Live the Life You Love: A Rock Solid Retirement

Ben, 55, and his wife Meghan, 51, have been married for 15 years. They have always been career driven, but hope to retire when Ben turns 65. Their lifelong dream has been to travel while they’re still young and in good health, so retiring early is very important to them. In efforts to ensure they can turn their lifelong dream into a reality, they have been building their retirement nest egg, especially over the past few years. They hope to spend two years traveling, and when they return, maintain the comfortable lifestyle they had always envisioned for their retirement.

Currently most of their investments are in the open market which has allowed Ben and Meghan’s savings to increase over the years as they approach retirement. Between their savings and the Social Security payments they will receive, they seem to be on a trajectory to spending the rest of their lives how they have always planned. For reassurance, Ben decides to have a meeting with his Financial Professional, Steve.

Steve confirms that Ben and Meghan are in good financial standing and on the right path; but knowing how important a comfortable, steady retirement is for them, Steve decides to discuss the idea of purchasing an Annuity. He explains how diversifying a part of their portfolio into a fixed-indexed annuity can offer principal protection and lifetime income which could provide an added cushion that allows them to fulfill their lifelong dream. He further explains how it is customizable based on their retirement needs. In addition to helping them meet their current goals, it can allow them to adapt and adjust their investment length, growth potential, and protection levels as their financial objectives change over time. Ben and Meghan end up purchasing the annuity based on Steve’s advice, and now feel even more confident about their future.

Ten years later, as both Ben and Meghan had hoped, they retire and begin their journey traveling the world. Excited for this new chapter of their lives, they book their first flights to Europe. While in Europe (3 months into retirement), the stock market takes a downturn. This market cycle lasts several months – wiping out a large portion of their savings. Steve gives Ben a call to review his assets and to ensure him that they are still on track with their retirement goals. He explains to Ben that the protection levels in the annuity saved the assets invested from a substantial amount of losses. Steve assures Ben that the annuity will be enough to provide an income stream to him and Meghan while they are traveling. Ben is relieved, as he thought they were going to have to cut their travels short.

The market eventually turns around, and they are able to rebuild most of the savings they had lost. Ben and Meghan are so thankful that Steve suggested purchasing the annuity years ago, because if not for that annuity, they may have had to come back to the states, and possibly return back to work to support their lifestyle. The annuity provided confidence to both Ben and Meghan that no matter what lies ahead with the market, they are able to enjoy their traveling, knowing that when they return back home, their lifestyle in retirement will still be as they had envisioned.