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Are Variable Annuity Guaranteed Living
Benefits Worth It?
If you have an IRA, sorting through all the investment options can
be very confusing. Unfortunately, there is a lot of hype out there
and, in my opinion, the financial services industry is great at
selling the sizzle and delivering very little steak!
Easy Money!
You won’t believe it -- I just found out that I am about to receive
$2,700,000.00! My family and my kids shouldn’t ever have to worry
about money again! It’s not a result of my job, but of providence.
It almost seems too good to be true…
No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
Most of the seniors that contact me about investments they regret
admit they’ve purchased them as a result of a free ‘educational’
lunch or dinner seminar. They go expecting to have a nice meal with
other seniors ‘on the house’, and end up losing their shirt in some
kind of investment scheme.
“The Investment from Hell”
If you were nearing the edge of the cliff and didn’t know it, would
you want someone to warn you before it was too late? Of course you
would. That’s been the guiding principle of this column, to inform
everyday investors of the pitfalls that could cause them and their
nest egg irreparable harm.
Get FREE Answers To Financial
Questions
Sometimes it is the little things in life that really make the
difference. That’s especially true then when it comes to dealing
with financial matters. Decisions about who to trust, what to invest
in, making gifts or the type of insurance to buy all have long-term
consequences—and often unintended results. There are many times that
a simple answer from a professional would have made all the
difference. And now you can get that answer free of charge.
Annuities? Give Me a Break!
Millions of seniors are sold equity-indexed and variable annuities
with promises of guaranteed returns with little or no risk. And
hardly a day goes by that I don’t hear from some frustrated investor
who finds him/herself trapped by one of these investments. Let me
paint a very clear picture of the dangers of these products and
share some pointers for those who have already bought one.
Why You Shouldn’t
Annuitize
As more companies do away with their pension programs, the insurance
industry and the media are heavily promoting the use of immediate
annuities to provide a dependable income stream during your
retirement. But is that in your best interest? Normally, I say it is
not. Read on to find out why.
Are Low Cost Annuities A Good
Choice?
I’ve disliked variable annuities for many years because of their
high fees and onerous surrender penalties. Now, low-cost variable
annuities are available that slash fees and do away with the
surrender penalties. Does this change my opinion on the use of
variable annuities? Read on to find out.
Avoid More Financial Razor Blades
Our nation has just enjoyed one of its most popular annual rituals:
the Super Bowl. One can draw many lessons from the drama on the
gridiron and all the hoopla surrounding it. But as I watched this
year’s spectacle, one thing in particular caught my eye. And what I
saw can teach a very valuable lesson about investing.
Oversight Needed On
Equity-Indexed Annuities
The sale of Equity-Indexed Annuities has increased 45% the first 6
months of this year. I’m concerned that the vast majority of those
sales are unsuitable for the investors buying them. Oversight by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the National
Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) is desperately needed to
protect retirees from being taken to the cleaners by agents hungry
for the large commission. Read on to find out how this oversight
will benefit you.
The Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit
Variable Annuities now offer a Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit
which allows you to earn 5% or 6% even if the market drops
significantly. Undoubtedly, you will be pitched a variable annuity
or pressured to transfer your existing one into a new contract with
this benefit. Should you? Read on to uncover the truth behind this
feature and see if it’s right for you.
Equity-Linked Certificated of Deposit: The Safer Low-Cost EIA
Alternative
Equity-Linked Certificates of Deposit are a safer, low-cost
alternative for those who must have an Equity-Indexed Annuity type
of investment. These little-known investments allow you to
participate in the growth of the market index while your principal
is guaranteed by the Government. Read on to find out more.
Federal Regulators Concerned About Equity-Indexed Annuities
I’ve been predicting for some time now that Equity-Indexed Annuities
and the sales practices associated with them will be the Next Big
Scandal of the financial services industry. And now my predictions
are coming true.
Equity Indexed Annuities:
Putting Lipstick On A Pig
Buyer’s remorse—we’ve all had it from one time to another. But when
it comes to investing your life’s savings, the last thing you want
is an investment that you will soon regret. Here are some secrets
that can prevent that from happening.
Seniors Targets of Financial Charlatans
Seniors in your community may be targets of financial charlatans.
I’ve received a number of disturbing reports recently from seniors
about the abusive tactics of some advisors. Their actions are not
only unethical, but they border on the criminal. You must be aware
of these despicable tactics so you and your nest egg are protected.
Knowing When You’re
Financially Vulnerable
It’s hunting season out there, and unfortunately, you’re the target!
The financial services industry is on the hunt for your account and
they know when you are most likely to take their bait. Knowing when
you are most vulnerable is the first step in keeping you and your
nest egg from being snared.
Your
Questions Answered – Equity-Indexed Annuities
Q.
Jeff, I've been approached by someone touting the benefits of equity
indexed annuity with “Company-X”. They say my money will be safe,
there’s a minimum return and a cap with a participation rate of
100%. They also said I’d probably average between 6%-7% without any
risk to the money I put in. I'm confused by all this...
Don’t
Put Your IRA in A Variable Annuity - Part 2
Last week I shared with you the real reason advisors push IRA
accounts into variable annuities: the commission. If you’re getting
ready to retire with a large IRA rollover, or your current IRA
account is nearing the end of any surrender penalties, chances are
you’ll be pitched this product. So this week I’m going to reveal
more secrets about the truth behind the variable annuity sales
pitch.
Don’t
Put Your IRA in A Variable Annuity
If you’ve talked to a broker or agent about rolling over your
retirement account, there’s a good chance the advisor recommended
you invest in a Variable Annuity. Don’t do it! I believe the only
reason a variable annuity is recommended for an IRA is so the
advisor can earn more money. Let me explain...
Rising Interest Rates: Another Reason
to Avoid Equity-Indexed Annuities
Rising interest rates are another reason to avoid Equity-Indexed
Annuities. If you are retired or near retirement, don’t let yourself
be talked into purchasing an Equity-Indexed Annuity...
Equity Indexed Annuities: There Are
Better Growth Alternatives
Everybody wants to find the secret to investing on Wall Street. But
the truth is, you don’t have to be a genius to be a successful
equity investor...
Equity Indexed Annuities: There Are Better
Alternatives (stability)
Every investor would like to increase their income without
compromising their stability...
Better Alternatives Than Equity
Indexed Annuities
Equity Indexed Annuities (EIAs) have become the hot product of late.
I believe you can easily find other alternatives that will bring a
better return, without locking up your money or levying hefty
surrender penalties...
Equity Indexed Annuities: Agents Prey On
Unsuspecting
Look Out! Millions of Americans feel unsophisticated when they
discuss investment opportunities. If you are one of them, beware...
Consumer Alert: Equity Index Annuities
Seniors and retirees need to be aware of the dangers of investing in
an Equity Indexed Annuity. Read on to find out how to protect
yourself...
Equity-Indexed Annuities: Don’t Take The Bait
Anyone who’s been fishing knows that one of the keys to catching the
big one is having the right kind of bait. Many in the financial
services industry understand this truth all to well and they’ve come
up with the perfect enticement to hook unsuspecting investors.
Equity Indexed Annuities: The
Next Big Scandal
I believe that Equity Indexed Annuities and the sales practices used
to sell them may well be the Next Big Investment Scandal you will
hear about. |
