[quote=Gorden Gekko]Can anyone recommend a good fixed annuity product?  Or, how about a good alternative to fixed annuities?  [/quote]

How much of a commission would you like to earn?

[quote=Dirk Diggler]

[quote=Gorden Gekko]Can anyone recommend a good fixed annuity product?  Or, how about a good alternative to fixed annuities?  [/quote]

How much of a commission would you like to earn?

[/quote]

Wow.... I'm shocked that you would ask that...  Way to put YTB first.  See ya next year, when you're selling cars.

[quote=Gorden Gekko]Can anyone recommend a good fixed annuity product?  Or, how about a good alternative to fixed annuities?  [/quote]

How about Bonds?

Bonds?  Depends upon the maturity.  Might be a good way to lock in loss.

[quote=Philo Kvetch]

Bonds?  Depends upon the maturity.  Might be a good way to lock in loss.

[/quote]

How do you figure?

I'm frustrated by this problem right now...I can't find a fixed annuity that is paying anything (at least in the rate-for-term variety) and I am hesitant to sell a traditional fixed annuity when the floors are so low (many are 1.5% in my market).  Maybe you could consider short-term CDs (1-3 years) with a GMAC kicker (but keep it 3 years of less), an income fund (Franklin income or CIB) with an emerging markets fund kicker, or just go to a VA product with a nice minimum income/death benefit guarantee (such as ING).  Maybe the time is coming around for floating-rate funds to perform at least relatively well again? Or perhaps someone has a good high-dividend closed-end fund that is not trading at a ridiculous premium?

I'm staying away from high-yield funds and REITS right now...thinking they may have run their course...

Anyone else?  This thread should have been named "The Search for Income"...

If they don’t need income, do an EIA.

This will probably sound macabre, but I’ve bought some really long bonds/CDs with higher yields for my really old or sickly clients (i.e., those with life expectancies of 2 years or less), as long as they had death puts.  I do not concentrate more than 10% with on issuer, and I do not solely buy long bonds for these clients (in case they live longer than expected), but this is one way to create a yield kicker for those that are terminal or, say, 95 or older…

AIG has a 5 year contract paying 7.50% first year, and 3.25% base rate for years 2-5.  That's on $100,000 or more, less than $100,000 first year is 6.50%.

Ohio National is paying 7.70% on $50,000 plus, but I think the base rate is 3%, and it might actually be a 6 year product.

Great BankFC,

    Go sell some more Bait-and-Switch annuities.  You will be going strait south when you die for all the wealth you destroyed and the fees you robbed from unsuspecting elderly clients.

Gekko, If you're 7 Licensed, try a leveraged close-ended fund if you think rates will remain flat.  ACG income fund (ACM) taxable or Nuveen Muni Advantage (6.1%) tax-free.

If you need a fixed annuity, and it is appropriate.....RBC has a nice 6 yr annuity 5% for 3 yrs and 3% floor for the rest. Haven't check the rates for a couple of weeks, so I think that is still the rate.  They are an A rated company.  Used to be BMA years ago.  I have done business with them for over 10 years and am very happy with their back office services.

I also use a good amount of closed end funds to give a kick up to current income.  Transamerica Income Shares have a 7.6 taxable yield. Maybe a really short term GMAC or Ford note for those clients who can stand the heat. 

Like Indyone, for some clients the Death Put is a consideration.  The clients like the idea, because realistically at 80 to 85 they know how much longer they have.  I know.... morbid.

YouCan,

Hey retard, he asked a question about fixed annuity rates and I answered.

You know nothing about me or my practice.  You sell another closed end IPO and watch your clients lose more money.

BL,

I have a couple high end clients (developers) who need semi liquidity and yield, and I did buy some 6 month GMAC, as well as quite a few others.  Great yield.

You can,

By the way you uneducated horse's arse, fixed annuities don't have fees like VA's, only surrender charges (so does a CD). 

I have a couple high end clients (developers) who need semi liquidity and yield, and I did buy some 6 month GMAC, as well as quite a few others.  Great yield.

Me too.  Contractors and paving contractors 6 months to 1 year bonds.  I wouldn't be comfortable with GMAC paper of any length at this time however.