It’s on just about everyone’s mind right now.  Reaching new heights by the day in a way that defies logic.  Recent negative days almost make it seem normal but no matter how you look at it, the stock market is wildly overpriced.  Big business is doing well but small business is having a hard time […]

This is a case that comes from my podcast co-host, Ashok Ramji.  And it’s important to understand that the highest payout with an annuity is not always the first choice for many people.  It’s one thing to not realize you didn’t get the highest payout contract and another to choose a lower payout for different […]

First of all, there are a lot of people that think annuities are only for income.  Longtime subscribers to AST know that’s not the case but for anyone new it is an important point to understand.  Annuities are meant for protection and each type offers an opportunity to achieve any goal. Why is it important?  […]

I’ve been working with Lester for about three years now.  When he found me in 2018 it was after more than a half dozen dinner seminars and several more meetings to see specific proposals from each advisor.  He was tired because the insurance guys wanted him to have nothing but annuities and the investment guys […]

I met an older gentleman, Charlie, about a month ago whose wife passed away a few years ago.  He is managing assets mostly for his three children but is keeping the same investment philosophy going forward.  He wants to minimize risk and taxes.  His major concern is that with the newly proposed ‘American Families Plan’ […]

For those of you who enjoy the newsletter in Podcast format there is a new option.  All episodes will now be available with video on YouTube.  For awhile, Ashok and I were meeting in Spokane, WA to record episodes together but we have since purchased high quality video equipment so we can produce episodes from […]

Lately there are a lot of people asking about safety.  Although that is something everyone should consider, it seems to be a more pressing concern in the past few months.  There’s nothing new that should have people worried but it takes a different trigger for everyone.  Sure, federal spending is out of control but that’s […]

A lot of things this year have been changing in my business but not in a way I would have expected even six months ago.  Since the beginning my focus has been on providing solid information and advice to consumers and that’s not about to change.  But rather than focus on finding more consumers I’ve […]

Using annuities in retirement is an obvious choice whether the purpose is to create income, manage a portfolio or just grow money over time.  I’m becoming more direct with my commentary because several people who don’t like annuities have failed to come up with a reasonable alternative.  Sure you can get bonds, dividend stocks, REITs […]

This is one topic I should have addressed a long time ago.  Insurance companies retain the right to make changes to rates inside an index annuity contract and lots of people take that to mean they are getting the raw end of the deal.  It seems to show evidence of less control for the consumer […]