In this episode, Marty Becker explores a powerful but often overlooked benefit of annuities—asset protection. After a conversation with an estate planning attorney from Florida, Marty breaks down how annuities can shield your non-qualified (after-tax) assets from legal threats, and why protection levels vary dramatically by state.

You'll discover which states offer unlimited protection (like Florida and Texas), which provide limited or conditional coverage, and how to strategically use annuities as a legal shield for your retirement savings. If you have substantial assets outside of your IRA or 401(k), this episode reveals an important protection strategy that many retirees overlook.

Key Topics Covered:

Whether you're a business owner, professional, or simply want to protect what you've worked hard to build, this episode provides crucial insights into using annuities as financial armor.

In this episode, Marty breaks down why long-term care planning is one of the most overlooked parts of retirement—and why it can have serious financial consequences if ignored. Most people don’t realize how common long-term care needs are or how expensive they can become. With nursing home costs reaching $72,000 to $100,000 per year, and Medicare offering almost no help, retirees often find themselves facing difficult choices.

Marty explains the realities of Medicaid, the quality of care offered in many facilities, and why relying on it as a fallback can lead to problems. He also walks through the three main types of long-term care policies and how they work, including traditional standalone plans, life insurance with LTC riders, and asset-based long-term care options.

From there, he breaks down the new Nationwide Care Matters long-term care annuity. This product can double or even triple your benefit on day one and continue growing every year with a guaranteed interest rate. Marty shares a real example of how the benefits expand over time and compares it to the risks of trying to self-fund care using market returns.

You’ll also learn what it takes to qualify for benefits, how the elimination period works, and what makes this annuity different, including penalty-free withdrawals, international benefits, and the ability to use a 1035 exchange.

If you want to see how long-term care fits within your retirement plan and whether the Nationwide Care Matters annuity makes sense for you, schedule a time to talk at AtlasAnnuity.com.

Can you really earn up to 13.25% growth without risking your principal?
In this episode, Marty Becker breaks down a five-year fixed index annuity that offers protection, flexibility, and short-term opportunity — without locking your money away for life.

You’ll learn:

How the flooring method lets you choose how much of your interest gains to risk — not your principal.

Why a five-year annuity can be a smart bridge between safety and growth.

How to use annuities in five-year chunks to protect your income during market downturns.

The difference between chasing the “best” annuity and finding the right fit for your goals.

If you’re not ready for a lifetime income plan but still want protection from market losses, this strategy may give you the balance you need.

Visit AtlasAnnuity.com to watch Marty’s free video series or schedule a short call to find the right annuity decision — the first time.

In episode 90 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker explains why “convenience” can quietly cost you thousands in retirement income.

When big investment firms start offering annuities through limited partnerships, they make the process simple — but not always in your best interest. Marty breaks down how these programs work, why independence matters when choosing your annuity, and how small differences in payout can turn into massive income losses over time.

You’ll learn:

Why independent advisors can access higher-paying annuity options

How “easy” choices often mean limited choices

The long-term cost of convenience in retirement planning

How to make sure your income plan truly serves you

Don’t settle for less just because it’s simple. Take control of your retirement income and make informed decisions that maximize what you’ve earned.

Learn more or schedule your own independent annuity review at AtlasAnnuity.com.

In episode 89 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker takes a deep dive into one of the biggest overlooked risks in retirement—financial fragility after the loss of a spouse.

Drawing from research by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, Marty explains why future retirees may face tougher challenges maintaining their lifestyle after a financial shock, like medical expenses or the loss of a Social Security check. He breaks down how the shift from traditional pensions to 401(k)s has made income less dependable, and why the “4% rule” often falls short in today’s environment.

To address this growing problem, Marty introduces a simple but powerful strategy using the American Equity Income Shield Bonus Annuity—a plan designed to replace lost income when a spouse passes away, with guarantees that grow every year for up to 20 years. He walks through how it works, why it’s flexible, and how it can ensure a surviving spouse never runs out of income.

If you want to protect your spouse’s income, preserve your legacy, and create certainty in an uncertain world, this episode will show you how to plan ahead with confidence.

Learn more or schedule a call at AtlasAnnuity.com.

In episode 88 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker tackles one of the biggest fears retirees face — inflation. After years of rising prices, many people wonder if their money can really last as long as they do. Marty explains why relying on a traditional 60/40 portfolio and a fixed 3% inflation adjustment isn’t a foolproof strategy — and how it can actually cause you to run out of money too soon.

He breaks down a better approach: combining guaranteed income from an annuity with a growth portfolio to cover inflation. You’ll hear real numbers, real scenarios, and why this strategy can help your money last into your late 90s — even in a worst-case market environment.

If you want to stop guessing about your retirement income and start building a plan that stands up to inflation, this episode will show you how.

Learn more or schedule a call at AtlasAnnuity.com.

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker tackles one of the biggest fears in retirement — running out of money.

Longevity risk is the risk of outliving your savings, and most advisors fail to plan for it properly. Marty explains why relying on the old 4% rule or a simple systematic withdrawal plan could put your retirement in danger. He walks through real numbers showing how long today’s retirees are living, why planning to age 92 isn’t enough, and what it really takes to make your money last a lifetime.

You’ll learn:

Why life expectancy has increased so much over the last century

How longevity risk makes systematic withdrawal plans risky

What rate of return you would need to safely withdraw for decades

How annuities can guarantee income you can’t outlive

If you want confidence that your retirement income will last as long as you do, this episode will show you how to take longevity risk off the table and enjoy your retirement years without fear.

Learn more and schedule a call at AtlasAnnuity.com.

In episode 86 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker takes a deep dive into systematic withdrawal plans and why they may not be the safe retirement strategy many advisors claim. Marty explains the origins of the 4% rule, why economists now suggest lower withdrawal rates, and how sequence of returns risk can devastate a portfolio — even when using a “safe” 60/40 allocation.

He breaks down the three types of retirees — overfunded, underfunded, and constrained — and shows why constrained investors are most at risk when relying on a fixed withdrawal plan. Marty also highlights how even small timing differences, just a few months apart, can create dramatically different outcomes in retirement.

Finally, he explains why accumulation-focused advisors often miss the mark in the distribution phase and how income annuities can remove timing risk entirely, guaranteeing income for life and giving retirees the freedom to spend with confidence.

Learn more and schedule a call at AtlasAnnuity.com.

In episode 85 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker breaks down one of the most anticipated financial moves of the year—the Federal Reserve’s likely rate cut in September. We’ll cover what’s driving the Fed’s decision, how it really works behind the scenes, and most importantly, what it means for you.

You’ll learn:

The history and role of the Federal Reserve and why its decisions matter

How rate cuts affect inflation, jobs, and real estate markets

The ripple effects on savers, retirees, and safe-money products like CDs, bonds, and annuities

Why annuity rates may shift over time when the Fed lowers interest rates

What retirees need to consider now to protect their income and stability

If you’ve ever wondered how Fed policy impacts your wallet and your retirement, this episode connects the dots in plain language.

For more retirement education, visit AtlasAnnuity.com and explore the video series 20% More Spendable Income in Retirement. To see if annuities fit your plan, book a short Zoom call directly through the website.

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