Some people are afraid of annuities mostly because they don't know what they are and have "heard bad things" about them.
An annuity is simply a contract with an insurance company. There are good contracts and there are not so good contracts. A variable annuity is usually NOT a good contract.
Today, insurance companies have very good, safe options for people to invest their money.
We only recommend Fixed or Indexed annuities because of the safety of the contracts and the many options that are available today.It is important to decide how soon and how much you will need  each year of the money you invest in an annuity because they are mostly long contracts. The longer the contract, the better the rates and terms of the contracts. Annuities that give an upfront bonus usually are at least
7 years. The longer the contract, the better the bonus.

The Equity-Based Indexed Annuity
In an Up-trending Market

Chart A (below) illustrates $100,000 invested directly into a hypothetical stock-index. The illustration assumes an up-trending market:
+10%, + 10%, - 10%,
+10%, + 10%, -10%,
+10%, +10%, -10%,
+10%. Seven up-years and three down-years result in the $100,000 growing to $142,000. Chart AA (below right) illustrates the $100,000 in an equity-based indexed annuity through an annuity company in the same up-trending market with the same up-years and the same down-years. But, the difference in the equity-based indexed annuity will benefit from the up-years without suffering from the down-years. In up-years notice there is an increase in capital. In down-years notice the capital remains the same, no loss:
+10%, +10%, no-loss,
+10%, +10%, no-loss,
+10%, +10%, no-loss,
+10%. With seven up-years and three no-loss years the $100,000 in an equity-based indexed annuity grows to over $194,000. The indexed annuity is $52,000 better off because of the "no-loss" years in this up-trending market.

BENEFITS OF FIXED, INDEXED, ACCOUNTS

- Principle is guaranteed through the State Guaranty Association
- Founds grow tax deferred
- Triple compounding of interest
- Can withdraw a % every year free
- Bonus on initial premium-amount depending on contract up to 10%
- Creditor protected
- Ability to get locked in gains of stock market every year with NEVER a loss.
- Can provide an income stream you can't outlive
- Money can be withdrawn in the event of LTC or terminal illness.
- Upon death of annuitant money passes to beneficiary without probate or attorney fees.
- Advantages for social security taxation

Does your current plan offer these benefits?