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Another Look at Variable Annuities

Well, it’s been a month since my “Suze on Variable Annuities” post which sparked some heated debate. So much so, that I decided to take a look at a newer product, the Fidelity Growth & Guaranteed Income Annuity and analyze it in a feature article titled “Another Look at Variable Annuities” on my main web page.

I must say, I find the process interesting. I’ve been a ‘spreadsheet guy’ for some time and enjoy playing with the numbers. Please read the article and comment here, if you wish. The Fidelity link above should download a PDF of a brochure for the product I analyzed. If it doesn’t, please advise of the broken link.

Joe

{ 4 comments… add one }
  • Dave Shafer August 1, 2008, 8:27 am

    Joe, take a look at the equity indexed annuities. Less Fee’s, some hedge against inflation, and guaranteed income. I always like the equity indexed products better, I feel they are safer, cheaper, and lessen the ability for the owners to make bad decisions like we see with mutual funds!

  • JOE August 1, 2008, 12:52 pm

    Any particular one you can point me to? Last one I looked at (I forget which and would like not to mention the wrong company) had a set of rules so complex that even the best scenario (I picked 1980-1999) didn’t beat CDs.
    Joe

  • Dave Shafer August 2, 2008, 8:44 am

    Joe,
    Sun Life Financial has some interesting one’s. A++ rated company. Lifetime income guarantee starting at 5% at age 60 and increasing .1% each additional year. Current participation rate is 65% on a monthly average S & P 500 Index. 8 year surrender charges.
    http://www.sunlife-usa.com/sun/sl_24.cfm

  • JOE August 2, 2008, 4:02 pm

    Thanks, Dave, I’ll take a look at this soon.
    Joe

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