Why Should Retirees Avoid Volatility?

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We think 15-years is a long time. If you’re 70, then 15-years could represent your life expectancy.

Let’s look at a 15-year graph of the S&P 500 Index starting in 1999 and ending in 2013, that’s when we finished writing the text of one of our books titled Don’t Bet the Farm. We did a significant amount of research on the S&P 500 Index to complete that book. Because we only work with retirees, we wanted to review what happened over the previous 15 years in the stock market to prepare for what types of pitfalls may lie ahead in the next 15 years based on normal average life expectancies. There was volatility, and there was growth. But what we ultimately found out was nothing short of astonishing.

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How Do You Want Your Money To Act?

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Years ago, when you made your first investment, you were told “not to watch your money,” …“it will go up and down but don’t worry,” …“you will need to ride out losses,” …“over the long-run you should be OK and make good money,” and …“you must take risk to get high returns to succeed.”

From the beginning, you have been told, “You cannot control your money.” What if all these things you have been told are incorrect, and not in your best interest? What if you could control your money, actually make your money act any way you want it to? Don’t let your broker or advisor control your money; it’s not their money, it’s yours. You must learn how to control your money the way you want it to act. If you are like most people, you have probably been given two (2) main “pillars of knowledge” that have guided your investment decisions:

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This Might Sound Like New Stuff, But Annuities Are Some Of The Oldest Financial Instruments In History

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We believe the main definition associated with the word “annuity” should be “income.” Where did annuities come from, where did they originate?

The word annuity is believed to be derived from the Latin word “annua” – translated as “annual stipends.” The first annuity-like financial instrument in the world is believed to date back to 225 AD. If you can imagine back almost 2,000 years ago in Roman times, if you passed away and had assets, instead of leaving your beneficiaries lump sums of money, you might very well have left them income for as long as they lived. It seems like the Romans didn’t trust their kids with a big chunk of money any more than we do! This lifetime gifting of income practice created the need for the taxing authorities to quantify the amount of money that would ultimately be paid to beneficiaries.

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It’s Time You Learned The Truth About Fixed Index Annuities With Income Riders

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In our book, Momma’s Secret Recipe For Retirement Success, we devoted a large section to help you understand fixed index annuities with income riders

In our book, Momma’s Secret Recipe For Retirement Success, we devoted a large section to help you understand fixed index annuities with income riders because a fixed index annuity with an income rider is the only financial instrument that can provide you and your spouse income guaranteed for as long as you both live, protection from stock market volatility and losses, an opportunity to participate in a portion of index gains, potential for future income increases, a low fee structure, the opportunity to pass all funds remaining in your account at death to your named beneficiaries, access to your funds for income purposes either immediately or within 12 months, and a legally binding and enforceable written contract regarding the promises made to you about your money.

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The Secret Ingredient

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The best recipes are usually secret because the chef doesn’t want to disclose the ingredients, the chef wants to keep the ingredients secret.

If you don’t have that secret ingredient, your dish will not come out as planned unless you get very lucky. The same thing can be said about your plans for retirement. If you don’t have the proper plan without the proper ingredients, your success may depend on hope and luck, because you will be hoping that you will be lucky. This type of planning, or lack of planning, may create an endless amount of stress, anxiety, and worry, and could potentially lead to a lack of financial success.

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First Things First: Annuities 101

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What would you guess is the number one reason why people decide not to purchase a fixed index annuity with an income rider as part of their overall retirement income plan?

It’s not because of surrender charges, fees, or lower returns. It may be because the benefits of a fixed index annuity with an income rider can simply sound too good to be true:

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How Does All Of This Work? How Do You Set Up A Fixed Index Annuity, And What Do You Get Back?

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You give a fixed index annuity company a lump sum of money by writing them a check or by transferring your IRA/457/403(b)/SEP/retirement plan on an income tax-free basis. In turn, the annuity company gives you an annuity contract which is a legally-binding written contract enforceable in a court of law.

Every single thing the insurance company promises and guarantees you is in writing in your annuity contract including your principal being protected against all stock market losses, your income being guaranteed for as long as you live, all remaining assets passing on to your beneficiaries, how you access your money, the fees you pay, and how you earn interest in your account.

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Losses Are Very Hard To Recover

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Brokers and advisors love to talk about the huge gains you have made in the past, are currently making, or will make in the future, in the market.

Hey, we get it, talking about huge gains and making a lot of money is a lot more fun than talking about big losses. We have previously discussed that huge gains may happen for the moment, but they can just as quickly and easily disappear if your assets are left “naked in the market.” You may get a good gain in one (1) year or two (2) years only to have the gains and part of your original principal wiped out with a big loss in year three (3). We have found that the vast majority of brokers and advisors love to talk about big gains, but they don’t like to talk about big losses. This blog was written for retirees, so your focus should be on risk mitigation first, and return second. Why? Because our clients, retired people just like you, do not want, and literally can’t afford, to lose any of the assets they worked so hard to accumulate. They want to make competitive rates of return, but they do not want to take excessive risks in doing so.

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Do Market Highs Mean Good Things For Investors?

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The stock market has hit all-time highs. That should be great for investors. Over the last few years, how many times have you heard the stock market has hit all-time highs?

Probably a thousand times, sometimes you hear it twenty times in a day. Well, that should be great for investors. What we found is most retirees and soon-to-be retirees don’t feel like their portfolios have hit all-time highs. Do you?

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Join Us For An Educational Dinner Event

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Claim your seat and join Peak Financial At Piatti on Thursday February 8th. You and a guest are invited to this educational workshop. Attendance is by invitation only, first time attendees age 55+, no financial professionals. Seating is limited!

Two Ways To Register:
To reserve your seats, call or text keyword PIATTI to 916-842-3372 (24/7).  Seating does fill up quickly, call or text now to secure your reservation. Please, arrive at 5:45 p.m. Doors will close at 6:00 p.m.

  • IS YOUR 401K & IRA IN THE RIGHT PLACE? We’ll discuss the 7 RULES TO LIVE BY FOR RETIREMENT SECURITY.
  • TAXES IN RETIREMENT: The tax implications of our latest administration and why you should act NOW!
  • REPLACING YOUR PAYCHECKS: Create dependable lifetime income from your assets – kind of like a PENSION.
  • RISING INFLATION: Learn to protect your investments and income from rising INFLATION.
  • RETIREMENT INCOME: Will your nest-egg be enough, and will it last, to maintain your current lifestyle in retirement?
  • SOCIAL SECURITY: Important changes and strategies to help maximize benefits for you and your spouse.
  • MITIGATING RISK: The BIG mistake most Americans are making with their retirement accounts… are you one of them?
  • LONG-TERM CARE: We’ll discuss solutions to increasing costs and skyrocketing premiums.
  • WRITTEN RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN: Why everything about your money needs to be in writing to succeed.

If you own an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457, TSP, retirement account, managed portfolio, brokerage account, or just have money in the bank, you don’t want to miss this educational dinner event!

  • This event is for those whom are Retired or Pre-Retired who have saved $500,000.00 or more for retirement. Please, no guests under the age of 55. Limit 2 reservations per invitation.

Location: Piatti, Sacremento

Driving Directions: 571 Pavilions Lane, Sacramento, CA 95825

Peak Financial Freedom Group
2520 Douglas Boulevard, Suite 110
Roseville, CA 95661
in-person meeting
virtual appointment

DISCLOSURE:

All of the information presented here is provided and intended to be used for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a solicitation for you to buy or sell any security or financial product. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. None of the information presented is intended to give you specific tax, investment, real estate, legal, estate, or financial advice but rather to serve as an educational platform to deliver information. The ideas, thoughts, and strategies presented here are those of the Management Team and provide an insight to our views on Peak Financial Freedom Group, LLC. Some of this material was developed and produced by Peak Financial to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. Every detail in this website is subject to change without notice. Seminar, radio shows, TV productions, book releases, magazine and book promotions are sponsored, promoted and paid for by Peak Financial Freedom Group, LLC.

2nd Opinion Package available to Qualified Retirees and Soon-To-Be-Retirees may include free consultations, a free retirement income plan, risk analysis, and fee analysis. In addition, a comprehensive written retirement income plan may be provided to those who complete the entire process. Qualified Retirees and Soon-To-Be-Retirees must have a minimum of $500,000 of investible assets such as IRA’s, 401K’s from past employers, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, bank accounts, money markets, CD’s, etc., but DOES NOT include real estate, businesses, limited partnerships, 401K/retirement plans that can’t be moved to another plan, and other illiquid type assets.

Past performance is no indication of future performance and such information cannot be relied upon regarding future potential gains. Investing involves risk. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining market. Advisors and agents may only conduct business with residents of the states or jurisdictions in which they are properly registered or licensed and not all of the securities, products and services mentioned are available in every state or jurisdiction.

Nothing is directly or indirectly guaranteed by this information. The planning and ideas presented herein are not suitable for all individuals or situations. Hypothetical examples are used to explain concepts and are not indicative of potential results you could receive; past performance is not a guarantee of future results; and results are not indicative of any particular investment or income tax situation; your results will be different and could be lower or higher. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Peak Financial does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.

Insurance product features and benefits, such as guaranteed lifetime income riders, are subject to contract terms, limitations, fees, and the claims paying ability of the insurance company issuing the contract. The sale or liquidation of any stock, bond, IRA, certificate of deposit, mutual fund, annuity, or other asset to fund the purchase of any other asset including an annuity may have tax consequences, early withdrawal penalties, or other costs and penalties as a result of the sale or liquidation. Different assets can be complex and carry fees, costs, and surrender charges. If you place assets under management with Fiduciary Solutions LLC, we are paid an advisory fee from Fiduciary Solutions LLC and if you purchase an annuity through us, we are paid commissions from an insurance company.

2019(1), 2020(2), 2021(3), 2022(4), 2023 (5) and 2024 (6) Five Star Professional Wealth Manager Award - Dan Ahmad and Jim Files have been nominated for and have won the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Awards. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. Award winners represent an exclusive group of wealth managers who have demonstrated excellence in their field by satisfying 10 objective selection criteria. For additional information on the Five Star award, including a complete list of the 10 objective selection criteria and their research/selection methodology, go to https://fivestarprofessional.com.

Investment advisory services are offered through Fiduciary Solutions, LLC, a California Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products and services are offered through PFFG Insurance Agency LLC, a licensed insurance agency (CA Insurance License #0N14013). Peak Financial Freedom Group LLC is a financial planning and umbrella marketing organization, which enables the provision of multiple financial services under one brand. Peak Financial Freedom Group LLC, PFFG Insurance Agency LLC, and Fiduciary Solutions LLC are affiliated entities with common ownership and control. Jim Files is licensed as an investment adviser representative with Fiduciary Solutions LLC (CRD # 1620449) and is a licensed insurance producer with PFFG Insurance Agency LLC (CA Insurance License #0F06511). Dan Ahmad is licensed as an investment adviser representative with Fiduciary Solutions LLC (CRD # 1491561) and is a licensed insurance producer with PFFG Insurance Agency LLC (CA Insurance License #0732913).

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