By Brad Rhodes

Imagine you are a farmer. You have been working the land for years, cultivating crops and raising livestock. You have grown accustomed to the rhythms of the seasons, the unpredictable weather patterns and the vagaries of the market. You have learned to adapt to the changing circumstances and to make the most of what you have. But as you approach retirement age, you realize you need a new strategy. You need a way to protect your assets and ensure a steady income stream for the rest of your life. That’s where fixed-indexed annuities come in.

Fixed-indexed annuities can be considered the equivalent of crop insurance for retirees. Just as a farmer purchases crop insurance to protect against bad weather, pests and disease risks, a retiree can purchase a fixed-indexed annuity to protect against the dangers of market volatility, inflation and longevity. With a fixed-indexed annuity, the retiree can receive a guaranteed income stream that is not affected by market fluctuations while also enjoying the growth potential that is tied to the performance of a stock market index.

The way a fixed indexed annuity works is relatively simple. The retiree invests a lump sum of money with an insurance company, using that money to purchase a portfolio of bonds and other fixed-income securities. The insurance company also sets aside some money to purchase call options on a stock market index, such as the S&P 500. The call options give the insurance company the right to purchase shares of the index at a predetermined price, allowing the annuity to participate in the market’s upside potential.

At the end of each year, the insurance company calculates the return on the stock market index. If the return is positive, the retiree receives a portion up to a predetermined cap. If the return is negative, the retiree’s principal is protected, and they receive a guaranteed minimum return. In this way, fixed-indexed annuities allow retirees to participate in the stock market’s growth potential while protecting their principal and providing a guaranteed income stream.

Fixed-indexed annuities can be particularly beneficial for retirees concerned about market volatility and inflation risks. With traditional fixed annuities, the retiree receives a fixed income stream that is not tied to the performance of the market. While this provides a high degree of safety and predictability, it also means that the retiree’s income stream is not protected against inflation. With fixed indexed annuities, on the other hand, the retiree’s income stream has the potential to grow with the market, which can help to offset the effects of inflation over time.

Another advantage of fixed-indexed annuities is that they provide retirees with a way to protect against longevity risk. Longevity risk is the risk of outliving your savings, which is a concern for retirees living longer than ever before. With a fixed indexed annuity, retirees receive a guaranteed income stream for the rest of their lives, regardless of how long they live. This can provide retirees with a high degree of financial security and peace of mind.

In conclusion, fixed-indexed annuities may be a valuable tool for retirees looking to protect their assets and ensure a steady income stream for the rest of their lives. Fixed-indexed annuities offer retirees a unique combination of safety and growth potential by providing a way to participate in the stock market’s growth potential while protecting against market volatility, inflation, and longevity risk. Like crop insurance for a farmer, fixed-indexed annuities provide retirees with a way to protect their financial harvest and enjoy the fruits of their labor for years to come.

Brad Rhodes lives in Lexington and is a member of Syndicated Columnists.