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Replacing Your Old Annuity: When It’s Time—and Why It Matters


Annuities are designed to bring peace of mind. They’re supposed to provide safety, structure, and predictable income. But what happens when your annuity no longer aligns with your goals—or no longer performs like it should?

 

That’s the dilemma many professionals face today: holding onto annuities they purchased years ago, unsure if they still fit into their long-term retirement strategy.

 

The truth? An outdated annuity can quietly cost you thousands in lost growth, reduced income, and limited flexibility—all while your retirement window continues to narrow.

 

In this article, we’ll explore how to evaluate your current annuity, when it might make sense to upgrade, and how modern solutions like Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs) can better support your financial goals.

 

Why People Hold On to Outdated Annuities

 

For many, the annuity decision was made years ago—perhaps by a financial advisor, insurance rep, or even an employer. The contract was signed, the funds were locked in, and the years moved on.

 

What’s often left unaddressed:

  • Outdated contract terms

  • Low interest credit rates

  • High internal fees

  • Inflexible payout schedules

  • No income riders or legacy protection

 

Many of these annuities were good decisions for their time. But times—and options—have changed.

 

What Modern Annuities Offer That Old Ones Don’t

 

Today’s Fixed Indexed Annuities offer benefits that didn’t exist even five or ten years ago:

  • Index-linked growth potential with downside protection

  • Premium bonuses of 10% to 25% to boost income or offset taxes

  • Flexible income riders, including single/joint lifetime payouts

  • Enhanced death benefits or long-term care riders

  • Partial liquidity and penalty-free access options

 

If your current annuity is earning under 3%, lacks flexibility, or doesn’t offer guaranteed income for life—you may be leaving retirement dollars on the table.

 

Real-World Scenario: The Cost of Staying Put

 

Client Profile:

Brian and Carla, both 64, held a traditional fixed annuity from 2012 earning 2.75%. They had $525,000 across two annuities, with no income riders or legacy features.

 

Problem:

They wanted to retire in five years, but their current annuities:

  • Didn’t offer guaranteed income

  • Had no growth potential beyond 2.75%

  • Would not pass any benefits to their children

 

Solution:

We helped them complete a 1035 exchange into a pair of Fixed Indexed Annuities with:

  • 15% premium bonuses (adding $78,750 in day-one value)

  • Lifetime income riders to begin at 69

  • Built-in spousal continuation and death benefit options

 

Outcome:

They increased their projected guaranteed income by 35% and created a legacy plan that aligned with their family goals.

 

What’s a 1035 Exchange—and Why It Matters

 

A 1035 exchange allows you to move funds from one annuity to another without triggering a taxable event. It’s an IRS-approved process used to upgrade outdated annuity contracts into more modern, flexible, and higher-performing solutions.

 

However, it must be done correctly—and not all annuities are eligible.

 

Key Questions to Ask About Your Current Annuity

 

Before making any moves, ask:

  1. Is my annuity keeping pace with my retirement goals?

  2. What are my current fees, interest rates, and growth caps?

  3. Can I access income when I need it—or is it locked?

  4. Will my annuity leave a benefit behind for my spouse or family?

  5. Does my current plan still reflect the life I’m living—or planning?

 

If the answer to two or more of these is "no," it may be time to reevaluate.

 

A Note on LifetimeShield™

 

At King Legacy Group, our LifetimeShield™ plan is built around the most competitive FIAs on the market today—custom-selected for bonus strength, income protection, and client flexibility. While not every annuity needs to be replaced, the ones we do recommend are evaluated through the lens of long-term financial security and lifestyle fit.

 

Let’s Talk Strategy

 

Your annuity should be working as hard as you did to fund it.

 

If it’s been years since you reviewed your annuity—or if you’re not even sure how it’s performing—now is the time to reassess. Replacing your old annuity could unlock more income, more flexibility, and more peace of mind in retirement.



 

 
 
 

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