http://www.stantheannuityman.com Delivering the guaranteed part of your portfolio Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:25:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=445 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/the-7-deadly-sins-of-annuity-buyers/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/the-7-deadly-sins-of-annuity-buyers/#comments Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:25:29 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1740
The history of the original “seven deadly sins” dates back to early Christian times when this list was used to educate and teach people to avoid the temptations of sin. Annuity consumers can use an altered form of this ancient list to avoid landing in “annuity purgatory.” Let’s take a … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/the-7-deadly-sins-of-annuity-buyers/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/annuity-sales-enter-the-k-i-s-s-era/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/annuity-sales-enter-the-k-i-s-s-era/#comments Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:00:14 +0000 Leah Brandt http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1779
Even though we all know that annuities started in Roman times with a crude version of the Single Premium Immediate Annuity (SPIA), deferred income annuities (DIAs) continue to dominate annuity sales…both variable and fixed. However, the deferred annuity world is getting ready to change based on an acronym we are … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/annuity-sales-enter-the-k-i-s-s-era/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-education/do-as-the-romans-did-with-annuities/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-education/do-as-the-romans-did-with-annuities/#comments Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:00:44 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1659
The Romans made a few major mistakes, but they got it right when it came to annuities and lifetime income planning. Annuities have been around since the Roman Empire, and I have always tried to envision the first annuity lunch seminar with some guy in a toga talking about a … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-education/do-as-the-romans-did-with-annuities/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/ill-pay-your-debt-if-you-sell-our-annuities/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/ill-pay-your-debt-if-you-sell-our-annuities/#comments Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:18:30 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1677
Last week I got a phone call from a friend who owns a small FMO and he told me a hard to believe story that was the most bizarre thing I have heard (so far) in the annuity industry. By the way, that’s hard to do in the crazy world … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/ill-pay-your-debt-if-you-sell-our-annuities/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/direct-annuity-sales-are-coming-are-you-ready/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/direct-annuity-sales-are-coming-are-you-ready/#comments Thu, 30 May 2013 15:23:05 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1684
A long time ago, I was sitting in a meeting at Dean Witter (remember them?). Top management had flown in from New York to address the new low-cost stock trade companies that were causing a stir in the financial world. I will never forget Mr. Intellectual VP telling us (we … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/direct-annuity-sales-are-coming-are-you-ready/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/separated-at-birth-tim-tebow-and-annuities/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/separated-at-birth-tim-tebow-and-annuities/#comments Thu, 30 May 2013 08:00:33 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1666
Tim Tebow’s polarizing effect on people is strikingly similar to the public’s opinion concerning annuities. It’s the ultimate love/hate scenario for both. I live in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., which is south of Jacksonville and just 10 minutes from where Tim Tebow went to high school. So I have heard … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/separated-at-birth-tim-tebow-and-annuities/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-education/listen-before-you-throw-the-first-pitch/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-education/listen-before-you-throw-the-first-pitch/#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 15:26:34 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1686
Let’s start with a little exercise. Repeat after me: •“You don’t need an annuity.” •“An annuity is not the right product for you.” •“Right now, an annuity doesn’t fit your needs.” Feel better? Well, you should, because you need to be prepared to say this a lot as the popularity … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-education/listen-before-you-throw-the-first-pitch/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-suitability/its-not-what-is-best-its-what-is-best-for-you/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-suitability/its-not-what-is-best-its-what-is-best-for-you/#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 17:59:14 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1602
The No. 1 question that I get about annuities cannot be answered without knowing a lot more about the person asking the question. Last week I was speaking at a national financial trade show where my company also had a booth in the exhibit hall during the three-day event. Without … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-suitability/its-not-what-is-best-its-what-is-best-for-you/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/hedge-funds-and-annuities-do-they-mix/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/hedge-funds-and-annuities-do-they-mix/#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 17:53:21 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1600
In only a year, hedge funds and private-equity firms now control 30% of the indexed-annuity marketplace. Six months ago, I wrote an article on MarketWatch titled “Why Are Hedge Funds Buying Annuities” because I was concerned about the “masters of the universe” and their new found affinity for annuity carriers. … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/hedge-funds-and-annuities-do-they-mix/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-suitability/skating-after-the-annuity-puck/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-suitability/skating-after-the-annuity-puck/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 15:29:21 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1689
The sales industry, regardless of product, traditionally has a herd mentality when it comes to marketing or overall sales strategies. The annuity industry is no different, but this is not a good reason for agents and FMOs to flock to the next “shiny thing.” To continue reading this article, go … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-suitability/skating-after-the-annuity-puck/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/a-fia-or-a-va-does-not-spia/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/a-fia-or-a-va-does-not-spia/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 15:33:27 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1692
I glanced up from my computer screen the other day and I swear I saw Dwight D. Eisenhower standing in my office wearing his military uniform. He was holding a sign that said, “I might be dead but my interest rates are alive and well.” I know, I need more … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/a-fia-or-a-va-does-not-spia/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-education/stacking-your-income/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-education/stacking-your-income/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 14:55:45 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1558
Stacking your retirement income streams is an effective way to make sure you achieve the lifestyle that you worked so hard for. All of us have monthly bills and obligations, even if you consider yourself “debt free.” For the planner types out there, it’s good to know that you have … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-education/stacking-your-income/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 14:47:24 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1552
If you own a deferred annuity, you should consider a “stop-loss” strategy. Just as you might set a mental stop on a stock, you should have triggers in mind that would get you out of your annuity if circumstances warrant it. The majority of annuities sold are deferred annuities. Variable … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/how-are-annuities-taxed/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/how-are-annuities-taxed/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 14:38:33 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1536
Annuities are growing in popularity every year with an estimated $200 billion to be sold in 2013. As with every investment, you have to consider the tax ramifications and should always receive all of your tax advice concerning annuities from a qualified tax professional. The best overall resource I have … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/how-are-annuities-taxed/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-suitability/when-an-online-annuity-ad-goes-bad/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-suitability/when-an-online-annuity-ad-goes-bad/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 15:01:33 +0000 Leah Brandt http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1781
I was in the middle of writing a completely different article for this week’s column, and was on the Internet doing some needed research on the topic. That’s when it happened: to the left of the screen, a display ad that promoted annuity returns of over 10 percent. To read … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-suitability/when-an-online-annuity-ad-goes-bad/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/horror-stories-from-the-annuity-world/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/horror-stories-from-the-annuity-world/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:47:12 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1592
Even novelist Stephen King would be horrified by some of scary annuity events that unfortunately happen every day. Annuities can be great transfer of risk strategies when properly positioned in a portfolio and there are many good agents out there trying to match up annuity guarantees with specific portfolio goals. … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-pitfalls/horror-stories-from-the-annuity-world/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/how-annuities-can-win-the-financial-propaganda-war/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/how-annuities-can-win-the-financial-propaganda-war/#comments Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:04:07 +0000 Leah Brandt http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1783
We all can agree that, unfortunately, annuities are still the “curse word” of the financial services industry and especially among the majority of the mainstream and uninformed financial media. This is tragic, and we ‑ the annuity industry ‑ can easily win this financial propaganda war by just focusing on … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/how-annuities-can-win-the-financial-propaganda-war/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/were-all-on-the-same-team/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/were-all-on-the-same-team/#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:13:42 +0000 Leah Brandt http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1794
We are all on the same team. We are all this together. We all are trying to achieve the same goal, and that goal is to “protect the annuity franchise.” And this annuity franchise involves the overall perception and growth of fixed annuities as transfer of risk solutions that can … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/were-all-on-the-same-team/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/education-general/do-you-have-money-you-dont-know-about/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/education-general/do-you-have-money-you-dont-know-about/#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:55:16 +0000 Stan the "Annuity Man" http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1512
We have all heard the stories of that unknown eccentric uncle that surprisingly left an unaware beneficiary a large sum of money when he died. All of us would love to have that “found money” experience unexpectedly happen. With a little effort and knowing where to look, there is a … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/education-general/do-you-have-money-you-dont-know-about/feed/ 0 http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/a-trip-to-nowhere/ http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/a-trip-to-nowhere/#comments Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:10:48 +0000 Leah Brandt http://www.stantheannuityman.com/?p=1790
The last annuity incentive trip that I took was to Cabo San Lucas a few years ago. That horrible experience led me to send my wife and children in my place to subsequent “annuity atta boy” excursions to numerous exotic travel destinations. My wife and kids loved it! For someone … [+more]]]> http://www.stantheannuityman.com/commentary/a-trip-to-nowhere/feed/ 0