By Gregory Sessa

If you owned stocks or mutual funds at the start of the 21st century, you no doubt felt the financial pain of the market’s crash. Between the stock market’s peak in March 2000 to its subsequent bottom in October 2002, and then the drop again in 2008 and 2009, the combined market value of companies traded on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ fell tremendously.

While the stock market has recovered to a degree, that’s little solace to those whose portfolios were decimated by the market’s drastic drop. Many consumers who are especially risk averse, such as retirees and those nearing retirement, are wary of ever returning to the stock market, given its inherent risk.

During the same time as the stock market freefall, nearly all consumers who purchased a relatively new type of fixed annuity, called an index annuity, did not lose a dime of their original principal. This prompts consumers to ask, “how is this possible?”

The reason index annuity owners can feel secure about not losing their principal is because 100 percent of the principal in an index annuity is backed by the financial strength of the issuing insurance company. Congress mandates that insurance companies back your money, dollar for dollar, in capital reserves. FDIC insurance in contrast has less that $2 in reserve for every $100.00 in your account! Index annuity owners earn a guaranteed minimum rate of return and potentially can earn more, depending on their annuity’s index linked rate of return.

The issuing insurance company links the index annuity’s interest rate to a select external index. Most index annuities have interest returns linked to the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average and some are linked to other indices. The index-linked interest rate earned is usually a percentage of the growth of the index. It is important to note that index annuities are not securities, nor should they be considered a direct alternative to securities.

Knowing that consumers may occasionally wish to tap the funds in their accounts for emergencies or other reasons, most index annuity issuers allow some sort of annual withdrawal, up to a set amount without assessing withdrawal charges. A feature in the newest annuities today can guarantee income that the client can never out live no matter how the market moves; up, down, or side ways. The income is guaranteed for life without annuitization and the amount left over in the contract value will pass to their heirs.

Annuities are sold in amounts as little as $2,000 to $5,000 and offered by some of the most highly ranked and financially sound companies in the insurance industry. Index annuities also are unique because purchasers do not pay any up-front sales charge.Your insurance agent is compensated solely by the issuing insurance company. When you buy an index annuity, 100 percent of your principal goes directly into the contract. Some even offer a bonus of up to 10% so 110% of your money is working for you from day one.

If you are interested in diversifying your assets with guarantees of safety and security, lifetime income you cannot out live, index linked gains with unique features, and peace of mind to let you sleep at night, the index annuity is right for you.

Can Index Annuities Offer Peace of Mind and Guarantee Income For Life? is a post from: Dough Defender

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I don’t think so and neither does David over at the personal finance blog, Money Under 30: Personal Finance for the Young and Ambitious. David tells us in the following post why renting is not wasting money.

Do you agree?

All my friends who bought homes before their 30th birthday love to proclaim that they’re no longer “throwing money away” by paying rent. Although I too aspire to one day own my home, I’ve never felt like renting is wasting money. That’s because when I do buy a home, I will buy a place to live; not an investment.

Your House Is Not That Great of an Investment

It’s true: some make millions investing in real estate. Some homeowners have even been lucky enough to retire solely on the resale value of their home 30 years after they purchased it. For most, however, reality is very different.

Yes: over the long run, a well-maintained home in a desirable location should appreciate. But according to this report, economists say the U.S. housing market had a average annual return of just slightly more than zero over the last 115 years (adjusted for inflation). The stock market, on the other hand, averaged 7% annual returns. Faced with those figures, why would anybody invest in a home rather than the stock market?

Homes Suck Money

Next up is the undeniable fact that homes are costly to maintain. They must be painted, landscaped, and otherwise kept up to maintain value. And they are full of expensive appliances that break at the most inconvenient times.

Why do you think your landlord is so slow to return you call about the leaky sink? She wants to get as many years out of that sink as possible. Of course, she probably has a brand new sink in her own home (as would you, if you owned your pad). When we own our homes, we make repairs and renovations based on emotions, not resale value, making owning a home far more expensive than renting.

You Can’t Control Your Taxes (Or Your Neighbors)

When you buy a home, you make a long term commitment to your neighborhood, for better or worse. If you live a city or town with a great economy and school system, chances are your home value will increase. Unfortunately, so will your property taxes. If your salary isn’t soaring as high as those of people flocking to your town, you may find yourself unable to afford to stay there.

On the flip side, if your neighborhood deteriorates, you’re the one not just living there, but owning property. If you rent, you can move at the end of the lease and let your landlord figure out how to deal with the depreciating property.

The Bottom Line on Renting

My simple, no-nonsense financial advice on housing: Monthly housing expenses (whether rent or a mortgage) are your payments for a place to live. Spend accordingly, and save or invest the difference. If you want the pride (and responsibility) of home ownership, by all means buy a home—you might even make money on it. But don’t count on your home as an investment. And please, don’t beat yourself up for “throwing money away” on rent.

Is Rent Wasted Money? is a post from: Dough Defender

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