Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

How Much Will It Cost Me To Get Money Out Of My Annuity

I hear this question almost every day. It is by far the most asked question about annuities and rightly so. Accessing your money should always be a top concern when making any investment. What if something better comes along or what if you have a major emergency and need access to your money? Or what if your annuity doesn't perform they way that you and your financial advisor thinks that it will?

There is a lot that goes into this question. What you need to know is how much can you get for free and how much is going to be subject to surrender charges? And then, what is the surrender charge? Sometimes annuities have a bad reputation and the reason is surrender charges. They are misunderstood for many reasons and its best, before you get upset, to learn more about how surrender charges work.

The good news is that you have a contract that tells you specifically what you will pay at any given point in the future for access to your money. This contract is an amazing facet to an annuity that isn't talked about very often. A contract is virtually unheard of in investing. Do you get a contract with a stock? Do you get a contract with a bond? Do you get one with a mutual fund? No way! But with an annuity you get to know exactly how much your fees and charges will be even 10 years into the future! Check out the Case Study - Understanding Annuity Surrender Charges.

Image by 401k at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

How Much Will It Cost Me To Get Money Out Of My Annuity

I hear this question almost every day. It is by far the most asked question about annuities and rightly so. Accessing your money should always be a top concern when making any investment. What if something better comes along or what if you have a major emergency and need access to your money? Or what if your annuity doesn't perform they way that you and your financial advisor thinks that it will?

There is a lot that goes into this question. What you need to know is how much can you get for free and how much is going to be subject to surrender charges? And then, what is the surrender charge? Sometimes annuities have a bad reputation and the reason is surrender charges. They are misunderstood for many reasons and its best, before you get upset, to learn more about how surrender charges work.

The good news is that you have a contract that tells you specifically what you will pay at any given point in the future for access to your money. This contract is an amazing facet to an annuity that isn't talked about very often. A contract is virtually unheard of in investing. Do you get a contract with a stock? Do you get a contract with a bond? Do you get one with a mutual fund? No way! But with an annuity you get to know exactly how much your fees and charges will be even 10 years into the future! Check out the Case Study - Understanding Annuity Surrender Charges.

Image by 401k at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

How Much Will It Cost Me To Get Money Out Of My Annuity

I hear this question almost every day. It is by far the most asked question about annuities and rightly so. Accessing your money should always be a top concern when making any investment. What if something better comes along or what if you have a major emergency and need access to your money? Or what if your annuity doesn't perform they way that you and your financial advisor thinks that it will?

There is a lot that goes into this question. What you need to know is how much can you get for free and how much is going to be subject to surrender charges? And then, what is the surrender charge? Sometimes annuities have a bad reputation and the reason is surrender charges. They are misunderstood for many reasons and its best, before you get upset, to learn more about how surrender charges work.

The good news is that you have a contract that tells you specifically what you will pay at any given point in the future for access to your money. This contract is an amazing facet to an annuity that isn't talked about very often. A contract is virtually unheard of in investing. Do you get a contract with a stock? Do you get a contract with a bond? Do you get one with a mutual fund? No way! But with an annuity you get to know exactly how much your fees and charges will be even 10 years into the future! Check out the Case Study - Understanding Annuity Surrender Charges.

Image by 401k at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

How Much Will It Cost Me To Get Money Out Of My Annuity

I hear this question almost every day. It is by far the most asked question about annuities and rightly so. Accessing your money should always be a top concern when making any investment. What if something better comes along or what if you have a major emergency and need access to your money? Or what if your annuity doesn't perform they way that you and your financial advisor thinks that it will?

There is a lot that goes into this question. What you need to know is how much can you get for free and how much is going to be subject to surrender charges? And then, what is the surrender charge? Sometimes annuities have a bad reputation and the reason is surrender charges. They are misunderstood for many reasons and its best, before you get upset, to learn more about how surrender charges work.

The good news is that you have a contract that tells you specifically what you will pay at any given point in the future for access to your money. This contract is an amazing facet to an annuity that isn't talked about very often. A contract is virtually unheard of in investing. Do you get a contract with a stock? Do you get a contract with a bond? Do you get one with a mutual fund? No way! But with an annuity you get to know exactly how much your fees and charges will be even 10 years into the future! Check out the Case Study - Understanding Annuity Surrender Charges.

Image by 401k at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

Fixed Indexed Annuities Fixed Index Annuity Bonus Annuities Indexed Annuities Are They All The Same

The short answer is maybe. I always like to give a short answer followed by an explanation. It just seems like the right thing to do. In most cases the answer is yes. Fixed annuities with indexed pay options are called all of these varying names. It can get quite confusing. I personally call them by just about every name I have heard for them. But why are there so many names? I have a theory.

Since fixed indexed annuities are internationally popular and most of the enormous insurance companies that are offering them have offices in many countries I think it is a language thing. I have attended many different conferences where we had a foreign officer of an insurance company speak. I remember almost all of them. Why? Let's face it. No matter where you are from a person with an accent is more memorable than everyone else in most cases. We tend to pick up what we here so whatever "they" said is probably what your insurance agent is calling the annuities.

So, imagine a hundred thousand insurance agents in different countries talking to each other either directly or indirectly through the internet or meetings. Each language has their own word for the product and they try to translate the word into English. Follow me so far?

Now we have whole lot of almost the same word for the same product. And to top that off, insurance companies even call them slightly different names depending on who you are talking to. It like a street name and formal name but which is which? You decide. Just be aware that fixed index, fixed indexed, bonus, and indexed annuities are probably the same thing.

Photo by Andrewk100 at Flickr.com

How Much Will It Cost Me To Get Money Out Of My Annuity

I hear this question almost every day. It is by far the most asked question about annuities and rightly so. Accessing your money should always be a top concern when making any investment. What if something better comes along or what if you have a major emergency and need access to your money? Or what if your annuity doesn't perform they way that you and your financial advisor thinks that it will?

There is a lot that goes into this question. What you need to know is how much can you get for free and how much is going to be subject to surrender charges? And then, what is the surrender charge? Sometimes annuities have a bad reputation and the reason is surrender charges. They are misunderstood for many reasons and its best, before you get upset, to learn more about how surrender charges work.

The good news is that you have a contract that tells you specifically what you will pay at any given point in the future for access to your money. This contract is an amazing facet to an annuity that isn't talked about very often. A contract is virtually unheard of in investing. Do you get a contract with a stock? Do you get a contract with a bond? Do you get one with a mutual fund? No way! But with an annuity you get to know exactly how much your fees and charges will be even 10 years into the future! Check out the Case Study - Understanding Annuity Surrender Charges.

Image by 401k at Flickr.com