Matthew G. Young - The Complete Guide to Investing in Annuities: How to Earn High Rates of Return Safely

The Complete Guide to Investing in Annuities

How to Earn High Rates of Return Safely

By Matthew G. Young

A few years back we lost our beloved pet dog Bear, who was not only our best and dearest friend but also the Vice President of Sunshine here at Atlantic Publishing. He did not receive a salary but worked tirelessly 24 hours a day to please his parents.

Bear was a rescue dog who turned around and showered myself, my wife, Sherri, his grandparents Jean, Bob, and Nancy, and every person and animal he met (well, maybe not rabbits) with friendship and love. He made a lot of people smile every day.

We wanted you to know a portion of the profits of this book will be donated in Bears memory to local animal shelters, parks, conservation organizations, and other individuals and nonprofit organizations in need of assistance.

Douglas and Sherri Brown

PS: We have since adopted two more rescue dogs: first Scout, and the following year, Ginger. They were both mixed golden retrievers who needed a home.

Want to help animals and the world? Here are a dozen easy suggestions you and your family can implement today:

• Adopt and rescue a pet from a local shelter.
• Support local and no-kill animal shelters.
• Plant a tree to honor someone you love.
• Be a developer put up some birdhouses.
• Buy live, potted Christmas trees and replant them.
• Make sure you spend time with your animals each day.
• Save natural resources by recycling and buying recycled products.
• Drink tap water, or filter your own water at home.
• Whenever possible, limit your use of or do not use pesticides.
• If you eat seafood, make sustainable choices.
• Support your local farmers market.
• Get outside. Visit a park, volunteer, walk your dog, or ride your bike.

Five years ago, Atlantic Publishing signed the Green Press Initiative. These guidelines promote environmentally friendly practices, such as using recycled stock and vegetable-based inks, avoiding waste, choosing energy-efficient resources, and promoting a no-pulping policy. We now use 100-percent recycled stock on all our books. The results: in one year, switching to post-consumer recycled stock saved 24 mature trees, 5,000 gallons of water, the equivalent of the total energy used for one home in a year, and the equivalent of the greenhouse gases from one car driven for a year.

Acknowledgements

I dedicate this book to the two most influential males in my life: my father, Robert, and my son, Ethan.

There are several individuals who contributed to the making of this book in some fashion or another. It would be incomplete and unfair to not mention the help that was provided and to thank those who lent me their time, insight, and expertise.

Thank you to Kerri Eames for her proofreading and suggestions during the formative stages of this book.

Thank you to my case studies: Colleen, Richard, Jim, David, Rick, Joel, Ted, and Rob.

Thank you to my amazing editors: Nicole and Marilee. You never let me settle for mediocre writing or ideas.

And last but certainly not least, thank you to my family, especially Beth, my wife, who has been infinitely patient with me.

Introduction: What is an Annuity and What Can it Do for Me?

Annuities may seem overwhelming at first, and for a good reason. There are many different types and even more add-ons that allow investors to customize their investment. On the surface, annuities are a complex investment, but they can be extremely beneficial, if you have a plan. This section is meant to introduce you to the world of annuities and give you an overview of what is in store for the rest of the book. If you feel overwhelmed, do not worry. There is a glossary of technical terms included at the end of this book. If you come across a term you do not know, feel free to look it up. Additionally, there is a series of appendices containing easy-to-use charts, glossaries, and other information that will ease the decision-making process.