The Atlas Annuity Podcast

Most people think putting their annuity in a trust is a smart move. Their attorney told them to do it. So they did it.

But that one simple paperwork change could trigger a massive tax bill — and most attorneys don't even realize it.

In this episode, Marty Becker breaks down the trust mistake that blindsides retirees every day. You'll learn the critical difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust, why it matters for your annuity, and how one wrong signature could make $150,000 in deferred gains immediately taxable.

What you'll learn:

In Episode 108 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker, owner and founder of Atlas Financial Strategies in St. Louis, Missouri, explores one of the most creative retirement strategies he has come across in recent memory — using an annuity to pay your mortgage at a discount.

It all started with an email from one of Marty's sharpest clients, Dave, who asked a simple but brilliant question: could an insurance company essentially take over his mortgage payments for the next five years, and do it for less than he actually owes?

After running the numbers, Marty breaks do...

Record highs are hiding a massive retirement risk—and most people headed into retirement have no idea.

In this episode, Marty Becker breaks down what is really happening beneath the surface of today's market and why the old retirement playbook may not work the way people expect.

The stock market is at all-time highs. Tech stocks are booming and Wall Street is acting like the future is perfectly clear. But underneath that optimism, nearly half of major indexes are still technically in bear markets. Oil prices are surging. Inflation may not actually be under control. An...

Artificial intelligence can write essays, analyze data, and answer almost any question you throw at it. So it's no surprise that people have started asking AI about their retirement money.

But here's the truth — AI annuity advice can actually be very helpful. Or it can be a very expensive mistake. And knowing the difference could save your retirement.

In this episode, Marty Becker shares a real client story that sparked this conversation — a client who came to him ready to buy a specific annuity because AI recommended it. The problem? That product wasn't even available in t...

In this episode, Marty Becker tackles one of the most common misconceptions retirees have about annuities — the belief that annuity companies are simply returning their own money back to them. He explains why this flawed thinking may actually be causing retirees to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars less than they safely could in retirement.

Marty breaks down the risks associated with the traditional Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP), including sequence of returns risk, longevity risk, withdrawal rate risk, and behavioral risk — such as panic selling during volatile markets. He uses a compelling real-world example of two retirees, Ben...

In this episode, Marty Becker explores the often-overlooked psychological side of retirement that has nothing to do with 401(k)s, Social Security timing, or interest rates. He discusses the multi-year psychological transition that occurs when someone leaves a lifelong career and explains why financial preparation alone isn't enough if retirees aren't mentally prepared for this major life change.

Marty walks listeners through the research on retirement as a process rather than a single event, breaking down the phases many retirees experience during this transition. He then explains how financial structure—particularly income annuities—can help stabilize the psyc...

Retirement isn't about chasing returns—it's about engineering income. In this episode, Marty Becker shares a real client case study that demonstrates one of the clearest retirement income frameworks he's ever seen.

Dave, one of Marty's clients, responded to the previous week's episode on CDs versus MYGAs with a simple but powerful statement: he uses 2, 3, 4, and 5-year MYGAs and FIAs to build an income ladder that funds his annual expenses—and he believes it's far better than CDs or bond ladders.

Marty breaks down Dave's strategy step by step:

In episode 102 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker breaks down the key differences between Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs) and bank CDs. While both are considered safe money options, there are critical distinctions that can significantly impact your retirement strategy.

This episode covers a comprehensive side-by-side comparison including tax treatment, liquidity options, beneficiary protections, and the often-misunderstood topic of FDIC insurance versus state guaranty associations.

Marty explains why tax deferral can be a game-changer for retirees who are tax-sensitive, how penalty-free withdrawal provisions differ between the two products, and why MYGAs offer unique advantages when...

If you've inherited an annuity, the insurance company is probably pressuring you to fill out forms fast. But here's what they won't tell you: once you sign certain paperwork, the decision is irreversible—and it could cost you thousands in unnecessary taxes.

In this episode, Marty Becker walks you through what really matters before you make a choice you can't undo.

What You'll Learn:
• Why inherited annuities are so confusing (and different from inherited IRAs)
• The LIFO tax trap—and why the first dollars out are the most heavily taxed
• Your 3 dis...

If you've ever wondered why retirement feels more complicated than it should, you're not imagining things. For decades, people were told to save enough, invest wisely, and then withdraw 4% every year. But new research from Morningstar tells a very different story—one that explains why so many retirees feel uneasy, and why guaranteed income tools like annuities are becoming more relevant than ever.

In this milestone 100th episode, Marty Becker breaks down Morningstar's latest 2025 research showing that the safe withdrawal rate has dropped to just 3.9%—with a 10% chance of failure even then. That's only $39,000 per year for ever...

What if you could convert your traditional IRA to a Roth without feeling the tax pain? In episode 99 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker reveals a little-known strategy that uses deferred income annuities to make Roth conversions virtually painless—and could save you over $110,000 in lifetime taxes.

Most retirees wait until they're forced to take distributions from their IRAs, which means paying taxes when the government decides—often at higher rates. But there's a smarter way. Marty walks through a real-world example of a 60-year-old couple who funds a deferred income annuity with $500,000 from their traditional IRA...

5 Reasons Smart People Resist Annuities (At First) | Episode 98

Here's a strange truth: annuities solve one of the biggest problems in retirement—not running out of money. And yet, they're one of the most emotionally rejected financial tools that exist. That's the paradox.

People say they want certainty. They say they want peace of mind. They say they want income they can't outlive. But when you offer them guaranteed income, something in their brain short circuits.

In this episode, we're not talking about rates, fees, or products. We're talking about why your brain resists an...

If someone handed you a suitcase with a million dollars and said it has to last the rest of your life, would you feel confident or nervous? Most people say nervous—and that reveals everything wrong with how we think about retirement.

In this episode, host Marty Becker breaks down groundbreaking research on the "Peak 65 Zone"—a demographic tsunami where over 11,000 Americans turn 65 every single day. The problem? The traditional three-legged stool of retirement (pension, Social Security, savings) has collapsed to just one leg, and most retirement plans were never designed to solve the real challenge retirees face...

In this episode, Marty Becker walks through a real retirement income case study involving a married couple who recently met with an advisor at Fidelity. The couple is fully retiring within the next year and needs $10,000 per month in guaranteed income on top of Social Security.

Marty breaks down their current portfolio, explains why a 70/30 stock-to-bond mix and a 4% withdrawal rate can create long-term risk, and shows how sequence of returns can impact retirement outcomes—especially when one spouse is much younger.

The episode compares a traditional single premium immediate annuity recommendation with a more ad...

In episode 95 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker reviews the Axonic Trailhead fixed indexed annuity—a product that's making waves in the industry. As of December 2025, Axonic offers the highest S&P 500 cap rate for an A-rated company with no fees and no risk to your gains.

Marty breaks down why this matters and shares his philosophy on indexing options. After nearly a decade in the business, he explains why he relies on the "good old trusty S&P 500" over hypothetical indexes that often underperform their back-tested projections.

In this episode, you'll learn:

In this episode, Marty Becker explores a powerful but often overlooked benefit of annuities—asset protection. After a conversation with an estate planning attorney from Florida, Marty breaks down how annuities can shield your non-qualified (after-tax) assets from legal threats, and why protection levels vary dramatically by state.

You'll discover which states offer unlimited protection (like Florida and Texas), which provide limited or conditional coverage, and how to strategically use annuities as a legal shield for your retirement savings. If you have substantial assets outside of your IRA or 401(k), this episode reveals an important protection strategy th...

In this episode, Marty breaks down why long-term care planning is one of the most overlooked parts of retirement—and why it can have serious financial consequences if ignored. Most people don’t realize how common long-term care needs are or how expensive they can become. With nursing home costs reaching $72,000 to $100,000 per year, and Medicare offering almost no help, retirees often find themselves facing difficult choices.

Marty explains the realities of Medicaid, the quality of care offered in many facilities, and why relying on it as a fallback can lead to problems. He also walks through the...

  Did you know that your fixed index annuity is only as good as the indexing options offered? In episode 92 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker reviews the Lincoln Financial OptiBlend 5, a unique 5-year fixed index annuity that breaks the mold with first-year withdrawals and multiple S&P 500 options.   While most annuities make you wait until year two for penalty-free withdrawals, this one gives you access to 10% starting day one. Marty explains why, after a decade in the business, he increasingly relies on the tried-and-true S&P 500 over flashy hypothetical indexes with unrealistic backtested returns.   Learn how this A+ rated pro...

Can you really earn up to 13.25% growth without risking your principal?
In this episode, Marty Becker breaks down a five-year fixed index annuity that offers protection, flexibility, and short-term opportunity — without locking your money away for life.

You’ll learn:

How the flooring method lets you choose how much of your interest gains to risk — not your principal.

Why a five-year annuity can be a smart bridge between safety and growth.

How to use annuities in five-year chunks to protect your income during market downturns.

The difference between chasin...

In episode 90 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker explains why “convenience” can quietly cost you thousands in retirement income.

When big investment firms start offering annuities through limited partnerships, they make the process simple — but not always in your best interest. Marty breaks down how these programs work, why independence matters when choosing your annuity, and how small differences in payout can turn into massive income losses over time.

You’ll learn:

Why independent advisors can access higher-paying annuity options

How “easy” choices often mean limited choices

The long-term co...

In episode 89 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker takes a deep dive into one of the biggest overlooked risks in retirement—financial fragility after the loss of a spouse.

Drawing from research by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, Marty explains why future retirees may face tougher challenges maintaining their lifestyle after a financial shock, like medical expenses or the loss of a Social Security check. He breaks down how the shift from traditional pensions to 401(k)s has made income less dependable, and why the “4% rule” often falls short in today’s environment.

To...

In episode 88 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker tackles one of the biggest fears retirees face — inflation. After years of rising prices, many people wonder if their money can really last as long as they do. Marty explains why relying on a traditional 60/40 portfolio and a fixed 3% inflation adjustment isn’t a foolproof strategy — and how it can actually cause you to run out of money too soon.

He breaks down a better approach: combining guaranteed income from an annuity with a growth portfolio to cover inflation. You’ll hear real numbers, real scenarios, and why this str...

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker tackles one of the biggest fears in retirement — running out of money.

Longevity risk is the risk of outliving your savings, and most advisors fail to plan for it properly. Marty explains why relying on the old 4% rule or a simple systematic withdrawal plan could put your retirement in danger. He walks through real numbers showing how long today’s retirees are living, why planning to age 92 isn’t enough, and what it really takes to make your money last a lifetime.

You’ll learn:

...

In episode 86 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker takes a deep dive into systematic withdrawal plans and why they may not be the safe retirement strategy many advisors claim. Marty explains the origins of the 4% rule, why economists now suggest lower withdrawal rates, and how sequence of returns risk can devastate a portfolio — even when using a “safe” 60/40 allocation.

He breaks down the three types of retirees — overfunded, underfunded, and constrained — and shows why constrained investors are most at risk when relying on a fixed withdrawal plan. Marty also highlights how even small timing differences, just a few mont...

In episode 85 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker breaks down one of the most anticipated financial moves of the year—the Federal Reserve’s likely rate cut in September. We’ll cover what’s driving the Fed’s decision, how it really works behind the scenes, and most importantly, what it means for you.

You’ll learn:

The history and role of the Federal Reserve and why its decisions matter

How rate cuts affect inflation, jobs, and real estate markets

The ripple effects on savers, retirees, and safe-money products like CDs, bonds...

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker introduces a brand-new product in the annuity world: the EquiTrust Smart Boost Index Annuity. Developed in partnership with Genesys—the pioneer of fixed index annuities—this innovative contract brings unique features designed to give retirees more flexibility, growth potential, and security.

Marty breaks down the key details, including:

Why EquiTrust’s financial strength ratings and solvency ratios matter.

How the Smart Boost works differently from traditional bonuses.

Key benefits like 7% penalty-free withdrawals, RMD-friendly design, and nursing home/terminal illness waivers.

The...

If you're facing a choice between taking a lifetime pension or a lump sum buyout, this episode is for you.

Marty Becker shares a real-life conversation with a potential client offered $2,000/month for life—or a $350,000 lump sum. Which is better? The answer might surprise you.

With firsthand experience losing his own pension, Marty breaks down:

Why defined benefit pensions are becoming less reliable

Real examples of massive pension plan failures

What the PBGC actually guarantees (and what it doesn’t)

How an income annuity can mimic (or e...

Did you know that your will doesn’t control who gets your retirement accounts? That job belongs to your beneficiary forms—and if those aren’t right, everything else falls apart.

In this episode, Marty Becker explains why annuities have a built-in advantage when it comes to estate planning and passing your assets to loved ones. You’ll hear about three real-life court cases where families lost hundreds of thousands due to outdated forms—and how you can avoid the same fate.

You’ll learn:

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker explains why 2025 might be the best time in history to consider a Roth conversion strategy.

You’ll learn:

Why low tax rates make converting now more appealing

How the SECURE Act created a tax trap for your heirs

What a 20-year Roth conversion could mean for your legacy

The real cost of doing nothing vs converting gradually

How annuities can support your Roth strategy safely

If you’ve saved diligently in a traditional IRA, this epis...

Tired of the emotional rollercoaster that comes with managing your own investments? In this episode, I break down a chart that shows exactly how most people react to market ups and downs—and why those reactions often lead to poor decisions.

Then I lay out a side-by-side comparison: What happens if you follow the old 4% withdrawal rule versus using a guaranteed income strategy instead? We look at real numbers over a 25-year period in different market conditions—from the crash in 2000 to the bull run of the late '90s.

If you’re trying to figure...

Not all annuities are created equal—and there’s no such thing as “the best annuity” for everyone. In this episode, Marty Becker breaks down a real client story to show how different recommendations can miss the mark when they aren’t tied to your specific goals and timeline. You’ll learn the one question that must be answered before making any annuity decision, how to spot vague or biased advice, and why small differences in income today can add up to six figures over retirement. If you're comparing quotes or second-guessing a recommendation, this episode is for you.

Podcast Episode 78: Dismantling Another Clark Howard Annuities Rant

Clark Howard is back with another anti-annuity rant—and once again, he gets most of it wrong. In this episode, I respond point-by-point to his claims about taxes, fees, surrender charges, commissions, and so-called “gotchas.”

If you’ve ever been told annuities are too expensive, too complicated, or just a bad idea altogether, this is your chance to hear the other side. I explain:

Why Clark’s tax complaints miss key details

The truth about surrender periods and early withdrawal rules

How indexe...

If you're deciding between a Deferred Income Annuity (DIA) and a Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) with an income rider, this episode will give you the facts you need to make a smart choice.

I walk through:

The key differences in how each annuity works

What you give up in a no-fee option—and what you gain with a fee

How the death benefits compare

Real-world income examples that show just how big the gap can be

We also talk about liquidity, long-term care benefits, and how to de...

You’ve probably never questioned how banks actually make money. Most people haven’t. But once you see the numbers—the profits, the leverage, and the risk—you might think twice about keeping your retirement savings in a bank account.

In this episode, I break down:

How banks use your money to earn 200% to 700% profits

What fractional reserve banking really means

Why the 2008 crisis wasn’t the last time the system failed

And why insurance companies that issue annuities play by an entirely different set of rules

If you’re...

There are only four reasons anyone ever buys an annuity—and in this episode, I walk you through each one using a simple acronym: P.I.L.L.

Whether you’re looking to protect your principal, create guaranteed income, leave a legacy, or prepare for long-term care, this breakdown will help you understand when an annuity makes sense—and when it doesn’t.

I’ll also share a powerful analogy about retirement income that ties it all together. If you're planning for the long haul and worried about outliving your money, this one’s for you.

...

Why are there so many types of annuities—and what really makes them different?

In this episode, Marty breaks down how annuity features and benefits are designed by insurance companies. You’ll learn how actuaries use math, risk analysis, and market data to build annuities for different goals like income, growth, and protection. Marty also explains the trade-offs that come with each feature, why you can’t have it all in one product, and how to avoid buying an annuity that doesn’t match your needs.

If you’ve ever been confused by bonuses, income riders, de...

In this episode, I walk through a real conversation I had with someone nearing retirement who wanted guaranteed income starting in five years. Her advisor told her to stay in the market—but when we ran the numbers, the math just didn’t add up.

We talk about:

How much return it would really take to match a guaranteed payout

What happens if you wait to buy the annuity later

Why starting a deferred income annuity early can lead to bigger, more reliable income

How this strategy removes market risk...

Not all financial advisors are created equal—and in this episode, I explain why.

From big-name firms to flashy sales pitches, I walk you through real-life cases where investors were misled, stolen from, or flat-out lied to. More importantly, I’ll show you how to protect yourself.

We’ll talk about:

The red flags that often get missed—until it’s too late

Why titles like “fiduciary” and “trusted firm” don’t mean what you think

What you should look for when choosing an advisor

How to stay safe when worki...

Some types of income can quietly push your Medicare premiums higher—sometimes by hundreds of dollars a year. In this episode, Marty explains how IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) works, what income sources count toward it, and how certain investment choices could help you stay under the limit.

You’ll learn:

Which common investments increase your IRMAA

Why even reinvested income can raise your Medicare costs

How fixed indexed annuities and MYGAs may offer IRMAA-friendly growth

What the exclusion ratio is and how it helps reduce taxable income from...

Not all annuity income is created equal. In this episode, I take a close look at the Delaware Life Dual Track Income Annuity—a product that caught the attention of one of my clients because of its “potential” for higher income.

But here’s the thing: that extra income is based on brand-new indexes and a lot of hypothetical back-testing.

In this episode, I walk through:

How the Dual Track annuity’s income rider and roll-up rate work

What the “performance withdrawal base” really means

Why relying on unproven indexes could...