annuityblogs.com

Q&A on Annuities

Chris Ford — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:00:00 GMT

Questions to ask an agent when considering an annuity purchase: How long have you been selling annuities? Which companies do you represent? What are the terms and riders in the annuity I am purchasing? Is the annuity full value at death? What is the Minimum Guaranty of interest? Do I have to annuitize the contract at the end of the surrender period to get all of my funds out? Questions to ask yourself when considering an annuity purchase: It is important to have the answers to these questions...(read more)

Option D Annuitization for Annuities

Chris Ford — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:00:00 GMT

If you are planning to go into a nursing home or apply for Medicaid and need to spend down your assets to get assistance, there is a way. The best part is that it is what Medicaid wants you to do! This must be done prior to applying for the nursing home or applying for Medicaid. First, you must own an annuity. If you have funds elsewhere you’ll need to put them into an annuity. If you own one now, you are in good shape. What we will be doing is annuitizing the annuity on Medicaid Option D life...(read more)

Required Minimum Distributions and Annuities.

Chris Ford — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:00:00 GMT

If you live to age 65, chances are you will live well into your 80s. We live in a health conscious society and the IRS has taken notice. Recently they have updated their rules for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from Traditional IRAs and employer sponsored retirement accounts. The new rules are calculating RMDs using the latest life expectancy tables. This now gives IRA owners the ability to withdrawal less each year to reduce income taxes and stretch those savings as far as possible. Finally,...(read more)

Income Riders on Indexed Annuities

Chris Ford — Wed, 30 May 2007 14:00:00 GMT

The new wave of Indexed Annuities will be annuities with income riders. An income rider pays out a specified amount for the rest of the annuity owner’s life, but does not have all the stipulations of outright annuitization. When you annuitize an annuity you receive a specified income for a specified period of time. The problem with annuitization is that you lose liquidity and control over those funds. You cannot change the amount of money you are paid; you cannot speed up the time or lengthen the...(read more)

Confused about Annuities? What you need to know before you buy: Part IV.

Chris Ford — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:00:00 GMT

This blog entry is designed to inform you about annuities in general. This is Part IV in an ongoing series where I will discuss the many options available to you. ...(read more)

Confused about Annuities? What you need to know before you buy: Part III.

Chris Ford — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:00:00 GMT

This blog entry is designed to inform you about annuities in general. This is Part III in an ongoing series where I will discuss the many options available to you....(read more)

Confused about Annuities? What you need to know before you buy: Part II.

Chris Ford — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:00:00 GMT

This blog entry is designed to inform you about annuities in general. This is Part II in an ongoing series where I will discuss the many options available to you....(read more)

Confused about Annuities? What you need to know before you buy: Part I.

Chris Ford — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:00:00 GMT

This blog entry is designed to inform you about annuities in general. This will be the first entry in an ongoing series where I will discuss the many options available to you....(read more)

Why Equity Indexed Annuities (EIAs) may be the perfect product.

Chris Ford — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 15:00:00 GMT

Regulators and the financial press media have given EIAs a bad name. Why? Controversy has embroiled these products. Why? Fact is EIAs can accomplish most of the goals of a Variable Annuity (VAs) and a Traditional Fixed Annuity (TFA) and be free of the problems inherent in both. ...(read more)

Annuities-Buying a Guaranteed Income: Counterpoint

Chris Ford — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 15:00:00 GMT

Attached to this blog is an article written in the Star Tribune by Tom Lauricella called “Annuities-Buying a Guaranteed Income.” While some of his facts are true, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify some points and disprove others. Please read the attachment first and I will cover some of the misnomers. ...(read more)