Don T Buy Annuities -

Variable annuities can carry annual fees exceeding 3%, including mortality and expense (M&E) risk charges, administrative fees, and management fees for underlying subaccounts.

Agents can earn 1% to 10% of the total contract value in commissions, which are often "baked in" but ultimately reduce the starting value of your investment. don t buy annuities

In some flexible-premium contracts, every new contribution starts its own multi-year surrender clock, effectively keeping your capital illiquid indefinitely. 3. Inflation and Purchasing Power Risk Variable annuities can carry annual fees exceeding 3%,

Once you fund an annuity, your money is often "locked away," making it difficult to respond to life's emergencies. While marketed as "personal pensions

The case against annuities often centers on their high costs, lack of flexibility, and the risk that they may not keep pace with economic changes over a decades-long retirement. While marketed as "personal pensions," the trade-offs required to secure that guaranteed income can significantly erode your overall wealth. 1. Prohibitive Fees and Hidden Costs

Most contracts impose steep penalties—sometimes as high as 10% or more—if you withdraw funds during the first 6 to 10 years.