"Fun With Annuities" The Annuity Man Podcast

Hosted by The Annuity Man

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400

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Fun With Annuities® Podcast is hosted by America's Annuity Agent, Stan The Annuity Man®. Hear brutal annuity facts with no sales pitches from the top independent agent in the country, licensed in all 50 states. Author of 7 books, Stan dives deep on all annuity types and strategies. It's fun, learning the contractual truths on how annuities actually work and if they'll fit your personal retirement lifestyle. Listen in on how you can be livin' the reality, not the dream.

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August 18, 2026Episode 2049 min

Are You Surfing Beside a Stock Market Cruise Ship: Fun With Annuities

Are you "surfing beside a cruise ship" in today's all‑time‑high stock market, hoping you don't get sucked under when the next downturn hits? In this solo episode, Stan the Annuity Man breaks down how to use annuities to lock in lifetime guarantees, build an income floor, and stop confusing a bull market with financial genius. In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Current stock market euphoria and AI-driven highs The "surfing beside a cruise ship" risk metaphor What annuities are actually good for (PILL framework) The annuity industry's monopoly on lifetime income Building an income floor and avoiding growth-focused annuity traps Key Takeaways: Markets at all‑time highs can feel effortless, but that "easy money" environment can quickly reverse, especially when driven by hype cycles like artificial intelligence. Annuities should be used to provide contractual guarantees—such as principal protection and lifetime income—not to chase stock market–like growth. Before buying any annuity, you should clearly define what you want the money to contractually do and when those guarantees must start. The real, underused power of annuities is their ability to provide guaranteed income for as long as you live, something no standard market product can replicate. Establishing a non‑market‑correlated income floor first allows you to ride market waves more confidently without panicking or selling at the worst possible time. "If you buy them for growth, you're a fool. Annuities, never buy them for market growth. Go buy the market." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals : https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

August 16, 20269 min

Real Market Growth Has No Surrender Charges: Shootin' It Straight With Stan

Real market growth never comes with surrender charges—and if it does, you're not really in the market. In this episode, Stan The Annuity Man tears apart "too good to be true" annuity pitches and shows you how to separate true contractual guarantees from sales hype. In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Real market growth vs surrender charges Proper role of annuities and contractual guarantees Index annuities and income riders as delivery systems The PILL framework for what annuities actually solve Anonymous quote tool and consumer-first annuity education Key Takeaways: Real stock market participation is defined by liquidity and full upside potential; once surrender charges are involved, you're no longer in a true market-growth vehicle. Annuities should be purchased strictly for their contractual guarantees, not for hypotheticals, illustrated returns, or sales-driven "dream" scenarios. Index annuities are most efficiently used as delivery systems for income rider guarantees rather than as primary growth products. The PILL framework—Principal protection, Income for life, Legacy, Long-term care—clarifies exactly what annuities are designed to solve, and growth is not on that list. Separating annuities for guarantees and non-annuities for growth helps investors build a clearer, more rational strategy without falling for upfront bonuses and marketing gimmicks. "Real market growth has no surrender charges." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals : https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

August 9, 20269 min

Stacking Income for Chapter 2: Shootin' It Straight With Stan

Retirement isn't the end of your story—it's Chapter Two, and it's all about stacking reliable income so you can actually live the life you've worked for. In this episode, you'll learn how to build a non‑market‑correlated income floor using annuities and other guarantees so you never outlive your paycheck. In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Defining "Chapter Two" and the three phases of retirement The concept of an income floor and non‑correlated income sources Why annuities have a monopoly on lifetime income (and why people still hate them) Using stacking income to address inflation and lifestyle upgrades Overcoming scarcity scars and actually spending in retirement Key Takeaways: Retirement ("chapter two") should be framed around lifestyle first and then reverse‑engineered into the income needed to support it. An effective income floor is built from non‑correlated sources that are not tied to stock market performance, giving stability regardless of market cycles. Annuities are the only financial product that can guarantee lifetime income as long as you're breathing, which makes them central to any stacking‑income strategy. Inflation is best addressed not by chasing a perfect product, but by layering additional guaranteed income as your lifestyle needs change. Many retirees need to confront their "scars of scarcity" and give themselves permission to spend, enjoy travel, and live well in chapter two instead of over‑prioritizing heirs. "You need a non-correlated, non-market-attached income floor where you're stacking income, and you keep stacking income as you get older, and you use it, and you have fun with it." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals : https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

August 4, 2026Episode 2039 min

The Bell Doesn't Ring at the Top or the Bottom: Fun With Annuities

In this solo episode, Stan, The Annuity Man, explains why trying to "time" annuities is a losing game—and how focusing on simple, contractual guarantees can transform your retirement income. If you've ever wondered whether to wait for better rates or turn on your income now, this breakdown will challenge your assumptions and put lifestyle back at the center of your planning. In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Why the "bell doesn't ring" at the top or bottom in markets or annuities MYGAs and locking in fair contractual guarantees Lifetime income products and life expectancy math Social Security timing and the cost of waiting Retirement lifestyle phases: go go, slow go, and no go Key Takeaways: Annuities should be purchased for what they are contractually guaranteed to do, not for hypothetical growth or back-tested projections. Trying to time interest rates or find a "sweet spot" for buying income products is futile because payouts are fundamentally driven by life expectancy math. Waiting for a higher future payment can backfire if you ignore all of the income you forgo in the meantime and the uncertainty of how long you'll live. Retirement planning works best when you first define what you want your money to do and when you want it to start doing it, then use the least amount of capital to lock in those guarantees. The real purpose of lifetime income is to support your lifestyle—especially in the "go-go" years—so you can enjoy your own money instead of just preserving it for others. "Annuities are simple; they're math, they're contractual." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals : https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

August 2, 20269 min

Chat With Me or ChatGPT: Shootin' It Straight With Stan

AI can scrape the internet, but it can't customize your retirement or take responsibility for your annuity decisions. In this episode, Stan breaks down why you should never outsource your annuity strategy to ChatGPT—and what to do instead. In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: AI vs. human advice in the annuity world Risks of relying on ChatGPT for annuity research Customizing annuity contractual guarantees How AI supports back-end operations in his business Vision for a tech-forward, pro-consumer annuity platform Key Takeaways: AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful for general education, but they are inherently unreliable for annuity advice because they scrape both accurate and inaccurate information. Annuities are contractual guarantees that must be customized to each person's age, goals, and situation—something a generalized AI output cannot safely do. Technology and AI can massively improve operations like accounting, tracking, and database management, but they should complement, not replace, experienced human advisors. The annuity industry is often slow and resistant to change, yet a tech-embracing, pro-consumer approach can flip that model and better protect buyers from bad sales pitches. Access to an experienced, licensed professional who has worked thousands of cases is invaluable, especially in retirement planning where you "can't make a mistake." "When AI scrapes information to create the information flow that they're giving back to you, they're scraping both good and bad, both truthful and non-truthful information." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals : https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

July 26, 20269 min

MYGAs Are Annuity Bonds: Shootin' It Straight With Stan

Multi-year guarantee annuities (MYGAs) might be the most overlooked "bond alternative" in your retirement plan. In this episode, you'll hear a Wall Street bond veteran break down why MYGAs behave like annuity bonds, how he personally uses them, and why guarantees—not hope—should be paying your bills. In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Background in Wall Street bond management What MYGAs are and how they compare to CDs and bonds Personal portfolio strategy using MYGAs as "annuity bonds" Tax deferral, rollovers, and legacy considerations with MYGAs Why guarantees matter more than categories in retirement planning Distinction between MYGAs and indexed/variable annuities Key Takeaways: Multi-year guarantee annuities function like the annuity industry's version of CDs, offering a fixed rate for a specific term with no fluctuation in account value. Treating MYGAs as "annuity bonds" can provide bond-like coupons and high-quality guarantees without market volatility. Tax-deferred growth and non-taxable rollovers between MYGAs allow interest to compound over long periods, creating a powerful accumulation engine. Investment decisions should focus less on product labels and more on the strength of contractual guarantees and the financial quality of the issuing company. Indexed and variable annuities do not qualify as "annuity bonds" because their returns are not guaranteed and rely on hypothetical or projected performance. "Stop with obsessing over the category. Obsess over the guarantees." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals : https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator

July 21, 2026Episode 2029 min

The Scars of Scarcity and Your Spending Problem: Fun With Annuities

Most people have more than enough to live well in retirement—but still can't bring themselves to spend. In this episode, we unpack the "scars of scarcity" that keep you stuck in fear and show you how to finally enjoy the money you worked so hard to earn. In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Scarcity mindset and emotional money scars Early-career financial struggles and family stories Having enough money but still fearing spending "Buy the drink" as a philosophy for retirement Enjoying Chapter Two of life and overcoming guilt Key Takeaways: Early experiences of not having enough money can leave deep emotional scars that continue to shape financial decisions decades later. It's possible to be financially secure and still live as if you're one emergency away from disaster, simply because old scarcity patterns were never addressed. Retirement isn't just about preserving principal; it's about intentionally using your money to create experiences, memories, and quality of life. Giving yourself permission to "buy the drink" is a simple but powerful way to practice letting go of excessive frugality and embracing the present. You can't take your money with you, and waiting too long to enjoy it often means missing the most active, vibrant years of your life. "My job… is to remind you that life is fleeting." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals : https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

July 19, 20268 min

What Is The Annuity Man Trifecta?: Shootin' It Straight With Stan

In this episode of Shooting It Straight with Stan, Stan "The Annuity Man" breaks down his signature Annuity Man Trifecta and why annuities should be bought for contractual guarantees—not hypothetical dreams. Discover how he shops all carriers, screens for top-rated companies, and layers in his three decades of experience to protect your money and your peace of mind. In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Annuities as contractual, commodity products The PILL framework: Principal protection, income, legacy, long-term care The Annuity Man Trifecta: highest number, ratings, recommendation Evaluating carriers on both financial strength and administration Work ethic, team structure, and mission to "clean up" the annuity space Key Takeaways: Annuities should be purchased for what they are contractually guaranteed to do, not for speculative growth or hypothetical back-tested returns. The core problems annuities are designed to solve can be summarized as principal protection, lifetime income, legacy planning, and long-term care, and any use outside of these should raise red flags. Focusing solely on illustrations and projected returns leaves investors vulnerable to sales-driven hype instead of reality-based planning grounded in guarantees. A truly client-focused annuity process involves shopping all carriers for the highest contractual guarantee, prioritizing financially strong companies, and applying experienced, independent judgment on which carriers to actually recommend. Operational competence—like the ability to process paperwork efficiently and handle client service—is just as critical as an insurance company's rating when it comes to protecting clients and delivering on annuity promises. "You buy annuities for what they will do, not what they might do… Never, ever, ever buy them for growth." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals : https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

July 12, 20268 min

Annuity Companies Want Your MYGA to Auto-Renew: Shootin' It Straight With Stan

Annuity companies are counting on you to forget about your MYGA so they can quietly roll it into a low-paying renewal. In this episode, Stan The Annuity Man breaks down how the auto-renewal game really works—and exactly what you should do instead to lock in the highest contractual guarantees. In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: What a MYGA is and how it functions like a CD How auto-renewal works with MYGAs Why renewal rates are often uncompetitive by design Using an agent of record to avoid bad auto-renewals Shopping for the highest-paying MYGA or SPIA at maturity Key Takeaways: Multi-year guarantee annuities operate much like CDs, but with the advantage of tax-deferred compounding when using non-qualified money. Auto-renewal rates on MYGAs are historically poor and are rarely competitive with rates available in the broader marketplace at maturity. Annuity companies benefit when contracts quietly roll over at low rates, especially when original agents leave the business and no one is actively servicing the account. Proactively working with a dedicated team to track maturity dates helps ensure policies are shopped at renewal and transferred to better-paying MYGAs or SPIAs without triggering taxes. Treat annuities strictly as contractual tools—focus on the highest guaranteed terms available rather than vague possibilities or marketing promises. "Historically, the auto renewal rates are horrible." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals : https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

July 7, 2026Episode 2019 min

The Planned "Stickiness" of Annuity Riders: Fun With Annuities

Discover why annuity income riders are designed to keep you "stuck" with your carrier—and why that isn't always a bad thing if you understand the contractual guarantees. This episode cuts through the sales hype to explain the real math, the "monopoly money" side of riders, and how to decide whether to stay or move your annuity. In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Four primary ways to guarantee lifetime income Income riders vs. indexed annuity accumulation value The "monopoly money" nature of income benefit values How annuity companies design product "stickiness" When you should stay put and just turn on the income Key Takeaways: Lifetime income planning should be grounded in contractual guarantees, not hypothetical projections or sales-driven illustrations. Income riders often produce a higher "benefit value" than the actual cash value, creating a deliberate disparity that makes annuities hard to leave. The income rider value is typically not transferable, cashable, or available for partial withdrawals; its main purpose is to price and pay a lifetime income stream. Because rider fees are taken from the real money side for the life of the policy, carriers are heavily incentivized to keep policyholders from moving their contracts. In many situations, the most rational move is to stay with the current annuity and simply turn on the income stream, rather than chasing bonuses or "better" products. "The income rider side is monopoly money." — Stan The Annuity Man Connect with The Annuity Man: Website: http://theannuityman.com/ Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com Book: Owner's Manuals : https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!