Call Us Today!   704.919.0149 - Se Habla Español

 

Income Planning

It’s easier to tell what will happen rather than when it will happen. – Warren Buffet

 

Income Planning

Our experienced agents at Clear Income Strategies Group help customize a strategy for you by working to align your spending, saving, and retirement vehicles. You have worked, saved, and accumulated wealth throughout your life – but now what? How do you transition your wealth into income to cover your living expenses after you retire?

Clear Income Strategies Group is equipped to make this transition smooth and easy for your future. Income planning, as opposed to income guessing, is how we help protect you from the unknown.

Fixed Annuities

Imagine saving for the future knowing your principal is safe from market risk and your future income is predictable. Fixed annuities are financial vehicles structured much like a bank CD. Similar to a CD, fixed annuities offer a rate of return over time but also include tax benefits geared specifically toward retirement savings. Once the initial deposit is made, a rate of return is guaranteed for a specific length of time.

Fixed annuities keep your principal safe from market volatility, and many offer more liquidity than CDs. They typically offer a higher rate of return than bonds, CDs, or treasuries. Fixed annuities have three primary advantages: tax deferral, principal protection, and a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period of time. They can offer conservative growth, typically 2-4%. Unlike many short-term options, when referring to a fixed annuity upon death, the beneficiary receives the remaining value of the accumulation account while avoiding probate. Depending on your age and maximum withdrawal amount, fixed annuities can allow you to withdraw your interest monthly or annually or remain compounding at a tax-deferred rate.

Short Term (1-5 years)

A short-term fixed annuity is designed to protect your money from market volatility with a reasonable rate of return of approximately one to five years.

Long Term (6-10 years)

Depending on the company and national interest rates, your rate on a long-term fixed annuity could be anywhere from 3-7%. Long-term fixed annuities have the same features as a short-term annuity; however, you are guaranteed a higher rate of return for a longer period of time with zero market risk to your principal.

Fixed Indexed Annuities

Fixed indexed annuities are designed to receive upside potential from the market indexes without any downside market risk. Any growth is credited by the performance of the chosen index (S&P 500, the Nasdaq 100, the Shiller Index, the Barclays Dynamic, etc.). Many insurance companies that offer fixed indexed annuities have their own chosen indexes for growth within the product.

Although index annuity credited interest is ‘linked’ to the performance of the index, it is important to note that you are not directly invested in the market. Simply put, the insurance company will look at the overall returns of the index and credit your contract based on its performance (minus any caps, fees, or spreads). An indexed annuity captures a portion of the upside while protecting you from the downside. Always keep in mind that allowing yourself to be fully engaged in the stock market can leave you at risk to lose everything. Is the reward of going up a little worth the risk of going down a lot?

Many index annuities feature a minimum rate of return regardless of index performance. This rate varies from contract to contract but is generally from 1-3%. The minimum rate guarantees that whenever the index decreases in value, your contract is still able to grow.

While fixed indexed annuities are tax-deferred, their options make them a preferred protection vehicle, perfect for those in retirement. Your contract can accumulate value tax-free until income is cashed out or the end of your contract. Under normal circumstances, you could delay cashing out as long as possible to earn compound interest on what would have been the government’s money, had you invested in a CD or mutual fund.

Income-Geared Annuity

The purpose of an income annuity is to help protect against the fear of outliving your money. If you are in or near retirement, you probably have some money set aside in the form of savings, CDs, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, or an IRA. An income annuity allows you to convert a portion of your retirement funds into a stream of guaranteed lifetime income payments using a single premium or through flexible payments over time. In return, you receive a check monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. This income is guaranteed for the rest of your life, starting whenever you choose.

An income annuity is not subject to stock market performance. Regardless of the ups and downs of the financial markets, you can be confident that your income annuity is locked in and guaranteed. Income annuities offer riders for an additional cost that will guarantee your income value to grow anywhere from 4-10% each year until you decide to start withdrawing income. You will always know what your income value will be. With this product, you set aside a part of your assets to help cover future living expenses. The income checks can help make it easier for you to stay on budget and to ensure your basic needs are covered.

Immediate Annuity

Immediate annuities are very straightforward. An immediate annuity is a way to convert at least a portion of your retirement funds into a steady income that lasts as long as you do. Immediate annuities start paying out within 30 days of the lump sum payment, so they are frequently used by people already in retirement. A deferred annuity can also be converted into an immediate annuity.

The prime advantage of an immediate annuity is to prevent retirees from outliving their nest egg. You are guaranteed an income stream for your entire life (or a specific number of years, if you choose). Knowing you can count on a guaranteed income stream can be a benefit for retirees. Additionally, the payments can often be higher than if you were putting your money into a safer strategy on your own.

Legacy-Geared Annuity

You have worked hard to build your retirement savings and, as a result, may have additional assets you want to leave behind for your loved ones. Most people are familiar with how annuities can add income to fill their specific needs, but setting up guaranteed payments for heirs and beneficiaries is becoming more popular with those who want to control how their legacy is distributed. Just like with any other annuity, a legacy-geared annuity is principal-protected and guaranteed against market loss. Typically, a cost of living adjustment can be added to the contract so the payments increase annually for the life of the policy, helping protect against inflation.

Legacy-geared annuity features:

  • A lifetime income stream for both you and your beneficiary (through an optional rider)
  • Tax liability spread out over time
  • Avoidance of estate or probate issues
  • Preventing your beneficiaries from buying a Ferrari or blowing it all in Vegas

Learn how to receive your COMPLIMENTARY COPY of Patrick Kelly’s “The Five Retirement Myths.”

Learn how to receive your COMPLIMENTARY COPY of Patrick Kelly’s “The Five Retirement Myths.”

<!–Learn More–>

Are you ready to save for the future? We are just a click away. Fill out the form below, or call us at (704) 919-0149.