Start with your income needs
What does your retirement actually have to pay for? And which expenses need income you can truly rely on?
Fullerton 360 · Annuities
Retirement Annuities
Guaranteed lifetime income. Done right, you can avoid annuitizing and avoid disinheriting your heirs.
Not all annuities are created equal. There are four main types of annuities, each with distinct features. The right fit depends on individual goals, needs, and circumstances.
Know the facts, choose wisely
There are four main types of annuities, each with distinct features. The right fit depends on individual goals, needs, and circumstances.
- 4
types of annuities — and they're not interchangeable
- Reliable lifetime income
Many retirees prioritize reliable lifetime income when selecting annuities. A Fixed Index Annuity with a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit is commonly chosen for this purpose. Individual circumstances and goals should determine the best annuity solution.
- Lifetime income by contract
certain fixed index annuities offer income riders, with payout terms set by the issuing insurer
- Terms vary widely
payout rates depend on the product, your age, and the options you choose. We compare them side by side
- A different trade-off than bonds
annuity payouts blend income with return of your own principal, in exchange for limits on liquidity and upside
From accumulation to distribution
Good retirement income is plentiful, protected, and guaranteed.
Retirement is the shift from building wealth to drawing on it. The income sources you lean on should check three boxes, because income that isn't guaranteed can fluctuate, which matters most for the expenses you have to cover.
- Plentiful — enough to fund the life you actually want, not just the bare minimum.
- Protected — shielded from market volatility, so a bad year doesn't cut your paycheck.
- Guaranteed — income you can count on for life, in every market.
The hybrid worth knowing
Guaranteed income for life, without giving up access to your money.
A Fixed Index Annuity lets you share in a portion of market index gains, subject to caps and participation rates, while the issuing insurer credits no less than the contract floor in down years. Pair it with a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit and the contract can pay income for life, even if the account value is exhausted.
- Principal protected — from market downturns, so your floor doesn't drop in a bad year.
- Income guaranteed — for your lifetime, and your spouse's, with a GLWB.
- Heirs not forgotten — any remaining balance can pass to the people you love.
- What to weigh — caps and participation rates limit upside; income riders carry annual costs; surrender schedules limit access to your money in the early years; and every guarantee rests on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer.
Not all annuities are equal
Four types of annuities, and where each one fits.
Lumping them together is how people get burned. Each works differently, and the right fit depends on individual goals, needs, and circumstances:
01
Immediate (SPIAs) — Hand over a lump sum, get a guaranteed monthly income for life starting now. But you no longer own the money: no liquidity, no growth, no access. Typically not what we recommend.
02
Variable — Invest in the market inside an annuity wrapper for tax-deferred growth and optional guarantees. But the principal can lose value with the market, and fees are typically higher. That's the source of most negative annuity stories.
03
Fixed — A CD alternative: a fixed interest rate for a set term. Straightforward and low-risk, but not built for high income, with no growth beyond the declared rate. Safe, but unimpressive.
04
Fixed Index Annuities (FIAs) — The “next-gen” hybrid. Share in a portion of market index gains, subject to caps and participation rates, with principal protected from downturns and income you can't outlive. When structured right, heirs can still receive the remaining balance.
05
FIAs with a GLWB — Add a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit and your income is contractually guaranteed for your (and your spouse's) lifetime, protected from market declines, and keeps paying even if the principal runs out.
Compare. Compare. Compare.
How we find the right annuity, if one fits at all.
An annuity is only worth it when it beats the alternatives for your goals. We start with your income needs, then compare side by side, always with a financial professional.
Decide if an annuity even fits
Sometimes it doesn't. We only consider one when it clearly beats the alternatives for your situation.
Compare side by side, with a financial professional
Fees, guarantees, liquidity, and the strength of the insurer, measured against bonds and other options, with your interests first.
Structure it to avoid annuitizing
Keep access to your money and protect your heirs: guaranteed lifetime income without handing over your principal for good.
FAQ
Still Wondering If This Is Right for You?
Here are some of the questions we hear most often, with straight answers to help you move forward confidently.
How do I make sure I have enough to retire?
It comes down to two things: what you need, and how your income is structured. We build your Retirement Income Plan around your lifestyle, your assets, and your goals, then help you create steady income that supports it.
How do I make sure I don’t run out of money later in retirement?
We design your income plan to cover today and 20–30 years from now. That includes guaranteed income for stability, and a long-term strategy for growth that doesn’t rely on timing the market. We help you avoid the common missteps that drain retirement accounts too soon.
What’s the best way to retire and not have to give up my lifestyle or be afraid of my budget?
It starts with knowing how much your desired lifestyle costs and ends with creating more than enough income to maintain it. We help you define your spending levels, identify guaranteed income sources, and map out a tax-smart withdrawal strategy that lets you live the life you’ve worked for, not tiptoe around it.
Why do I need more guaranteed income than just Social Security?
Social Security rarely covers everything, and it's not built to. If you want freedom and flexibility in retirement, additional income sources (especially guaranteed ones) help you maintain your lifestyle without leaning too hard on market-risk assets. We help you identify the right way for you to fill the gap.
How do I protect myself from future market downturns or crashes?
The key is not being forced to sell investments during a downturn. We create a plan that separates protected income from growth assets, so your lifestyle isn’t dictated by what the market did this month. We help you stay calm, not reactive.
When is the right time to retire?
There’s no perfect age or market condition, and waiting for the “right moment” often leads to missed opportunities. The right time to retire is when you have a plan that works no matter what the economy is doing, one that protects your income, reduces your tax exposure, and supports your lifestyle with confidence. We help you build that plan, so retirement becomes a decision based on your goals, not guesswork.
How do I avoid being forced to go back to work or worse?
By creating a plan that isn’t built on hope or guesswork. We help you build reliable income, minimize tax surprises, and protect yourself from risks like sequence of returns and rising costs, so work stays optional.
How can annuities fit into my income plan?
Some annuities are designed to create high, guaranteed income, which can be a great fit when there’s an income gap. We only use them when they add clear value, and only the types that offer flexibility, control, and competitive payouts. We help you understand when they’re appropriate, and when they’re not.
My current financial advisor still has me in risky investments. It feels wrong to me now that I’m older, but am I just worrying too much?
You’re not. What worked when you were growing your money isn’t always what protects it during retirement. Our work focuses on transitioning portfolios to support income, stability, and risk reduction, not just growth for growth’s sake. We help you make the shift, without starting over.
I plan to retire in the next 10 years. Is it too early to begin planning?
Not at all. In fact, this is the ideal time. Planning early gives you more options, more flexibility, and better long-term outcomes. We help you make smarter decisions today that pay off later.
I want to retire sooner than 10 years… Am I too late to plan?
The sooner you start planning, the better. But even if retirement is around the corner (or already started) you can still make wise choices to protect your future. It’s worth a conversation to see how your current income plan will hold up to the test of time.
How do I make sure my spouse is taken care of if I pass first?
We build spousal continuity into every plan. That includes income continuation, beneficiary planning, and making sure your spouse has clarity, not confusion, during a difficult time. We help you protect what matters most.
What changes to my investment strategy should I expect when transitioning to retirement?
Most portfolios need to be adjusted, but not overhauled. We’ll help you rebalance for risk, reposition assets for tax efficiency, and integrate income strategies that reduce reliance on market performance. We help you make your money work for retirement, not just growth.
What does the Retirement Review cost?
It’s 100% complimentary. No pressure, no sales tactics. Just a helpful, honest conversation to help you see where you stand, and how we may be able to help you move forward.
Wondering whether an annuity belongs in your plan?
Start with a free, no-obligation review. We'll compare the options side by side, with a financial professional, and only recommend an annuity if it truly fits. Guarantees depend on the issuing insurer; not FDIC insured.
Get Your Free Annuity Reviewor call us at 623-974-0300