Annuities – The Simply Retirement Podcast

Which Type of Annuity Fits Your Retirement Plan? (Ep. 116 | Pt. 2)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | August 5, 2026

When people hear the word annuity, they often picture a stream of retirement income. While that’s certainly part of the story, there are important decisions that come long before those payments ever begin.

How do the different types of annuities work? Which one might fit your retirement goals? And what questions should you answer before comparing products?

In this episode, I continue our annuity series by explaining the different types of annuities and how each one is designed to solve a different retirement planning challenge. I clarify the difference between an annuity as a financial concept and an annuity as a financial product, explain how immediate, deferred, fixed, fixed indexed, and variable annuities work, and return to one guiding question that can bring greater clarity to every retirement decision: What are you trying to accomplish?

Key takeaways

How viewing annuities as financial products changes the decisions involved before purchasing one
Why immediate and deferred income annuities serve different retirement income objectives
How fixed indexed annuities balance market participation with protection from direct market losses
Why variable annuities may appeal to investors seeking tax-deferred growth opportunities
How identifying your retirement goal first helps narrow the annuity choices that may fit your plan
And more!

Resources:

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Annuities are insurance products issued by insurance companies and involve costs, fees, limitations, and contractual terms that vary by product. Guarantees are backed solely by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Before purchasing an annuity, investors should carefully consider their financial objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and contract features, and consult with their financial, tax, and legal professionals.

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Understanding Annuities Before You Decide if They Belong in Your Retirement Plan (Ep. 115 | Pt. 1)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | July 29, 2026

Annuities often become part of the retirement conversation during major life changes, yet many people still aren’t sure what they actually are or when they make sense.

In this episode, I begin a four-part series designed to help you understand annuities before you ever evaluate a specific product. We discuss what an annuity actually is, why insurance companies created them, how they can provide retirement income, and why every decision should begin with your retirement goals rather than product features.

We also explore accumulation versus income phases, tax deferral, and the questions you should ask before deciding whether an annuity belongs in your retirement plan.

Key takeaways:

How annuities work as insurance contracts that may provide retirement income now or later
Why retirement planning should begin with your goals before discussing financial products
How accumulation and income phases affect the way annuities function over time
Why tax deferral should be viewed as one feature rather than the primary reason to buy
Questions that help determine whether an annuity belongs in your retirement strategy
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake:

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Unlocking the Secrets of Long-Term Care with Dina Mabry (Ep. 11)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | November 22, 2023

Ever wondered if it’s too late to dive into long-term care insurance?

Slide your headphones on and plunge into an enlightening chat as Eric Blake and Dina Mabry peel back the layers of this dilemma, placing a special spotlight on challenges specific to women. Drawing from their combined experience, they provide an in-depth look at the journey to financial security, even if you’re late to the game.

Tune in and discover:

Why the saying, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now,” could reshape your financial thinking
Reimagine long-term care: Beyond just nursing homes
The evolution in modern insurance policies: What unexpected benefits might your beneficiaries reap
The showdown: Traditional long-term care insurance vs. asset-based policies. Which side will you pick
Age concerns? From 40s to 80s, there’s a strategy tailored just for you
A sneak peek into Dina’s offerings: Why one size doesn’t fit all in insurance
Hear firsthand accounts of how Dina’s knowledge has made a real difference
And much more!

Resources:

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About our Guest:

Dina is a trusted resource for life, long-term care, and disability insurance. Being in the industry for over 15 years, Dina has become a respected consultant to financial advisors and individuals by creatively finding solutions for estate planning, income replacement and long term care protection solutions.

Working with over 30+ carriers, Dina taps into her knowledge from her long career in the pharmaceutical industry to properly underwrite clients to find the best match for most medical impairments.

Dina strives to be a reliable professional in her field so clients can make informed decisions and feel more confident that they and their families are protected.

Dina has deep roots in the Conejo Valley and is active in W Source, The Exchange, Women 2 Women, and spends her time on the Executive Committee for Go Red for Women, The American Heart Association and The Alzheimer’s Association Central Coast.

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