Month: September 2020

Finding safe returns in a zero interest rate environment

The Federal Reserve recently signaled that it's likely to keep interest rates at zero through 2023. This is bad news for savers and retirees who are looking for a safe place to park their cash. Gone are the days where you could leave money in a bank to earn 4-5%. In response, investors have been forced to take more risk, often investing in lower quality bonds or more stocks. Faced with a weakened economy from a global pandemic and an uncertain Presidential election, where can retirees look for a safe return? One potential solution is multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs).

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Sprout | Healthy Eats in the Heart of Maplewood

We visit Todd Marvel of Sprout in Maplewood to learn about the healthy food options he and his wife are bringing to their neighborhood. This interview was recorded on February 25, 2020. Apologies for the delay in publishing.

Sprouts current hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday (Pick-up and Delivery Only) from 11:00am-3:00pm.

 

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An impartial review of the Allianz Index Advantage Variable Annuity – updated August 2021

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in September 2020 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.

If you are looking for our review of the Allianz Index Advantage Income Variable Annuity, please click here. The Income version has an income rider attached.

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The annuity business has grown in popularity as investors, especially those nearing retirement, look for options that protect them from stock market volatility and provide a decent income stream in retirement. With over $200 billion in annual sales, the annuity industry is big business with lots of salespeople trying to persuade you to make a purchase.

Today, I will dig deep into the Allianz Index Advantage Annuity, one of the insurance industry's newest innovations. Registered index-linked annuities, RILAs also known as buffer annuities, appeal to investors who are risk averse but also need growth because they offer some downside protection in exchange for a cap on a stock index's upside performance. If it sounds attractive, you're not alone. Sales of RILAs rose 38% to $4.9 billion in the first quarter of 2020.

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