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A guaranteed paycheck that lasts as long as you do. That's what the right annuity can be — and I'll help you figure out if it's right for you.
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Annuities
— Build Your Own Pension, On Your Terms
What Most People Are Missing in Their Retirement Income Plan
Social Security was designed to supplement retirement income, not replace it. Pensions have largely disappeared for private-sector workers. And a savings account — no matter how carefully managed — carries a risk that an annuity doesn't: you can outlive it.
An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company. You contribute a lump sum, and in return, you receive guaranteed income — either for a fixed period or for the rest of your life. For many pre-retirees and retirees across Oregon and beyond, it functions as a self-directed pension: income you control, structured the way you choose, guaranteed to keep coming regardless of what the market does.
I work with clients in Portland, Salem, Bend, and across Oregon to evaluate whether an annuity belongs in their retirement income plan — and if so, which type and from which carrier makes the most sense for their specific situation.
Fixed and Fixed Indexed Annuities — What's the Difference?
Not all annuities work the same way. The two types I work with most often are fixed annuities and fixed indexed annuities. Both offer guarantees that market-based accounts can't — but they work differently and serve different needs.
Life Insurance
Term, whole life, or indexed universal life — I help families and individuals find the right coverage without overcomplicating it. If you've been putting this off, let's make it a straightforward conversation.
Learn About Medicare Supplement Plans
Part D plans cover prescription medications through private carriers approved by Medicare. If you're enrolled in Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan, you'll need a standalone Part D plan to cover your prescriptions. Costs and formularies vary — I compare plans based on your specific medications to find the lowest real-world cost.
A fixed annuity pays a guaranteed interest rate for a set period, similar in structure to a CD but with insurance company backing. Your principal is protected, your growth rate is locked in, and your future income is predictable. Fixed annuities are straightforward products — well suited for clients who want certainty above all else.
Fixed Annuity
A fixed indexed annuity links your growth potential to a market index — like the S&P 500 — without exposing your principal to market losses. When the index goes up, you capture a portion of the gain. When it goes down, your account doesn't lose value. Fixed indexed annuities are more complex than fixed products, but they offer a balance of protection and growth potential that appeals to many pre-retirees.
Fixed Indexed Annuity
Is an Annuity Right for You?
Some people are well-suited for an annuity. Others aren't — and I'll tell you which you are before we ever discuss a specific product.
The clients who tend to benefit most from annuities share a few characteristics:
- They have a portion of retirement savings they won't need immediate access to
- They want guaranteed income that doesn't depend on market performance
- They're concerned about outliving their assets
- They lack a pension or have limited Social Security income relative to their expenses
- They've already maxed out other tax-advantaged retirement accounts
If you're unsure whether you fit that profile, that's exactly what a free consultation is for. We'll look at your full picture — income sources, expenses, liquidity needs, and time horizon — before I mention a single product.
How I Compare Annuities Across Dozens of Carriers
As an independent broker, I'm not tied to any single insurance company. I work with dozens of top-rated carriers and compare payout rates, income rider terms, surrender period lengths, and fee structures across all of them before making a recommendation.
Here's what that process looks like in practice:
Life Insurance
Term, whole life, or indexed universal life — I help families and individuals find the right coverage without overcomplicating it. If you've been putting this off, let's make it a straightforward conversation.
We start with what you need retirement income to do — when it starts, how long it needs to last, and what other income sources you're working with.
Understand Your Income Goals
Annuities involve surrender periods during which early withdrawals are penalized. Before recommending any product, I make sure you have enough accessible funds outside the annuity for emergencies and near-term expenses.
Evaluate Your Liquidity Needs
I run comparisons across multiple carriers — evaluating guaranteed payout rates, financial strength ratings, and contract terms — and present the options that make sense for your situation.
Compare Carrier Options
Annuities can carry fees, and surrender charges are real. I explain all of them in plain language before you sign anything. If a product's cost structure doesn't make sense for your goals, I won't recommend it.
Explain Every Cost Before You Decide
Common Questions About Annuities
How do annuities work for retirement income?
You contribute a lump sum to an annuity contract with an insurance company, and in return, you receive guaranteed income payments — either for a set period or for the rest of your life. The income amount depends on your principal, the type of annuity, the carrier's payout rates, and when payments begin. As an independent broker, I compare those rates across dozens of carriers to find the most competitive option for your situation.
Should I buy an annuity for retirement?
It depends on your income sources, your liquidity needs, your risk tolerance, and whether you have a gap between guaranteed income and your expected expenses. Annuities are the right tool for some people and the wrong tool for others. I'll give you a straight answer after we've looked at your full picture — not before.
How is an annuity different from a savings account for retirement?
A savings account gives you full liquidity and earns interest, but it carries no guarantee that the money will last. An annuity trades some liquidity for a guarantee — either a guaranteed interest rate, guaranteed principal protection, or guaranteed lifetime income, depending on the type. For clients worried about outliving their savings, that trade-off often makes sense for a portion of their assets.
What is a surrender period on an annuity?
A surrender period is a set number of years during which withdrawing more than the allowed amount triggers a penalty charge. Surrender periods typically range from three to ten years depending on the product. I explain these terms in full before any client makes a decision, and I won't recommend an annuity if the surrender period conflicts with your near-term liquidity needs.
Are annuities safe if the insurance company fails?
Oregon participates in the Oregon Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association, which provides coverage up to state-defined limits if an insurance company becomes insolvent. Beyond that backstop, I work only with carriers that carry strong financial strength ratings from independent rating agencies. I explain both protections to every client as part of the consultation process.
Can I work with an annuity broker in Oregon remotely?
Yes. I work with clients across Oregon — from Eugene and Portland to Bend and beyond — and in 15 additional licensed states, all by phone or video. Distance isn't a barrier.
Get in touch
What Happens If the Insurance Company Goes Bankrupt?
It's a fair question, and one I hear often. Every state, including Oregon, participates in a state guaranty association that provides a backstop for annuity holders if an insurance company becomes insolvent. In Oregon, the Oregon Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association covers annuity values up to applicable state limits.
That protection, combined with the financial strength ratings I use to screen carriers before recommending them, is why insurance company insolvency — while not impossible — is a low-probability concern for most annuity holders. I recommend only carriers with strong financial strength ratings and explain the guaranty association protections to every client before they make a decision.