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.

In episode 195 of the AnnuityStraightTalk.com Podcast, Bryan Anderson tackles one of the most common problems in retirement planning — terrible annuity advice.

Bryan shares a real-life case where a couple with an ESOP was being pressured to make a long-term financial commitment under a 30-day deadline. Instead of rushing them into a sale, he showed them a simple step that bought them time to think through their options — opening a traditional IRA first and transferring funds there.

This episode is all about protecting yourself from scare tactics, rushed sales, and advice that puts the advisor’s commission ahead of your best interest. Bryan explains why taking time to build an income plan, understand your risk tolerance, and weigh your options leads to better results — and how a quick, low-pressure move can give you the breathing room you need.

If you’ve ever felt pushed to act fast on an annuity or investment decision, this episode will show you how to slow things down, avoid costly mistakes, and make the choice that’s truly right for your retirement.

Learn more or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com.

In episode 193 of the AnnuityStraightTalk.com Podcast, Bryan Anderson shares a real-world case study of how a client turned an underperforming annuity into a strong success story. By moving from low-rate contracts with unnecessary riders into a Midland National bonus annuity, the client immediately boosted his cash value and positioned himself for better growth.

Bryan explains the decision-making process, the importance of full disclosure when replacing an annuity, and why this bonus annuity made sense for someone focused on safe money and long-term planning. After just one year, the results were clear — nearly a 20% increase in value compared to where he started.

If you’ve been curious about how bonus annuities perform outside of marketing hype, this episode shows what happens when the right product is matched to the right situation.

Learn more or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com

In episode 192 of the AnnuityStraightTalk.com Podcast, Brian Anderson takes a deep dive into bonus annuities and the often-cited 17.42% first-year return. He explains exactly how this number is calculated, the situations where a true bonus annuity can make sense, and the tradeoffs you need to understand before committing.

Brian walks through the four main scenarios where bonus annuities can provide real value—exiting an underperforming contract, adding an immediate cash value boost, enhancing death benefits, and supporting systematic withdrawals. He also outlines the downsides, including reduced long-term growth potential and the need for a multi-year commitment.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a bonus annuity is a smart move or just a marketing gimmick, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

Learn more or schedule a call at AnnuityStraightTalk.com

In this episode of the AnnuityStraightTalk.com Podcast, Bryan Anderson welcomes back his friend and industry insider, Nate, for a candid conversation about why he personally bought the Midland National Income Vantage Pro annuity.

After nearly 20 years as an annuity wholesaler working with top insurance companies, Nate has seen it all — the good, the bad, and the products that often aren’t in the client’s best interest. So why did he choose Midland National for his own retirement money?

We break down:
✅ Why Nate trusted Bryan to handle his personal annuity purchase
✅ What makes the Income Vantage Pro stand out — guaranteed income, growth potential, and no fees
✅ How this product works for both younger investors and retirees
✅ The flexibility and death benefit options that set it apart from competitors
✅ Real-life numbers from Nate’s $350,000 investment case study

If you’ve ever wondered whether an annuity can actually deliver long-term value — or why an industry professional would put his own money into one — this episode gives you a transparent look at the decision-making process.

There’s a dark side of the annuity industry that no one wants to talk about — but it’s time someone did.

In this episode, Bryan Anderson calls out the deadbeat annuity agents who are giving the business a bad name. These are the advisors who chase a quick commission, disappear after the sale, and leave clients in the dark about the products they bought. If you’ve ever felt abandoned or confused about your annuity, you’re not alone — and it’s probably not your fault.

Bryan shares real stories, red flags to watch for, and the key questions every consumer should ask before signing anything. Not all agents are bad — but the bad ones are out there, and they’re costing people money and peace of mind.

Learn how to protect yourself.
Find out what real service looks like.
And make sure you're not stuck with a deadbeat.