A paycheck in retirement
you can plan around.
An annuity is a contract with an insurance company. The right one, structured well, can give your family a predictable monthly income for as long as you live. We have been helping Northern Suburbs families think through annuities since 1977, fixed, indexed, multi-year guaranteed, and every option in between.
Five contracts. One conversation.
Fixed annuities
A contractually fixed interest rate for a defined term. Predictable, no market exposure.
Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs)
A fixed rate locked in for a multi-year period. Often used as a CD alternative for retirement money.
Fixed indexed annuities
Interest credited based on a market index, with contractual floors. Upside potential with downside protection, within the contract terms.
Income annuities (SPIA, DIA)
Convert a lump sum into a stream of guaranteed monthly income, starting now or later.
Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs)
A specialized annuity that defers RMDs and creates late-life income.
Independent. Honest. In the plan.
We're independent, not captive.
We're not selling one carrier's product. We compare contracts across multiple insurers and explain exactly why we recommend what we recommend.
We explain the trade-offs honestly.
Surrender periods, fees, riders, caps, participation rates, we walk through every line of the contract before you sign anything.
We fit annuities into the rest of the plan.
An annuity in isolation is rarely the answer. We size it, time it, and pair it with the rest of your retirement income, your insurance, and your tax strategy.
Five steps. No surprises.
- № 01
A real conversation about your income picture.
Social Security, pensions, savings, expected expenses, healthcare, everything.
- № 02
A clear-eyed look at what an annuity adds.
If it doesn't fit, we say so.
- № 03
Independent shopping across carriers.
We pull quotes from multiple A-rated insurers.
- № 04
A side-by-side review.
Contracts, riders, costs, and what each one actually does for your plan.
- № 05
Annual review.
Annuities are long-term contracts. We stay with you.
Plain answers, before you call.
What is an annuity, in plain English?
An annuity is a contract you make with an insurance company. You give them money, either all at once or over time, and in exchange they agree to pay you a defined amount, either growing it for you, paying you income, or both. The terms are written into the contract.
Are annuity payments really guaranteed?
Annuity payments are contractual obligations of the issuing insurance company, backed by the insurer's claims-paying ability and, in some cases, by state guaranty associations within their limits. They aren't FDIC insured. We choose carriers with strong financial ratings and explain the protections that apply.
What's the difference between fixed and indexed annuities?
A fixed annuity pays a contractually defined interest rate. An indexed annuity credits interest based on the performance of a market index, with contractual caps and floors that limit both upside and downside. They behave very differently, we walk through which fits your situation.
What's a MYGA, and why do families like them?
A Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity locks in a fixed rate for a defined term, often 3 to 10 years. Families often compare them to bank CDs for retirement money because the rate is contractual and the principal is preserved within the terms of the contract.
Are annuities right for everyone?
No. Annuities work best for families who want predictable income or principal protection and who can leave money in the contract for the surrender period. They're not the right tool for short-term savings.
Two more pieces of the plan.
Common questions about annuities.
Schedule an Annuity conversation.
One free conversation. We’ll walk through your income picture, the carriers we shop, and exactly what each contract means for your plan.