Author name: John Stevenson

One of the biggest fears retirees have is simple—and very real: “What if I run out of money?” If you’re close to retirement (or already retired), you may be thinking about getting out of the stock market. You want protection. You still want growth. And you definitely don’t want to go back to work. That’s

When people start learning about annuities, one of the first concerns they bring up is fees. “John, are these fees going to destroy my retirement income?” It’s a fair question. And the honest answer is: Yes—fees can hurt you. But in the right situation, they can also help you dramatically. It all depends on what

If you’re researching annuities, you’re probably asking a simple but important question: “Does an annuity actually make sense for my situation?” Sometimes the answer is yes. Other times, it’s no — at least not right now. In this guide, we’ll  break down when annuities make sense, when they don’t, and how to think about them

If you’ve ever asked an advisor about annuities, you’ve probably heard one of two extreme reactions: So why do financial advisors love (or hate) annuities so much? Because annuities don’t just affect your retirement plan—they can also affect how an advisor gets paid, what they believe “good investing” looks like, and whether they prioritize guarantees

If you’re worried about a market crash, you’re not alone. Many pre-retirees and retirees ask the same question: Do annuities lose money when the market crashes? And if you already own one, what happens to your contract? Let’s break this down in plain English—and clear up the confusion once and for all. Need help choosing

If you’re considering an annuity, one of the biggest questions is when to turn it into income. Should you annuitize now… or wait until you’re older? The short answer: it’s usually smarter to wait. But as with all retirement decisions, your personal situation matters. Let’s walk through the numbers, the options, and how to decide

If you already have a pension, it’s natural to wonder: do annuities still make sense? The short answer? Sometimes yes — sometimes no. It all depends on your goals, your income gap, and how much flexibility you want in retirement. Let’s break this down clearly and simply. Need help choosing the best annuity for your

If you’re approaching retirement, you’ve probably heard this question before: Is an annuity better than a bond ladder for retirement income? The short answer? It’s not really either/or. It’s about which strategy fits your goals, lifestyle, and tolerance for complexity. Let’s break this down in plain English. Annuities vs. Bond Ladders: The Big Picture Both

If you already own an annuity—or you’re thinking about buying one—you’ve probably heard the warnings: “It’s locked up,” “You can’t touch your money,” “You’ll get crushed if you exit early.” Some of that is outdated. Some of it is flat-out wrong. In this article, I’ll walk you through how getting out of an annuity really