crediting options

An impartial review of the Pacific Life Variable Annuity

Warning: this is an in-depth review of the Pacific Choice Variable Annuity. Many annuity critics point to complexity as being a major negative for this asset class and Pacific Life doesn't dispel this criticism. The prospectus totals a voluminous 132 pages. So buckle up and let's dig in.

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

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variable annuity

10 Things The SEC Wants You to Know About Variable Annuities

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) provides several resources to help educate investors about the complex product of variable annuities. In fact, the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy recently published an Investor Bulletin entitled Variable Annuities—An Introduction. If you are thinking about purchasing an annuity, I encourage you to read the bulletin in its entirety as well as thoroughly read Variable Annuities: What You Should Know.

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