One factor that is pertinent to any facet of retirement income strategies is timing. It is important to ask yourself when do you expect to retire, and how long do you expect to live. The answers to these questions may be difficult to forecast, but it is overwhelmingly important to consider. These factors are uncertain, and helping you prepare for uncertainty is our purpose.
Long term care insurance is one way to prepare for longevity’s uncertainty. Advances in medical care have considerably increased average life expectancy in our society. Unfortunately, as much of a blessing as this is, many of these older individuals deal with serious health problems that render them unable to live on their own. Long term care insurance can help prepare for the expenses associated with this stage in life.
There is also an array of annuity products that can be customized to fit your needs allowing for a constant stream of income. Annuities can guard against the prospect of outliving your assets. As such, they are a key tool for longevity strategies.
An annuity is intended to be a long-term, tax deferred retirement vehicle. Earnings are taxable as ordinary income when distributed, and if withdrawn before age 59 1/2, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. There are charges and expenses associated with annuities, such as deferred sales charges for early withdrawals. All guarantees are subject to the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
