One of the biggest financial fears people carry into retirement is running out of money. Social Security helps, but for most people it does not cover everything. A pension covers it for some — but fewer and fewer workers have them. Annuities exist to fill that gap. At their core, an annuity is a contract with an insurance company: you provide a lump sum or a series of payments, and in return, the insurer agrees to pay you an income — either for a set period or for the rest of your life.
The concept is straightforward. The products themselves can be more complex. There are fixed annuities, fixed indexed annuities, variable annuities, immediate annuities, and deferred annuities — each with different features, fee structures, and risk profiles. Understanding the differences is essential before you commit.
At First Due Advisors, we explain annuities without the hype. Some annuities are excellent tools for the right client. Some are sold to people who would be better served by something else. We help you figure out which category you are in.
A fixed annuity pays a guaranteed interest rate for a set period — similar to a CD but issued by an insurance company. A fixed indexed annuity links your growth potential to a market index like the S&P 500, with a floor that protects your principal from losses. A variable annuity gives you market participation but also carries market risk. An immediate annuity converts a lump sum into an income stream that starts right away. A deferred annuity accumulates value over time and then converts to income at a future date.
Annuities can also include riders — optional features like guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits or death benefits for your heirs. Riders add cost, so it is worth understanding exactly what you are buying and whether you actually need it.
We take the time to walk through how any annuity we discuss actually works: the interest crediting method, the surrender period, the fees, the income options, and how it fits alongside your other retirement income sources. If an annuity is the right tool for your situation, we will show you why. If it is not, we will tell you that too.
Why First Due Advisors for Annuities
Deep Product Knowledge
Annuities are complex products, and bad advice in this space can be costly. Brandon has spent over two decades working with annuities and knows how to evaluate them honestly — including when to recommend against one.
Ethics Above Commission
Annuities can carry significant commissions, which creates pressure to sell them broadly. At First Due Advisors, we recommend annuities only when they genuinely serve the client. That is not a talking point. It is how we were trained to operate.
Multiple Carriers, Competitive Products
We work with multiple annuity providers and can compare products across the market. That means you are seeing competitive options, not just whatever one company is currently offering.