Latest Newsletter:

UPDATE APRIL 19 2025

 

IS FDIC INSURANCE BETTER THAN ANNUITY INSURANCE BY THE LARGE INSURANCE COMPANIES

 

HINT:  MAYBE ITS NOT WHAT YOU THINK

KEEP READING

THE TIMES THEY ARE A'CHANGING

 

 

After multiple conversations with clients and readers regarding annuities, I think I need to clarify a few more things for my readers on these products.

For years, I was not a fan of annuities and said as much on my Money Matters media outlets. Years ago, I categorized the annuity universe as the Wild West. Past annuity contracts were complicated, even for me, a Wall Street guy. As the years past however, and the regulation and disclosure requirements got tighter, the companies that sell annuities sharpened their pencils and pressed down hard on their agents to be more diligent on what was sold to whom. They also hammered on their quants (the math guys) to formulate more win-win situations for both the companies and their clients.

Fast forward to today and many are sound products with definitive benefits for many investors.

Many a company produces booklets or videos stating bluntly things like “Don’t buy an annuity”. Usually the companies that use such scare tactics sell things other than annuities and don’t like losing their business to companies that do.  

When I ask an investor what an annuity is, few can tell me. An annuity is simply a contract between you and an insurance company. The annuity contract states what you give the company and what the company will give you and when.

Annuities are often offered by household name companies and come in many shapes and colors. And like stocks, there are ones you should consider and some you should not, depending on what your particular needs are.

Many people actually already participate in annuity-like programs but just don’t realize it. Social Security is an annuity-like program. You pay money into an entity (in this case Uncle Sam) and the U.S. government pays you back over time. That’s not the only example.

Have a pension? You have an annuity. Your employer promises to pay you so much for so long for money you put in. In a way, if you have any financial savings or even a stock account, your money is somewhere else other than in your bank account.  That means a company promises to pay you for the money you gave them. Sounds kind of like an annuity contract to me.

Annuities are guaranteed by an insurance company. You can Google up an annuity company’s financial rating any day of the week for those skeptical about insurance company guarantees.

There are income annuities that offer to pay you for life regardless of whether you run out of the money you gave them. There are fixed indexed annuities that offer you to participate in the gains of up markets but not down ones. There are guaranteed rate annuities whose only function is to pay you a fixed annual interest rate like a bank CD or T-bill. Just remember annuities are not federally insured because they are not offered by the federal government.

The length of terms for annuities can vary from a year to many years. Many annuities have no sales fees and some may even add bonus amounts to your deposited amount. There may be early or excessive withdrawal penalties however so read the fine print.

In a nutshell, these are not your father’s annuities. There are terms and conditions of course and they are there to protect both you and the insurance company but I, for one, am glad everything is carefully thought out and spelled out. This helps to insure the company can fulfill its promises to you and that you will know exactly what you are getting and when.

I find that as a market analyst, financial consultant, insurance agent, agency owner and one involved in the markets since about 1971, there are many annuities that are simple, easy to understand and appropriate for certain investors.

Often people forget that when utilizing an insurance product, you are TRANSFERING some of your risk to the issuer of the insurance. They rightfully can be expected to ask for compensation in return for accepting this risk or why would they do it?

In essence, they attempt to structure that win-win formula I mentioned, and in my opinion, many do just that. The best way I describe my favorite annuity program is that you may not make as much money as if you were solely in the markets, as you have transferred some or all of that risk to the issuing company. But the products are structured so some of the gains may be shared with the investor all the while attempting to minimize risk for those that want to take less risk with their retirement savings.

“Watching the markets so you don’t have to”    

(end)    

(As mentioned please use the below disclaimer exactly) THANKS   (Regulations)    

This article expresses the opinion of Marc Cuniberti and is not meant as investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities, nor represents the opinion of any bank, investment firm or RIA, nor this media outlet, its staff, members or underwriters. Mr. Cuniberti holds a B.A. in Economics with honors, 1979, and California Insurance License #0L34249 His insurance agency is BAP INC. insurance services.  Email: news@moneymanagementradio.com

 

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Marc Cuniberti, award winning host of Money Matters and Money Management Radio, welcomes you to his updated website. Money Matters articles grace the pages of many newspapers and financial media. On this website, you can download any of his radio shows by subscribing on any website page. Sign up for his newsletter or learn about his opinions about the economic world around you by clicking around the site. Of course, the radio shows are the main reason the site is here, so look through the SHOW TITLES page to hear a variety of topics,one or more are certain to peek your interest and perhaps find a show(s) that apply to your particular interest or question. 

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There are many financial products in the market, and choosing the ones that best meet an individual client’s needs can be complicated.  Informed decisions about the products in any portfolio are best made after an assessment of individual needs.  Speak with Marc directly. It is that easy. 

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Insurance can protect you and your family from undue hardship. Some life insurance policies also provide tax-advantaged savings that you can draw on to achieve goals like buying a house or retiring comfortably. I have access to a variety of insurance products that can help meet your security planning needs. No matter your personal situation—if you’re single or in a family; a professional or a seasonal employee; an executive or small business owner—we will work together to design a customized plan.

  • Life
  • Medicare
  • Long-term care
  • Fire Insurance
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Long Term Care
  • Liabilty
  • Event Liability
  • Annuities for income and growth

A Word about Life insurance:

In the event of death, life insurance may offer surviving family members financial security. As a tax-free lump sum payment, it can pay for final expenses and debts, as well as provide income for the deceased’s dependents.

 

The advantages of life insurance include:

An instant estate for your loved ones at a time when funds are most needed

  • Death benefits that are almost always non-taxable for named beneficiaries
  • Avoid probate costs if you name a beneficiary other than your estate
  • Potentially offer your loved ones creditor protection through some life insurance plans
  • Build tax-advantaged capital for retirement purposes or provide liquid savings through some permanent life insurance plans

Long-term Care, Disability and Critical Illness insurance, Lifetime income strategies and Medicare:

Help protect one of your most valuable assets – your income – from unexpected events through long-term care, disability and critical illness insurance.

Income is important for both current financial obligations (e.g. grocery bills and mortgage payments) and for future financial security (e.g. planning for your children’s education or for retirement). Just think what might happen if you suddenly lost your income stream through a long-term illness or disability.

Long-term care and disability insurance products help protect your ability to earn an income, which can be affected if you are afflicted by a disability or other condition.

Questions about Medicare? 

I can help navigage the programs.

I can also help you choose the long-term care and disability insurance products that provide advantages like:

  • May assist in transfer of assets. 
  • Help loved ones 
  • Assist with paying fixed expenses for your business if you become disabled
  • Support the buy-out of a disabled partner’s share of a business.

Critical illness insurance and Medicare Policies

Suffering a critical illness is distressing for both you and your family. Help ease the burden through insurance that will reduce financial stresses and can complement disability and life insurance protection needs. By helping pay for the additional expenses often associated with a critical illness or condition, insurance offers you, your family, and if applicable, your business, added financial security—so you can focus on recovery.

The advantages of critical illness insurance can include:

  • Coverage for up to 22 critical illnesses or conditions
  • An initial lump-sum benefit you can use however you wish—from making mortgage payments to seeking medical treatment outside Canada
  • Home-care costs during illness and recovery periods
  • Even if you’re not disabled from working, you may receive payment
  • The ability to provide a return of premium benefit (optional)
  • Individuals who cannot obtain disability insurance in some cases still qualify for critical illness coverage (e.g. a non-income earning spouse)
  • Medicare Policies and information. Let me walk you through the best options for your situation

Contact me today to determine whether critical illness insurance fits into your financial security plan.

 

There are also new “hybrid” plans available that combine the benefits of life insurance or annuities with long term care coverage and at a cost that may be more affordable than you think. Contact me today so we can assess your needs and develop the best strategies for your specific situation to give you the peace of mind you require and protect your family and loved ones.

 

Mark (Marc) Cuniberti- California Department of Insurance License # OL34249

 

Take a minute to contact Marc directly to schedule a no obligation phone call or meeting:

 

Email: mcuniberti@vantageauburn.com

(530)559-1214

Link for services here: https://www.vantageauburn.com/marc-s-services

 

 

This website expresses the opinions of Marc Cuniberti. Past performance does not guarantee results.

Insurance Solutions offered by Marc Cuniberti and not affliated with Vantage Financial Group.