Annuities, only where they actually fit.
Annuities are widely sold and frequently misunderstood. They are a good product for some folks but not for everyone. We help you understand what you will be buying, including the costs and the limits, before any decision.
At a glance
- Best for
- Pre-retirees considering guaranteed income or principal protection
- Format
- Virtual anywhere in the US. In-person in the Houston area upon request.
- First step
- Complimentary intro call · 5–45 min
- Coordinates with
- Your CPA, Attorney, and Plan Administrator
01 · Who this is for
Situations I see most often.
- You're considering an annuity but the brochure left you with more questions.
- You already own an annuity and want a second opinion before any 1035 exchange.
- You need guaranteed lifetime income to floor essential expenses.
- You're risk-averse and want a portion of assets sheltered from market volatility.
- You're concerned about outliving your money.
02 · What's included
What the engagement covers.
- Plain-English explanation of fixed, fixed-indexed, and variable annuities.
- Cost decomposition (M&E, rider, surrender, fund expenses).
- Existing-annuity review and 1035 exchange analysis.
- Income-rider modeling (when payouts begin, what they're worth).
- Beneficiary and tax-treatment review.
- Independence — I'm not captive to any single carrier.
03 · How the process works
A measured approach, in clear steps.
Need clarification
Before any product decision, you let us know the problem you are trying to solve. If an annuity isn't the right tool, we'll say so.
Carrier comparison
Independent comparison across multiple insurance carriers, not a single-product pitch.
Full cost disclosure
Every cost — explicit and embedded — written down before signature.
Application & funding
Paperwork handled. 1035 exchange, where applicable, executed cleanly.
Annual review
Statements reviewed annually; rider activation timing planned in advance.
04 · Common questions
Plain-English answers.
Are annuities expensive?
Some are; some aren't. Variable annuities with multiple riders frequently carry total costs of 2.5%+ per year. A fixed annuity may have no explicit fee. Comparing all-in cost — explicit and embedded — is essential.
What is a surrender charge?
A penalty for early withdrawal during a defined period (often 5–10 years). Surrender schedules are disclosed in the contract; I make sure you understand them before you sign.
Should I 1035 my existing annuity?
Sometimes — if a newer contract genuinely offers better economics. Often not — if the 1035 simply restarts a surrender schedule for a marginal rider improvement. The math should be done case by case.
05 · Related services