Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about who we are, what working with us looks like, and the questions people ask most often about annuities.
About The Annuity Institute
Are you financial advisors?
No. The Annuity Institute is an independent educator and a lead-referral service, operated by Vital Reach Automation LLC. We are not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or insurance agency, and we do not give individualized investment, tax, or insurance advice. What we do is explain annuities in plain language and, when you are ready, introduce you to a licensed independent specialist who fits your situation.
Is this free?
Yes. Our guides and the introduction to a specialist cost you nothing. We are paid a referral fee by the specialists in our network, not by you, and that fee does not change what you would pay for any product you choose. You can read exactly how this works on our how we work page.
Do I have to buy an annuity to talk to someone?
No. The 15-minute call is a fit conversation, not a sales call. If an annuity makes sense for your situation, the specialist can explain what that might look like. If it does not, you will hear that plainly. The goal is honest education, not a commission.
What happens on the first call?
It is a short, no-pressure conversation about your situation: where your retirement income will come from, what you are trying to protect, and what is worrying you. The specialist listens first, then tells you honestly whether an annuity is worth exploring. If it is, they can prepare an illustration built around your numbers. You decide what happens next, on your own timeline.
Will I get pressured or flooded with calls?
No. Pressure tactics are exactly what we built this brand to avoid. You will talk with one specialist, not a call center, and there is no obligation at any step. If the answer is no, there is no follow-up pressure.
How do you choose the specialists you work with?
We screen for independence, proper licensing and good standing, a focus on retirement income and principal protection, and a documented habit of telling people the truth, including when an annuity is the wrong fit. The full standard is on our how we work page.
Common questions about annuities
What is an annuity, in plain terms?
An annuity is a contract with an insurance company. Depending on the type, it can protect your savings from market losses, grow them at a set or index-linked rate, or pay you a guaranteed income for the rest of your life. For the full plain-language explanation, see our guide to what an annuity is.
Are annuities safe?
The guarantees in a fixed or indexed annuity are backed by the issuing insurance company's financial strength, not the FDIC. That is why the carrier matters. There is also a backstop: state guaranty associations provide limited coverage if an insurer becomes insolvent, with limits that vary by state. For fixed and indexed products, the main risk is carrier insolvency, which is rare and partially covered, rather than market loss of principal.
Aren't annuities full of high fees?
The high-fee reputation comes largely from variable annuities, which layer mortality and expense charges, subaccount fees, and rider costs on top of market risk. Fixed and indexed annuities are structured very differently and generally do not carry those layered fees, though optional riders can add a cost. The honest answer is that fees depend entirely on the product type, which is why comparing the right things matters. See our guide to annuities vs. the alternatives.
Is my money locked up forever?
Not forever. Annuities have a surrender period, typically 5 to 10 years, during which early withdrawals above a threshold may trigger a charge. Most contracts allow penalty-free withdrawals of around 10% per year during that term, and after it ends you have full access. If you may need the full amount within a couple of years, that trade-off is worth weighing first. See whether an annuity is right for you.
How do I know if an annuity is right for me?
It comes down to whether you have a specific job for the money that an annuity is built to do, such as filling an income gap or protecting savings you cannot afford to lose close to retirement. Our guide on whether an annuity is right for you walks through the honest fit test, including who it does not suit.
Still Have Questions?
A 15-minute call is enough to get straight answers about your situation. No commitment, no sales pressure.
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