Retirement & Annuities

Retirement should feel steady, not like a roller coaster. Our work with annuities is centered on one question: how can we help you turn what you have saved into income you can count on, without lying awake at night worrying about the next market downturn?

Fixed annuities provide a guaranteed interest rate for a set period. In many ways, they function like long-term certificates of deposit, often with more competitive rates. They appeal to those who prefer predictability, want a portion of their money protected from market swings, and like knowing exactly what their contract will earn. Indexed annuities add another layer. They credit interest based in part on the performance of a market index, while still including a floor that protects your principal from direct market losses. When the index does well, you may earn more interest; when it does poorly, your account is shielded from the full impact. This approach can make sense for retirees who want some growth potential, yet cannot afford to see a lifetime of savings slashed by a bad year on Wall Street.

We look carefully at how annuities might fit alongside Social Security, pensions, and other savings. The goal is not to move everything into one product, but to decide whether it makes sense to create a "retirement paycheck" you cannot outlive, or a safe place for a portion of your nest egg.

Because we work with several different insurance carriers, we can compare contract features, income options, and guarantees. We also explain, in straightforward terms, how the insurer's strength and policy provisions support those guarantees. Whether you are already retired or planning a few years ahead in Bedford, we help you see how annuities might support a calmer, more predictable retirement.

Annuities, Explained

Fixed and indexed annuities — without the jargon

An annuity is a contract with an insurance company: you contribute money now (in a lump sum or over time), and the company pays it back to you later, often as guaranteed income for life. The two most common types Kent discusses with clients:

Fixed annuities

Offer a guaranteed interest rate for a set period, similar in spirit to a CD but often with better long-term rates. Good for people who want predictability above all else.

Indexed annuities

Credit interest based on the performance of a market index, with a guaranteed floor so your principal isn't directly exposed to market losses. Good for people who want some upside potential with downside protection.