Fixed Index Annuity: The Retirement Tool That Grows With the Market Without Losing When It Falls

Michael Trefel

Published on: 11/08/2026

Most people have heard of annuities but few understand what a fixed index annuity actually does. It grows with a market index, protects your principal, and can guarantee income for life. This post breaks down how it works in plain language.

retirement planning

Annuity vs IUL: They Are Not Competing. They Are Cooperating.

Michael Trefel

Published on: 22/07/2026

Most comparisons of annuity vs IUL try to pick a winner. That is the wrong question. These two products serve different jobs in a retirement plan. This post clarifies which job each one does and how they work together.

retirement planning

Sequence of Returns Risk: The Retirement Threat That Average Returns Cannot Warn You About

Michael Trefel

Published on: 09/07/2026

Two families. Same portfolio. Same average return over 20 years. One runs out of money at 79. The other never does. The difference is sequence of returns risk, the retirement threat nobody explains clearly until it is too late.

retirement planning