

Another year has gone by, and we appreciate you sticking around with us as we talk about everything annuities (and more). In this year-end finale, John Balmer and Bryan Andersson will give you seven things to add to your retirement list as another chapter unfolds. 

We hope to see you again in 2023 as we keep serving and helping you with your financial and retirement goals. 

Until next time…

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[2:00] Seven things to do in retirement in the new year

[4:09] Changing beneficiaries in your 403B

[5:50] Re-assess and re-evaluate risk tolerance

[7:49] Annuities are not for greed. It's all about protecting money

[8:13] Rates will be lower in six months

[9:49] Taxes and rough conversions

[10:49] Annuities are tax-deferred vehicles

[16:13] How can you plan your retirement spending ahead 

[17:05] Buying annuities

[19:46] Life is too short not to enjoy spending your time with the people you love

Key Quotes:

(20:39) "We do it because we are driven to help others make their lives easier." 

(20:51) "We enjoy what we do, we like helping people, and make a great living while doing it."

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

Call Annuity Straight Talk at 800-438-5121 or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com 

2022 has been a great year. After two years of being in a pandemic, everyone got their rhythm back, all set to take on more challenges and opportunities. This year is also a great time for annuities. Annuity rates have increased significantly in 2022 and hopefully will continue to grow an inch higher as we approach the new year.

Join Bryan as he looks back at 44 podcast episodes that made a difference in his podcasting journey this year. This is a big "thank you" to everyone who supported and listened to him blab around annuities, giving you valuable insights on how you can protect your money in the safest way possible and guiding you to build a worry-free future. 

See you in 2023! 

What You'll Learn From This Episode:

[3:21] A year-end recap

[5:56] Inflation and Interest rates 

[7:09] How to Meet The Market with an Annuity

[9:50] Market alternatives and protecting assets 

[12:43] War is a racket 

[17:27] Answering annuity questions 

[21:38] Safe Money Radio 

[21:51] Index annuities are better than?

[28:31] Vegas are like stock market annuities 

[29:50] Stock Market Headfake

[32:44] Husbands, Wives, and Annuities 

[32:56] Secondary Market Annuities 

Key Quotes:

[7:57] "Protecting your money and not exposing yourself to so much risk is good."

[28:55] "It's been a great year, I appreciate it. Thank you to everyone who has allowed me to share my ideas."

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

Call Annuity Straight Talk at 800-438-5121 or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com 

Annuities are intended to offer a steady income stream for the owner immediately or in the future. If you invest in them, you collect annual or monthly payments that usually last for the rest of your life.

Many times in the past, however, rates were too low to justify the long term commitment.  Annuity Straight Talk used secondary annuity contracts to increase rates for retirees.  It worked well for many but it's no longer a market that Bryan recommends.  Listen to this episode to learn more and find out why.

What You'll Learn From This Episode:

[1:33] Secondary market annuities 

[4:55] The bottom line is that we could deliver rates to consumers well above the available rates.

[5:12] You buy the primary directly from the insurance company. You buy the secondary from another person in a different market.

[7:04] As the market became more competitive, the margin became stronger.

[7:56] When the margin shrinks but rates are lower, it's hard to find the right match because you're spending more money on something that's not a perfect fit.

[10:35] The rates aren't any better than the primary market now.

[12:44] In many cases, several buyers would split pieces of a more significant deal.

[15:22] Why Bryan doesn't sell structured settlements 

Key Quotes:

[2:16] "It was harder and harder to find good deals for retirement in the annuity market."

[9:59] "I kept pushing into going back to mainstream products."

[16:19] "The bottom line is that I am on your side, and I want to find things that work for you.

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

Call Annuity Straight Talk at 800-438-5121 or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com 

There's no one-size-fits-all solution for determining which type of investment to make. But someone close to or in retirement should be much more critical with one's investment approach. Individual goals and risk tolerance must be considered when facing this kind of circumstance. 

Now is the time to get serious about investing in your future. Preparing for retirement isn't easy, but suitable investments can help you in the long run. And in this episode, Bryan answers one of the most asked questions regarding retirement plans: How safe is crypto as a retirement investment?

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[2:02] Cryptocurrency in retirement 

[5:03] You've got to use the modern financial system to get into and out of it. 

[7:13] The crypto form of digital currency isn't that big of a jump. Bryan explains why.

[8:19] Bryan addresses how bitcoin became a catch-up tool for retirement.

[11:04] If you weren't going to get on the crypto bandwagon, you're missing out on something big. 

[12:10] As long as crypto keeps rising, only some people want all their money back at once. 

[12:30] Bitcoin is an exchange that allows you to access the crypto market. 

[15:49] For Cryptocurrency to become a mainstream alternative to the traditional financial system, the profits should be stabilized.

Key Quotes

[4:17] “The next ten years will not replicate the last ten years.”

[13:49] “You're going to have to dig into the details of each currency; you'll also have to scrutinize the exchange you use to ensure you do it the right way”

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

Call Annuity Straight Talk at 800-438-5121 or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com 

No matter how you look at it, money matters. If you are married, you must play a role in all significant financial decisions. This idea causes many married couples to stray from investing in annuities because they're too afraid of the outcome. They think annuities would just drain their lifetime savings. After all, allowing another person to manage your wealth exclusively is, in most instances, a recipe for disaster.

But the bottom line here is that husbands, wives, and annuities don't have anything to do with annuities. It concerns how you and your spouse strategically plan for retirement. And there are several reasons for making retirement and income planning a joint affair.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[6:32] Bryan's observation when it comes to married couples and income planning

[10:35] When you step into somebody's area of expertise, you have to listen to them, and many of those things translate to retirement planning.

[10:47] On a reasonably regular basis, Bryan run into married couples who can't necessarily agree on the correct path to retirement.

[11:06] Husbands often run the business, and wives handle the finances, and sometimes the husbands who run the business don't know how the business's financial system works.

[12:53] When you're so focused on finances throughout your saving career. A lot of the things that you learn become irrelevant when you retire.

[13:10] When you go through retirement, you need to unlearn many things you've learned.

[14:36] Many people do not purchase annuities because their husbands and wives must agree on an appropriate path.

[16:55] Protection is critical, and growth is essential, but there's a careful balance between the two.

Key Quotes:

[7:37] “Sometimes, it's hard for husbands and wives to communicate their passions to each other differently.”

[12:34] The less experienced person is more malleable.

[15:38] If you want to be successful, you have to humble yourself.

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter
Call Annuity Straight Talk at 800-438-5121 or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com

Understanding your financial goals is critical to deciding the best type of annuity for your situation. If you let greed get in your way, then it will just loosen your grip on your own peace of mind.

The thing is, annuities are not for greed; they're there to help you protect your money. Each type of annuity has its own level of risk and payout options. Your personal goals and objectives will help determine the best annuity for you. Don't use annuities for purely selfish reasons; channel your greed elsewhere because annuities and greed don't mix.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[2:10] Bryan explains how quickly rates have been changing this year.

[4:43] You have to have a fair bit of economic analysis on why rates are going to be higher.

[5:50] Everybody needs to understand that there's a cost to waiting.

[8:42] As the duration gets longer and the yield gets higher, you can have more volatility in the price of a bond.

[10:23] Annuities are not for greed. You satisfy your greed in other ways. Stuff your money in a safe deal.

[10:41] Annuities are for safety; annuities are for protection; annuities are for peace of mind.

[13:19] There is a cost to waiting, and you could have gotten it in less time.

Key Quotes:

[2:30] "The way people are chasing rates this year, it seems like we're kind of chasing the stock market."

[4:36] "Just because you want it to be so, it may not be so."

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

Call Annuity Straight Talk at 800-438-5121 or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com 

This episode is all about fate and coincidences. Last time, we witnessed Bryan go on an elk-hunting trip. Where he took time to unwind and relax amidst all that was happening in the crazy market. But little did he know that he was about to stumble upon one coincidental client. 

In this episode, let’s hear how Bryan made friends and helped this client win his retirement plan by convincing him to buy annuities by the end of the trip. Make sure to turn your speakers up because this is not just a story; there’s a valuable lesson that you can get from it too.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[4:00] Bryan tells us an anecdote of his “biggest  coincidences.”

[9:11] 90% of the information in an annuity contract is similar for all contracts 

[10:30] The 24 Hour trip with an annuity specialist

[14:01] Will there be anything wrong with putting your money into annuities?

[16:18] Someone with a 3% spending goal is considered to be ideally capitalized for retirement

[19:02] It’s incredible what you can do for a 5% fixed annuity

Key Quotes:

[6:11] “The more educated you are, the easier it is for me to explain different topics.”

[18:30] “My measure of wealth is based on what you need in a relationship on what you have.”

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter
Call Annuity Straight Talk at 800-438-5121 or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com

If the pandemic mayhem has had you longing for the “good old days”, then you could be on to something, at least regarding annuities. Annuities used to be something that every retiree had to cling to, whether they liked it or not and whether rates were in their favour. However, with stock markets relatively volatile and the cost of living rising, a little of the charm of pension freedoms has worn off for many. A lot has been happening in the market for the past few years. Which makes you beg the question: Is now a good time to buy an annuity?

Well yes! Spoiler alert! If you have ever thought of buying annuities, the right time to buy is now! This episode will lay out the reasons why.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[4:43] Products and strategies have to change because the market changes over time

[5:02] Safe money rates move past 4%

[6:57] When you're in a bond, do not sell it

[8:12] No matter why you want to buy it. An annuity will save you a lot of money in the past year.

[13:22] When annuities are the best, nobody wants them. Nobody wants them this year when the stock market was at the high

[17:35] If you’re thinking about buying an annuity, you have to do it now!

Key Quotes:

[4:21] “I survived in this business because I worked hard. Mostly because I found different ways to accomplish retirement goals even when rates are high.”

[9:58] “The most important thing about making money is not losing it before you get going.”

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

Call Annuity Straight Talk at 800-438-5121 or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com

Investors appear to be running away from volatility in the stock market, while insurers provide better terms amid rising interest rates. This year, investors have been piling into annuities to protect themselves from market losses. Many people are investing in them because it minimises fees that will eat away at their retirement savings.

Bryan is back with good friend and fan favourite John Balmer for a market update. They will give points on the different types of annuities, the value they bring in today’s market, and how now is a great time to buy them more than ever.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[1:44] John and Bryan’s market analysis update

[4:23] Long-term planning objectives and short-term plays on the market

[8:09] Bonds are not a suitable retirement investment 

[8:51] As interest rates fall, the prices of bonds go up.

[11:56] Fixed index annuities are a fantastic bond replacement because of the overall risk.

[13:48] If you’re worried about inflation, the first thing that you need to do is to get out of bonds. 

[25:18] When the economy slows down, the stock market doesn’t respond well.

Key Quotes:

[3:29] “It’s amazing how the market’s falling in such a short amount of time.”

[17:35] “You don’t have to take a ton of risk in retirement. You’ve already won the game.”

[19:57] “The time is now. Take a good deal when you see a good deal that you want.”

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

Call Annuity Straight Talk at 800-438-5121 or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com