Searching for Growth or Guarantees?

Market Chaos and the Needle in the Haystack

Great topic today. It’s a head-scratcher, and it’s going to make you think. The topic: Searching for Growth or Guarantees?

We’ll talk about the markets—ups, downs, volatility, crypto—people trying to thread the needle for market returns. If you're dependent on things you can’t control—world markets, geopolitical events, wars, crypto meltdowns, earnings reports—you’re threading the needle.

You’re looking for that elusive growth opportunity in a haystack. And, perhaps, you'll find it. But investing in markets is like surfing next to a cruise ship. Sometimes you catch a wave. Sometimes you get sucked under.

Retiring from the Rollercoaster

I recently created a video titled 'Retire From Your Job and Retire From the Markets,' and many people can and should do just that. Others can’t—but the goal is to stop being a slave to volatility indexes, CNBC, or Fox Business—no offense to them.

Think about your time in the market: crashes, bond drops, inflation, and elections. You've seen it all. You're trying to find that growth needle. But here's the reality:

You’ve already found the haystack.

What’s the Haystack?

It’s Contractual Guarantees.

I know—"That’s cliché, Stan." No, it’s not. This is serious.

• Principal Protection? Simple. Haystack.
• Lifetime Income? Haystack.
• Long-Term Care? Haystack.
• Legacy planning using annuities? Also, haystack.

No threading needles. Just the Contractual Guarantees that get the job done.

We Shop the Entire Haystack

We’re not looking for the "best" annuity or the "best" carrier. That’s code for: “They get a commission trip if they sell enough of that product.”

Buying an annuity is like buying a plane ticket: you shop every carrier for the best route to your goal. The haystack is every annuity company, every life insurance carrier offering annuities. You don’t need to search for anything. You just shop the haystack.

And that’s what we do—compare every carrier’s Contractual Guarantee in your state to find the best for you.

Are You Still Addicted to the Needle?

Let me ask:

• Are you addicted to the markets?
• Do you have too much at risk?
• Is it time to shift some (or all) of your needle to the haystack?

A corn futures trader recently told me: “I know I don’t need guarantees, but I’m buying Lifetime Income for my wife. She doesn’t want to trade futures.”

That’s the needle. He was the needle. His wife is the haystack.

Wild Markets vs Calm Guarantees

Markets are nuts. Cryptos are crashing. Things are unpredictable. And if you’re losing sleep, maybe it’s time to stop looking for needles.

CDs. Treasuries. Multi-Year Guarantee Annuities (MYGAs). Live off the interest. Never touch the principal.

Social Security is the best annuity on the planet. The best inflation annuity. But maybe it’s time to contractually add more Lifetime Income to your floor.

The Phases of Retirement

There are three phases of retirement: Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go.

I’m in Go-Go now. But I’ll reach Slow-Go. Then No-Go.

That’s why I tell people: put Contractual Guarantees in place now. So even when your brain isn’t firing on all cylinders later in life, you’re still protected—and not a burden to anyone.

Time to Stop Searching

Still watching the S&P? Still tracking tech stocks, bonds, crypto, ETFs, and options?

Still looking for that needle?

You’re missing the obvious. The solution isn’t hidden. It’s the haystack.

When you finally implement those Contractual Guarantees, you’ll be shocked at the peace of mind. No more worrying.

Visualize That Day

If you’re retired, think back to that moment you clocked out for the last time. If you’re getting ready to retire, picture that day. The freedom. The relief.

Now, picture your money not at risk. Picture your assets Contractually Guaranteed. Imagine knowing your principal is protected or that you’ve locked in Lifetime Income so you can live your life.

Can you see it? Feels good, doesn’t it?

Look Under the Rock

Why aren’t you exploring that option?

Don’t listen to the neighbor who says, “All annuities are bad.” Tell them to go back inside and watch Andy Griffith for the 50th time.

So, the question is, do you want market needles or annuity haystacks? Risk needles or Contractual Guarantees? Stock, ETF, crypto needles…or Lifetime Income and Principal Protection?

The answer is clear. It’s the haystack. It’s shopping every carrier for the highest Contractual Guarantee possible.

We want you as a client. But more importantly, we want you to stop looking for the needle and finally start living your life, backed by the haystack.