Retirement is supposed to be the time you finally relax. But for most retirees, money stress doesn’t stop once the paycheck does.
Market downturns, inflation, and uncertain lifespans can all make even million-dollar nest eggs feel fragile. The truth is, without guaranteed income, you’re always wondering, “Will this money last?”
That’s why building a plan that removes financial stress starts with something simple — balancing growth and guarantees.
Need help choosing the best annuity for your unique situation? Have questions about getting an annuity? If so, it’s best to speak with an annuity specialist. Watch this short video to see how I can help you do this (at no cost to you!)
Tip: See how much an annuity could pay you using our annuity calculator.
Growth vs. Guarantees: The Balanced Retirement Strategy
Now, just a quick disclosure — I’m not a certified financial planner. I’m a retirement planner, and my specialty is helping people secure lifetime income through annuities.
I love the stock market. I have growth investments myself — S&P 500 funds, individual stocks, and other opportunities. But I also love guarantees, because when the market drops 30%, your lifestyle doesn’t have to.
Annuities create a dependable income stream that arrives every month, no matter what happens in the market. That’s the kind of peace of mind most retirees are missing.
💡 Pro Tip: Think of annuities like life insurance for your income — life insurance protects your family if you pass away early, while an annuity protects you if you live longer than expected.
How Annuities Reduce Stress (Even When the Market Crashes)
Let’s say you have $1 million and you’re taking out 4% a year — that’s $40,000. If the market dips, your portfolio shrinks, and you may be forced to withdraw from a declining balance. That’s stressful.
With an annuity, your income is contractually guaranteed. Even if the account balance fluctuates, your monthly payout doesn’t stop. That means you can ride out market volatility without changing your lifestyle.
👉 Want help comparing the top annuities for income? Click here to schedule a free call.
Real Example: $500,000 Generating Lifetime Income
Here’s what this looks like in real numbers.
If someone invests $500,000 today and starts taking income in five years, the top-paying annuity (as of now) could pay around $52,000 per year for life through a major carrier like Nationwide.
If you defer income for 10 years, the payout could grow dramatically. For example:
- Clear Spring Life currently offers nearly $80,000 per year for joint income.
- For a single payout, the same annuity can reach about $85,000 per year.
That’s the power of letting your annuity compound over time — it rewards patience.
How the Contract Works (Without the Jargon)
These examples are based on an income rider annuity — one of the strongest options for guaranteed lifetime income.
For instance, Clear Spring offers:
- 8% base bonus on your initial deposit
- 8% compounded roll-up rate toward your benefit base (the value used to calculate your lifetime income)
After 10 years of compounding, that benefit base multiplies by your lifetime withdrawal rate, giving you that $85,000/year payout for life.
Even if the market dips, your income stays the same.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t confuse the “account value” (which fluctuates with the market) with the “benefit base” (which determines your guaranteed lifetime income).
The Big Picture: Why Guarantees Remove Retirement Stress
Let’s do the math.
If you put $500,000 into a high-paying annuity and collect income until age 95, you’d receive over $2.2 million guaranteed.
If you live to 105, you could receive another $850,000 — that’s nearly $3 million total income from your original investment.
You might think, “I’ll never live that long,” but people are living longer than ever. There are over 700,000 people worldwide over age 100, and that number is expected to quadruple in the coming decades.
Conclusion
You don’t have to guess what your future income will be. You can know.
Annuities let you replace financial worry with predictable cash flow, giving you the freedom to enjoy retirement — not stress over it.
Need help with finding the best annuity for your retirement?
Click here to schedule a call with me.
On the call, I can help you:
- Determine what type of annuity is best for you
- Find the highest paying annuities for your unique situation
- Answer any other questions you may have
Answer any other questions you may haves