Flexibility In Your Annuity

In any financial transaction, whether a debt or investment, flexibility should always be sought out. As with certain debt programs, there are annuities that are highly flexible.

One of the really good things about annuities as a money management and financial planning tool is that there are quite a variety of different forms that they can take to meet individual needs. One of the really good forms is the FPD Annuity. Its main advantage is, well, it is flexible. Since an annuity is a financial contract and is regulated by various laws and by the Internal Revenue Service regarding taxation issues, flexibility is an attractive option.

The FPD Annuity basically allows you to make payments into it when and if you are able to make them. There will be limitations and minimum and maximum deposit levels, but the payments are generally not on a set schedule. If you have a sudden windfall or find yourself with some excess investment capital, you can add it to your annuity. If you pass through a particularly hard period and are short of funds, no payment is necessary at all.

When the annuitization time arrives and withdrawals are going to be made, the amount of the payouts will, of course, be determined by how much you deposited into the annuity and how well it was invested by the Insurance Company that manages it. Most Insurance Companies that have these annuity plans have several different types designed to meet various retirement and investment goals. This allows even more choice for the purchaser, but also requires that he carefully review his own financial goals to be able to best determine the proper package.

The deferred part of the annuity refers to the taxation issue. As with most annuities, the earnings on the money invested are not taxed as they occur. This is a tremendous advantage of an annuity. The fact that the investment earnings are not taxed at the time they are realized means that the amount that would have normally been paid in taxes remains invested. Since an annuity is a long term investment, this means that this extra earnings saved from the tax man is reinvested and compounded over the entire life of the annuity. This can result in a substantial increase in income when compared to a normal savings account.

The only drawback of the annuity is that it does require a bit of self discipline in the individual to realize its best potential. When a person is faced with a mandatory deposit or has funds withdrawn from his paycheck for deposit into an IRA or 401 K plan, it is usually easy and painless. However, a person who is serious about financial planning and determined to make the most of his earning potential to insure security for his family and funds for his retirement can benefit from the flexibility of this kind of investment. As is the case in all annuities, your Insurance Agent will be able to guide you to the plan that is best able to meet your personal budget and goals.

Read more annuity information at UFCAmerica.com

Annuity Rescue - How to Save Yourself a Bundle

Is Your Annuity Really Working For You? Annuity expenses have a significant impact on your potential returns! Tax-deferred investing

• An income stream in retirement.
• Insuring your principal in case of death.
• Unlimited contributions.

For all these reasons and more, annuities offer a world of promise for investors in search of growth and/or income investing opportunities. Unfortunately, annuity purchasers don't always spend enough time understanding the real costs of the annuities they purchase. Do you know whether your annuity is low cost or high cost? Or the effect these costs may have over time? First, it's important to understand that every annuity carries an administration charge known as M&E (mortality and expense). There are also costs associated with the mutual fund investments found within the annuity. In addition, most insurance companies charge a surrender penalty of 5% to 10% if an investor wants out of the contract before a designated period of time is up. The bottom line: annuity expenses can have a substantial impact on your potential returns. In fact, your investing success and the resulting stream of income at retirement are greatly affected by the administration fees of your annuity - similar to the mortgage rate of your home loan.

To see what a difference lower fees can make on the potential growth of your annuity policy, visit one of our favorite tools: the Ameritas Annuity Cost Comparison Calculator at the Ameritas Direct website.

http://www.ameritasdirect.com/services/lowfees.htm To compare costs accurately, enter your current annuity expenses, an investment amount and time horizon, and other expense assumptions you'd like to consider. Keep in mind that all variable products have some investment risk, including possible loss of principal.

Also, investment returns will fluctuate over time due to market activity and an underlying portfolio's objectives - so that investor shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Also, if you're considering switching annuities, be aware that there may be penalties and surrender charges which can be substantial. It's your money. Ensure that your annuity is working for you and your retirement nest egg, not for the insurance or fund company.

Article reprinted with permission of Ameritas Life Insurance Company

Steve Hood

LifePlan Advisors, Inc.
A Registered Investment Advisory Firm

For help or answers to your questions call 541 549-1154

http://www.allweatherinvestors.com

"Your Guide to Lifetime Financial Security and Independence"

26 years of helping our clients and friends meet their retirement goals

J.G. Wentworth to Market Annuity Purchase Program With Underwriters Marketing Service, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

J.G. Wentworth to Market Annuity Purchase Program With Underwriters Marketing Service, Inc.

Bryn Mawr, PA, January 24 -- The J.G. Wentworth Annuity Purchase Program? has added Underwriters Marketing Service, Inc. (UMS) to its growing roster of Insurance Marketing Organizations (IMOs). The firm is led by noted insurance marketing executive Mary Ann Lacey-Gray, CLTC. "We're delighted that a firm of UMS's stature has elected to join forces with us in marketing the Annuity Purchase Program," said J.G. Wentworth Regional Director Ryan Clemency. "Mary Ann's experience and participation on various boards, committees and councils offers an invaluable sounding board for new ideas, and reflects positively on the Annuity Purchase Program."

Ms. Lacey-Gray said that, "We believe the Annuity Purchase Program is an important new addition to the insurance agent's portfolio. Insurance agents, as well as financial planners and advisors all know the real need that many clients have in gaining access to extra funds from time to time due to life changes, and the Annuity Purchase Program will enable them to fill this need, and as a result, form a stronger bond with their clients."

The J.G. Wentworth Annuity Purchase Program? enables individuals to sell their investment annuities for cash. The program is marketed directly to individuals and through IMOs which provide agents and brokers with specialty insurance and financial services products.

About J.G. Wentworth For more than 15 years, J.G. Wentworth has been purchasing annuities as well as other deferred payment streams. During this time, the company has purchased over $2 billion of future payment obligations. The company's annuity-backed notes are rated AAA by Standard & Poor's and Aaa by Moody's and sold to institutional investors. J.G. Wentworth is based in Bryn Mawr, PA. For more information about J.G. Wentworth, go to www.jgwentworth.com.

About UMS Underwriters Marketing Service, Inc., entering its 23rd year in business, is a national marketing organization offering sales and marketing support to insurance professionals in the areas of life, annuities, reverse mortgages and long term care. UMS is headquartered in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, with sales offices in Maryland and Florida and provides sales support to over 3,600 agents.

For More Information: Rosalia Scampoli, Marketcom PR rscampoli@marketcompr 203-622-1353

Erin Ritter is the Director of Public Relations for DMi Partners, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA.

Buy Fixed Annuity

Annuity can be bought in different forms. However, the deferred annuities come under three main categories. They include fixed annuity, variable annuity and the equity-indexed annuity. Each has its own characteristics and offers varying returns and benefits. Fixed annuity is one the most popular of annuity offered in the financial market. In this form of annuity, the risks are minimal and are the liabilities of the financial company ? also known as insurer - offering it. However, the investor ? also known as the insured - has no risks on investments, whatsoever.

Generally, the terms of fixed annuity hover around the following main aspects. The insurer offers to pay you a fixed amount of return on your investments for a certain amount of years. The insured has the option of paying the investment money either as lump sum amount or paid over a period of installments.

Now whatever be the market conditions, the insurer has to pay the insured the fixed amount as guaranteed in the agreement. This feature makes fixed annuity the safest and surest way to make assured returns on investment. The issuing financial company offers to reimburse both principal and the earnings.

However, there is a flip side to it too. If the prevailing market conditions are buoyant, the investor has to be content with only the assured amount of return. While insurer, on the other hand, makes handsome gains from the invested money. Conversely, there are some issues that an investor should consider before buying fixed annuity.

It?s not ideal to invest in an annuity unless there are ample contributions to other retirement plans, such as an IRA or 401(k). Simply because, these plans offer the same tax deferral as annuities minus the fees. And if an investment is made in an annuity inside a tax-advantaged account, there would be no extra tax benefit to avail. The other repelling factor is the 10 percent penalty an investor under the age of 59 ? has to pay on earnings. It?s also advisable to check the credentials of insurer before making investments. Insurers with AA or higher ratings reflect positive financial strength of the company.



Buy Annuity provides detailed information on Buy Annuity, Buy Annuity Leads, Buy Fixed Annuity, Buy Retirement Annuity and more. Buy Annuity is affliated with Fixed Annuities.

Online Annuity Calculator - Do You Need One?

One popular perk that many insurance companies and insurance brokers are offering nowadays is an online annuity calculator. To find one of these all you have to do is type the words ?online annuity calculator? into a popular search engine like Google or Yahoo and you will be presented with scores of insurance companies urging you to try out the latest calculating gadget on their web site.

Of course you don't necessarily need an online calculator to figure this out. You can use your very own non-virtual calculator or a pencil and a piece of paper to figure it out as after all it only means crunching a few numbers. However if you decide to calculate your annuity payments this way be sure to have an eraser handy as well. This is because you will find yourself constantly changing the amounts that you are calculating depending on the terms of the insurance, what kind of insurance it is and whether it is an investment with a fixed or variable interest rate. An online annuity calculator makes this process much easier. Many of the easy to use online calculation programs offered by insurance company and insurance brokerage sites also allow you to save your results so you can vary your input without too much fuss or concern.

The best online annuity calculator is usually to be found on sites that also allow you to compare one offer to another. On many of these sites you can compare over three hundred fixed annuities. Some sites also have calculators to help you compare the kind of income you could get from equity indexed annuities, variable rate annuities and CD-type annuities.

The great thing about using an online annuity calculator is that it can help you determine exactly how this type of secure, tax delayed investment can help ease you into a comfortable future as a senior citizen.

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

Annuity Rates

 Annuities are the series of payments made by an institution like an insurance company to the annuitant (annuity holder) over a fixed time period. The payments are fixed by the company. Annuity rates are the rates of return that the annuitant will. Rates will depend on the nature of the annuity.

In the case of fixed deferred annuities, the rate of return is guaranteed over the life of the insurance contract. On the other hand, variable deferred annuities will not give any guaranteed return on the annuity. This is because; the amount obtained by the insurance companies from fixed annuities is invested in low risk government securities and bonds that guarantee some income. But the amount from the variable annuities will be invested in high-risk securities. However, the main advantage of variable annuities is that the excess income above the premiums from these annuities is exempted from tax. The two important factors that affect the annuity rates are gilt yields and life expectancy. In most of the countries, annuity rates have been on the decline. Sometimes the annuity rates depend on the market conditions and the monetary policy of the Government.

Every annuity holder wishes to have higher rate of return on the annuity. In order to achieve higher annuity rates of return, one needs to shop around for a good insurance company. Moreover, the potential holders need to have an idea of what types of securities the company invests in. If the investments perform well, then the likelihood of enjoying higher returns is possible. Potential holders may seek professional advice from annuity brokers or agents.



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.

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