Blog
Plain-English articles on annuities, retirement income, taxes and Social Security.
Retired with a mortgage? Here is an honest answer on whether mortgage protection insurance still makes sense after retirement, and what alternatives better protect your spouse and home in 2026.
Mortgage protection insurance costs vary by age, health, and loan balance. Here is an honest breakdown of what you will actually pay, and how to find the most competitive rate through a local advisor.
Seniors can still get mortgage protection insurance — but the options and costs are different. Here is exactly what seniors need to know about coverage limits, age restrictions, and better alternatives in 2026.
Mortgage protection insurance pays off your remaining mortgage balance if you die — so your family keeps the home. Here is exactly how it works, what it costs, and whether you need it in 2026.
The best time to buy an annuity depends on the type, your age, and the trigger event in your financial life. Here is exactly when each annuity type makes the most sense.
How qualified and non-qualified annuities are taxed, including LIFO withdrawals, the exclusion ratio, the 10% early-withdrawal penalty, RMDs, and state tax notes.
Payout tables for $50,000 to $1,000,000 premiums, broken out by age 60, 65, 70, and 75 and by single-life vs joint-life income, plus a quick estimator.
The right annuity can protect your spouse's income for life — even after you are gone. Here is exactly how joint and survivor annuities work and why this decision matters more than almost any other in retirement.
A fixed annuity pays a guaranteed interest rate with no market risk. Here is how the whole fixed annuity family works, including where MYGAs and fixed indexed annuities fit in.
These 5 annuity mistakes cost retirees thousands — choosing the wrong payout option, buying from a captive agent, ignoring surrender charges, and more. Here is how to avoid every single one.
Seven clear signs that an annuity belongs in your retirement plan — from no pension and market anxiety to income gaps and outliving savings — plus what to do next.
The safest investments for retirement are ones that guarantee your principal and income for life. Here is an honest ranking of the safest retirement options — including fixed annuities, MYGAs, and more.