Fixed Annuity Quotes

People are of two minds about where is the best place to get fixed annuity quotes. Some would say that the best place to get fixed annuity quotes is at the place where you actually intend to buy the insurance as you get all of the information that you need to know "direct from the horse's mouth" as they say. The quotes are direct and would accurately reflect what the institution or insurance company has to offer you as a deal on that day.

Others say that the best way to go about getting fixed annuity quotes is to get them from a broker or look them up on one of the many sites on the World Wide Web that will allow you to compare fixed annuity quotes in nicely designed, easy to read charts. There are absolutely scores of sites on the Internet run by insurance brokers that specialize in comparing fixed annuity quotes specifically so don't be afraid to take advantage of your search engine box to find the rates that are best for you.

The reason that getting them from a broker or a brokerage site is a good idea is that you will get a larger selection or idea of what is actually out there when it comes to fixed annuity rates and terms and conditions. However the fact is that some web sites or brokers are of course there to represent the best interests of their affiliates. In order to make a decision some of these brokers may slant their reviews or assessments of different plans in favor of what they are selling.

Another thing to look out for when shopping for fixed annuity quotes online are claims that seem too good to be true. Don't trust any broker that asks for your social insurance number, banking account number or credit card number by email. This means that you could be a potential victim of identity theft. To avoid this type of grifting you might also want to consider getting your quotes by phoning a broker or by talking to one in person.

Tiffany Walker has finally revealed her annuity secrets online. Read the latest by clicking here: Fixed Annuity Quotes.

Finding a Buyer of a Structured Annuity Settlement

If you receive a big insurance settlement (such as a personal injury settlement) or win the lottery then it might be a good idea to find a buyer of structured annuity settlement. An annuity settlement means that even though you have won a big jackpot or been awarded a huge sum of cash that you will only see a small sum of it that is sent to you by check once a year. This is where a buyer of a structured annuity settlement can come in handy especially if you want to take advantage of all of your winnings at once.

A buyer of structured annuity settlement winnings will offer you a big lumps sum payment so that you don't have to wait to be paid over a period of several years or even decades. In a way you could perceive this type of annuity as a kind of cash advance for the winnings you would have received in the future.

Keep in mind that doing a deal with a buyer of a structured annuity settlement is not necessarily that profitable. They in actuality keep the majority of your winnings. For one thing the buyer will be receiving all of the interest on the money as it is collected for many years. You on the other hand may be tempted to splurge all of your winnings or insurance money at once.

Still opting for a structured annuity settlement is a good idea for individuals who need a huge lump sum of cash to take care of immediate physical needs which is often the case with people receiving large insurance settlements as the result of personal injury or medical abuse.

Tiffany Walker has finally revealed her annuity secrets online. Read the latest by clicking here: Buyer of structured annuity settlements.

Private Annuity Trust vs. 1031 Exchange- When a PAT Makes Sense (Part II)

In the last article, I pointed out when, as a real estate investor, doing a 1031 Exchange on the sale of a Real Estate Property may not be your best option.

So, let's assume you do want or need to sell a real estate investment, don't want to do an exchange, and don't want to pay a huge lump sum capital gains tax payment of 15-40% on your gains. Now is the time to see how a Private Annuity Trust can save you money.

It's important to know that you don't avoid paying your capital gains tax obligation, you just get to defer all payment for a while if you're under 70 years old, or you at least get to spread out the obligation over many years. The total of years can be your lifetime or a fixed number of years determined by you when you set up the trust.

So, how does that help you? Well, if someone were to offer you a 0% interest loan on let's say $300,000.00 for the next 30 years, and you only had to make minimum payments, would you jump at the chance? Most people sure would. Think of how you could invest that 300K so that you could enjoy the benefit of the interest it accrued. This is effectively what a Private Annuity Trust does for you. It allows you to keep most of your gains working to your advantage, while paying back the money owed to the IRS over a long period of time.

This also holds for the depreciation recapture if you owned your property for a long period of time and depreciated it according to a schedule to realize annual tax advantages of owning investment real estate.

If you do not put a tax strategy in place and sell outright, not only do you owe capital gains tax, but you also owe depreciation recapture, which can be another 25-35% of your total depreciation taken over the ownership cycle of your investment.

And, you will avoid the possibility of the dreaded Alternative Minimum Tax trap. This is something else that may catch you by surprise when you least expect it triggered by your outright sale of property. This could mean having other legitimate tax deductions disqualified and a higher tax payment owed by you.

As you can see, it's definitely worth it to consult with an expert in Capital Gains Tax saving strategies before you make the decision to sell your real property.

The PAT can also work with the sale of a second home, vacation home, or even your primary residence. With these assets, a 1031 exchange is not an option.

Paula Straub is a Investment Advisor Representative and Insurance Agent in Southern California. She facilitates Capital Gains Tax Saving Strategies for clients in all 50 States by working closely with Nationally recognized companies. Paula is an educator, author and professional speaker. You can learn more about Paula at her website http://www.Paula-Straub-Capital-Gains-Tax-Site.com or contact her directly at (760)917-0858

Private Annuity Trust vs. 1031 Exchange- When a PAT makes Sense (Part I)

Real Estate Investors tend to be hard core. There is nothing like having your money invested in property you can touch, visit, renovate and watch gain in appreciation.

You may have heard the term "Swap till you drop". What this term means is that as an investor,you sell your real property and exchange it for another of? equal or greater value, and continue to do this until you die and leave the assets to your heirs. This does (under current tax law) allow you to avoid paying capital gains tax and recaptured depreciation forever. And, your heirs currently inherit it at the value at the date of your death. They do not pay capital gains tax and depreciation, except if they sell it over the value it was at death.

This is a good thing.

However, there is going to be a time to exit the real estate investment phase of your life.? Let me give a few examples of when this might be the case.

1. You have accumulated a number of investment properties and reach a point in life you want less hands-on management responsibilities.

2. You want to slow down a bit during retirement and actually want to use some of the equity you have worked so hard to accumulate to improve your income and lifestyle.

3. The market conditions are ripe to sell, but purchasing another property of equal or greater value doesn't make sense.

4. Economic conditions warrant sale. Perhaps need for long term care for you or a member of your family.

5. Personal circumstances, such as need for additional income, debt payoff, tax consequences, property division, etc. warrant the need to sell.

6. You need to do some estate planning and need to remove some of your assets from your estate so your heirs won't have a huge estate tax obligation.

If any of these prevail, a Private Annuity Trust may be your best option. A PAT will allow you to spread out your capital gains tax burden over many years, and trigger what is effectively a 0% interest? long term loan from the government. How often do you get this kind of opportunity?

Part II will explain more of how a Private Annuity Trust can make a huge difference when any of the above circumstances might arise.

Capital Gains Tax Saving Strategies real estate investors need to hang onto your hard earned profits. Get your free report "Seven Secrets to Help Real Estate Investors Hang onto Their Capital Gains" at http://www.saverealestategains.com

The Variable Annuity versus The Mutual Fund

Get ready for the battle of the new millennium, the variable annuity versus the mutual fund. Over the past few years, the variable annuity has come under extreme attack, as an investment vehicle for retirement because of its expenses and taxes laws regarding withdraws. Actually, many articles have compared the features of the fixed annuity to a mutual fund, but unfortunately; that is like comparing a wagon to a jet ski. On the other hand, the variable annuity experiences market risk and so does your mutual fund; therefore, this provides us with a fairer comparison.

The variable annuity takes a lot of criticism, since individuals pay ordinary income taxes on withdrawn earnings. Also, the variable annuity is subject to stringent tax rules such as early withdraw penalties before age 59 1/2 with a few exceptions; even if the plan is classified as a non-qualified account. Mutual fund taxes are based on the fund manager's classification of the dividend. If the gain is considered a short-term capital gain in the mutual fund, this amount will also be taxed as ordinary income.

There has been some discussion over the high expenses associated with the variable annuity. Most variable annuity plans average a "mortality and expense" charge of about 1.2% a year and each separate account you choose may add another .8 % to .9% a year plus administrative costs. Mutual funds also have fees. Some funds require you to pay a sales charge when you purchase it, while others require you take a number of years to pay off its sales charge or are considered to be no-load mutual funds. Regardless of the mutual fund you choose, you will have to pay internal fees which may include management and those pesky 12(b)1 fees. The average yearly mutual fund fees generally run .75 to 1.3%, depending on the fund. By now you are wondering why anyone would use a variable annuity for retirement planning? Actually, that is for you to decide not me. F.Y.I., those investment specialist crying about an annuities' surrender charges should never sell B-share mutual funds, because there is not much difference.

The variable annuity has one defensive stand left? Let us say two people invested $20,000 in a variable annuity and the other in XYZ Mutual Fund. Both of these people die before spending a dime of their retirement accounts. At the time of death, each person had the same asset allocation model and $14,000 in their account. Whose beneficiary will get the most money? If your variable annuity has a death benefit that guarantees your original investment minus withdraws, you would have done better with the annuity. However, there are many other scenarios to consider, and the tax rules regarding non-qualified annuities and surrender charges may not allow easy access to your money before age 59 1/2. You decide which is a better retirement investment for you. The most important thing you can do is something, instead of nothing at all.

Disclaimer: The information in this article should be construed to be insurance advice. Always consult a financial or insurance professional or tax accountant to determine what coverage is right for you.

Mr. Jason Cunningham is the lead writer for http://www.financial-shopper-network.com and http://financialshoppernetwork.blogspot.com.

Annuity Payments

Annuities are a series of payments made by an institution like an insurance company to the annuitant at regular intervals of time over a fixed time period. The payments are fixed and may be on a yearly, semi annual, quarterly or monthly basis. Generally, there are two types of annuity payments called ?ordinary annuities? and ?annuities due?.

Ordinary annuities require payments at the end of every period until the maturity period of the investment. For example, with bonds, usually the seller pays coupon interest payments to the buyer at the end of every six months. However, sometimes annuity payments will be made at the beginning of each period like a rent payment. These are called ?annuity due?. Depending on the frequency of annuity payments, annuities can be divided into deferred annuities and immediate annuities. In immediate annuities, annuity payments are made at much frequenter intervals. Deferred annuities will make the annuity holders receive payments depending on the nature of the annuity. If the deferred annuity is a fixed deferred, the holder will get the guaranteed rate of return at regular intervals over the life of the contract. If it is variable deferred annuity, the payments depend on the performance of the underlying investment. This means the annuitant will not receive any guaranteed amount. However, the payments under the variable annuities are tax-free or tax-deferred.

There are several types of annuity payments depending on the nature of the annuity. If the annuitant or the nominee receives payments after the fixed period in spite of any contingency, such payments are called ?annuity with period certain?. If an annuity payment continues after the death of the annuitant, it is called a ?life annuity? payment. If it continues over the annuitant?s life or for a fixed period (whichever is longer), it is called ?life with period certain?. The latest version for annuity payments is called ?equity-indexed annuity payments?.

It is not advisable for the annuitant to get cash value of the annuity by cashing out, unless the annuitant is under financial stress. The ultimate responsibility of cashing out an annuity and getting the payments rests on the shoulders of the annuitant.

Cash For Annuities Web provides detailed information on cash for annuities, annuity brokers, annuity buyers, annuity payments and more. Cash For Annuities Web is affiliated with Cash Out Refinancing Scams.

The Variable Annuity and Retirement Planning

Over the years, there has been much debate on why an annuity should not be used for retirement planning. However, we will save that debate for another day. The annuity got its first big break in the retirement business when TIAA-CREF introduced the variable plan in 1952. Today, the variable annuity is used in many other forms, including the 403B, 457, and the traditional, Roth, Simple, and Sep-IRA. We will discuss some of the features and benefits of the annuity. Earnings inside the variable annuity grow on a tax-deferred basis and are subject to a 10% early withdraw penalty before age 59 1/2, except with a few exceptions including: separation from your job at age 55 or older, when money is used to pay medical bills exceeding 7.5 % of your Adjusted Gross Income in a given year, etc. Also, the variable annuity generally has a death benefit. Usually, the annuity's death benefit will pay the named beneficiary the greater of the premiums paid into the account minus any withdraws or the current account balance. For example: if you invest $100,000 in a variable annuity and upon your death, your account balance is only worth $30,000, your beneficiary will receive $100,000 minus expenses and withdraws, but taxes may be due at that time (this applies only to annuities with this specific death benefit). The variable annuity usually has several separate accounts. One of the advantages of the variable annuity is the chance for diversification, in spite of limited dollars. If a person has only $3000 to invest in a Roth IRA and wants a portfolio to match their risk tolerance, this can generally be attained in a variable annuity. The separate accounts in a variable annuity represent large, small, mid-cap, international investments, bonds, or indexes like the S& P 500 or the Russell 2000.?Often a person would have to pay a $1000 to a mutual fund company, in order to have the same offering of diversification. You can usually switch between fund families in a variable annuity without paying another sales charge, unlike some mutual funds. While everyone might not need a variable annuity for retirement, some people enjoy its features. The death benefit of some of these annuities allow some individuals to leave an inheritance without the worry of market loss. However, be mindful that a variable annuity is subject to retirement rules and regulations, just as one's IRA or 401K at work. *Disclaimer: This article does not constitute financial advice. Always consult a tax advisor or financial advisor when making investment decisions.?

Mr. Jason Cunningham is the author of many articles at Financial-Shopper-Network.Com and Financial Shopper Network Blog

Annuity Buyers

Annuities are a series of payments made by an institution like an insurance company to the annuitant (annuity holder) at regular intervals over a fixed time period. Most of annuity buyers are from middle-class families having household income less than $75,000 a year, and their main objective is to have an income after retirement.

According to one survey, the average age of an annuity buyer is 66 years old and retired. Generally these people think that their financial needs after retirement will not be covered by a pension or other employment related retirement funds. They invest in annuity plans to have guaranteed income. A person can purchase an annuity if a lump sum is received like a pension, the sale of land or house or any inherited property.

A potential annuity buyer, particularly first time buyer, should be very careful in deciding the type of the annuity to invest in and on the insurance company to go with. Some annuities offer guaranteed income and some s do not. Some annuities offer returns even after the death of the annuitant, but some types of annuities provide income only for a fixed time period. The excess income over the total premium amount is tax-free in some types of annuities, whereas in some other cases, the excess income is taxable. Therefore, the buyer has to understand the basic types of annuities in order to decide which type is suitable for their financial situation.

The buyer can seek the help and advice of finance professional or annuity broker.

Before purchasing an annuity, the buyer has to understand the payment options. For instance, the company may pay some types of annuities only after the death of the annuitant and some after a fixed time period ranging from five to twenty years. The buyer should know about front-end loading fees, yearly maintenance fees and surrender charges. Another important point to know is the credit rating of the insurance company by agencies like Standard and Poors and Moody?s and Fitch. These agencies assess the insurance company?s ability to meet all of its claims on time. After considering all these criteria, annuity buyers need to select the best annuity to purchase and to later on enjoy.



Cash For Annuities provides detailed information on cash for annuities, annuity brokers, annuity buyers, annuity payments and more. Cash For Annuities is affliated with Cash Out Refinancing Scams

Annuity Appointment Setting: Super Sales Techniques

When it comes to annuity appointment setting, the most effective technique by far is the Drop-By System. However, if you've totaled your car, broken both legs and must resort to a phone call, I've always taught my agents that the best way to engage your prospect on the phone is to open with a statement that is anything but your typical warm fuzzy, "How are you today?" Your statement must (1) <u>make them sweat a little</u> and (2) <u>pose a problem</u> which is at the same time a benefit of owning an annuity (without saying the word 'annuity'). Note: This formula works with any product.

For example, "HELLO, MRS. JONES? MY NAME IS _______, FROM THE _____ AGENCY DOWN THE STREET, AND I'VE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU BECAUSE I FIND THAT SOME OF MY RETIRED CLIENTS ARE PAYING INCOME TAXES ON THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY, AND THEY DON'T NEED TO. I'M A FINANCIAL ADVISOR IN THE AREA AND I CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE INCOME TAXES ON YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY. I'LL SPEND 10 TO 15 MINUTES WITH YOU UNLESS YOU KEEP ME LONGER. THERE'S NO CHARGE. I'VE GOT WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 10:00 AVAILABLE, OR WOULD 2:00 ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON BE BETTER FOR YOU?"

Your prospect's responsibility at this point is to say, "No thanks, I'm not interested," or maybe something not so kindhearted. You've just interrupted her world. However, you'll do much better at annuity appointment setting if you understand that a 'No' is simply a latent reaction from childhood. In our formative years, the one word we heard more than any other was the dreaded, "No!" It's what we got almost every time we asked for something:

"Mommy, can I have a cookie?"

"No."

"Daddy, can I drive the car?"

"No."

Your job as a professional salesperson is to understand that humans are hardwired to respond to practically any proposition with the word, "No." It's how our circuits work. Negative responses can range from a simple 'no' to a blistering harangue. Your steadfast, automatic response must be to pull the plug, short-circuit the connection, neutralize the way your prospect's mind works.

Try the old 'feel, felt, found': "I CAN CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL, MRS. JONES. A LOT OF PEOPLE I TALK TO INCLUDING A FEW OF YOUR NEIGHBORS FELT THE SAME WAY AT FIRST. BUT AFTER THEY UNDERSTOOD THE PROBLEM AND HOW SIMPLE THE SOLUTION WAS, THEY FOUND THEY WERE SAVING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN UNNECESSARY TAXES." By pouring water on your prospect's natural resistance, you weaken their response and, at the same time, maneuver the phone call into a back-and-forth conversation.

Now you've earned the right to continue: "...YOU SEE, WE FIND THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE SIMPLY DON'T REALIZE THAT A PORTION OF THEIR ESTATE THAT THEY WANT TO LEAVE TO THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WILL BE EATEN UP IN PROBATE COURT, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY. I'M A FINANCIAL ADVISOR IN THIS AREA AND I CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO FIX THAT. I'LL SPEND 10 TO 15 MINUTES WITH YOU UNLESS YOU KEEP ME LONGER. THERE'S NO CHARGE. I'VE GOT WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 10:00 AVAILABLE, OR WOULD 2:00 THIS THURSDAY AFTERNOON BE BETTER FOR YOU?"

Get ready for it. Here it comes again: "No thanks," she says, "we've already got a financial advisor who's been with us for years." Mrs. Jones is only playing her part in this annuity appointment setting rivalry. At the same time, she's telling you exactly how she wants you to get her to say yes. Pay attention to her words. This time you're going to, first, neutralize her objection, then use her exact words to identify "... THE PEOPLE WHO BENEFIT THE MOST FROM OUR SERVICES."

For example, "I CAN CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL, MRS. JONES (neutralize). HOWEVER, THE PEOPLE WHO BENEFIT THE MOST FROM OUR SERVICES ARE THE ONES WHO ALREADY HAVE FINANCIAL ADVISORS. SEE, A GOOD FINANCIAL ADVISOR, JUST LIKE A GOOD DOCTOR, WILL OFTEN ADVISE YOU TO GET A SECOND OPINION. I'M A SPECIALIST IN THIS AREA AND I CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO AVOID THE EXPENSE AND DELAYS OF PROBATE. I'LL SPEND 10 TO 15 MINUTES WITH YOU UNLESS YOU KEEP ME LONGER. THERE'S NO CHARGE. I'VE GOT WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 10:00 AVAILABLE, OR WOULD 2:00 ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON BE BETTER FOR YOU?"

At this point, if you don't hear a click and a dial tone, you may hear a slight wavering in her voice. Her "We-already-have-a-financial-advisor" line worked with the last salesperson. What's up with you? Now she has to either think about her response or default to the old standby, "I'm not interested." If she responds with anything but "I'm not interested," she'll be telling you how she wants you to get her to say yes. These responses can include,

"I'm too busy right now."

"Our son-in-law takes care of those things."

"We've already got all the insurance we need."

"I don't have any money."

"I never accept telephone solicitations."

You must stay one step ahead of your opponent by preparing your script for all possible scenarios. Sit down and write them out in your own words. Use the above script as an outline and insert the gist of her response in the appropriate places. Then follow up with another problem for her to worry about which is also a benefit of owning an annuity. Don't be afraid to get creative. Annuity appointment setting is a game of wits and circular logic. The more you differentiate yourself from the last three telemarketers she sent to the insane asylum, the more successful you'll be at appointment setting and, ultimately, selling annuities.

Finally, if you're dealing with an indifferent, uncreative type who just can't come up with anything but, "I'm not interested," try this:

"MRS. JONES, IT'S OKAY IF YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED. I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU ONE QUESTION. WORK WITH ME HERE. IMAGINE THAT EVERYTHING YOU'RE WORTH - YOUR HOME, YOUR SAVINGS, YOUR INVESTMENTS, EVERYTHING - WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU FIRST THING NEXT WEEK. AND LET'S SAY I CALLED YOU JUST LIKE I'M DOING TODAY, AND TOLD YOU I COULD PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY SO THAT NONE OF THOSE BAD THINGS WOULD HAPPEN. WOULD YOU STILL TELL ME YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED, OR WOULD YOU LET ME SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND SHOW YOU HOW IT WORKS BEFORE ANYTHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS? YOU SEE, WE KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE, MAYBE EVEN YOU, HAVE A LOT OF THEIR LIFE'S SAVINGS SITTING IN THE BANK, OR IN STOCKS AND BONDS, OR IN REAL ESTATE, WHERE IT CAN BE ATTACHED BY A JUDGEMENT IN A CIVIL COURT OF LAW ... AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY. I'M A FINANCIAL ADVISOR IN THIS AREA AND I CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO FIX THAT. I'LL SPEND 10 TO 15 MINUTES WITH YOU UNLESS YOU KEEP ME LONGER. THERE'S NO CHARGE. I'VE GOT WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 10:00 AVAILABLE, OR WOULD 2:00 THIS THURSDAY AFTERNOON BE BETTER FOR YOU?"

Get the picture? You need to eat, sleep and breathe annuity appointment setting.

http://www.Free-Insurance-Leads.com Gary Le Mon is a wholesale distributor of fixed indexed annuities for Allianz, American Equity, Sun Life Financial, and ING. Author and developer of the Safe Money Seminar, a financial planning seminar for Seniors, Gary serves as guest speaker on behalf of agents and agencies nationwide

Closing Annuity Sales: The First Appointment

Closing annuity sales is the point of the exercise, and every professional knows the euphoria of a perfect presentation and close. Some salespeople believe it is the hand of destiny ushering them through the signatures, to the button-up, the handshake, and the drive home where they bask in the good fortune of finding that "low-hanging fruit." The true professional spends the drive home replaying a different visual, a series of familiar steps that lead inevitably, unerringly to a new client for life. One salesperson gets lucky, the other gets validation.

The perfect presentation and close takes on a Zen-like quality, like the sound of one hand clapping. There is no sale, no close. There is a problem that finds a solution, a fear that finds comfort. All reasoning, all motivation comes from the client. Aristotle nailed it 2400 years ago: "The fool tells me his reasons, the wise man persuades me with my own."

Now that you've given your first pair of Safe Money Seminars and collected a couple dozen appointments, here are some defining dos and don'ts. When precisely executed, my three appointment process of closing annuity sales will assure not only sales, but new clients for life. For example, do remember that all prospects walk into your office (or await your arrival at their home) with important core emotional values - wants, fears, hopes and dreams. Don't jump into your pitch. If you insist on jumping into your pitch, save yourself the trouble and take a loaded revolver, get in the bathtub and blow your brains out. You'll earn roughly the same commission.

The FUD Factor

Instead, do observe the FUD Factor. All people have fears, uncertainties and doubts that haunt subconscious caverns and, unless confronted, render their host incapable of making decisions. These FUDs not only define their host's sense of self but also dictate how they relate to their money. Mr. and Mrs. Prospect are their fears, uncertainties and doubts as well as their money - all in varying yet fuzzy degrees. You must use your first appointment, your get-acquainted session, to deliberately and profoundly connect with these inner emotions.

How? Never lead with statements when you can lead with questions. Ask questions -- well-crafted, provocative, incisive questions -- and don't be so eager to tell your story that you neglect to hear your prospect's story. These are your money moments. The more time you spend soaking in the FUDs of your prospects, the more they will respect your advice, then help you craft solutions to their liking. The more they will think it was their idea.

And pay attention to body language, words they choke on, core emotional issues and outright fears. People are motivated by fear and greed, but fear will move them to action faster and with greater resolve than greed. Key in on the boogeyman, what keeps them up at night, what haunts their dreams. Most people need a psychiatrist more than they need a financial advisor. Fact is, a financial advisor is not very good at closing annuity sales until he or she becomes a good psychiatrist.

Three Questions

My favorite leading question is simply, "Where are you from originally?" When asked sincerely, the question gives them permission to take an autobiographical stroll down memory lane. Their eyes take on a nostalgic glow. There is a scant grin as they drift back in time recalling their childhood, their parents and siblings, schoolmates, the home they grew up in, what things were like in those days, and the passport that led them into adulthood. Your job here is to clam up and listen. Take notes like a freshman. You'll discover bedrock values along with irrational beliefs, paralyzing fears and whimsical dreams. This exercise has nothing to do directly with closing annuity sales or getting to their money... but everything to do with getting to know who earned their money. The value of their assets is less important that the values that created them.

Next I say, "Tell me about the work you did before you retired." A person's identity is largely defined by their occupational history. What they did for a living is who they are. Their need to find a sympathetic ear to acknowledge career accomplishments is on equal footing with their need to trust someone to respect what they've accumulated along the way. Talk of work often leads voluntarily to talk of IRAs and 401(k)s, but this is not an invitation for you to pounce on their nest egg. They've been waiting all their lives for a financial advisor to just listen to them. Use conversation extenders like, "...and you feel this way because?" or "...and that experience is why you've kept your money in CDs all this time?" Get to the blood, sweat and tears that went into earning their nest egg.

Then I say, "Now then, John and Mary, tell me why you asked for this appointment and maybe the two or three most important things you'd like us to talk about." They usually have a list of items to go over from your Safe Money Seminar, but if at this point they look at you like a deer in the headlights, try an alternate question like, "Tell me about the best financial move you ever made." Many people will seize the opportunity to gloat over victories. Surprisingly often, however, they'll volunteer their worst financial moves in painful detail, blow by blow, reaching deep to expose feelings that cry for emotional connection. This is when you know at a primal level that nothing in your arsenal for closing annuity sales equals the fire power of getting your prospects to tell their story.

A Few Wows

Your ratio of them talking to you talking should be about 5 to 1 or, in an hour, 50 minutes them to 10 minutes you. Remember, in your Safe Money Seminar you asked them to bring copies of last year's tax return, life insurance and annuity policies, and brokerage account statements. Since the first appointment is not about the diagnosis (finding what's broken), nor the prescription (closing annuity sales), you'll use the little time you have to 'Wow' them as much as possible. For example, if their tax return shows $7,000 to $8,000 in interest income, it's a safe bet they have roughly $200,000 in bank CDs paying 3.5% to 4% interest. You quickly do the math, glance up from the documents and say in nonchalant doctor speak, "And you've got, what, about $200,000 in bank CDs?" They verify the dollar amount for your notes and think, "Wow, how does he know that?"

Finally, you conclude the meeting. The simple message here is that, like any good doctor, you have not attempted any diagnosis and are far from prescribing any cure. The operative word here is "research." It will take you a week to research their current portfolio and/or assorted financial documents and identify areas that are not reaching their highest potential, not serving their needs, or outright broken and need fixing. Set the return appointment for the same time, same place, one week from today. Of course, you'll need to keep their documents for your research which, incidentally, reinforces the element of trust and assures their return visit. Then stand up, shake hands, look them in the eyes and thank them for sharing their lives with you.

You have done more toward closing annuity sales than anything you could have told them.

http://www.Free-Insurance-Leads.com Gary Le Mon is a wholesale distributor of fixed indexed annuities for Allianz, American Equity, Sun Life Financial, and ING.  and developer of the Safe Money Seminar, a financial planning seminar for Seniors, Gary serves as guest

Making A Rational Decision About A Structured Settlement Annuity

It is very easy to become aghast by the sheer volume of e-mails, web sites, tv and journal advertising and legal talk when considering the issue of structured settlements or annuities. We will investigate what, exactly, a structured settlement is so that you are better able to understand the concept and be able to make a rational decision.

To begin, let's explore just what a structured settlement is. It is simply a series of guaranteed disbursals - also known as annuities - made over a certain period of time and is usually the result of an injury settlement or another situation in which you are awarded access to a substantial whole amount of money. It is the alternative to accepting an upfront lump sum.

Structured settlements are individualized arrangements meant to help you cover present and forthcoming expenses. By working closely with an experienced attorney or financial advisor you can determine an effective structured settlement to give you the security of a fixed income over a set period of time. This can help you sleep better at night by taking a huge burden off your back.

There are various types of these annuities. You can learn more about them over at http://www.fixmyannuity.com, but here is a brief explanation of each. This is by no means a complete list, but should give you a fair idea of what is out there:

A certain Period Annuity has a certain period of time for the payments to be paid out. They can be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. Upon your death, all remaining payments are made to you beneficiary.

A Life Annuity will make periodic contributions for a guaranteed number of years (based on your life expectancy) or for life, whichever is up first. Again, the beneficiary receives any remaining disbursals should you die before the full whole amount is paid.

A Temporary Life Annuity will pay you for a designated number of years if you are still living, so your annuity ends when you die. There?s no provision for a beneficiary to collect remaining disbursals.

In a Life Contingent Lump Sum you?ll receive a lump sum, provided you are alive on the due date. If you die before this date, your beneficiary is not entitled to the whole amount.

Finally, with Lump Sum Option you can set it up to receive the lump sum on a particular date, say, fifteen years from now. Your beneficiary will receive the lump sum on the future date if you have died before then.

So which type is right for you? The best advice we can offer is to do your fact-finding work. Discuss your situation with your financial advisor and family. That way when you make the decision you'll know what your getting and have considered all the options.

Yvonne Volante, the author, is a big fan of annuities and proper planning and writes for fixmyannuity.com, which is the premier annuity resource on the internet. You can see all of the articles over at http://www.fixmyannuity.com

Annuity Quotes

To gain an understanding of annuities, we need to start at the beginning. In the year 1740, the Presbyterian Church began to use annuities in order to aid widows and the priestly order. The simple purpose of an annuity is to ensure that you have a sound financial back up during retirement. Today, there are different kinds of products sold by Insurance companies and agents. Before you take out an annuity ensure that the Insurance Company has a license to practice in your state. The State Insurance Commission is a legal body that regulates Insurance companies to make sure they have adequate funds so that investments are not jeopardized.

Different companies have annuities with different rates and returns. There could be several reasons why you would want an annuity. For example, an annuity helps you pay reduced tax, avoid probate and save for the future. You can look out for your future and that of your heirs. By putting money away for an inheritance, you are making a wise decision for your family. When choosing an annuity quote it is important to remember your financial status and goal for the future. Annuity quotes differ according to the annuity you choose. There are several companies that offer quotes for Immediate Annuities, Fixed Annuities, Equity-indexed Annuities and Variable Annuities.

If you choose an Immediate Annuity, then you can expect to receive a fixed or variable sum of money every month or quarter or according to your specification. The amount of money you receive is based on your initial deposit and the time duration of your annuity. If you choose a variable plan then make sure that your investments do very well. A Fixed Annuity is a low risk annuity because you receive a minimum interest whether or not your investments do well. These are more stable in nature and you will always know what to expect. There is no gamble in investing in such an annuity. Some companies that offer this are National Western Life, Jefferson Pilot Life, Great American Life Insurance Company, Allianz Life, American National Insurance Company etc.

Equity Indexed Annuities, as the name suggests is based on the stock market index. If your chosen index rises then you gain and vice versa. There is a certain amount of risk in this product; however, the bright side is that you gain if your investments do well. Variable annuities give you the freedom to decide where you want to invest, but it also does not protect you in case of loss. The benefit is that you get to keep all the profit. These annuities are good for those who are completely aware of the market dynamics. Therefore, before choosing an annuity quote you must first know what kind of annuity you really require. There are several online insurance portals that offer to give you an annuity quote instantly. All you have to do is fill out an online form and your quote will find its way to you.

In conclusion, choose an annuity quote that comes from the right source. Ensure that your agent is licensed, knowledgeable, reputable and experienced. It is always best to go for an agent that comes as a recommended source. Further, you can opt to receive multiple annuity quotes so you have a choice in front of you.

Robert co-founded Insurance4USA.com, an insurance quote shopping service, in 1999. He has been a licensed insurance agent in New York State since 1990

Annuity Basics

Annuities can be very good things for some of us and a disaster for those of us who have not been made aware of the pitfalls and traps that in turn can easily befall them. Since most people have or are going to look into annuities as a retirement or and an investment vehicle, make sure it fits into today's needs and parameters. It has to be right for the times we are in and it needs to be periodically revaluated for tomorrow's world.

Precautions to be taken when buying annuities:

1. One should not Buy Annuities With Long Surrender Periods:

People are talked into buying an annuity that locks up their money for an excessive period of time with a surrender period that is longer than another comparable annuity with similar interest rates.

2. Do not fall for First Year Bonus Interest Rates:

Some annuity companies offer you a 'bonus' or 'bonus interest rate' on your first year deposit into an annuity.

3. Understand exclusion rations and the value of a partial 1035 exchange.

This is a rather complicated subject because there are enormous variables in determining how to properly structure your annuity contract from day one so as to maximize the taxable exclusion ratios when and if you decide to take an annuitization income from your annuities in the future.

4. Do not use small companies with questionable financial ratings

An annuity by definition is a contract guaranteed by an insurance company. Annuity consumers sometimes forget this and buy and annuity without factoring the claims paying ability of the insuring company. This does not only apply to the questions of solvency or bankruptcy but to the more subtle effect it might have ones contract. If an annuity company has financial trouble it most likely will not go bankrupt (even though it is a possibility) because of the various government regulatory groups that monitor annuity companies. But what can happen is the annuity company will lower the rates at which it credits interest to your account in order to make up its losses in other areas of its business.

5. Know the guaranteed cover per person per insurance company

One needs to know if an insurance company goes broke what is the guaranteed cover per person per insurance company is available .One should not invest more than that in the fixed or guaranteed annuities and the variable annuities are not covered. Because if they broke then one may get stuck or spread the amount between different insurance companies.

6. Consider the shortest penalty free surrender date The next thing you have to consider is getting the shortest possible penalty free surrender date term as possible so long as the interest rate is better than any CD.

Lastly and most importantly get the best professional help, one who will always tell you "like it is" even if its sometimes hard to listen too and even harder sometimes to act upon.Mansi gupta writes about annuity basics .

An annuity Based Pension might just be the answer.

Of all types of income generating investments, annuities are some of the most controversial. There is a body of opinion that says they are a complete waste of time and you would do much better if you were to place the capital sum on the stockmarket or invest in property. But then again the stock market has been known to crash and property has frequently been known to decrease in real value, so if security is high on your list of priorities maybe annuities are worth a thought after all.

Annuities are popular as vehicles for pensions, perhaps mainly because they can be very tax efficient. If money is wrapped up in this investment it takes a tax holiday until such time as the premiums become due and payments are made. As this is likely to happen after retirement the tax liability falls dramatically.

There are two types of annuity. The former is deferred, which means payments are made, usually on a monthly basis for a number of years. This is a good way for the younger person to acquire an income later in life. The other variety is the fixed version. In this package, the purchaser pays a large capital sum usually to an insurance company and payments begin soon afterwards.

The big enemy of annuities is inflation. At the outset the agreed sum to be paid out might seem generous, but inflation can erode the value of the venture in a very alarming fashion.

On the other hand a fixed payment annuity based pension provides an excellent budgeting tool. You will know each month how much money you will receive and thus in much the same way as a salary, be able to cut your cloth accordingly. This allows for more efficient financial planning.

When it come to tax, there can be penalties if the annuity is cashed in before the "owner" reaches sixty years of age and this could be a disincentive for those folks who plan early retirement or find themselves made redundant before reaching the official age of retirement. However, as I said before there are some distinct tax advantages, particularly for those individuals in the higher tax brackets. Deferred Annuities are in effect a compulsory savings plan. In those years of high tax liability it would make a lot of sense to save as much as possible because these savings are then tax exempt. Tax is only due when income is received from the plan. That means you start drawing your annuity after you have stopped earning a high salary. It's very neat because as you have decreased earning your tax liability will drop to a lower level than previously. This all means you have allowed the IRS to partly finance those golden days of retirement. Now that begins to appeal does it not?

Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same

www.annuitiesforlife.com

Love The Thrill of Risk? Invest in an Annuity!

Love The Thrill of Risk? Invest in an Annuity!

 by: Stephen Bucaro

With the stock market in steep decline, people are looking for safe places to invest their savings. Many banks and investment companies are pushing annuities. Annuities offer a higher interest rate than CD's, but are they safe?

You could view an annuity as a tax deferred CD. You don't pay taxes on the interest until you start drawing from the annuity. But there are some important differences between an annuity and a CD.

An annuity is a product offered by an insurance company. With giant corporations like Enron, Kmart, Worldcom, and United Airlines going bankrupt, can you guarantee that the insurance company won't fold, leaving you with nothing? Insurance companies are insured by re-insurers, like General Re. But it seems no matter how large a company is, you can't be sure it won't fold. The bankruptcy of a large insurance company might cause the re-insurer to collapse along with it.

Bank CD's are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for up to $100,000 per bank. The FDIC is a branch of the U.S. Government, who, as you know, are the people who print the money. If they go bankrupt, we'll have more to worry about than just losing our savings!

A new type of annuity called a charitable gift annuity has come on the market recently. These are issued by charity organizations. You give your money to the charity, you receive a tax benefit, and in exchange the charity promises you a fixed payment for life. Unfortunately, this scheme has become a mode of operation for con artists.

The charitable gift annuity has been added to top ten scam list of the North American Securities Administrators Association. They explain that charitable gift annuities are subject to virtually no federal regulation. Here in Arizona, 430 investors lost their savings in a ponzi scheme run by the Mid-America Foundation Inc.

Banks and investment companies hawking annuities promote the higher than CD interest rates, but they fail to reveal the hidden fees and high early withdrawal penalties. If you need to access your annuity before age 59, you could be subject to a 10 percent penalty.

With the recent bankruptcies, and discovery that many giant corporations have been cooking their books for years, I feel it's best to play it safe. If you love the thrill of risk, or if you have already purchased an annuity, I wish you luck. As Will Rogers said, "I am not as concerned about the return ON my money as I am about the return OF my money".

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