Not all annuities are taxed the same way, and understanding the difference between qualified and non-qualified annuities can have a big impact on your retirement. In this episode, I break it all down in simple terms, including:

If you have money in a 401(k), IRA, or annuity, you need to know how these tax rules work. Listen now to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.

Are dividend-paying stocks really a reliable source of retirement income, or are they riskier than they seem? In this episode, we break down income annuities vs. dividend-paying stocks, looking at real-world examples of companies that slashed dividends, leaving investors without income when they needed it most.

From Kodak and RadioShack to JCPenney and General Motors, we examine what went wrong and why a high dividend yield isn’t always a good sign. More importantly, we compare dividend stocks to income annuities, which offer guaranteed, predictable income for life—no matter what happens in the market.

If you’re counting on dividends for retirement, this episode will help you understand the risks and why annuities may be a more secure alternative.

Are you relying on a variable annuity for retirement income? You might want to think twice.

In this episode, I break down the hidden risks of variable annuities—from high fees to market volatility—and compare them to fixed indexed annuities (FIAs), which offer guaranteed income and protection from market losses.

What You’ll Learn:
✔️ The true cost of variable annuity fees and how they eat away at your savings
✔️ Why variable annuity income is not guaranteed—and could be cut in half
✔️ A real-world case study comparing payouts from variable vs. fixed indexed annuities
✔️ Why major insurance companies are pulling out of the variable annuity market

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly which annuity option protects your retirement income—and which one could leave you short when you need it most.

Listen now to make the best decision for your retirement!

Resources Mentioned:
Download my free report: The Truth About Variable Annuities
Book a free consultation: Schedule a short call to discuss your annuity options → AtlasAnnuity.com

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts!

Have you been considering a Roth conversion but aren’t sure how to handle the taxes or where to hold the funds? In this episode, we explore the growing trend of Roth conversion annuities and how they can help you reduce your tax burden, lower Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and pass tax-free money to your beneficiaries.

You’ll learn:

Whether you’re planning for retirement or looking to optimize your financial future, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you make informed decisions.

Tune in now and discover if a Roth conversion annuity is right for you!

Is the 4 percent rule outdated? In this episode, we break down Morningstar’s latest research on safe withdrawal rates for retirement in 2025. Learn why the new rate is 3.7%, what it means for your retirement strategy, and how to balance spending and saving effectively.

We’ll also explore:

If you’re planning for retirement or looking for strategies to maximize your income, this episode is packed with insights to help you make confident decisions.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share!

Did you know there’s a little-known tax rule that could impact your withdrawals if you own multiple annuities with the same company? In this episode, Marty breaks down the Aggregation Tax Rule—sometimes called the Serial Annuity Rule—and explains how it works, who it applies to, and how to avoid unexpected tax surprises.

Using a real-life example, Marty highlights how this rule could result in paying taxes on more gains than expected, potentially even bumping you into a higher tax bracket. But don’t worry—he also shares simple strategies to avoid getting caught by this obscure rule, like using qualified money or spreading your annuities across different companies.

If you’re serious about protecting your retirement income and minimizing tax headaches, this episode is for you.

Key Topics Covered:

Market value adjustments (MVAs) are a common feature in certain annuities, but do you know what they really mean for your retirement? In this episode, Marty Becker breaks down the ins and outs of MVAs—how they work, when they apply, and why they might actually help you secure higher interest rates.

Learn how changes in interest rates can lead to either positive or negative adjustments and what safeguards are in place to protect your investment. Marty also shares practical examples to help you understand how this feature could impact your annuity’s value.

If you’ve ever been curious about the details behind annuity contracts or want to ensure your retirement strategy is rock-solid, this episode is for you.

Tune in to discover how to make informed decisions about your annuity options and take control of your financial future.

In this episode, we tackle a common concern about income annuities: “Isn’t the annuity company just giving me my money back?” Marty Becker, founder of Atlas Financial Strategies, breaks down this objection and explains why income annuities are a powerful tool for retirement planning.

You’ll learn:

If you’ve ever wondered how income annuities work or whether they’re right for you, this episode is packed with practical insights and simple explanations.

Listen now and discover how annuities can transform your retirement strategy!

Are you tired of overcomplicated retirement plans that seem to go nowhere? In this episode, we explore the timeless fable of the Fox and the Hedgehog and how it applies to building a smarter, more focused retirement strategy.

Discover why traditional retirement planning often resembles the fox—clever, yet scattered—and why adopting the Hedgehog Strategy can help you:

From income annuities to long-term growth strategies, Marty breaks down how to implement this approach for lasting financial confidence. Whether you’re planning for retirement or looking to fine-tune your current strategy, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Tune in now to start simplifying your retirement with the Hedgehog Strategy!

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, we explore a real-life case study of a recently retired couple with $2.5 million in savings. Discover how we used a combination of annuities and Roth conversions to:

Whether you’re navigating retirement with $500,000 or $5 million, the math behind this strategy works. Listen in to see how this approach could improve your financial security and flexibility, even in the toughest market conditions.

Tune in now and learn how annuities and Roth conversions can work for you!