Sometimes investment decisions (like saving for retirement) are black and white. No nuance or downsides.

But when it comes to annuities, there are shades of grey that The Retirement Equals Freedom Podcast is here to help you understand.

On this second of two parts, Host Josh Bretl shares FSR Wealth Strategies’ take on when, how and why certain annuities can make the perfect fit for clients whose portfolios need rounding out.

You’ll learn about various types of vehicles to consider, what makes them appealing and potential pitfalls to avoid.

Get to know the difference between immediate and deferred annuities and what distinguishes “protected income” buckets from “growth” buckets (from buckets of “fried chicken,” if – like Co-Host Dave Schmidt – you choose to go there!).

You’ll also find out why Fixed Index Annuities have a lot to offer as a steady stream of low-risk income.

If you’ve ever been intimidated (or put off) by the world of annuities, this is your invitation to take stock (on your own or with the help of a financial adviser) to determine whether they might make a good addition to your growing retirement nest egg.

If you missed Part I of this series, click this link to listen to Episode 40, “What’s Annuities Got to Do With It?”

If you haven’t already, please sign up for all the news you can use (+ lots of fun) at this link for the Retirement Equals Freedom podcast newsletter. You might also want to join the conversation at our private Facebook group, which you’ll find here.

Click here to explore the services that FSR Wealth Strategies offers and schedule a discovery call with one of the team’s CPAs. When it comes to living your best life, it’s never too early to get started!

Annuities! For years now they’ve been dissed, maligned and misunderstood … which is why we’re setting the record straight on this episode of Retirement Equals Freedom.

Host Josh Bretl, owner of FSR Wealth Strategies, explains why this particular investment vehicle has gotten a bad rap (Co-Host Dave Schmidt can relate) and how to educate ourselves on the facts.

As always, it comes down to taking a holistic look at your financial snapshot, including timelines, mix of investments and overall goals.

Sure. When it comes to annuities, there are some very real downsides. But in addition to outlining those, Josh is also helping us get clear about the fact that it’s not a black and white situation.

Or, to put it another way, as our host warns: “If you ever think something is always good, no matter what, you’ve got a problem. And if you think something is bad, no matter what, you’ve got a problem.”

This episode will help anyone who has shut the door on annuities to reconsider them as an investment option – one featuring growth as well as safety.

If you’re intrigued and want to know more, join us for an upcoming Part II that will take a closer look at what annuities offer, how they work and whether they might be just what you need to round out and grow your retirement nest egg.

Trigger Warning: If you’re partial to water chestnuts or have ever worked at a fast-food drive-thru window, the views expressed by your co-hosts may be upsetting. Jokes, we're just having fun.

Clarity. Simplicity. Certainty. When it comes to turning our finances over to an expert, these are the three guiding lights that Host Josh Bretl, founder of FSR Wealth Strategies, wants us to keep in mind.

Retirement planning represents a different phase of life and requires the right expertise, which is why this episode of Retirement Equals Freedom is focused on providing you an all-important checklist to consider before turning your valuable assets – and future well-being – over to a financial adviser.

What are their credentials? Do they have solid knowledge of how to draw down assets – including how to sequence withdrawals and downstream tax implications? How about their style of communication and the quality of their team?

These are just a few of the factors to consider before deciding to whom you want to entrust your hard-earned savings.

If you’ve been planning all your life for a fabulous retirement, congratulations! But in order to get through the distribution phase of your journey, you’re going to want to have the right adviser in place.

And after you listen to this episode, you’ll know just what you’re looking for as well as the right questions to ask. To put it another way (in the words of computer scientist Alan Kay): “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” FSR Wealth is all about helping you find the tools to do exactly that!

Stay tuned for our next live episode of Java With Josh on Wednesday, June 21st. And in the meanwhile, check out this pod link resource for previous episodes of Retirement Equals Freedom and one-click access to your favorite platform for listening!

If you haven’t already, please sign up for all the news you can use (+ lots of fun) at this link for the Retirement Equals Freedom podcast newsletter. You might also want to join the conversation at our private Facebook group, which you’ll find here.

Click here to explore the services that FSR Wealth Strategies offers and schedule a discovery call with one of the team’s CPAs. When it comes to living your best life, it’s never too early to get started!