In this episode, Marty Becker walks through a real retirement income case study involving a married couple who recently met with an advisor at Fidelity. The couple is fully retiring within the next year and needs $10,000 per month in guaranteed income on top of Social Security.

Marty breaks down their current portfolio, explains why a 70/30 stock-to-bond mix and a 4% withdrawal rate can create long-term risk, and shows how sequence of returns can impact retirement outcomes—especially when one spouse is much younger.

The episode compares a traditional single premium immediate annuity recommendation with a more advanced strategy using multiple annuities. Marty explains how both approaches provide the same lifetime income guarantees, but how a multi-annuity strategy can reduce the amount of capital required while improving income reliability, lowering withdrawal rates, and increasing discretionary assets.

You’ll also learn:

Why worst-case and best-case scenarios matter in retirement planning

How guaranteed income changes withdrawal rates and income reliability

The pros and cons of simplicity versus efficiency in annuity strategies

When a multi-annuity approach works best, and who it may not be right for

This episode is ideal for retirees or near-retirees who are evaluating annuity recommendations from large firms like Fidelity and want to understand if there is a smarter, more efficient way to generate lifetime income.

To learn more about annuities and see if a strategy like this fits your situation, visit atlasannuity.com to watch the “20% More Spendable Income in Retirement” video series or schedule a short Zoom call to get your questions answered.

In episode 95 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker reviews the Axonic Trailhead fixed indexed annuity—a product that's making waves in the industry. As of December 2025, Axonic offers the highest S&P 500 cap rate for an A-rated company with no fees and no risk to your gains.

Marty breaks down why this matters and shares his philosophy on indexing options. After nearly a decade in the business, he explains why he relies on the "good old trusty S&P 500" over hypothetical indexes that often underperform their back-tested projections.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Whether you're looking to protect a portion of your portfolio or seeking reliable growth with downside protection, this episode gives you an honest, no-nonsense review of one of the market's leading fixed indexed annuities.

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.