Asked before nearly every review.

Nothing. Reviews and comparisons are complimentary. If you ultimately choose a product, the insurance carrier compensates us — it does not come out of your deposit, and your account value on day one is the amount you put in.

No, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling. Annuities trade liquidity for guarantees. If you need full access to the money, or you're comfortable with market risk on funds you won't touch for twenty years, an annuity may be the wrong tool. We'd rather say that than place a contract that doesn't fit.

Both lock a rate for a term. A CD is FDIC insured and taxed each year on the interest earned. A MYGA is backed by the issuing insurance carrier rather than the FDIC, and interest compounds tax-deferred until you withdraw it — which can matter meaningfully over a multi-year term. MYGAs also typically carry surrender charges for early withdrawal, where CDs usually charge a set number of months of interest.

It refers to the number of distinct annuity contracts and product configurations available across the carriers and product databases we shop. Not every product is available in every state or at every deposit amount — what you'll see is the subset that's actually available to you.

Not from market losses — those contracts have a floor. You can lose money by withdrawing early, where surrender charges and market value adjustments apply, and rider fees can reduce your account value over time. The other real risk is carrier insolvency, which is why financial strength is part of every comparison.

No. We hold appointments with a wide range of carriers and shop across them. That's the entire premise of the business.

If you booked a time, you get a confirmation and we start shopping your situation before the call. If you used the contact form instead, someone reaches out within one business day to find a time. Either way the first conversation is questions and listening — no product gets discussed until we understand what the money is for.

Yes. We work nationwide, and most reviews happen by phone and email regardless of where you live.

Maybe not. Replacing a contract can cost you surrender charges, a bonus recapture, or a benefit you've been paying for. We'll price the exchange honestly, including what staying put is worth, and a fair number of these reviews end with "keep what you have."