Index Annuities Unmasked – Good Deal or Bad Advice?

On This Episode:

Indexed annuities are often sold as a win-win: stock market gains without the downside. But is that really true? In this episode, Ryan, Ron, and Nick will dig into this retirement income tool to explain how indexed annuities actually work, how they’re marketed, and why the numbers tell a very different story.

You’ll learn about caps, buffers, fees, and the hidden costs that limit growth -- and why many indexed annuities end up performing more like bonds, without the same liquidity. Annuities might feel safer but could cost you significantly over time if you aren’t aware of real-world returns and risk. Before you make any decisions on how you’ll create income in retirement, make sure you understand all of your investment options.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

📊 Index annuities vs. stocks and bonds — the real return numbers

🧩 Why “no downside risk” doesn’t mean no risk

⚠️ Hidden costs that eat into your annuity growth

📉 How caps and buffers limit your potential upside

💡 When annuities can make sense and when they likely don’t

 

0:00 – Intro

2:58 – Background on why this is relevant today

4:35 – Costs

6:25 – Growth potential

14:30 – Takeaways on returns

16:17 – The risks

20:24 – When to use an indexed annuity

22:25 – The trade-offs

24:12 – Final thoughts

 

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