"I detest life-insurance agents: they always argue that I shall someday die, which is not so."

~Stephen Butler Leacock

Whether it is to ensure that your family is taken care of, a business is better protected, or long-term care costs are covered, establishing proper insurance coverage is critical to creating a sound financial strategy.  A comprehensive protection program can help ensure your financial plans are not sidetracked if the unexpected happen.  With access to a vast array of insurance products, we help clients evaluate what type of coverage is appropriate for their circumstances, including life, disability, and long-term care options.

Regarding annuities: 

It has been our experience that people purchase annuities for one of three reasons:

• They want an income that is guaranteed to last their lifetime even if their account values decline or go to zero or they want the highest amount of guaranteed income available.
• They want to have growth potential based on the performance of the stock market but with no risk of market declines.
• They want tax deferred growth on their money.

Annuities can be good for some people but they are not for everybody*.   They can be complicated, and there is often considerable confusion about how they work.    They can also create tax headaches for beneficiaries if improperly structured or if the funds in the annuity are passed on to beneficiaries after many years of tax deferred accumulation.   Some annuities have high fees and tie up your money for long periods of time.    If you are considering an annuity, we encourage you to proceed with caution and call us for a complimentary consultation.  If you already have an annuity but would like to understand it better, please feel free to call us for a second opinion.  

*Annuities generally contain fees and charges which include, but are not limited to, mortality and expense risk charges, sales and surrender charges, administrative fees, charges for optional benefits and riders, and annual contract fees. Annuity guarantees, including guarantees associated with benefit riders are subject to the claims-paying ability of the insurance company. Surrender charges may apply if money is withdrawn before the end of the contract.