Your Personal Bank

Bill Bengan published a study in the Journal of Financial Planning in 1994 that introduced the 4% withdrawal rule. His study recommended initially withdrawing 4% from your portfolio to ensure you will not run out of money in retirement. The financial industry ran with this recommendation ever since. JP Morgan projects the following on a typical portfolio: Withdrawal Rate Likelihood of not running out of Money 3% 95 - 100% 4% 85 - 90% 5% 65 - 70% 6% 40 - 45% If you increase your withdrawal rate, your likelihood of success decreases significantly. Current Guaranteed Lifetime Income withdrawal rates: - Age 65: 7.5% guaranteed for life - Age 75: 8.5% guaranteed for life - Rates increase if you are older You can increase your income significantly with 100% likelihood of success. You cannot outlive your income.

This is the "Golden Era" of fixed assets. The best rates in 40+ years! Insured with guarantees.

- Your Personal Bank policies are insured, with guarantees, income tax-free, highly liquid, and likely to increase returns for the next 5-10 years due to higher bond yields.

- Fixed Index Annuities have the best upside potential in 40+ years with no downside market risk. The principle is guaranteed. Some offer signing bonuses up to 16% with strong upside potential.

- Guaranteed Lifetime Income is the highest in 40+ years. Some products offer up to 30% signing bonus. Other products offer up to 10% increased guaranteed lifetime income each year you defer.

Moody's downgraded the US credit rating for the first time in history. This is the last of the 3 major credit agencies to downgrade the US credit rating. The primary concern is the increasing level of government debt. As a result, the 30-year treasury bond yields rose to 5%. This is the highest level since 2007. Bond buyers will demand higher interest (yield) to purchase government bands due to the increased risk. Bond yields and higher borrowing costs will be higher until the government addresses fiscal responsibility. Higher bond yields are one of the greatest threats to stock market asset values. Many large institutional investors shift their investments from the stock market to the bond market to lock in long term cash flow. 30-year treasury yields at 5% are a common benchmark for institutional investors to shift. The 4% withdrawal rule is widely recommended to ensure you don't run out of money in retirement with a high likelihood of success. If you increase your withdrawal rate to 5%, your likelihood of success decreases significantly. Current Guaranteed Lifetime Income withdrawal rates: - Age 65: 7.5% guaranteed for life - Age 75: 8.5% guaranteed for life - Rates increase as you are older You can increase your income significantly with 100% likelihood of success. You cannot outlive your income. Higher bond yields increase fixed asset returns. Insurance dividends, annuity, and guaranteed lifetime income returns are expected to increase for the next 5-10 years.

This is the "Golden Era" of fixed assets. The best rates in 40+ years! Insured with guarantees.

- Your Personal Bank policies are insured, with guarantees, income tax-free, highly liquid, and likely to increase returns for the next 5-10 years!

- Fixed Index Annuities have the best upside potential in 40+ years with no downside market risk. The principle is guaranteed. Some offer signing bonuses up to 16% with strong upside potential.

- Guaranteed Lifetime Income is the highest in 40+ years. Some products offer up to 30% signing bonus. Other products offer up to 10% increased guaranteed lifetime income each year you defer.

China and the US have agreed to pause the 145% US tariffs and 125% Chinese tariffs for 90 days while they negotiate an agreement. If the high tariff rates had gone into effect, it would have been similar to a trade embargo. Both countries have realized a trade embargo would be devastating to both economies. The US imports about 5 times more from China than China imports from the US. The US is the largest purchasing economy in the world. The buyer has the power. This gives the US a powerful position in this situation. We finally have a president that understands the strength of the US economy and is acting accordingly. I am encouraged that the Trump administration will be able to negotiate a strong trade policy with China. Certainly better than the trade agreements for the past several decades. In the meantime, there will likely be volatility until a trade deal with China is completed. The Trump administration wants to complete a deal quickly. China historically takes a very slow, deliberate, and methodical approach. The volatility could be over fairly quickly or could extend for a long period. Currently, there is no way to predict. In the meantime, it would be wise to protect your investments and reduce your risk to the downside.

This is the "Golden Era" of fixed assets. The best rates in 40+ years! Insured with guarantees.

- Your Personal Bank policies are insured, with guarantees, income tax-free, highly liquid, and likely to increase returns for the next 5-10 years!

- Fixed Index Annuities have the best upside potential in 40+ years with no downside market risk. The principle is guaranteed. Some offer signing bonuses up to 16% with strong upside potential.

- Guaranteed Lifetime Income is the highest in 40+ years. Some products offer up to 30% signing bonus. Other products offer up to 10% increased guaranteed lifetime income each year you defer.

Many companies and people focus on a number to achieve a comfortable retirement. Retirement is not about obtaining a number. It is about cash flow. The 4% withdrawal rate is often recommended to ensure you don't run out of money with a high degree of certainty. Guaranteed Lifetime Income products provide 5-7% withdrawal rates guaranteed for life depending on your age. The older you are, the higher the withdrawal rate. This would increase income for most retirees 25 - 75% guaranteed for life. This ensures you don't run out of money in retirement.

This is the "Golden Era" of fixed assets. The best rates in 40+ years! Insured with guarantees.

- Your Personal Bank policies are insured, with guarantees, income tax-free, highly liquid, and likely to increase returns for the next 5-10 years!

- Fixed Index Annuities have the best upside potential in 40+ years with no downside market risk. The principle is guaranteed. Some offer signing bonuses up to 16% with strong upside potential.

- Guaranteed Lifetime Income is the highest in 40+ years. Some products offer up to 30% signing bonus. Other products offer up to 10% increased guaranteed lifetime income each year you defer.

The 2025 Allianz Retirement Survey key findings: 64% of Americans worry more about running out of money in retirement than about death. The primary causes of their concerns are: - 54% cite the increased prices of goods due to inflation - 43% fear Social Security will not provide enough financial support as needed - 43% state high taxes negatively impact their economic situation Your withdrawal rate largely impacts the likelihood of success of not running out of money in retirement. The 4% withdrawal rate is often recommended by retirement experts for a high likelihood of success. According to multiple studies, if you initially withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually your likelihood of not running out of money after 35 years in retirement is 85-95% depending on your asset allocation. If you increase your withdrawal rate to 5%, your likelihood of success reduces to 45-70%. If you withdraw 6%, your likelihood of success drops to 10-55%. Many people respond to periods of market volatility by not looking at their account statements. Ignoring what is not going on is not an effective way to deal with challenges. If you have concerns about your financial situation, there are strong options available to increase returns safely, reduce market risk, increase withdrawal rates with guarantees, reduce taxes, and increase access to your money.

This is the "Golden Era" of fixed assets. The best rates in 40+ years! Insured with guarantees.

- Your Personal Bank policies are insured, with guarantees, income tax-free, highly liquid, and likely to increase returns for the next 5-10 years!

- Fixed Index Annuities have the best upside potential in 40+ years with no downside market risk. The principle is guaranteed. Some offer signing bonuses up to 16% with strong upside potential.

- Guaranteed Lifetime Income is the highest in 40+ years. Some products offer up to 30% signing bonus. Other products offer up to 10% increased guaranteed lifetime income each year you defer.

The tariff policy is not just about tariffs. This is about economic power and control. China and the US want to dominate future technology.

China and the US are decoupling economically.

This is similar to the Cold War with the Soviet Union. That was a military conflict.

We are in the beginning of an Economic Cold War with China.

Divorces can be amicable or messy. So far, China is fighting back. This may take some time.

The primary question is how long will this take?

The Trump administration is changing decades of tariff policy. The transition will be volatile. If the current administration is successful, the long-term benefit for the US will be tremendous.

I believe we are in for a chaotic year and a bumpy economic ride this year. It would be wise to protect your assets. Diversify. Reduce your risk. Reduce your tax liability. Increase returns safely. Increase liquidity to take advantage of future opportunities.

This is the "Golden Era" of fixed assets. The best rates in 40+ years! Insured with guarantees.

- Your Personal Bank policies are insured, with guarantees, income tax-free, highly liquid, and likely to increase returns for the next 5-10 years!

- Fixed Index Annuities have the best upside potential in 40+ years with no downside market risk. The principle is guaranteed. Some offer signing bonuses up to 16% with strong upside potential.

- Guaranteed Lifetime Income is the highest in 40+ years. Some products offer up to 30% signing bonus. Other products offer up to 10% increased guaranteed lifetime income each year you defer.

The tariff policy is not just about tariffs. This is about economic power and control. China and the US want to dominant future technology.

China and the US are decoupling economically.

This is similar to the Cold War with the Soviet Union. That was a military conflict.

The US eventually won the Cold War by outspending the Soviet Union, but it took years. They tried to keep up military spending but were unable to keep up with the US military spending. The US economy was much larger than the Soviet Union's.

We are in the beginning of an Economic Cold War with China.

The US imports far more products from China than any other country. The US and China have significant financial entanglements.

Divorces can be amicable or messy. So far, China is fighting back. This may take some time.

The Trump administration is changing decades of tariff policy. The transition will be volatile. If the current administration is successful, the long-term benefit for the US will be tremendous.

I believe we are in for a chaotic year and a bumpy economic ride this year. It would be wise to protect your assets. Diversify. Reduce your risk. Reduce your tax liability. Increase returns safely. Increase liquidity to take advantage of future opportunities.

This is the "Golden Era" of fixed assets. The best rates in 40+ years! Insured with guarantees.

- Your Personal Bank policies are insured, with guarantees, income tax-free, highly liquid, and likely to increase returns for the next 5-10 years!

- Fixed Index Annuities have the best upside potential in 40+ years with no downside market risk. The principle is guaranteed. Some offer signing bonuses up to 16% with strong upside potential.

- Guaranteed Lifetime Income is the highest in 40+ years. Some products offer up to 30% signing bonus. Other products offer up to 10% increased guaranteed lifetime income each year you defer.

The stock market is moving up to 8-9% up and down daily. The volatility is stomach churning. The primary concern is tariffs. It is uncertain if China will agree to a fair trade deal. China exports five times more to the US than the US exports to China. Tariffs affect China far more than the US. They are at a significant disadvantage. Globalist free trade proponents promised they following: 1. Free trade would lead to fair trade policies. Nations would follow the rules to remain trading partners. 2. Oppressive regimes would become more democratic. 3. Low income, unskilled workers would create a robust middle class worldwide due to free trade. 4. The US would lose manufacturing jobs but there would be plenty of opportunities in the new economy. The globalist free trade advocates were horribly wrong. 1. China is famous for not following the rules, cheating, and stealing technology. 2. China is still communist and is more oppressive than a few decades ago. 3. Slave labor wages are still common around the world. A middle class does not exist in many countries. 4. Most Americans who lost manufacturing jobs never learned how to code. An entire region is known as the "Rust Belt". The American people never voted for this. Globalist free trade was foisted on us by a class of self-proclaimed elites. Independence is a founding principle of our country. A country that cannot produce what it needs is not independent. America cannot produce many of the things it invented. We are no longer self-reliant. The globalist free trade advocates were so wrong it is surprising anyone still listens to them. The top 10% own 88% of stocks in the US. The next 40% own 12% of stocks. The bottom 50% have debt. Lower energy prices benefit everyone. Cheaper gas impacts most Americans far more than a higher stock market.

The Trump administration is changing decades of tariff policy. The transition will be volatile. If the current administration is successful, the long-term benefit for the US will be tremendous.

I believe we are in for a chaotic year and a bumpy economic ride this year. It would be wise to protect your assets. Diversify. Reduce your risk. Reduce your tax liability. Increase returns safely. Increase liquidity to take advantage of future opportunities.

This is the "Golden Era" of fixed assets. The best rates in 40+ years! Insured with guarantees.

- Your Personal Bank policies are insured, with guarantees, income tax-free, highly liquid, and likely to increase returns for the next 5-10 years!

- Fixed Index Annuities have the best upside potential in 40+ years with no downside market risk. The principle is guaranteed. Some offer signing bonuses up to 16% with strong upside potential.

- Guaranteed Lifetime Income is the highest in 40+ years. Some products offer up to 30% signing bonus. Other products offer up to 10% increased guaranteed lifetime income each year you defer.

The reciprocal tariff policy is about Fair Trade vs. Free Trade.

Reciprocal tariffs will be calculated both the monetary and non-monetary totals.

The US will tariff the other country about half of the tariff charged to the US.

Non-tariff barriers are often worse.

- Currency manipulation

- VAT tax

- Export subsidies

- Counterfeit products

- Technology theft

- Subsidized dumping of products into our country designed to kill our industry.

Free trade policies have been used against the US to destroy our manufacturing capability.

- We lose jobs

- National security issue

Look at nearly any small town or rural area in America. Most are a hollow shell of what they once were.

- There are few jobs or opportunities available

- Most are depressed and run-down

- It has steadily gotten worse over the past few decades

- Destroyed American industry.

- An entire region is known as the rust belt.

The Trump administration is changing decades of tariff policy. The transition will be volatile. If the current administration is successful, the long-term benefit for the US will be tremendous.

I believe we are in for a chaotic year and a bumpy economic ride this year. It would be wise to protect your assets. Diversify. Reduce your risk. Reduce your tax liability. Increase returns safely. Increase liquidity to take advantage of future opportunities.

This is the "Golden Era" of fixed assets. The best rates in 40+ years! Insured with guarantees.

- Your Personal Bank policies are insured, with guarantees, income tax-free, highly liquid, and likely to increase returns for the next 5-10 years!

- Fixed Index Annuities have the best upside potential in 40+ years with no downside market risk. The principle is guaranteed. Some offer signing bonuses up to 16% with strong upside potential.

- Guaranteed Lifetime Income is the highest in 40+ years. Some products offer up to 30% signing bonus. Other products offer up to 10% increased guaranteed lifetime income each year you defer

Please contact me with any questions.

It was a period of unfettered optimism. Nearly everyone thought the sky was the limit, it was a new era, valuations didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was how

much you put into it, because it was going to continue to climb. Recently, greed was at extreme levels.

Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan had warned about "irrational exuberance" in the stock market as early as 1996.

Investors ignored this warning. Instead, they increasingly fixated on the promise of the new technology. The current technology promise is AI.

The dot-com era was known for high valuations. Recently, the markets were at record valuations.

The markets peaked in early 2000. The ensuing bear market lasted more than 2 1/2 years.

The S&P 500 dropped 45%. The S&P 500 finally returned to the same levels in May 2007.

The Nasdaq-100 crashed 80%. The Nasdaq-100 took more than 15 years to return to its dot-com-era peak.

The 2000's became known as the "lost decade".

The Trump administration is changing decades of tariff policy. The transition will be volatile. If the current administration is successful, the long-term benefit for the US

will be tremendous for decades.

I believe we are in for a chaotic year and a bumpy economic ride this year. It would be wise to protect your assets. Diversify. Reduce your risk. Reduce your tax liability. Increase returns safely. Increase liquidity to take advantage of future opportunities.

This is the "Golden Era" of fixed assets. The best rates in 40+ years! Insured with guarantees.

- Your Personal Bank policies are insured, with guarantees, income tax-free, highly liquid, and likely to increase returns for the next 5-10 years!

- Fixed Index Annuities have the best upside potential in 40+ years with no downside market risk. The principle is guaranteed. Some offer signing bonuses up to 16% with strong upside potential.

- Guaranteed Lifetime Income is the highest in 40+ years. Some products offer up to 30% signing bonus. Other products offer up to 10% increased guaranteed lifetime income each year you defer.