Sunday, January 30, 2005
Annuities and Retirement
So I would like to update you on the calls I get from people peridoically.
I received a call from a gentleman the other day who was retiring from a city job. He had an annuity with the city and wanted to do a rollover. He purchased the book from our site and said the information helped him significantly. Now for the ridiculous.
He asked me to help determine whether the agents that were talking to him were the right fit. I told him I could not offer specific advice but I would help him to determine the answer to that question. My first question was asking what they had recommended to him. He went on to explain that they had both (the two agents he met with) offered him different variations of variable annuities.
Now here's the thing. I asked him whether or not the agents discussed risk tolerance and need for liquidity before talking about specific annuities. He said no. Then I asked him how he felt about losing money. His comment was, "I don't want to lose a penny from my investments...I came to this country broke and this is my hard earned money and I don't want to lose it"
AND THAT'S THE RIDICULOUS PART. How can an annuity agent suggest a variable annuity to someone who states he DOESN'T WANT TO LOSE A PENNY??? That was enough for me to just ask him the question back...And I did.
You got to know what you want going in. Don't rely on an agent to tell you what's right. Do your homework. And by doing that, you will know the difference between the annuity or investment choices. Furthermore, when an agent recommends something, check it against your list and see if it matches.
Ignorance is not bliss!!!
Tony Bahu
CEO
AnnuityMD.com
http://www.annuitymd.com
I received a call from a gentleman the other day who was retiring from a city job. He had an annuity with the city and wanted to do a rollover. He purchased the book from our site and said the information helped him significantly. Now for the ridiculous.
He asked me to help determine whether the agents that were talking to him were the right fit. I told him I could not offer specific advice but I would help him to determine the answer to that question. My first question was asking what they had recommended to him. He went on to explain that they had both (the two agents he met with) offered him different variations of variable annuities.
Now here's the thing. I asked him whether or not the agents discussed risk tolerance and need for liquidity before talking about specific annuities. He said no. Then I asked him how he felt about losing money. His comment was, "I don't want to lose a penny from my investments...I came to this country broke and this is my hard earned money and I don't want to lose it"
AND THAT'S THE RIDICULOUS PART. How can an annuity agent suggest a variable annuity to someone who states he DOESN'T WANT TO LOSE A PENNY??? That was enough for me to just ask him the question back...And I did.
You got to know what you want going in. Don't rely on an agent to tell you what's right. Do your homework. And by doing that, you will know the difference between the annuity or investment choices. Furthermore, when an agent recommends something, check it against your list and see if it matches.
Ignorance is not bliss!!!
Tony Bahu
CEO
AnnuityMD.com
http://www.annuitymd.com
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Can Your Annuity Do This?
Many people buy annuities according to their agent's recommendations. However, many people do not even know what they own. It is a good idea to take inventory of your investments, and particularly your annuity. It is important to understand what your annuity can and cannot do and what features it has. Here are some of the things you definitely must be sure to know about your annuity:
1. What interest rates are you currently getting?
2. Are the interest rates getting worse?
3. What is the rating of your insurance company? (Critical)
4. What are your surrender charges?
5. Is your principal ever at risk?
6. What retirement & income options does your annuity have?
7. Is your annuity Medicaid Friendly?
8. Did you properly designate your beneficiary annuitant and even ownership of your annuity?9. How safe is your annuity?
10. Is your annuity subject to double taxation?
12. What is your minimum guarantee?
13. Are you eligible for a 1035 exchange?
14. What happens in the event of your death? Are your beneficiaries entitled to all of the money or are there penalties?
This is a good beginning inventory list. These questions are important in assuring you are doing what is right for you. As we said before, the best annuity is the one that is best for YOU. And by taking inventory of what you own, you can now assess it against your own goals and make sure there is a match. By the way, this is a good process to go through periodically. As you know, your needs change over time. And as they change, you must make sure your investments are always in line with your goals. If they are, great. If they aren't, well, change your goals---or change your investments! But make sure there is a match.
Hopefully this helps. And remember, it's not what you know; it's what you do with what you know. If this makes sense, then pull your annuities out and take inventory. There is no better time than the present.
Ignorance is not bliss...
Tony Bahu
CEO
AnnuityMD.com
About the author: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Tony Bahu is the author of the controversial document, 'Annuities: The Shocking Truths Revealed', which reveals the secrets that the banks and insurance companies don't want you to know. For more information on his document, visit the site below right now! http://www.annuitymd.com/
1. What interest rates are you currently getting?
2. Are the interest rates getting worse?
3. What is the rating of your insurance company? (Critical)
4. What are your surrender charges?
5. Is your principal ever at risk?
6. What retirement & income options does your annuity have?
7. Is your annuity Medicaid Friendly?
8. Did you properly designate your beneficiary annuitant and even ownership of your annuity?9. How safe is your annuity?
10. Is your annuity subject to double taxation?
12. What is your minimum guarantee?
13. Are you eligible for a 1035 exchange?
14. What happens in the event of your death? Are your beneficiaries entitled to all of the money or are there penalties?
This is a good beginning inventory list. These questions are important in assuring you are doing what is right for you. As we said before, the best annuity is the one that is best for YOU. And by taking inventory of what you own, you can now assess it against your own goals and make sure there is a match. By the way, this is a good process to go through periodically. As you know, your needs change over time. And as they change, you must make sure your investments are always in line with your goals. If they are, great. If they aren't, well, change your goals---or change your investments! But make sure there is a match.
Hopefully this helps. And remember, it's not what you know; it's what you do with what you know. If this makes sense, then pull your annuities out and take inventory. There is no better time than the present.
Ignorance is not bliss...
Tony Bahu
CEO
AnnuityMD.com
About the author: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Tony Bahu is the author of the controversial document, 'Annuities: The Shocking Truths Revealed', which reveals the secrets that the banks and insurance companies don't want you to know. For more information on his document, visit the site below right now! http://www.annuitymd.com/
Monday, January 24, 2005
Annuities---The Whole Truth
Do you ever feel like you haven't been told the whole truth? Kind of like something is missing? Well, you are not alone.
With many investors awestruck over the last several years by the declining stock markets, many feel like they're out in the cold. Why didn't my broker get me out? Why didn't I get out? What did I miss? Was there a better place for my money? They want to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
And when you think of investments, annuities are always one of the options. But what have you heard about annuities? Have you heard about your friend who put all of his money in annuities and actually made money during the 3 year decline? Or was your friend the one who bought the annuity he couldn't get out of without paying 25% surrender charges? Are annuities good or bad? Should you invest in annuities?
Well, you are at the right place because I will be sharing some of my deepest insights about annuities...some of the stories that I get to be a part of. You see, everyday I hear from individuals who just have no clue what to believe anymore...You won't believe the things that are told to them...the lies, deceptions, and misconceptions. It's not to say there isn't good information out there. It's just to say, you wouldn't believe the amount of bad information.
Whether you are an annuity owner, looking for an annuity, helping a friend, or in the business---Stay tuned and thank you for reading!!!
TonyBahu
CEO
AnnuityMD.com
http://www.annuitymd.com/
With many investors awestruck over the last several years by the declining stock markets, many feel like they're out in the cold. Why didn't my broker get me out? Why didn't I get out? What did I miss? Was there a better place for my money? They want to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
And when you think of investments, annuities are always one of the options. But what have you heard about annuities? Have you heard about your friend who put all of his money in annuities and actually made money during the 3 year decline? Or was your friend the one who bought the annuity he couldn't get out of without paying 25% surrender charges? Are annuities good or bad? Should you invest in annuities?
Well, you are at the right place because I will be sharing some of my deepest insights about annuities...some of the stories that I get to be a part of. You see, everyday I hear from individuals who just have no clue what to believe anymore...You won't believe the things that are told to them...the lies, deceptions, and misconceptions. It's not to say there isn't good information out there. It's just to say, you wouldn't believe the amount of bad information.
Whether you are an annuity owner, looking for an annuity, helping a friend, or in the business---Stay tuned and thank you for reading!!!
TonyBahu
CEO
AnnuityMD.com
http://www.annuitymd.com/
