Annuities, written plainly

What is an annuity?

Start here. What an annuity actually is, the seven types you'll encounter, and how to decide if one belongs anywhere in your retirement plan.

10 min read

Fixed annuities

Guaranteed rate, protected principal, predictable payments. How fixed annuities compare to CDs and the conservative parts of a portfolio.

7 min read

Fixed indexed annuities

Upside linked to an index, floor that protects principal. How caps, participation rates, and spreads decide what you actually earn.

9 min read

MYGAs

Multi-year guaranteed annuities are the CD of the annuity world. Fixed rate, fixed term, tax-deferred growth. Where they fit and where they don't.

6 min read

Income riders

Roll-up rates, benefit bases, payout factors. The marketing is confusing on purpose. Here's the only question that matters.

11 min read

Annuity taxes

Qualified vs. non-qualified, withdrawals, annuitization, the 10% early-withdrawal penalty, and the planning moves that save real money.

10 min read

1035 exchanges

How to move from one annuity to another without triggering a taxable event, and when a 1035 is the wrong answer even if the numbers look better.

8 min read

Roth conversions

Using annuities alongside Roth conversions in the low-income gap between retirement and RMDs. Where this works and where the IRS closes the door.

9 min read

Caps & spreads

A cap of 7% and a participation rate of 70% are not the same thing. How to read an FIA rate sheet and estimate realistic long-run returns.

8 min read

Annuity fees

Surrender schedules, free-withdrawal provisions, rider fees, and the MVA wrinkle most buyers miss until it's too late.

7 min read