Have you been handed multiple annuity quotes—and walked away more confused than when you started?
You’re not alone. I talk to people every week who are trying to make sense of competing recommendations, and it all comes down to one thing: they were never asked the right question in the first place.
Let’s walk through what it really takes to get this decision right—starting with what too many advisors overlook.
Start With the Right Question
Before any annuity recommendation is even discussed, you need to answer one critical question:
What is the purpose of the money?
Meaning, what do you want the money to do, and when do you need that to happen?
That might sound simple, but you’d be surprised how many people come to me with quotes for annuities that were given without ever discussing their goals or timing.
Until you’ve answered this question, no recommendation should be made. Period.
There Is No “Best” Annuity
Let me be very clear: there’s no such thing as the best annuity.
What you need is the best fit for your personal situation.
Different products are built to solve different problems. An annuity that’s perfect for someone who wants income starting in 10 years might be a terrible choice for someone who needs income next year.
A Real Client Story: When the Wrong Fit Costs You
A woman recently reached out to me after receiving multiple conflicting recommendations. Here’s what she told me:
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- She took a lump sum from her pension because she wanted a death benefit for her family
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- She still needed guaranteed lifetime income, starting in the next 1–3 years
Yet somehow, she had been told to buy:
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- A variable annuity (too risky, not guaranteed)
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- A fixed index annuity with an unrealistic 11% hypothetical return
Would I bet someone’s future income on a hypothetical return? Absolutely not.
The Problem With Vague Recommendations
One advisor recommended the Nationwide New Heights annuity and told her it was “the best one.”
But when she asked why, she got no clear answer.
Nationwide makes solid products, and I’ve recommended them before—but in this specific case, I knew it wasn’t a good fit because:
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- The product wasn’t paying competitively for her deferral period
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- She needed a joint lifetime income soon, not 10 years from now
Real-Time Comparisons Make the Difference
When she and I looked at third-party comparison software, the results were crystal clear.
Here’s what we found:
| Product Option | Guaranteed Annual Income | Ranking |
| Other Advisor’s “Best” Pick | $25,167 | Bottom of Top 50 |
| Top-Paying Option | $29,677 | #1 |
That’s over a $4,000 difference per year in guaranteed income.
Over time, that adds up fast.
The Power of Small Differences Over Time
Let’s break down that $4,000 difference:
| Timeframe | Cumulative Extra Income |
| 10 Years | $40,000 |
| 20 Years | $80,000 |
| 30 Years | $120,000 |
Even small differences matter when you stretch them throughout retirement.
A small gap in annual income can become a six-figure mistake.
When the Same Product Becomes Right—Later
It’s not that the New Heights annuity is always a poor choice.
In fact, if her deferral period had been 9–12 years, it might have been one of the best options available.
The product wasn’t bad—it just wasn’t right for her today.
And that’s the point. The right product for your retirement depends entirely on your timeline and your needs.
My Job Is to Stay Objective—So You Don’t Get Sold
I tell every client the same thing:
“I don’t care which company we use—it’s your money. My job is to find what fits you best.”
I’m completely indifferent to the insurance carrier. I use unbiased third-party tools to show the top options side by side and explain the pros and cons of each.
What I won’t do is make a blanket statement about a product being “better” without showing you the data.
Custom Strategy, No Matter the Type of Annuity
Whether you’re considering:
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- A Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) for growth and protection
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- A Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) for guaranteed interest
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- An income annuity with a joint lifetime payout
…we’ll use the same process to find what’s best for your goals.
Comparison software helps answer questions like:
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- Who offers the highest income for my age and timeline?
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- Which company gives the best bonus or crediting strategy?
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- Where can I get the most guaranteed interest for the term I want?
That way, you’re not guessing—you’re choosing with confidence.
Why Getting It Right the First Time Matters
I talk to people every single week who are stuck in annuities that:
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- Don’t do what they were told they would do
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- They were never designed for their situation
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- Cannot be changed now without major penalties
The most common reason? The advisor never clarified the purpose of the money before making a recommendation.
Or worse—they fell for the hype around a product that sounded good but didn’t fit.
At ATLAS, we strip out the sales pitch and show you verifiable facts.
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- No hype
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- No guessing
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- No pressure
Just a clear process to make sure you get this right the first time.
New to Annuities—or Want a Second Opinion?
If you’re just starting your research, I recommend watching my video series, 20% More Spendable Income in Retirement.
If you’ve already gotten a recommendation—or just want to know if your current plan holds up—go ahead and book a short call. You’ll find the link at the top right corner of every page on my site.
Let’s walk through it together and make sure your annuity strategy is the right one—from the start.
All the best,
Marty Becker
Podcast Episode #79: Getting Your Annuity Right The First Time
Download Podcast Episode #79: Getting Your Annuity Right The First Time on Apple Podcast