In episode 197 of the AnnuityStraightTalk.com Podcast, Bryan Anderson breaks down one of the most common retirement planning questions: should you pay a fee for maximum guaranteed income, or choose a no-fee annuity contract that relies on performance?

Bryan explains the trade-offs between the two approaches:

• Fee-based contracts that deliver the highest guaranteed lifetime income, backed by the insurance company.

• No-fee options that offer more growth potential and flexibility, but less certainty.

• The role of interest rates, age, and retirement timing in choosing the right strategy.

• Real client examples showing when each option can make sense.

If you’ve ever wondered whether paying a small fee is worth it for long-term income security—or if you’re better off keeping your options open—this episode will give you the objective framework to decide what fits your situation best.

Learn more or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com.

In episode 196 of the AnnuityStraightTalk.com Podcast, Bryan Anderson takes on one of the most common misconceptions in retirement planning — that Federal Reserve rate cuts automatically change annuity rates. With so much noise in the media about the Fed’s latest move, many people feel rushed to act before “rates drop.”

Bryan explains why annuity rates often move ahead of Fed decisions, why they don’t follow the federal funds rate directly, and what really drives yields for MYGAs and income products. He walks through the supply-and-demand forces that impact bond markets, how fear-based sales tactics exploit Fed headlines, and why staying calm leads to better long-term decisions.

If you’ve been told to “act fast before rates fall,” this episode will help you separate fact from hype and give you a better way to watch the indicators that actually matter for your retirement plan.

Learn more or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com

In episode 194 of the AnnuityStraightTalk.com Podcast, Bryan Anderson tackles the worst annuity advice he’s seen in years. A couple in their early sixties was told to move their entire $1.7 million in 401(k) savings into a single annuity contract — without proper disclosure, without a clear income plan, and without even being shown other options.

Bryan breaks down exactly what went wrong in this case: a lack of transparency, unrealistic promises, and zero retirement planning. He explains why putting all of your assets into one contract is dangerous, what questions should have been asked, and how to recognize when an advisor is putting commissions ahead of clients.

If you’ve ever felt pressured to make a big financial decision without clear explanations, this episode will show you the red flags to watch for and why education and disclosure must come first.

Learn more or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com.