Fuller Insurance Blog

Paul Renfroe: Life Insurance and Annuity Expert at Fuller Insurance

Fuller Insurance welcomes Paul Renfroe as our in-house expert for Life, Health, Disability and Long Term Care insurance, and Annuities. We had to compete with the best agencies around in order to bring him on board with us, so we are glad he chose Fuller Insurance!

Everyone wants the most retirement income possible without running out -- and that's what Fuller Insurance can now deliver for you with Paul in our office. Paul's favorite word is "GUARANTEES" and he often quotes Vince Lombardi's 1st rule for winning: DON'T LOSE. 

During his 17-years in the insurance industry, Paul has created many highly successful Asset Protection and Asset Spend-down plans for those with retirement concerns. Most importantly, he genuinely cares for you, the client, and is always working to help you get the best deal possible for your hard-earned money. This priority on your value over our profit stands in stark contrast with the many insurance advisors who promote based on what they are paid.

Paul explains it this way: "I have found that if I put the client's interest before mine, like the Bible says to do, then it enables clients to trust me with multiple financial concerns. Plus, clients feel confident to refer their friends to a real servant in the financial field like me. And I sleep with a clear conscience each and every night."

Paul is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA). When added to his years of service to individuals and business owners, this breadth of experience uniquely qualifies Paul to understand our clients' concerns.

Paul Renfroe and Fuller Insurance look forward to helping you with these important new services.  Schedule your no-cost insurance and asset review by calling Fuller Insurance at 622-5283.

100 Best Money Moves: #58 - Figure out if an annuity is for you

This month's issue of Money magazine contains the annual guide to the best and timeliest investments, deals, products, and strategies. I came across Move #58: Figure out if an annuity is for you.

In a previous post I explained why annuities are better than bank CDs as a savings vehicle. When you use an annuity as a savings vehicle it is called a deferred annuity. Deferred annuities do not pay you an income until some time later.

The Money magazine article focuses on immediate annuities, which are annuities that begin to pay you an income immediately or soon after you purchase it.

If you have a retirement account, CDs, or money under your bed, and you need an income in your retirement years, consider an immediate annuity.

Of course, you don't put all your eggs in one basket! I recommend putting a portion of your retirement funds in an immediate annuity. As a way to diversify and guarantee a monthly income for life, an immediate annuity is a great option.

Auto-Owners Annuities Paying 3.75% - Still Better Than CDs

Auto-Owners Insurance Company announced last week that they will be paying 3.75% on their Item 300 Deferred Annuity effective July 9, 2010 (the previous rate was 4%).

At 3.75%, you generally earn a full point more than what a bank will pay you on a 5-year CD.

Learn why annuities are better than Bank CDs or call Fuller Insurance for more information.

Top Ten Ways to Prepare for Retirement

 
Worried about your retirement? The National Retirement Planning Coalition posted these top 10 ways to Prepare for Retirement:

1. Select a target date for when you want to retire.
2. Calculate how much money you need to accumulate by the time you want to retire.
3. Find out how to maximize your Social Security benefits.
4. Take full advantage of tax-advantaged plans such as employer retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and annuities.
5. If your employer doesn’t have a pension or retirement plan, ask that one be started.
6. Don’t touch your savings for anything but retirement.
7. Diversify your assets and be sure to include guaranteed income for life.
8. Ask questions. Get help. Seek the assistance of a professional financial adviser.
9. Start now, set goals.
10. Do a retirement plan and monitor your progress. 

Read the full article here. Also, find out how Fuller Insurance can offer you a 4% return on your retirement account by using Auto-Owners Insurance Company Fixed Annuities.

Why Annuities Are Better Than Bank CDs

(Update: Auto-Owners introduced a new annuity product 5/2011. Guaranteed minimun interest is 1.5%. Current interest rate is 2.5%.)

What is an annuity? The free internet encyclopedia has a great definition of an annuity. Basically, an annuity is a "contract created when an individual gives a life insurance company money which may grow on a tax-deferred basis and then can be distributed back to the owner in several ways." Most annuity customers use annuities to accumulate funds and to take a lump-sum withdrawal later (like bank CD customers).

Fuller Insurance offers annuity contracts with Auto-Owners Life Insurance Company, rated A+ by A.M. Best, the highest rating a life insurance company can receive. So, why are Auto-Owners annuities better than bank certificates of deposit or CDs? Click here for 7 great reasons.

We are an independent insurance agency as well as a small business. Every small business needs a bank checking account in order to send and receive money (we use Regions Bank). But, are banks the best places to invest money? Auto-Owners' motto is "Safe. Sound. Secure."

Regions Bank is a reputable, national bank with many branches and offers traditional banking services. Regions does a good job for us. But, is Regions the best place to invest your money? Let's look at Regions' current CD rates.

Auto-Owners is paying 2.5% interest on the Item 500 Tax Deferred Annuity with no fees!

Are you interested in annuities now? Call Garrett Fuller or Chris Jayne at Fuller Insurance for more information.

(P.S. download and install Adobe Reader so you can open and view some of the files I link too).