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The Case Against Annuities Doesn’t Hold Up. Here’s the Research
- July 12, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Industry Trends
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Fidelity Study Shows Retirement Is Becoming More Flexible and Personalized
- April 16, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Insights
A new Fidelity study suggests retirement is becoming more flexible and personalized, with many Americans moving away from the traditional “stop working” model. Instead, individuals are increasingly planning gradual transitions, part-time work, or alternative income streams during retirement. While financial concerns such as inflation and cost of living remain, a growing number of people are redefining retirement as a phased and adaptable stage of life. The findings highlight that retirement planning now extends beyond savings and income, incorporating lifestyle preferences, timing, and personal goals.
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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.
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The Top Money Regrets From 2025 and How to Avoid Them in 2026
- March 20, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Insights
Recent research on financial behavior shows that many individuals regret not saving consistently, carrying unnecessary debt, and lacking a clear long-term plan. These patterns can affect retirement readiness by reducing the time available for compounding and increasing reliance on future income sources. Households that maintained disciplined savings habits and periodically reviewed their plans reported greater financial resilience. The findings emphasize the importance of aligning short-term financial decisions with long-term retirement goals. Building consistent saving habits, managing debt levels, and maintaining a structured plan can improve both confidence and long-term sustainability.
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Why Spending Feels Hard in Retirement, Even With Savings
- March 13, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Insights
Many retirees struggle to spend confidently even when their savings appear sufficient. Behavioral factors, uncertainty about longevity, and market volatility contribute to ongoing financial anxiety. Without a structured income plan, retirees may default to underspending to avoid the risk of running out of money. Research shows that individuals with predictable income sources and a clear spending framework are more comfortable maintaining consistent lifestyles. The findings highlight that retirement readiness involves not only accumulating assets but also developing a strategy that supports sustainable and confident spending over time.
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Annuity Sales Hit a New Record: What It Signals
- January 23, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Categories: Retirement Income, Retirement Insights
Annuity sales can serve as a practical “signal” for what retirees are prioritizing—especially when the market and inflation environment makes predictable retirement income more valuable. LIMRA reported that total U.S. annuity sales reached a new quarterly record in Q3 2025, surpassing $120 billion for the first time. While sales numbers alone do not determine what is right for any one household, they do highlight broader themes: demand for income stability, interest in risk-managed growth structures, and a continued focus on retirement income planning that can hold up across volatility. This post explains what the record tells us (and what it doesn’t), why retirees care about guaranteed-income interest, and the practical questions to ask when evaluating retirement income needs.
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Working While on Social Security in 2026: New Limits
- January 9, 2026
- Posted by: August
- Category: Social Security
Many retirees work part-time, consult, or keep earning income while receiving Social Security. The important detail is that Social Security’s “earnings test” can temporarily withhold benefits if you are below full retirement age and your earnings exceed certain thresholds. For 2026, SSA published updated exempt amounts that determine when benefit withholding may apply. This does not mean you “lose” your benefits permanently—but it can change monthly cash flow and create confusion if you are not expecting it. This post outlines the 2026 earnings-test limits, explains how the withholding rules work in plain English, and gives a simple checklist for retirees who want to work while keeping benefit surprises to a minimum.
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Why Retirement Anxiety Is Rising and What Planning Can Do
- November 21, 2025
- Posted by: August
- Category: Retirement Insights
Retirement confidence is under pressure—and the concerns are increasingly emotional as well as financial. Allianz Life’s 2025 Annual Retirement Study reports that many Americans worry more about running out of money than death, reflecting how inflation, uncertainty, and long retirements can strain planning assumptions. The findings underscore a key shift: retirement planning isn’t only about “having enough,” but about having a structure for income that can hold up through market changes, rising expenses, and longer lifespans. For households approaching retirement, the most practical response is not panic—it’s clarity: identify income sources, stress-test how withdrawals behave in down markets, and build a plan designed to stay consistent year-to-year.
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