Annuity Straight Talk

When the market turns volatile, investors immediately get frustrated and flee the market in search of alternatives that are designed to offer stability. Annuities can be a good alternative in this situation. Now you may be torn between what strategy to adopt and what annuity to buy. It's a good thing there’s this one called "splitting annuities." A strategy that combines two different annuities to generate income and rebuild principal.

Is that even possible? Yes! And today, Bryan is here to give you his explanation of how to best use this approach.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[5:00] Splitting up annuities and doing half indexed and fixed

[10:26] Rising fed-rates do not mean higher annuity payouts.

[10:53] The benefits of splitting annuities: half fixed and half indexed.

[12:07] Splitting annuities is a good way to set up the whole amount.

[15:39] You can split annuities, you can split strategies, you can split growth opportunities.

Quotable Quotes:

[9:07] "In this day and age, not everybody gets every penny in the market. Even though they carry the risk, nobody hits it dead on. "

[11:37] "You can put your money into an annuity and not touch it."

[15:28] "Most people want it for the safety, the protection, the consistent cash flow , the protected value, the guaranteed growth, no loss upside, and any of those things."

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

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

Are you planning your retirement and thinking of using some of your hard-earned money to secure a guaranteed income by purchasing an annuity?

If you’re still trying to figure out this market and find out what annuities to bet your money on, then you’ve come to the right place.

Today, Bryan will help you find out the types of annuities available, the pros and cons of each, and how to choose one that’s right for you.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[5:18] When rates come up, it changes the strategy that Bryan’s been showing to people.

[8:26] The income numbers change; they go up and so does the growth.

[8:55] Bryan shares three different ways you can plan your income.

[11:58] You buy immediate annuities because you don’t want to think about it; you just want that guaranteed income.

[16:54] It takes you a while to get into the insurance company’s pocket.

[19:14] There’s a purpose and a usefulness to every single annuity out there, no matter what company writes it.

Key Quotes:

[3:24] "I’m not making any recommendations to you, I’m just educating you on other possibilities."

[7:15] "I like to set reasonable expectations so we can easily exceed those in a very conservative scenario."

[18:47] "If something changes in your life, we know we can make a change that will benefit you."

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

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

When you hear the term "bonus," what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?

We often think of bonuses as if they're extra money, right? But right there lies the problem. The hard truth is, it’s not. Annuity bonuses are more like cash advances. Most of the time, bonus annuities are advertised to offset the surrender charges an annuitant faces when they move an annuity from one carrier to the other. And many people who spend their money on bonus products don’t quite get the fact that bonuses aren’t really bonuses but advances on future savings. They exist to attract your attention. 

To explain things further, here’s a solo episode brought to you by the annuity guy himself. Let’s hear it out from Bryan.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[2:50] You can get a lot of good deals for safe money

[3:30] When it comes to retirement, most uses for safe money in retirement annuities are by far better

[4:23] Bonuses exist to attract your attention and are used by novice salespeople and advisors as the most prominent part of the pitch

[7:25] What are "phantom bonuses" and how can you benefit from them?

[9:00] A true bonus that only increases in cash value will come with lower growth potential

[11:22] There’s always something more to an annuity, and that includes a bonus

Key Quotes:

[3:20] "You've got a wide variety of options to choose from, and everyone of those is different. It works for a different purpose. " 

[4:10] "Everybody knows that nothing in the financial world comes for free."

[15:15] "The longer you wait to collect, the more you get."

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

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

Since 2008, Bryan has been on a mission to serve people. According to him, the real measure of success lies in the number of people you help and inspire. It is his goal to assist people if they deserve to buy annuities and if they’re buying them for the right reasons. You may say that he’s the retirement guy with a weird cowboy hat, but you can’t deny his incredible wit and passion for carrying out his duties. Give him a problem to solve and a deadline and he will surely do it. Bryan is always one step ahead in adding comfort, security, and peace of mind to your life so that you can experience life the way you want it to be.

In this Fourth of July episode, let’s take a glimpse of his life outside taxes and retirement plans. Bryan shares a couple of his summer adventures with us and points out the little things that make his life extra special.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[5:30] Bryan shares his special trip to Wyoming. 

[13:37]  Bryan makes a comparison between what Modern Montana is now and how different it is from his early years in the 80s and mid-90s.

[10:12] His story about hiking around 29 miles and how he came with a friend on his adventure that lasted for seven and a half hours.

[19:16] To be effective in advising on annuities, it has to be in the context of a financial plan

[20:22] There’s a definite reason why annuities are applicable to a lot of people, especially in retirement.

Key Quotes:

[4:57] "The more we can agree on, enjoy ourselves and feel blessed as American citizens, the better."

[14:52] "I am looking for the changes that have been made. There are a lot of people that come in and I think several people will recognize this and they’re not necessarily coming here for what Montana is. They’re coming for the scenery and pretty much changing it to what they left."

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

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

There are a lot of things that we can do to improve your portfolio. It’s just a matter of when to invest and when to raise your cash. For that to happen, you need someone like Bryan or John to guide you in the right direction. As experts on the market-based side of things, these folks can give you access to the right information when it comes to asset management and retirement planning so you can get your money’s worth and gain victory on the financial side of things.

What You'll Learn From This Episode:

[4:23] Some of the things that you can do as an investor and some of the things that you should do

[8:10] Pay attention if you’re going to stay in the market to some certain extent. This is not about buying annuities. This is about having professional management that can help you weather the storms.

[9:56] The hardest thing to do during a full market is stay invested.

[12:30] John goes over some past clients that they have had and gives some samples to the listeners. 

[17:36] Significant drawdowns are tough pills to swallow, and they can really have a long-term detrimental impact on retirement. 

[17:56] Distribution is a lot different from accumulation.

Key Quotes:

[6:07] "My advice to clients for the market correction is to raise a significant amount of cash."

[8:39] “My goal is to make sure that you get good information on all aspects of asset management, retirement planning, and general financial success.” 

[16:57] “Pain is easily forgotten and greed is a bigger driver than fear.”

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

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

One of the greatest nightmares of retirees is outliving their income and savings. Who wouldn't be anxious about cutting back on their current lifestyle just because they don't have enough money left? Luckily, there's this thing called annuities, and this podcast is specifically designed to talk about them. There are a lot of discussions revolving around different types of annuities, specifically one called Indexed Annuities.

Indexed annuities are designed to provide a conservative retirement income alternative with several advantages, including protection from loss, guaranteed minimum returns, and tax deferral. What's even better is that you gain some market upside while lowering your risk. It's without a doubt that index annuities are a safe investment as they protect your savings from potential losses even better than other investment plans. Yes, you've read it right, and if you're wondering why, then give this episode a listen. 

What You’ll Learn from This Episode:

[2:43] Bryan talks about how interest rates are shooting up dramatically.

[2:57] Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGA) are at a point now where they’re starting to bring back the 10% free withdrawal in a lot of contracts.

[5:16] Index annuities all have a fixed rate because the fixed annuity is the baseline, or is the foundational product of that opportunity.

[8:24] Because fixed rates were low then, the accompanying indexed rates, the participation rates, and the cap rates were not that high.

[10:16] An index annuity is better than a fixed annuity and is better than bonds.

[11:05] Given that bonds have dropped so much, index annuities have increased their opportunity as much as fixed annuities.

[16:13] Index annuities are usually better than fixed annuities, and they’re definitely better than bonds. 

Key Quotes:

[7:30] "The reason why I started selling indexed annuities is that fixed annuities are so low."

[13:55] "I do like longer contracts because the more years that you have, the better chance that you have of actually beating that rate."

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

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

Determining whether annuities are a good financial decision boils down to where you are in your retirement journey. With the stock market seeming to reach new highs, investors face a puzzle. They want to profit if the market stays strong. But many Americans, especially older ones also fear th market is due for a major correction sooner than we’ve predicted.

Now you might be wondering is there a way to get some stock-market upside without any downside risk? Tag along with John and Bryan in this episode to find out.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[2:10] Is there a way to get all of the market upside with no loss?

[5:27] The level of trust it would take to believe someone who says that something is impossible.

[5:50] If you don’t trust the insurance company, who would you trust to get that done?

[9:47] The principles are pretty simple and it’s not that hard to understand.

[11:13] The lack of volatility in those lower yielding products can produce similar results in the long run.

[22:26] Describe what the measured move is.

[28:52] How do you make good decisions based on the available information in the current market?

Key Quotes:

[2:23] "The hardest thing to do is to tell people and give them a reality check. If you want upside you got to deal with the big downside” 

[29:05] "Right now is a good time to get into fixed products."

[32:04] "It’s not a fairytale; we’re talking about real numbers and how you make a difference in your retirement plan."

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

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

Annuity Straight Talk is all about the consumer; it’s about what you should know and what you can do. The goal of all this is to serve as many people as possible and get your money’s worth by straying away from a contract that doesn’t benefit you. Through the years, it has continuously improved its services to adhere to clients nationwide.

 In all honesty, buying and selling annuities can be a hit or miss, and today’s talk would cover topics related to that as Bryan shares his opinion about a particular marketing program called Safe Money Radio.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[1:53] Some annuities are sold even when they are not required, and in many cases, it's detrimental to the individual's financial situation

[8:05]  Safe Money Radio is a marketing program and a sales pitch to entice and get you to buy certain annuities

[13:46] Bryan explains how he had to work for insurance marketing organizations in order to do consistent business because he represents a lot of different things

[17:06] The value of enjoying what you’re doing

[18:13] It’s very important for him to make recommendations that align with the goals of his audience.

[19:05] The goal is to do service to the individual and make sure that they stay away from a contract that doesn’t benefit them.

[22:08] Annuity Straight Talk is about the consumer; it’s about what you should know and what you can do.

[22:17] When you’re empowered, you understand, you think for yourself, you figure things out, and you walk into a situation and commit to a financial deal. You don’t need anybody to tell you that you did a good job because you already know it for yourself.

Key Quotes:

[1:35] "The point of this is to give information to people so that they can make good decisions for themselves."

[9:08] “This is me talking to you. This is what I’ve learned in the business talking to you.”

[10:46] “I wouldn’t feel good about myself if I was simply just a drone for someone else and working for another person’s objectives.”

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter

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

Horses are great but training them requires a lot of work. Their unpredictability can often be detrimental, and it takes an experienced rider to keep them steady. On the other hand, Mules are attentive, patient, always there, and always ready. 

But why are we talking about mules and horses today? What does that have to do with annuities?

Because, like mules, annuities are a good investment. In times of uncertainty in this unpredictable world, an annuity can be your best friend. Because they're there to offer you stability, and you can rely on them in the long run. If you're not yet convinced, listen to Bryan, play that button and hear it for yourself. 

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[5:08] The purpose of annuities is to improve your life and to create safety

[9:40] What are mules?

[19:52] Bryan shares their experience riding a mule in Yellowstone

[21:55] It’s great to be in an annuity; great products, great rates, and great things coming back

[25:40] Mules and their distinctive personalities 

[27:50] Similarities between mules and a desirable retirement 

[27:54] Mules are just like annuities, they provide safety, security when everything else is unpredictable  

Key Quotes:

[8:13] “Between mules and annuities, the only people who don’t like them, are the ones who don’t understand them.”

[20:27] “Mules are just like annuities because they’re steady and reliable when everything else is unpredictable.” 

[27:23] When we think about what we are then and what we are now, there are so many uncertainties. There are so many risk factors out there. Go back, be in a peaceful place and enjoy. 

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter 

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

As baby boomers are approaching retirement, annuities have become big in the business and investing world. Annuities benefit individuals in their 50s and 60s the most since they are most likely to retire and are looking to set aside additional income for their nest egg. But when you're buying annuities, navigating its contract and deeper meaning can be quite difficult. In today's episode, Bryan shares his answers to commonly asked questions about annuities. Let's hear more about his discussion by clicking on that play button!

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

[5:00] Looking through his client’s questions and proposal 

[9:18] Explaining the S&P Low Volatility Risk Control

[9:43] Using cash to balance with the S&P 500. When volatility is high in the stock market, the index is going to put the majority of the cash to reduce volatility.

[11:05] Bryan talks about Fidelity MFV and annual margin

[13:47] Surrender charges and market value adjustments only apply to anything over 10% free withdrawals in these contracts so you can take money out if you want. 

[15:53] You can take 10% total in free withdrawals each year. If your RMD is 4% then you can take an additional 6% without penalty.

[23:03] Some short term index and fixed rate annuities don’t have 10% free withdrawal options. Liquidity may be limited. 

[24:44] Transfer forms are part of the application process and part of the paperwork you sign.

Key Quotes:

[10:41] “The volatility is controlled by daily adjusted SP 500, Gold & US Treasuries.”

[18:35] “Maturity means that you must withdraw all the money or take guaranteed lifetime payments if you hold the contract to age 115”

Resources:

Annuity Newsletter 

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