Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: Annuities: A Blend of Insurance and Investment 7
Chapter 1: Making Sense of Annuities 9
Chapter 2: Using Annuities to Meet Retirement Challenges 19
Chapter 3: Dissecting an Annuity 29
Chapter 4: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Annuities 41
Chapter 5: Deciding Whether an Annuity Is Right for You 55
Part II: Identifying the Main Types of Annuities 67
Chapter 6: Saving with Fixed Annuities 69
Chapter 7: Experimenting with Index Annuities 87
Chapter 8: Meeting the New Generationof Variable Annuities (VAs) 103
Chapter 9: Financing Your Retirement with an Income Annuity 115
Chapter 10: Aging Gracefully with an ALDA 131
Part III: Making the Most of Your Annuity 145
Chapter 11: Structuring Your Annuity Correctly 147
Chapter 12: Optimizing Your Variable Annuity (VA) Investments 155
Chapter 13: Accessing, Escaping from, or Converting Your Annuity 169
Chapter 14: The Taxing Side of Annuities 179
Part IV: Navigating the Annuity Superstore 191
Chapter 15: Getting Creative with Annuities 193
Chapter 16: Going to Meet the (Sales) Representative 209
Chapter 17: Avoiding Annuity Pitfalls 223
Part V: The Part of Tens 237
Chapter 18: Ten Essential Annuity Expressions 239
Chapter 19: Ten Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Contract 249
Chapter 20: Ten Factors that Determine Longevity 257
Chapter 21: Ten Web Sources for More Annuity Information 267
Appendix A: Key Research Sources 277
Appendix B: Protection from Insurer Default 299
Appendix C: General Rule for Pensions and Annuities 303
Glossary 319
Index 327
