-
The Case Against Annuities Doesn’t Hold Up. Here’s the Research
- July 12, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Industry Trends
No Comments
A working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that most people buy far fewer annuities than economic models suggest they should — and that the common objections used to explain this gap do not hold up under scrutiny. The research examines the standard arguments against annuities: fees, loss of liquidity, bequest motives, and the idea that Social Security already provides enough guaranteed income. It finds that while these objections sound reasonable in the abstract, they apply only to a narrow subset of retirees and require a level of financial sophistication to evaluate that most people do not have. The real barrier to annuity adoption, the paper concludes, is not that the products are unsuitable — it is that the systems and conversations through which people encounter them are poorly designed. Better institutional framing, smarter defaults, and clearer guidance at the point of decision are more likely to close the gap than any amount of financial education delivered in isolation.
-
Gen X Is More Anxious About Retirement Than Boomers. Here’s Why.
- June 25, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Insights
Global Atlantic’s 2026 Retirement Outlook Survey, which polled 1,011 consumers ages 55 to 75 with $250,000 to $2 million in investable assets and 505 financial professionals, finds that first-wave Gen Xers — those now ages 55 to 60 — are entering the final stretch before retirement with significantly more anxiety than Boomers. Twenty-eight percent of Gen Xers said they are extremely or very concerned about having enough income to last their lifetime, double the rate of Boomers at 14%. Nearly half of Gen Xers anticipated returning to work after retirement due to financial concerns, compared with 21% of Boomers. The survey also reveals that 38% of respondents do not have a specific retirement income plan despite all working with a financial professional — and that 69% of consumers are concerned Social Security will not provide full benefits for the rest of their lives. The findings point to a generation navigating a retirement transition without the pension safety net that many previous retirees relied on, at a moment of elevated healthcare costs and economic uncertainty.
-
AARP: Most Near-Retirees Have No Retirement Income Plan
- June 22, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Income
A new survey published by the AARP Public Policy Institute finds that most adults nearing retirement do not have a specific plan for avoiding running out of money. The study, which sampled 1,422 adults between the ages of 50 and 70 who participate in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans, reveals a significant gap between saving for retirement and planning how to spend it. Respondents showed a strong preference for drawdown strategies that preserve control over their assets, while support for annuities — already modest — declined sharply when product details were explained. Most respondents knew little about annuities to begin with. The findings highlight a persistent education gap in retirement income planning, and suggest that the way guaranteed income products are introduced and explained matters as much as the products themselves.
-
Lifetime Income Is the Missing Link in Retirement Security
- May 30, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Income
New global research from Prudential Financial and the Global Aging Institute, released at the Spring IMF World Bank Meetings, finds that most retirement systems leave individuals to manage longevity risk largely on their own. The study, which examined retirement systems across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, and Japan, concludes that lifetime income solutions can significantly strengthen retirement security — and may allow countries to deliver equivalent retirement outcomes at approximately 20% lower cost compared to lump-sum distribution models. The research calls for lifetime income to become the default option in employer-sponsored retirement plans, and highlights the efficiency gains that come from pooling longevity risk across a broad population. The findings reinforce a growing body of evidence that the transition from defined benefit to defined contribution retirement systems has left a meaningful income gap for retirees — one that guaranteed income products are uniquely positioned to address.
-
Partial Annuitization Can Outperform the 4% Withdrawal Rule
- May 24, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Income
A new report from TIAA argues that partial annuitization — converting a portion of retirement savings into guaranteed lifetime income — can produce higher annual income in retirement than the 4% withdrawal rule alone. Using the example of a 67-year-old with $1 million in savings, TIAA illustrates that annuitizing one-third of assets while continuing to withdraw 4% from the remaining balance results in meaningfully more first-year income than applying the 4% rule to the full balance. The report also addresses the role annuities can play in helping retirees manage market volatility during the drawdown phase, providing a predictable income floor that is not affected by market swings. For individuals entering or already in retirement, the findings offer a practical framework for thinking about how to structure income rather than relying on withdrawals alone.
-
Workers Feel Ready for Retirement. Their Employers Disagree
- May 9, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Industry Trends
A new Goldman Sachs Asset Management plan sponsor survey reveals a striking disconnect between how employers view their workforce’s retirement readiness and how workers view themselves. Plan sponsors estimate that only 33% of employees are on track for retirement, while 68% of workers describe themselves as optimistic about their own preparedness — yet 58% of those same workers also believe they will outlive their savings. The survey, which drew on responses from 250 large-plan sponsors and data from more than 5,000 working and retired individuals, points to a retirement system under strain from competing financial priorities, insufficient personalization, and growing demand for guaranteed income options. Plan sponsors are actively rethinking plan design, with a majority considering changes to investment menus, advice services, and lifetime income integration over the next twelve months.
-
Schwab Survey Shows Shift Toward Personalized Retirement Income Strategies
- April 9, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Industry Trends
A new Schwab survey highlights a growing shift toward personalized retirement income strategies, as retirees move away from one-size-fits-all approaches. Individuals are increasingly focused on aligning income with their specific spending needs, risk tolerance, and lifestyle goals. The research shows that retirees who take a more tailored approach to income planning report higher confidence and greater clarity around their financial future. As retirement timelines lengthen and financial complexity increases, customization is becoming a key factor in achieving sustainable income. The findings suggest that effective retirement planning is less about following standard rules and more about building a strategy that reflects individual circumstances.
-
BlackRock Finds Retirees Increasingly Focused on Income Stability Over Growth
- April 2, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Insights
BlackRock’s latest research shows a growing shift among retirees away from maximizing portfolio growth and toward ensuring income stability. Concerns about market volatility, longevity, and consistent spending are driving this change. Retirees increasingly want clarity around how their savings will translate into reliable income rather than focusing solely on account value. The study highlights that individuals with structured income strategies report lower stress levels and greater confidence. As retirement timelines extend, planning for income durability is becoming a central priority.
-
Morningstar Updates a Safe Withdrawal Rate for 2026
- February 20, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Income
Morningstar’s updated withdrawal rate research for 2026 emphasizes that sustainable retirement income depends on more than a fixed percentage rule. Market volatility, longevity, and spending flexibility all influence long-term outcomes. The analysis highlights sequence risk and the importance of adjusting withdrawals during downturns. It also reinforces the value of aligning dependable income sources with essential expenses to reduce pressure on investment portfolios. Rather than relying solely on a static withdrawal rate, retirees may benefit from a dynamic approach that integrates predictable income, disciplined spending, and periodic review. Sustainable retirement income is ultimately shaped by structure, not just percentages.
Ready to talk through your options?
Get a no-pressure review with Foxcove Financial. We’ll help you evaluate insured strategies for income, accumulation, and legacy.


