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Unpack the Factors Driving Annuities’ Appeal SOARING SALES
The quest for a secure, stable income stream in retirement touched off a boom in annuity sales in the past four years. Rising interest rates helped spark year-over-year industrywide sales increases of 16%–23%.
Also, more companies are offering annuities as investment options in direct- contribution retirement plans. JPMorgan Chase, for example, promotes an annuity product for retirement plan participants as a way to reduce portfolio volatility and provide a steady stream of lifetime income payments. These companies aren’t planning for a slowdown; one insurer working with JPMorgan has told Wall Street analysts that it expects continued growth in annuity participants through the first half of 2025. “Rising interest rates enable insurers to promise higher future payouts on fixed annuity contracts. But high interest rates haven’t been the only source of annuities’ appeal.” Finally, annuities have enduring appeal to investors who want to reduce risk. Recent turbulence in the stock market has spooked many people, especially those approaching retirement. Many annuities shelter investors from stock-market storms by ensuring a retiree’s income will continue for life. Some annuities offer additional benefits, such as helping to cover long-term care costs by doubling payouts for up to five years if you or your spouse needs extra care. Others enable retirees to participate in stock-market gains without any risk of loss. Annuities also appeal to retirees who want a steady income stream without bothering with reinvesting dividends, managing stock portfolios, or building bond ladders. Annuities can be an important part of a retirement portfolio and can assist you in evaluating various types that may meet your needs. If you are undertaking retirement planning, let us help. To ensure your retirement is
Will an easing of interest rates torpedo that trend?
The golden age of annuities isn’t showing any signs of weakness, The Wall Street Journal reported recently. Total U.S. annuity sales for the first nine months of 2024 rose 23% over year-earlier levels to $332 billion, according to LIMRA, an industry research group. That matches exactly the previous year’s 23% year-over-year sales increase between 2022 and 2023. Rising interest rates enable insurers to promise higher future payouts on fixed annuity contracts. But high interest rates haven’t been the only source of annuities’ appeal. Another is demographics. The largest number of people on record will turn 65 in 2025, spurring demand for secure retirement-planning instruments. Retiring investors rolling over their 401(k)s accounts for about half of recent annuity sales.
everything you want it to be, call us today to schedule a complimentary Panic Proof Retirement checkup.
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Become a Modern- Day Explorer HOW GEOCACHING LETS YOU HUNT FOR HIDDEN TREASURES Movies like “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “The Goonies,” and “National Treasure” have inspired generations to hunt for buried treasure. We’ve all dreamt of discovering a forgotten relic that would change the world and earn us fame and fortune. Most of us will likely never uncover any artifacts worth an article in our local newspapers, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on the treasure-hunting dream. Going on your very own treasure hunt has never been easier, thanks to geocaching. For those unfamiliar, geocaching is a treasure-hunting game that invites people worldwide to search for and discover hidden caches. You can find hidden secrets around your community and beyond using a GPS and a geocaching app. Geocaching is the official app and one of the best places to start your geocaching expedition. From there, you just have to pick a cache nearby and start searching. There are a few different types of caches to discover. The most common is the basic cache, requiring you to go to a specific GPS coordinate. There, you’ll use observational skills to locate the cache. Inside, you’ll
As we age, staying physically active whenever possible becomes increasingly important. However, many of us start to experience difficulties with our normal exercise routines as we approach our senior years. It’s not as easy to go for an extended run, lift weights, or participate in sports, so we have to start looking for less intense alternatives that still boost our physical fitness and keep us entertained. Electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes, are becoming a popular fitness trend for older Americans. When did you last take your bicycle from the garage or storage and ride around town? It’s probably been several years, but many of us have fond memories from our youth of biking to a friend’s house or a local hotspot. E-bikes are making it possible for us to relive those memories without risking injury or overexertion. The technology behind e-bikes has improved significantly in recent years. They’re now more user-friendly and accessible than ever before. Some models even have built-in GPS to ensure you never get lost, regardless of whether you’re riding through city streets, peaceful neighborhoods, or scenic nature trails. Many e-bikes are lightweight and easier to maneuver than traditional bikes. E-biking provides amazing physical and mental health benefits that are easily noticeable after only a few rides. You’ll see improvements in cardiovascular health, muscle strength, weight management, balance, and mood. Plus, it’s a low-impact activity, so you can explore to your heart’s content while also being kind to your joints. While e-bikes present opportunities to improve your physical fitness while limiting your risk for injury, they’re also a great way to meet like- minded people in your community. You can find e-biking clubs and events nationwide, and many host group rides throughout the year. It’s a great way to meet new friends! An e-bike can boost your overall well-being, but follow all safety measures, such as wearing a helmet and obeying road signs. Even though e-bikes are safer and more efficient than ever, you can still get injured while riding, especially if you are going too fast for road conditions — some e-bikes can get up to speeds of almost 30 mph. How E-Bikes Make Fitness Fun and Accessible for Older Adults REVIVE YOUR LOVE FOR CYCLING
likely find a logbook to record your name before putting it back in place for the next explorer. Another type, an EarthCache, doesn’t involve a hidden object but instead leads you to a unique geographical feature. Those looking for a real challenge will enjoy finding mystery caches that require
the discoverer to solve a riddle, cipher, or puzzle.
Once you’ve discovered your fair share of geocaches, you may want to
explore the other side of the operation and hide some yourself. Most members of the geocaching community recommend that you discover and log at least 20 caches before hiding your own. That way, you’ll be familiar with the rules of hiding and maintaining a cache.
Geocaching is a great way to get outdoors and reignite your passion for exploring. You never know what you’ll find!
What are you waiting for? Get riding! Your body and mind will thank you!
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What Are Adaptogens? NATURE’S ANSWER TO ANXIETY, STRESS, AND MORE
We’re always looking for new ways to offset our stress. Some people change their diets, hoping that eating healthier will improve their mental health, while others include exercise in their daily routines. No tried-and-true method works for everyone, but a recent trend taking our country by storm might be the secret to healthily reducing stress. All we need to do is take an herb, root, or other plant substance called an adaptogen to melt away any long-looming stress.
adaptogens and helps reduce anxiety and depression. Ginseng helps combat fatigue and has other health benefits. Reishi is a type of mushroom adaptogen that can boost our immune system and even fight cancer. Schisandra, a fruit extract from the magnolia vine, helps with concentration, coordination, and endurance and may protect the liver and nervous system.
While adaptogens sound like an ideal solution for stress management, consider a few things before you start taking them. Adaptogens can negatively interact with certain medications, so you should check with your primary care physician before starting them. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate many adaptogen supplements, so do your research to ensure you choose a reputable brand. After talking with your health care provider and finding the right adaptogen for your situation, you may discover the key to managing or reducing your stress.
While adaptogens have existed for centuries, they are only now becoming more mainstream in American culture. Studies regarding adaptogens are still underway, but experts theorize that these unique plant substances directly interact with the body’s hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which controls and manages individual stress responses. In order for an herb or plant substance to be considered an adaptogen, it must be nontoxic at regular doses, support the body’s ability to cope with stress, and help the body return to a stable state.
Adaptogens are available at almost any pharmacy, each with a unique use. Ashwagandha is one of the most common
Take a break
Fabulous Flourless Chocolate Cake
Inspired by EasyDessertRecipes.com
Ingredients • 1 cup chopped dark chocolate • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts • 4 large eggs, separated • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a springform pan with butter or nonstick spray. 2. Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Pour warm, melted butter over it, wait for 2 minutes, then stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. 3. Add sugar, almond flour, and walnuts and stir to incorporate. Stir in the egg yolks and set mixture aside. 4. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites on medium until stiff peaks form. 5. Fold 1/4 of the whipped egg whites into the chocolate batter. Repeat, 1/4 at a time, until egg whites are incorporated. 6. Pour batter into springform pan and bake for 30–35 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely before removing from the pan. Dust with cocoa powder before serving. Directions
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The Golden Era of Annuities Isn’t Over The Global Game That Turns You Into a Real-Life Explorer The Ideal Fitness Trend for Aging Americans Are Adaptogens the Secret to Better Stress Relief?
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Fabulous Flourless Chocolate Cake
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Celebrating Valentine’s Day as a Family
Heart-Shaped Pizzas, Scavenger Hunts, and Candy, Oh My!
Fun Valentine’s Day Activities for the Whole Family
Of all the people in the world, whom do we love the most? Our families. So, why not spend the one day of the year centered on love with them? That’s not to say a romantic evening with your significant other or a lovely Galentine’s Day is out of the picture. This is a great opportunity to have fun with your kids — before they reach that age when eye-rolling is a thing. So, parents, it’s time to make the most of your kids’ love and affection. Take a look at these family- friendly Valentine’s Day activities everyone will enjoy! Make heart-shaped pizzas. Everyone loves pizza, so this year, give it a Valentine’s Day twist. Gather all the ingredients your family enjoys. Then, shape the dough into a gigantic heart, spread the pizza sauce, and add the toppings. Once it’s done, slice it up and eat while watching everyone’s favorite movie! Hand out cards to local nursing home residents. Valentine’s Day is all about love, right? Well, show your kids how it feels to spread that love
and kindness to others by handing out cards to the seniors. If you have a particular senior community you’d like to visit, call to arrange a time. This allows you and the kids to get creative and craft personalized cards to hand out and make someone’s day special. Have a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts are fun at any age. Purchase different items to hide, like a pink teddy bear, purple hearts, candy, and other love-themed trinkets for everyone to find around the house. Be sure to set a time limit, and don’t forget to have a prize for the winner! Create a themed photo shoot. Have everyone get dressed up and take really nice photos. You can even buy fun props for everyone, like heart-shaped sunglasses or feather boas, or make fun cardboard picture frames to hold up for the photos. Say “Cheese!”
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