In this episode of the ATLAS Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker dives into a critical topic that often confuses many retirees: the Nationwide New Heights Annuity. With so much hype and numerous hypothetical illustrations floating around, it's easy to get lost in the promises of high returns. Marty is here to cut through the noise and provide a clear, realistic understanding of this popular annuity product.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Breaking Down Hypothetical Illustrations: Discover why the high indexing rates and non-guaranteed returns presented in sales pitches should be viewed with caution.
• Realistic Returns and Guarantees: Marty explains the importance of focusing on the guaranteed aspects of the annuity, offering a detailed example of what realistic returns look like compared to optimistic projections.
• Understanding the Income Rider: Learn about the key features of the income rider, including the 1.1 percent expense, 30 percent bonus, and 8 percent compounding roll-up, and how these impact your future income.
• Evaluating a More Realistic Outlook: Explore a more attainable return rate and its implications for your guaranteed income and overall financial planning.

Deciding on the best income strategy for retirement can be complex. This episode breaks down the critical factors you need to consider, ensuring you make informed decisions that provide financial stability and peace of mind.

Don't miss this insightful episode if you want to ensure your retirement income strategy is robust and reliable!

00:40 Annuities must be compared to alternative investments to assess income strategy.

02:05 No other investment guarantees lifetime income like annuities.

03:35 To match annuity income with alternative investment, a high return rate is needed.

05:00 Actuary tables show high chances of living long, impacting income strategies.

06:12 High return rates needed for alternative investments to match annuity income until age 90.

00:29 Big brokerage houses like Wells Fargo and Fidelity offer limited options for annuities, mainly variable annuities. 01:52 Fidelity is a top seller of annuities, but having access to only a few companies limits options for clients. 03:24 Fidelity offers limited annuity options, while the market has around 200 different companies with various products. 05:29 Immediate annuities like SPIA and deferred income annuities (DIA) have limitations in terms of start date flexibility. 07:29 Using strategy can enhance annuity benefits, such as getting higher income by splitting funds between different annuities. 10:26 ️ Small differences in annuity strategies can lead to significant variations in long-term income outcomes. 13:58 Funding an annuity versus using a strategy can result in notable differences in the amount of guaranteed income.