Many consumers and most agents assume that because interest rates are at an all time low and thus cap rates are at an all time low, the fixed index annuity is no longer a viable alternative to other investments such as CDs and the stock market. However, this is an extremely narrow point of view …
Let’s start with a brief discussion of modern portfolio theory (MPT) just to make sure we’re all on the same page. To avoid a less than exciting academic foray into MPT, I’ll provide a basic definition. Basically, the theory is that individual investment (a particular asset i.e. stock or bond) selection should not be …
Typically a multi-year guaranteed annuity and the term “CD annuity” are used interchangeably within marketing literature. While the description is accurate in describing conceptually how the product works, I feel it could be a little misleading to consumers. An annuity is NOT a CD, it’s not related to a CD, and the two really shouldn’t …
Ah the Pension. A long sacrosanct retirement vehicle known for its rigidity and stability. The anchor that led many American’s into a comfortable retirement. That was, until the late 70’s early 80’s when a few pieces of legislation dramatically changed the retirement planning landscape and gave way to a new (and much cheaper for some …
When it comes to financial planning and insurance products the annuity is traditionally regarded as the product that disperses or liquidates a sum of money. Long known for their reputation as the safe product used for creating guaranteed income streams. Annuities have evolved as much (if not more) than life insurance contracts over the past 100 …
As the month of May comes to an end, we figured we take a second to explore why more agents/brokers don’t focus more of their efforts on discussing disability insurance with their clients? If you’ve been following along for the month, the answer is probably somewhat intuitive, but we’ll dive into it a little deeper, and …
Following up on the Cash Value Life Insurance as an Asset Class post, I wanted to spend some time talking about how Cash Value Life Insurance get’s used for retirement and wealth accumulation. Believe it or not, there’s not a lot oversight when it comes to the financial services industry when it comes to what …
Note: This one took some time and I’m a few days past my normal schedule. It seemed necessary. So I’ve known about this guy who is apparently an emergency room physician who got burned some years ago by an NML agent who did what a lot of career agents do (promise someone the sun, the …
You didn’t think we’d pass on a chance to tackle this mammoth of the financial planning world did you? A hotly debated notion for years and years pioneered by a guy who started a company to hawk term insurance under a simplistic mantra that appealed to the common folk that was later picked up by …
Since we completely ignored the fact that there was a Holiday earlier this week, we’ll take a minute to wish everyone a belated Happy Halloween (it’s even more embarrassing that the last article to drop came out on 10/31). Unless you the one around the office who spends an hour or more before work dolling …
