In this episode, Marty Becker walks through a real retirement income case study involving a married couple who recently met with an advisor at Fidelity. The couple is fully retiring within the next year and needs $10,000 per month in guaranteed income on top of Social Security.

Marty breaks down their current portfolio, explains why a 70/30 stock-to-bond mix and a 4% withdrawal rate can create long-term risk, and shows how sequence of returns can impact retirement outcomes—especially when one spouse is much younger.

The episode compares a traditional single premium immediate annuity recommendation with a more advanced strategy using multiple annuities. Marty explains how both approaches provide the same lifetime income guarantees, but how a multi-annuity strategy can reduce the amount of capital required while improving income reliability, lowering withdrawal rates, and increasing discretionary assets.

You’ll also learn:

• Why worst-case and best-case scenarios matter in retirement planning

• How guaranteed income changes withdrawal rates and income reliability

• The pros and cons of simplicity versus efficiency in annuity strategies

• When a multi-annuity approach works best, and who it may not be right for

This episode is ideal for retirees or near-retirees who are evaluating annuity recommendations from large firms like Fidelity and want to understand if there is a smarter, more efficient way to generate lifetime income.

To learn more about annuities and see if a strategy like this fits your situation, visit atlasannuity.com to watch the “20% More Spendable Income in Retirement” video series or schedule a short Zoom call to get your questions answered.

In episode 95 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker reviews the Axonic Trailhead fixed indexed annuity—a product that's making waves in the industry. As of December 2025, Axonic offers the highest S&P 500 cap rate for an A-rated company with no fees and no risk to your gains.

Marty breaks down why this matters and shares his philosophy on indexing options. After nearly a decade in the business, he explains why he relies on the "good old trusty S&P 500" over hypothetical indexes that often underperform their back-tested projections.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Key features of the Axonic Trailhead FIA (5, 7, and 10-year terms)
• Why the S&P 500 remains the most reliable index for growth
• The truth about proprietary indexes and hypothetical illustrations
• Unique benefits like the interest boost after the first crediting term
• How Axonic compares to other A-rated carriers

Whether you're looking to protect a portion of your portfolio or seeking reliable growth with downside protection, this episode gives you an honest, no-nonsense review of one of the market's leading fixed indexed annuities.

In this episode, Marty Becker explores a powerful but often overlooked benefit of annuities—asset protection. After a conversation with an estate planning attorney from Florida, Marty breaks down how annuities can shield your non-qualified (after-tax) assets from legal threats, and why protection levels vary dramatically by state.

You'll discover which states offer unlimited protection (like Florida and Texas), which provide limited or conditional coverage, and how to strategically use annuities as a legal shield for your retirement savings. If you have substantial assets outside of your IRA or 401(k), this episode reveals an important protection strategy that many retirees overlook.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why IRA money is already protected under ERISA
• How non-qualified assets are vulnerable to creditors
• Three categories of state annuity protection laws
• Which states offer the strongest asset protection
• Real-world example from an estate planning attorney
• Strategic considerations for high-net-worth retirees

Whether you're a business owner, professional, or simply want to protect what you've worked hard to build, this episode provides crucial insights into using annuities as financial armor.

In this episode, Marty breaks down why long-term care planning is one of the most overlooked parts of retirement—and why it can have serious financial consequences if ignored. Most people don’t realize how common long-term care needs are or how expensive they can become. With nursing home costs reaching $72,000 to $100,000 per year, and Medicare offering almost no help, retirees often find themselves facing difficult choices.

Marty explains the realities of Medicaid, the quality of care offered in many facilities, and why relying on it as a fallback can lead to problems. He also walks through the three main types of long-term care policies and how they work, including traditional standalone plans, life insurance with LTC riders, and asset-based long-term care options.

From there, he breaks down the new Nationwide Care Matters long-term care annuity. This product can double or even triple your benefit on day one and continue growing every year with a guaranteed interest rate. Marty shares a real example of how the benefits expand over time and compares it to the risks of trying to self-fund care using market returns.

You’ll also learn what it takes to qualify for benefits, how the elimination period works, and what makes this annuity different, including penalty-free withdrawals, international benefits, and the ability to use a 1035 exchange.

If you want to see how long-term care fits within your retirement plan and whether the Nationwide Care Matters annuity makes sense for you, schedule a time to talk at AtlasAnnuity.com.

Can you really earn up to 13.25% growth without risking your principal?
In this episode, Marty Becker breaks down a five-year fixed index annuity that offers protection, flexibility, and short-term opportunity — without locking your money away for life.

You’ll learn:

• How the flooring method lets you choose how much of your interest gains to risk — not your principal.

• Why a five-year annuity can be a smart bridge between safety and growth.

• How to use annuities in five-year chunks to protect your income during market downturns.

• The difference between chasing the “best” annuity and finding the right fit for your goals.

If you’re not ready for a lifetime income plan but still want protection from market losses, this strategy may give you the balance you need.

Visit AtlasAnnuity.com to watch Marty’s free video series or schedule a short call to find the right annuity decision — the first time.

In episode 90 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker explains why “convenience” can quietly cost you thousands in retirement income.

When big investment firms start offering annuities through limited partnerships, they make the process simple — but not always in your best interest. Marty breaks down how these programs work, why independence matters when choosing your annuity, and how small differences in payout can turn into massive income losses over time.

You’ll learn:

• Why independent advisors can access higher-paying annuity options

• How “easy” choices often mean limited choices

• The long-term cost of convenience in retirement planning

• How to make sure your income plan truly serves you

Don’t settle for less just because it’s simple. Take control of your retirement income and make informed decisions that maximize what you’ve earned.

Learn more or schedule your own independent annuity review at AtlasAnnuity.com.

In episode 89 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker takes a deep dive into one of the biggest overlooked risks in retirement—financial fragility after the loss of a spouse.

Drawing from research by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, Marty explains why future retirees may face tougher challenges maintaining their lifestyle after a financial shock, like medical expenses or the loss of a Social Security check. He breaks down how the shift from traditional pensions to 401(k)s has made income less dependable, and why the “4% rule” often falls short in today’s environment.

To address this growing problem, Marty introduces a simple but powerful strategy using the American Equity Income Shield Bonus Annuity—a plan designed to replace lost income when a spouse passes away, with guarantees that grow every year for up to 20 years. He walks through how it works, why it’s flexible, and how it can ensure a surviving spouse never runs out of income.

If you want to protect your spouse’s income, preserve your legacy, and create certainty in an uncertain world, this episode will show you how to plan ahead with confidence.

Learn more or schedule a call at AtlasAnnuity.com.