Learn About Annuities & Retirement
"I've spoken to many annuity agents, and you know this stuff better than any of them."
- R.B. from Florida
- R.B. from Florida

Fixed Annuities
- Wichita National Security MYGA ReviewExplore the Wichita National Security MYGA, which includes optional liquidity and death benefit riders.
- How Is Life Expectancy Calculated?Learn how life expectancy is calculated and how it determines your annuity income.
- How Are Non-Qualified Annuities Taxed?Learn how non-qualified annuities are taxed. LIFO vs. Exclusion Ratio.
- What is a Non-Qualified Annuity?Learn how non-qualified annuities work, their tax-deferred benefits, and why they have no IRS contribution limits or RMDs.
- 2026 Annuity Rate ComparisonLearn how to compare the best annuity rates.
- Who Bears All the Investment Risk in a Fixed Annuity?In a fixed annuity, the insurance company bears all investment risk. Learn how insurers guarantee principal protection and why you only carry the inflation risk.
- Annuity Participation Rate ExplainedLearn how annuity participation rates work. See the formula, compare vs. cap rates, and find out why "uncapped" strategies may be popular for Fixed Index Annuities.
- Comprehensive Review: The Waypoint MYGA by AmFirst & AxonicRead a thorough review of the Waypoint MYGA from AmFirst & Axonic.
- LTC Care Rider AnnuityProtect your retirement from healthcare costs. Discover how modern LTC riders offer tax-free multipliers and penalty-free liquidity for assisted living and home care.
- What Is a Tax-Deferred Annuity?Discover how tax-deferred annuities work, their benefits, and more.
- Why Simple Interest Fixed-Rate Annuities (MYGAs) With Higher Rates Can Outperform Compound Interest MYGAs When You Plan to Withdraw InterestLearn about how simple interest annuities may be better for income withdrawal than compound interest.
- Benefits of Annuities: Tax Advantages and BeyondAnnuities offer tax-deferred growth, lifetime income, and probate avoidance.
- What Is an Annuity? Types of Annuities ExplainedLearn what an annuity is, how it works, and its types, including fixed, indexed, and variable annuities.
- Are Annuities FDIC Insured?Annuities are not FDIC insured because they are not bank products. Their safety depends on the financial strength of the issuing insurer.
- Comparing Types of Annuities: Find the Best Option for Your GoalsAnnuities are categorized by when payments begin and how they grow.
- Single Premium Immediate Annuity (SPIA) - What Is It?A Single Premium Immediate Annuity (SPIA) offers guaranteed income for life.
- Understanding Annuity Costs: A Complete Guide to Fees, Charges, and CommissionsLearn about the various annuity costs, including fees, commissions, and riders,
- What is a Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity (FPDA)?Learn what a flexible premium deferred annuity (FPDA) is.
- Can You Transfer an Annuity to Another Person? Exploring Your OptionsThings to think about when considering a transfer to another person.
- What Is a Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA)?TSA is also known as a 403(b) plan.
- What Is a Single Life Annuity?A single life annuity provides the highest monthly income.
- How Fixed Index (FIA) Cap Rates Are CalculatedLearn how Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) cap rates are determined.
- Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP): A Complete GuideSurvivor Benefit Plan (SBP) for military families. Read more.
- Charitable Gift AnnuityLearn about charitable gift annuities (CGAs).
- Annuities: A Comprehensive GuideLearn about different types of annuities. MYGAs, FIAs, SPIAs, DIAs, QLACs, and income riders.
- Annuity Market Value Adjustment (MVA) - What Is It?Learn what an MVA is for annuities and see a real life example.
- Search for MYGA SPDA AnnuitiesSearch for MYGA SPDA annuities in our marketplace.
- Summary: Annuity Guaranty System in '08-'09 Financial CrisisAnnuities fared well during '08-'09 financial crisis. Summary of NOLHGA's paper.
- Fixed Rate Annuity vs. CDLearn about fixed annuities vs. bank CDs. A fixed annuity may offer more competitive interest rates than a CD or bond.
- How Much Will the Fed Cut Rates on Sep. 18, 2024?Markets are anticipating a 67% chance of a 50 bps cut.
- What Is a 1035 Annuity Exchange?Learn about 1035 exchanges for annuities.
- Immediate vs. Deferred Annuity: Understanding the DifferencesUnderstand the differences between immediate and deferred annuities, including how they work, their benefits, and key factors to consider.
- What Is an RMD? Understanding Required Minimum Distributions for Retirement AccountsLearn everything you need to know about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
- How Does an Indexed Annuity Differ from a Fixed Annuity?Discover the key differences between indexed annuities (FIAs, EIAs) and fixed annuities (MYGAs).
- Lock in 6% RatesLock in historically high interest rates with fixed-rate annuities aka MYGAs.
- AM Best Ratings?Learn what AM Best ratings mean. They're the de facto rating agency that assesses insurance companies.
- Insurance valid only if...For an insurance contract to be enforceable, certain fundamental elements (CLOAC) must be present.
- Annuity contract partiesWho are the parties to an annuity contract? Annuities are technically insurance contracts. Learn more.
- What Are MYGA Annuities, and How Do They Work?Learn about key features of multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs).
- PlanEasy Launches Innovative Retirement Platform and Annuity Marketplace for ConsumersRead about the exciting launch of our company.
- Fixed Annuities: Right for Whom?Like all retirement savings vehicles (i.e., bank CDs, etc.), fixed annuities are suitable for some but not right for others.
- Fixed Annuities: Pros & ConsLearn about the pros & cons of fixed annuities.
- What Is a Fixed Annuity?Fixed annuities share similar features with bank CDs, as both are conservative ways to save money.
Retirement
- Peak 65 Silver Tsunami2024 begins the biggest surge in retirement-age population in the nation's history known as "Peak 65" or "Silver Tsunami."
- Rise of Auto-IRAsLearn about the rise of Auto-IRAs, run by states to help solve the retirement crisis in America.
- Demystifying the 4% Rule: A Guide to Secure Retirement WithdrawalsSimple rule of thumb: 4% withdrawal rate had a high probability of success in various market scenarios over a 30-year retirement.
- 16 Expensive Retiree StatesDreaming of a comfortable retirement? The cost may surprise you. Need at least $1mm to retire in 16 states.
- Social Security Running LowSocial Security benefits could get cut to 77% in 10 years, unless lawmakers act. Read about Social Security's problems.
- Boomers to Las VegasLas Vegas takes the crown as the hottest retirement destination in the U.S. for baby boomers. Where are they leaving?
- Master Retirement w/ IRAsIndividual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) offer a powerful tool to secure your future. This guide explains the features of IRAs.
- 2024 No-Penalty WithdrawalsThinking about tapping your retirement savings before 59½? Secure 2.0 Act created 20 early-withdrawal exemptions for 2024.
- Relationship Between Interest Rates and InflationLearn about the relationship between interest rates and inflation. Inflation is neither "bad" nor "good.
- Your PlanEasy Retirement RoadmapA few basic tips for every major stage of your life...so that you can retire happily.
- 2023: Where Are We?PlanEasy's "Big Picture" Dashboard shows current interest rates and more.
- Top 6 Mistakes Retirees Makes With RMDsLearn about common retirement planning mistakes made by people, including financial advisors.
- What Can a Financial Advisor Help Me With?What can a financial advisor help you with? They can provide a lot of value by helping your craft a plan to meet your financial & retirement goals.
- Is your financial advisor legit?Is your financial advisor legit? How can you verify the advisor's credentials? Here are a few steps to get you started.
- Types of Financial AdvisorsConfused by which kind of financial advisor you need? See a quick summary of some of the different types of financial advisors out there.
- Investment outlook for 2023 Learn what major banks & investors think about the investment outlook for 2023.
- 2023: Stocks down again? The stock market was down in 2022. Seven times the S&P 500 stock market index (including dividends) experienced consecutive annual declines.
- Five Key Areas of Retirement PlanningLearn about the five key areas of retirement & financial planning that top financial advisors are trained to speak with you about.
- About our retirement toolLearn how our retirement calculator works and understand key simplifying assumptions made.
- Who Owns the Property in a Revocable Trust?Understanding ownership in a revocable trust and key roles involved, including grantor, trustee, and beneficiaries.
- Does a Healthcare POA Need to Be Notarized?Find out if a Healthcare Power of Attorney (POA) needs to be notarized.
- $2BN Up in Air (Heir?)These celebrities did not have a will and caused significant headaches for their loved ones and heirs with potentially unintended outcomes. Get a will to make it easier on your loved ones.
- The 5 Different Types of Life Insurance and How to Choose the Right OneLearn about the different types of life insurance and how to choose the right one for your needs.
- How to choose life insuranceTwo main types of life insurance: term and permanent.
- Life Insurance 101: Understanding the Basics and BeyondLearn about life insurance basics and why people get life insurance. Life insurance is a contractual agreement between a policyholder and an insurance company.
- Twelve States Have Estate Taxes; Six States Have Inheritance TaxesTwelve states have estate taxes, while six states have inheritance taxes. What about your state?
- What does a will do?A will is a legal document that states who will inherit your assets and belonging after you pass away. It also names a guardian for your kids; don't let courts decide.
- How much life insurance?Learn how the life insurance calculator uses a general rule of thumb to help you assess your life insurance needs.
- Do You Have Enough Life Insurance?How much life insurance do you need to make sure your family has enough future income? Learn about the 12x rule of thumb.
- Wills vs. Trusts - Which is Right for Me? Q&A with Estate Planning Attorney Ben FaulknerQ&A with attorney Ben Faulkner. A will serves most people, but a trust may make sense for a few. Learn the pros/cons of each.
- Estate planning checklistWhat other things may I need besides a will? Learn about life insurance, trusts, financial POAs and medical proxies.
- Different Types of WillsLearn about the various types of wills and see which is right for you. If you have a spouse, a mirror will for the spouse may make sense.
- Where are Americans Moving?See which states saw the most Americans move and leave to another state from 2020 to 2022, including the pandemic.
- 5 areas of retirement planningLearn about the five key areas of retirement & financial planning that top financial advisors are trained to speak with you about.
- About Our Retirement CalculatorLearn how our retirement calculator works and understand key simplifying assumptions made.
- 2024 State TaxesRead about changes to various state taxes in 2024. Your state could be on the list.
- What’s the Difference Between Estate Tax and Inheritance Tax?What's the difference between an estate tax and an inheritance tax? Not every state has either, but some do. Maryland has both.
- Top 10 Highest & Lowest Income Tax StatesNine states have no income tax. Which states have the top 10 highest & lowest income taxes?
- Americans are movingTaxes may have been a factor for many Americans who moved from their state during 2020 to 2022, including the pandemic.
- Tax benefits of fixed annuities Interest gained each year for a fixed annuity is NOT taxed until you withdraw the money, similar to IRAs and 401(k) plans.
- Feeling Blue: Keys to Living Over 100 Years OldRead about secrets to living over a hundred years old. Netflix documentary talks about five Blue Zones and their common habits.
- Top Five Cheapest States for Long-Term Care (LTC)See the top five cheapest states for long-term care (LTC). Missouri is the lowest for single rooms in nursing homes at $195 / day.
- McKinsey: From Facility to Home: How Healthcare Could Shift by 2025Up to $265 billion worth of care services for Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries could shift to the home by 2025.
- Top 5 Most Expensive States for Long-Term Care (LTC)See the top five most expensive states for long-term care (LTC). Alaska is highest for nursing home care at $1,036 / day, almost 4x the national median.
- Enough life insurance?Learn how the life insurance calculator uses a general rule of thumb to help you assess your life insurance needs.