How can I protect my retirement?

By Ken McEntee

In a precarious economy, people who are hoping to retire soon may have concerns about losing a large portion of the IRA, 401(k) or pension fund that has been building up for decades. Bill Fiesler and his son, Brody, owners of Annuity & Estate Planning Concepts, promise that there is a way to protect your investment.

Q: How can I protect my retirement money from market downturns?
A: The best way is through indexed, annuity-based vehicles that have built-in downside market loss protection.

Q: What’s an annuity?
A: It’s an insurance product that creates an income stream that you can’t outlive.

Q: How does an indexed, annuity-based investment protect my money?
A: Through a contract guarantee, the insurance company that issues the annuity ensures that you will share in the gains when the market goes up, but when the market is flat or goes down, your money is locked in—you won’t lose anything.

Q: When is a good time to invest in an annuity?
A: Generally, if you are in your 50s, you may want to start looking at ways to protect your retirement account. The market always has ups and downs, but when you’re in the early stages of your career there is usually time for the market to come back from downturns—but it may take five to seven years, so if you plan to retire soon, you may not have time to recoup your losses. An economic downturn could delay, or even stifle, your retirement.

You can take your first step toward protecting your retirement by scheduling a no-cost consultation with Bill or Brody, at 216-503-1779. Annuity & Estate Planning Concepts LLC is located at Corporate Plaza One, Suite 160, 6450 Rockside Woods Blvd. S, in Independence.