Life insurance and the annuity option
Looking around the news, there is a story that the insurance regulators from five US states have just agreed a $2 million settlement with two Nationwide Life companies for failing to properly supervise the sale of annuities through one of their agents. This raises two questions. What exactly are annuities? and What can go wrong with them? An annuity is a variation on the traditional life insurance policy. As with any permanent policy, you pay a premium which is invested to build up a cash value. But, depending on the terms of the contract, you can receive payment of a lump sum or, more usually, a regular income from the insurance company before your death. For most people it’s the same as saving for retirement, except you buy a pension that pays out after you retire. To ensure the maximum control over annuities, they can only be bought through life insurance companies. In every US state, there is a Department or Office of Insurance to regulate local insurance companies. As you will understand from the news story, if an insurance company acts against the interests of its policyholders, the states can step in to fine the company and order the company to pay compensation to the policyholders affected. In the case of annuities, this is particularly important because the premiums are usually deductible from income before tax. The states therefore have a direct interest in ensuring annuities are not used for unlawful tax avoidance purposes.
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Should you bundle auto and homeowners insurance?
More or less every site offers advice on saving money when buying insurance. One of the standard tips is bundling auto and homeowners policies with the same insurance company. If you check around the companies, the discount varies between 10 and 15% and, if you agree an increase in the deductible from $500 to $1,000 this increases the discount to 25%. At this point, many people are sold on the idea. A saving of up to 25% looks like a good deal and frees up cash in the family budgets for a whole range of other basic necessities. So is it worth it? The first question is whether you are getting the standard auto and homeowners policies. If you are starting off in the same position as the stand-alone policyholders, you have more protection. But there can be problems with limitations and exclusions if the company produces a single policy to cover both home and vehicle. You must read such a policy very carefully before deciding whether it represents good value for money. Secondly, what are the rules about overlaps between the two policies? Suppose, for example, you have a traffic accident while carrying your laptop and other property potentially covered under your homeowners policy. Is all the damage and loss covered under the auto policy or are you expected to file separate claims for damage to the vehicle and loss of household contents? This could make a big difference if there are separate deductibles on the auto and homeowners policies.
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Comfy Toes Comfy Feet Slippers – Rejuvenating House Slippers – Helps relieve Foot Pain, Hammertoe relief, Bunion relief for your feet, and more! As Seen on TV! Slippers for Women! These warm fuzzy Slippers are very comfortable slippers! Great Gift idea or birthday present for him or her ~ Best Seller!
- Soft Fluffy Fabric Hugs Feet! Non-Skid Soles!
- Memory Foam Insole For Cushy Feet!
- MAY HELP EASE:
- Aches & Pains Foot Cramps Hammertoes
- Bunions Ball of Foot Pain …and more!
Product DescriptionSo comfortable you’ll NEVER want to take them off! Made of washable acrylic, polyester and elastane. Also Available in Large (MEN’S SIZE 8-11). Simply type “RUSH INDUSTRIES SLIPPERS” in the AMAZON search!. . . More >>
Settlers of Catan Card Game
- Players control a group of settlers taming the lands of medieval Catan.
- Use the unique card mix to create a map of your own principality, then explore and settle new lands, acquiring resources through card play and the luck of the dice.
- Cunning and a dash of luck decides who will be the undisputed master of Catan!
- For 2 Players
- Ages 10 and up
Product DescriptionIn the Catan Card Game, you control a group of settlers taming the lands of medieval Catan. Use the unique card mix to create a map of your own principality, then explore and settle new lands, acquiring resources through card play and the luck of the dice. Make use of gold and resource combinations to develop your domain. Expand your settlements and cities, recruit knights, and defend your territory through politics, tournaments and intrigue. Cunning and a dash of l. . . More >>
$15.00
Settlers of Catan Card Game
Sharpie Furniture Touch-Up Markers, 3 Colored Markers
- These markers are great for touching-up narrow scratches or broad nicks.
- They are great for furniture, flooring, doors, cabinetry, wood trim, picture frames, and more.
Product DescriptionItem #: SAN30499. Touch-up scratches and nicks in wood surfaces such as furniture, flooring, cabinetry, wood trim and picture frames, among others. Three ink colors for touching up a broad spectrum of wood finishes, including Maple, Pine, Oak, Cherry,, Walnut, Mahogany, etc. Customers also search for: Marker, set, touch-up, sharpie,,Discount Touch Up Markers Set,Buy Touch Up Markers Set,Wholesale Touch Up Markers Set,71641304994 Industrial and Specialty Markers. . . More >>
RETIRED WHO CARES ~Wall Clock~ retiree retirement gift
- Large 10″ Wall Clock
- Precision Quartz Movement
- Great Gift Idea!!!
- Ships Next Business Day From The U.S.A.
- Proudly Made in the U.S.A.
Product DescriptionThis BRAND NEW wall clock measures 10 inches in diameter. It has a black plastic frame with a clear cover. Graphics are rich and vibrant and will last a lifetime. These clocks make a great accent to any room in your home or business. A perfect addition to your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, family room or anywhere. The clock has precision quartz movement and operates on 1 AA battery (not included). Please take a moment to look through our entire clock inventory by clic. . . More >>
$15.98
RETIRED WHO CARES ~Wall Clock~ retiree retirement gift
Bicycle 1-2 Deck Card Shuffler
- Fully automatic design
- Works with both bridge or poker size playing cards
- Shuffles 1–2 decks
Product DescriptionBicycle Card Shuffler automatically shuffles one or two decks with the touch of a button. . . . More >>
Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying
- ISBN13: 9780553378764
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product DescriptionFive years after its first publication, with more than 150,000 copies in print, Final Gifts has become a classic. In this moving and compassionate book, hospice nurses Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley share their intimate experiences with patients at the end of life, drawn from more than twenty years experience tending the terminally ill. Through their stories we come to appreciate the near-miraculous ways in which the dying communicate their needs, reveal their . . . More >>
$8.50
Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying
Teak Furniture Gallery TGT214 Large Teak Stool
- 19″W x 19″L x 17.5″H
- 100% solid teak, plantation grown grade A from Indonesia
- Stool/Table folds flat for easy storage.
- Strong design can be used as a shower stool, table, seat or step stool.
- Teak lasts a lifetime in any climate!
Product DescriptionTeak Furniture Gallery’s Large Teak Stool can be used as a table also. Folds almost flat for easy storage. Sturdy enough to be a step stool, seat, table, shower stool, etc. Made of 100% teak to last a lifetime and solid brass fittings. . . . More >>
Alphabet Flash Cards
- ISBN13: 9780769646794
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description Brighter Child Alphabet Flash Cards offer children a fun and easy way to practice their alphabet skills. Featuring 54 cards that help reinforce phonics, uppercase and lowercase letter recognition, and reading readiness skills. Full-color, charming illustrations help to engage children. A special card also offers creative game ideas designed to reinforce learning. T. . . More >>
$1.64
Alphabet Flash Cards