Why don't you give products a star rating?
Because the right annuity depends on you. A contract built for lifetime income can be a poor choice for growth, and the reverse. A single score hides that. Instead, each review tells you what the contract does well, where it falls short and exactly who it fits.
What we examine in every product
- The guarantee. What is promised in writing, for how long, and what depends on future rates or index returns.
- The issuing company. Its financial strength, using our company rating method.
- Surrender terms. The length of the surrender period, the charge each year and any market value adjustment.
- Liquidity. Free withdrawals, waivers for nursing care or terminal illness, and required minimum distribution handling.
- Fees. Rider charges, strategy fees and any spread or margin, stated in plain dollars where we can.
- Crediting. For fixed index annuities, the indexes, crediting methods and whether caps and participation rates are declared or guaranteed.
- Income features. Bonuses, roll-ups, withdrawal percentages and how the income is calculated.
- Death benefit. What your beneficiaries receive and how.
- Availability. States where the product is sold and any state versions.
How our emphasis changes by product type
| Product type | What matters most |
|---|---|
| MYGA | Guaranteed rate, simple vs compound interest, term, surrender charges, company strength |
| Fixed index annuity for growth | Crediting options, how caps and rates can change, fees, surrender period |
| Fixed index annuity for income | Guaranteed income amount, rider fee, roll-up and bonus terms, when income can start |
| Immediate or deferred income annuity | Payout per dollar, payout options, company strength |
How we show the numbers
We only show figures you can rely on: contract terms, surrender schedules, fees and guaranteed values we can calculate from them, with the math shown. We do not publish projected returns based on past index performance, and we do not print today's rates as if they were permanent, because they change often. For current rates, use the quote box on any review.
Who writes and reviews
Every product review is written and reviewed by a licensed strategist, currently James Forren Warren. Details are checked against the carrier's product guide, disclosure statement or rate sheet.
How we stay independent
Commission levels never decide what we say about a product. We point out the weaknesses of contracts we can sell, and we review contracts we cannot sell with the same method.
What a review cannot tell you
A review explains how a contract works for a typical buyer. It is not a recommendation for you. Your age, state, taxes and goals change the answer, and the contract and its disclosure documents always govern.
Corrections
Product details change. If you spot something out of date, tell us and we will verify it with the carrier and fix it.
Sources
Educational only, not investment, tax or legal advice. Tax Free Wealth Plan LLC is a licensed insurance agency, not a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer. Annuities are not bank deposits, are not FDIC insured and are not guaranteed by any government agency. Guarantees are backed solely by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Features, rates and availability vary by state and change over time; the contract and disclosure documents govern.