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.

Subscribe to the Atlas Annuity Podcast for more insights on safe money strategies.

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker introduces a brand-new product in the annuity world: the EquiTrust Smart Boost Index Annuity. Developed in partnership with Genesys—the pioneer of fixed index annuities—this innovative contract brings unique features designed to give retirees more flexibility, growth potential, and security.

Marty breaks down the key details, including:

Why EquiTrust’s financial strength ratings and solvency ratios matter.

How the Smart Boost works differently from traditional bonuses.

Key benefits like 7% penalty-free withdrawals, RMD-friendly design, and nursing home/terminal illness waivers.

The 40% guaranteed boost to the death benefit and how it impacts your heirs.

Real-world case studies showing how the product can work for retirement income, Roth conversions, and estate planning.

Whether you’re exploring annuities for the first time or comparing options for your retirement portfolio, this episode offers clear insights into how the Smart Boost Index could fit into your strategy.

Learn more and book a call with Marty at AtlasAnnuity.com

If you're facing a choice between taking a lifetime pension or a lump sum buyout, this episode is for you.

Marty Becker shares a real-life conversation with a potential client offered $2,000/month for life—or a $350,000 lump sum. Which is better? The answer might surprise you.

With firsthand experience losing his own pension, Marty breaks down:

Why defined benefit pensions are becoming less reliable

Real examples of massive pension plan failures

What the PBGC actually guarantees (and what it doesn’t)

How an income annuity can mimic (or even improve on) pension payouts

Why a logical apples-to-apples comparison is the only way to decide

Whether you're with a corporation or union, considering your options now or in the future, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make a smart, confident decision for your retirement.

Want a custom side-by-side comparison?
Book a short Zoom call at AtlasAnnuity.com

Did you know that your will doesn’t control who gets your retirement accounts? That job belongs to your beneficiary forms—and if those aren’t right, everything else falls apart.

In this episode, Marty Becker explains why annuities have a built-in advantage when it comes to estate planning and passing your assets to loved ones. You’ll hear about three real-life court cases where families lost hundreds of thousands due to outdated forms—and how you can avoid the same fate.

You’ll learn:

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who owns annuities, retirement accounts, or just wants to keep their estate plan airtight.

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker explains why 2025 might be the best time in history to consider a Roth conversion strategy.

You’ll learn:

Why low tax rates make converting now more appealing

How the SECURE Act created a tax trap for your heirs

What a 20-year Roth conversion could mean for your legacy

The real cost of doing nothing vs converting gradually

How annuities can support your Roth strategy safely

If you’ve saved diligently in a traditional IRA, this episode is a must-listen — especially if you plan to leave money behind for your family.

Ready to explore your options? Visit atlasannuity.com to schedule a free call.

Tired of the emotional rollercoaster that comes with managing your own investments? In this episode, I break down a chart that shows exactly how most people react to market ups and downs—and why those reactions often lead to poor decisions.

Then I lay out a side-by-side comparison: What happens if you follow the old 4% withdrawal rule versus using a guaranteed income strategy instead? We look at real numbers over a 25-year period in different market conditions—from the crash in 2000 to the bull run of the late '90s.

If you’re trying to figure out how to protect your income without locking everything up or missing out on market growth, this episode is for you.

Want to spend more and worry less in retirement? This might be your first step.

Not all annuities are created equal—and there’s no such thing as “the best annuity” for everyone. In this episode, Marty Becker breaks down a real client story to show how different recommendations can miss the mark when they aren’t tied to your specific goals and timeline. You’ll learn the one question that must be answered before making any annuity decision, how to spot vague or biased advice, and why small differences in income today can add up to six figures over retirement. If you're comparing quotes or second-guessing a recommendation, this episode is for you.

Podcast Episode 78: Dismantling Another Clark Howard Annuities Rant

Clark Howard is back with another anti-annuity rant—and once again, he gets most of it wrong. In this episode, I respond point-by-point to his claims about taxes, fees, surrender charges, commissions, and so-called “gotchas.”

If you’ve ever been told annuities are too expensive, too complicated, or just a bad idea altogether, this is your chance to hear the other side. I explain:

Why Clark’s tax complaints miss key details

The truth about surrender periods and early withdrawal rules

How indexed annuities actually work (including caps, spreads, and participation rates)

Why the fiduciary label doesn’t guarantee good advice

And what really matters when deciding if an annuity is right for you

This isn’t about bashing Clark—it’s about setting the record straight with real facts, so you can make confident decisions for your retirement.

▶️ Watch the full video at atlasannuity.com or click “Schedule a Call” if you want to see how annuities could work in your own plan.