Annuities: The Good, Bad & Ugly

Annuities: The Good, Bad & Ugly is the no-nonsense guide every retiree, near-retiree, and financial decision-maker needs before ever signing an annuity contract. Written by Cliff Ambrose, FRCSM, CAS®, CTS™, a veteran who has spent nearly two decades on both sides of the financial services industry, this book strips away the sales pressure, jargon, and confusion that have clouded annuities for far too long.Unlike most industry material, this book isn’t trying to sell you anything.

Instead, Ambrose delivers the kind of insight most people never hear until it’s too late—how annuities actually work, how insurance companies really make money, what advisors don’t always tell you, and what separates a great contract from one that can quietly erode your financial future. Drawing from years of firsthand experience as an advisor, industry leader, and independent planner, he offers a clear, candid look at the good, the bad, and the truly ugly sides of annuities.Inside, you’ll learn:What annuities are—and what they are not, explained in plain EnglishThe different types of annuities (fixed, indexed, MYGAs, SPIAs, DIAs, variable annuities) and where each one shines or falls shortHow guarantees really work, and the trade-offs that come with themWhy so many people feel confused or misled, and how to avoid becoming one of themHow advisors get paid, and how that compensation shapes the products they recommendThe sales tactics, myths, and marketing noise that distort the truthWhat a genuinely good annuity experience looks like, from selection to ongoing managementWhere annuities fit in a long-term retirement strategy, and when they absolutely don’tReal stories of retirees, highlighting smart decisions, avoidable mistakes, and lessons learnedAmbrose doesn’t pretend annuities are perfect—or poisonous.

He treats them as what they truly are: tools. Powerful when used correctly, damaging when misunderstood, and too often misrepresented in the financial world.

His goal is simple: give you the knowledge and confidence to decide for yourself whether an annuity belongs in your retirement plan.Whether you’ve been pitched an annuity, are exploring guaranteed income options, or simply want to understand this often-misunderstood financial product, Annuities: The Good, Bad & Ugly equips you with clarity, context, and the questions you must ask before making one of the most important financial decisions of your life.