In episode 89 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker takes a deep dive into one of the biggest overlooked risks in retirement—financial fragility after the loss of a spouse.

Drawing from research by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, Marty explains why future retirees may face tougher challenges maintaining their lifestyle after a financial shock, like medical expenses or the loss of a Social Security check. He breaks down how the shift from traditional pensions to 401(k)s has made income less dependable, and why the “4% rule” often falls short in today’s environment.

To address this growing problem, Marty introduces a simple but powerful strategy using the American Equity Income Shield Bonus Annuity—a plan designed to replace lost income when a spouse passes away, with guarantees that grow every year for up to 20 years. He walks through how it works, why it’s flexible, and how it can ensure a surviving spouse never runs out of income.

If you want to protect your spouse’s income, preserve your legacy, and create certainty in an uncertain world, this episode will show you how to plan ahead with confidence.

Learn more or schedule a call at AtlasAnnuity.com.

In episode 88 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker tackles one of the biggest fears retirees face — inflation. After years of rising prices, many people wonder if their money can really last as long as they do. Marty explains why relying on a traditional 60/40 portfolio and a fixed 3% inflation adjustment isn’t a foolproof strategy — and how it can actually cause you to run out of money too soon.

He breaks down a better approach: combining guaranteed income from an annuity with a growth portfolio to cover inflation. You’ll hear real numbers, real scenarios, and why this strategy can help your money last into your late 90s — even in a worst-case market environment.

If you want to stop guessing about your retirement income and start building a plan that stands up to inflation, this episode will show you how.

Learn more or schedule a call at AtlasAnnuity.com.

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker tackles one of the biggest fears in retirement — running out of money.

Longevity risk is the risk of outliving your savings, and most advisors fail to plan for it properly. Marty explains why relying on the old 4% rule or a simple systematic withdrawal plan could put your retirement in danger. He walks through real numbers showing how long today’s retirees are living, why planning to age 92 isn’t enough, and what it really takes to make your money last a lifetime.

You’ll learn:

• Why life expectancy has increased so much over the last century

• How longevity risk makes systematic withdrawal plans risky

• What rate of return you would need to safely withdraw for decades

• How annuities can guarantee income you can’t outlive

If you want confidence that your retirement income will last as long as you do, this episode will show you how to take longevity risk off the table and enjoy your retirement years without fear.

Learn more and schedule a call at AtlasAnnuity.com.

In episode 86 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker takes a deep dive into systematic withdrawal plans and why they may not be the safe retirement strategy many advisors claim. Marty explains the origins of the 4% rule, why economists now suggest lower withdrawal rates, and how sequence of returns risk can devastate a portfolio — even when using a “safe” 60/40 allocation.

He breaks down the three types of retirees — overfunded, underfunded, and constrained — and shows why constrained investors are most at risk when relying on a fixed withdrawal plan. Marty also highlights how even small timing differences, just a few months apart, can create dramatically different outcomes in retirement.

Finally, he explains why accumulation-focused advisors often miss the mark in the distribution phase and how income annuities can remove timing risk entirely, guaranteeing income for life and giving retirees the freedom to spend with confidence.

Learn more and schedule a call at AtlasAnnuity.com.

In episode 85 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker breaks down one of the most anticipated financial moves of the year—the Federal Reserve’s likely rate cut in September. We’ll cover what’s driving the Fed’s decision, how it really works behind the scenes, and most importantly, what it means for you.

You’ll learn:

• The history and role of the Federal Reserve and why its decisions matter

• How rate cuts affect inflation, jobs, and real estate markets

• The ripple effects on savers, retirees, and safe-money products like CDs, bonds, and annuities

• Why annuity rates may shift over time when the Fed lowers interest rates

• What retirees need to consider now to protect their income and stability

If you’ve ever wondered how Fed policy impacts your wallet and your retirement, this episode connects the dots in plain language.

For more retirement education, visit AtlasAnnuity.com and explore the video series 20% More Spendable Income in Retirement. To see if annuities fit your plan, book a short Zoom call directly through the website.

Subscribe to the Atlas Annuity Podcast for more insights on safe money strategies.

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker introduces a brand-new product in the annuity world: the EquiTrust Smart Boost Index Annuity. Developed in partnership with Genesys—the pioneer of fixed index annuities—this innovative contract brings unique features designed to give retirees more flexibility, growth potential, and security.

Marty breaks down the key details, including:

• Why EquiTrust’s financial strength ratings and solvency ratios matter.

• How the Smart Boost works differently from traditional bonuses.

• Key benefits like 7% penalty-free withdrawals, RMD-friendly design, and nursing home/terminal illness waivers.

• The 40% guaranteed boost to the death benefit and how it impacts your heirs.

• Real-world case studies showing how the product can work for retirement income, Roth conversions, and estate planning.

Whether you’re exploring annuities for the first time or comparing options for your retirement portfolio, this episode offers clear insights into how the Smart Boost Index could fit into your strategy.

Learn more and book a call with Marty at AtlasAnnuity.com

If you're facing a choice between taking a lifetime pension or a lump sum buyout, this episode is for you.

Marty Becker shares a real-life conversation with a potential client offered $2,000/month for life—or a $350,000 lump sum. Which is better? The answer might surprise you.

With firsthand experience losing his own pension, Marty breaks down:

• Why defined benefit pensions are becoming less reliable

• Real examples of massive pension plan failures

• What the PBGC actually guarantees (and what it doesn’t)

• How an income annuity can mimic (or even improve on) pension payouts

• Why a logical apples-to-apples comparison is the only way to decide

Whether you're with a corporation or union, considering your options now or in the future, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make a smart, confident decision for your retirement.

Want a custom side-by-side comparison?
Book a short Zoom call at AtlasAnnuity.com

Did you know that your will doesn’t control who gets your retirement accounts? That job belongs to your beneficiary forms—and if those aren’t right, everything else falls apart.

In this episode, Marty Becker explains why annuities have a built-in advantage when it comes to estate planning and passing your assets to loved ones. You’ll hear about three real-life court cases where families lost hundreds of thousands due to outdated forms—and how you can avoid the same fate.

You’ll learn:

• Why annuities require beneficiary designations (and how that protects you)
  
  
• What accounts to review—and how to get physical proof of your forms
  
  
• How to organize and update your financial records
  
  
• What to avoid when inheriting an IRA or retirement account
  
  

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who owns annuities, retirement accounts, or just wants to keep their estate plan airtight.