[MrFlorida]

Glad you like your investment guy, just remember, these guys are in business to make money off of you, they are not your friends.

[RoadToad]

JEPQ 3 yr return 0.0 how is this "good"

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by CybrSage

I am curious, will the view on annuities change if a certain candidate gets in office and is able to enact a tax on money not yet earned, aka unrealized capital gains?

No politics please, just asking how such a thing may or may not alter views on annuities.

Also, if one is seeking safety, but not stupid levels like a savings account whose interest is far below inflation, what is recommended? For a risk adverse person. Asking for a friend (and in this case, I really am. )

Personally, I don't think the view on annuities would change. The only proposal to tax unrealized capital gains that I have heard would only affect people making more than a million dollars per year.

Regarding higher interest rates, I don't know of anything that is safe and has a higher return than a money market account, such as what Vanguard offers. Currently, they are paying about 5.25 percent, which is slightly higher than the current inflation rate. I also keep some cash in the Vanguard High Yield bond fund (junk bonds) that is paying about 6.25 percent.

[LonnyP]

I really hated when my parents bought those, but they too thought they were great. There is one reason financial advisers love to sell those.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

hmmm, monthly income taxed at income rate levels versus lower dividend rates?

is your taxable income > 89K?
if your taxable income is not over 89K, never mind. .

monthly income taxed at 22% over 89K
versus ETF dividends taxed at 15% over 89K?

JUST CURIOUS, with high fees and higher taxable income bracket than monthly ETF bond and stock distributions, what was the rational from your financial planner for annuities?

former finance guy

I prefer
ETFs

[manaboutown]

I just found this and am providing it for information purposes only. I am NOT making any accusations.

"Annuity Twisting and Churning
Life insurance and annuity agents may deceive clients, convincing them to surrender their contracts and reinvest in instruments where the agent is the main party benefiting. These practices are known as twisting and churning. Many states have laws that specifically prohibit these transactions.

With annuity “twisting,” agents encourage investors to exchange an annuity from one company for an investment from another company. However, subsequent annuity investments are usually worth less than the initial investments, and annuity surrenders often result in costly penalties. Agents pushing the new policy then walk away with a large commission.

Annuity “churning” occurs when dishonest insurance agents convince annuity owners to trade annuity contracts for other ones from the same company. Clients may owe additional premiums or lose value on the policies previously owned. While the consumers usually come out in a losing position, the agents pad their pockets with sales commissions.

“Twisting” and “churning” are fraudulent activities, but exchanging an old annuity for a new one isn’t always a bad idea. That said, a good insurance agent or financial professional will always make sure an exchange is beneficial to an annuitant."

From: Annuity Scams: Fraudulent Schemes & Illegal Practices

[Stu from NYC]

Hopefully the OP has been reading this thread and has learned something.

[Tvflguy]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

Glad you like your investment guy, just remember, these guys are in business to make money off of you, they are not your friends.

hmm. So are banks, mutual funds, brokers, etc etc. I believe that all business involved with finance etc etc are in Business to make money…just remember.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

hmm. So are banks, mutual funds, brokers, etc etc. I believe that all business involved with finance etc etc are in Business to make money…

Delete "involved with finance etc etc" and the statement is correct.

[Tvflguy]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Hopefully the OP has been reading this thread and has learned something.

I’ve learned something. To each their own. If they are pleased so be it. So many here are myopic. And some narcissistic. I would believe that the OP is very conservative with their finances. And perhaps serious about not taking much risk, especially with what can happen and impact Wall Street and such the next few years.

[Tvflguy]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Delete "involved with finance etc etc" and the statement is correct.

Meaning Advisors, Tax Prep, Money Managers etc etc. ALL are in business for profit.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

Meaning Advisors, Tax Prep, Money Managers etc etc. ALL are in business for profit.

Meaning every business is in the business for profit.

[TheWarriors]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I don't understand what you are saying. Money that you "earn" in either an IRA or an annuity is taxed as ordinary income. It is not considered a capital gain. I am currently withdrawing RMD funds from my IRA, and it is taxed as ordinary income. If you buy an annuity, you are buying a life insurance policy, so you don't actually own any stocks or bonds in your name, and you cannot accumulate any capital gains, only ordinary income.

If you are at the RMD point of life, taxes are the last thing you should be concerned with

[TheWarriors]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

Glad you like your investment guy, just remember, these guys are in business to make money off of you, they are not your friends.

If investment planners knew what they were doing, the last thing they would be doing is talking to you. They’d be selfishly reaping the benefits of their knowledge.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by TheWarriors

If investment planners knew what they were doing, the last thing they would be doing is talking to you. They’d be selfishly reaping the benefits of their knowledge.

Could be doing both.

If I listen to someone about investments....................I want them to be a lot lot richer (thru investing) than me.