Annuity Guys Resources

Annuities: What Percentage Should Be in Your Retirement Portfolio?

The answer is… 50 percent (NOT!!!) — want to know why many insurance sales agents might say that?


It’s nice when empirical research validates something that we have observed and practiced for years with our financial planning clients.


Wade Pfau, a professor at American College who specializes in retirement income determined that based upon current market conditions a hypothetical couple ages 65 would have their best success for generating a four percent annual income by using a combination of…[continue reading below video]

[continued]…50% equities and 50% fixed annuities.

We typically do not espouse an exact percentage, but rather design our income plans to cover the foundational expenses with sources like social security, pensions and annuities. If you take care of the foundation the flexibility with your additional assets can be significantly enhanced.

Videos are educational and conceptual only and not a solicitation. They are not to be considered investment, insurance, tax or legal advice. It is recommended that you work with licensed professionals for individualized advice before making any important financial decisions. Annuities are not FDIC insured and their guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. State Guarantee Associations, while offering specific protections, are not the same as FDIC insurance.

More Annuity Videos

A surprised person looks at a swirling vortex of financial documents, charts, and brochures against a dark green background.
March 10, 2026
What if you could potentially increase your retirement income by 23% — without taking on more market risk? That's not wishful thinking. According to the 2025 Goldman Sachs Asset Management Retirement Survey & Insights Report, blending annuities into a retirement plan could significantly increase the income you can safely spend each year.¹ And in today's uncertain economy — with inflation, market volatility, and rising living costs — that's an opportunity worth understanding. I'm Eric Judy, a Retirement Income Certified Professional, Investment Advisor Representative, and co-founder of the Annuity Guys. Today, I want to walk you through what Goldman Sachs calls the hybrid income strategy — how combining traditional investments with guaranteed income from annuities could give retirees greater confidence and stability in their retirement years. My goal is simple: to help you make smarter, more informed decisions about your retirement income. No hype. No pressure.
October 3, 2025
“Eight Percent Annual Annuity Returns”… or even better! Before You Lock In Rates… Discover Up To 15% Income For Life or how about up-to 33% More Income for Life! Where did we find these amazing offers? Believe it or not, right in the Ad section at the top and bottom of the page when we searched Google for the word “annuity”. Surely these offers must really exist or they wouldn’t put them on Google. In fact, I know these offers do exist — unfortunately, just not the expected results for the people this advertising targets. These offers are the classic bait and switch or maybe I would call them bait and twist. How so? Let me translate it from marketing speak into English – “eight percent annual return” translates into a captive income formula (not an actual return on your money!) that never allows you to walk away with that so called eight percent return. Want the 15%? You’ll have to wait to start your income at about age 90 to get that one, and the 33% more income for life pitch [continued below video…]
October 3, 2025
The stock market is well known for its roller coaster effect of up and down account values. For many retirees, this can mean more than a few restless nights and frequent trips to the store for antacids. Just the thought of losing thirty, twenty or even ten percent of your retirement savings can be unsettling at best. Did you know that owning fixed or fixed index annuities can actually enhance your stock market investing? How so? The difference between stocks and annuities comes down to…[continued below video]
Show More