About You
What is your current age range?
This helps us calibrate which solutions are realistic for your timeline.
55-59Pre-retirement
60-64Approaching
65-69Transition
70-74Early retirement
75+Established
Retirement Timeline
Where are you on the retirement timeline?
This determines which annuity structures are available to you.
Already RetiredDrawing income now
1-3 Years OutPlanning actively
3-5 Years OutBuilding the plan
5+ Years OutGetting ahead of it
01
Money's Job
What is the primary job for the savings you're considering? What do you need this money to DO for you?
This is the most important question. Annuities solve specific problems -- this tells us if yours is one of them.
Provide reliable monthly income I can count on for life
Stay safe -- I've built this over a lifetime and can't afford to lose it
Grow as much as possible -- I want maximum returns
I'm not sure what I need -- that's partly why I'm here
Worth Knowing
Growth-focused strategies work best when you have time and aren't touching the money. If this money needs to produce income in the next 5-10 years, an annuity's downside protection may actually accelerate your plan by removing the risk of a devastating loss at the wrong time. But if pure growth is the goal and you won't need this money for 10+ years, other tools may serve you better.
Your answer here carries significant weight in your overall suitability.
02
Income Reality
When you look at your guaranteed income -- Social Security, pensions -- how well does it cover your monthly expenses?
We're looking at whether there's a gap between what comes in automatically and what goes out each month.
There's a real gap -- I'm withdrawing from savings to cover the difference
It's close, but I'm worried it won't keep up with rising costs
My guaranteed income covers my expenses
I haven't calculated this yet
You're Not Alone
Most people haven't. The Income Gap Worksheet can show you in about 5 minutes. Without knowing your gap, it's hard to know if you need an income solution or just growth. We'll factor this uncertainty into your report.
After this report, use the Income Gap Worksheet to get your actual number.
03
Emergency Reserves
Outside of the money you might commit to a long-term product, do you have cash reserves set aside for emergencies?
Annuities require committing money for a period of time. This tells us if that's realistic for your situation.
Yes -- I have 6+ months of expenses in accessible savings, separate from investments
Some, but probably not enough to cover a real emergency
Not really -- my retirement savings IS my safety net
Important to Know
If you need full access to all of your savings at all times, an annuity is not the right tool. Annuities work best as one piece of a broader plan -- the portion you can commit for 5+ years in exchange for guarantees. They were never designed to replace your emergency fund.
This doesn't disqualify you -- but it means building emergency reserves may need to come first.
04
Commitment Comfort
How do you feel about putting a portion of your savings into a product you can't fully access for 5-10 years -- in exchange for guarantees?
Annuities involve surrender periods. This tells us whether that structure fits how you think about your money.
That's fine -- I won't need this particular money short-term
I'd consider it, but I need to understand the penalties first
That's a dealbreaker -- I need access to everything
That's a Legitimate Answer
Annuities require a commitment period -- typically 5-10 years. If that structure doesn't work for your situation, other strategies may be more appropriate for this money. Not every financial product is meant for every person, and knowing what doesn't fit is just as valuable as knowing what does.
We'll reflect this clearly in your suitability score.
05
Downside Exposure
If markets dropped 30% in the next year, what would happen to the savings you're relying on for retirement?
This tells us how exposed you are to a loss you can't afford -- not what risk level you prefer.
It would seriously hurt -- I can't absorb a major loss at this stage
It would be uncomfortable, but I could probably recover over time
It wouldn't affect me much -- I'm not heavily in the market
06
Decision Stage
Where are you in thinking about your retirement strategy?
There's no wrong answer -- this helps us calibrate the report to where you actually are.
I'm actively researching and want to make a decision soon
I'm gathering information but not ready to act yet
I'm just exploring -- this is very early for me
Someone recommended an annuity and I want a second opinion
Smart Approach
Many people are sold an annuity without ever being shown whether it fits their situation. Getting an objective assessment before committing is exactly the right move. This report will give you a clear view of whether the recommendation makes sense for your profile.
Use your results to have a more informed conversation with whoever made the recommendation.
