ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Why Do Annuities Have a Bad Reputation? If you’ve been looking into an annuity, it’s almost certain you’ve come across a lot of sources warning you away. Why is that? On the surface, an annuity can make sense: purchasing an annuity now can save money on taxes, provide […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER It’s tempting to see retirement saving as a viable way to get big returns off Wall St. investment, to provide a hefty sum for potential medical costs, caretaking, and passing on to the next generation of your family. But the cost of big returns is big risks, and […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER An increasing number of seniors have been adding risky financial products to their retirement finances, guided by so-called “elder financial planners” and other shysters looking to make some money out of seniors’ life savings. One of their methods is to sell retirees a deferred annuity. The idea is […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Finra, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, has decided to give financial advisers the authority to circumvent rules on trade execution when they believe that an elderly client is being manipulated or financially abused. Till now, there was no way of stopping a transaction carried out by unscrupulous relatives […]

Fidelity Doubles Down on Deferred Annuities ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Fidelity Investments is stepping up their inclusion of deferred annuities as part of retirement planning. Their move follows a record year for deferred income annuities, with sales at nearly $3 billion, up 22% from the previous year. As sales skyrocket, the only […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER If you’re thinking of buying Index Universal Life Insurance or Variable Universal Life Insurance, you might want to think again. These types of Life Insurance rarely return what they cost, and frequently fail to perform anywhere near what consumers are told. Before taking that risk, we want to […]

High Risk, Low Reward: What to Know Before You Buy An Annuity ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER The financial market is fraught with complex money-making schemes, many targeted toward those without the background to fully understand what they’re putting their money into. Although people are growing more wary of Ponzi schemes and other […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Consumers should be aware that insurance companies can raise the Cost of Insurance (COI) rates on non-guaranteed life insurance products, resulting in higher monthly policy charges. When there is a change in expectations as to future experience, insurance companies can increase the current COI rates to no greater […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Although insurance agents and companies often pitch the benefits of deferred annuities, it is important for consumers, particularly elderly consumers, to be aware of the risks as well. First, consumers should be aware of some of the marketing and sales schemes used to sell annuities. If you have […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Annuities are complex products that often have hidden fees and costs. It is recommended that consumers carefully review any policy and consider their options before purchasing any annuity policy. Both indexed and fixed annuities have risks for the consumer. Penalties such as surrender charges and forfeiture charges can […]