The Atlas Annuity Podcast

In Episode 108 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker, owner and founder of Atlas Financial Strategies in St. Louis, Missouri, explores one of the most creative retirement strategies he has come across in recent memory — using an annuity to pay your mortgage at a discount. It all started with an email from one of Marty's sharpest clients, Dave, who asked a simple but brilliant question: could...

Record highs are hiding a massive retirement risk—and most people headed into retirement have no idea. In this episode, Marty Becker breaks down what is really happening beneath the surface of today's market and why the old retirement playbook may not work the way people expect. The stock market is at all-time highs. Tech stocks are booming and Wall Street is acting like the future is perfectly cl...

Artificial intelligence can write essays, analyze data, and answer almost any question you throw at it. So it's no surprise that people have started asking AI about their retirement money. But here's the truth — AI annuity advice can actually be very helpful. Or it can be a very expensive mistake. And knowing the difference could save your retirement. In this episode, Marty Becker shares a real cl...

In this episode, Marty Becker tackles one of the most common misconceptions retirees have about annuities — the belief that annuity companies are simply returning their own money back to them. He explains why this flawed thinking may actually be causing retirees to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars less than they safely could in retirement. Marty breaks down the risks associated with the trad...

In this episode, Marty Becker explores the often-overlooked psychological side of retirement that has nothing to do with 401(k)s, Social Security timing, or interest rates. He discusses the multi-year psychological transition that occurs when someone leaves a lifelong career and explains why financial preparation alone isn't enough if retirees aren't mentally prepared for this major life change. M...

Retirement isn't about chasing returns—it's about engineering income. In this episode, Marty Becker shares a real client case study that demonstrates one of the clearest retirement income frameworks he's ever seen. Dave, one of Marty's clients, responded to the previous week's episode on CDs versus MYGAs with a simple but powerful statement: he uses 2, 3, 4, and 5-year MYGAs and FIAs to build an i...

In episode 102 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker breaks down the key differences between Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs) and bank CDs. While both are considered safe money options, there are critical distinctions that can significantly impact your retirement strategy. This episode covers a comprehensive side-by-side comparison including tax treatment, liquidity options, beneficiar...

If you've inherited an annuity, the insurance company is probably pressuring you to fill out forms fast. But here's what they won't tell you: once you sign certain paperwork, the decision is irreversible—and it could cost you thousands in unnecessary taxes. In this episode, Marty Becker walks you through what really matters before you make a choice you can't undo. What You'll Learn: • Why inherite...

If you've ever wondered why retirement feels more complicated than it should, you're not imagining things. For decades, people were told to save enough, invest wisely, and then withdraw 4% every year. But new research from Morningstar tells a very different story—one that explains why so many retirees feel uneasy, and why guaranteed income tools like annuities are becoming more relevant than ever....

What if you could convert your traditional IRA to a Roth without feeling the tax pain? In episode 99 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker reveals a little-known strategy that uses deferred income annuities to make Roth conversions virtually painless—and could save you over $110,000 in lifetime taxes. Most retirees wait until they're forced to take distributions from their IRAs, which means p...

5 Reasons Smart People Resist Annuities (At First) | Episode 98 Here's a strange truth: annuities solve one of the biggest problems in retirement—not running out of money. And yet, they're one of the most emotionally rejected financial tools that exist. That's the paradox. People say they want certainty. They say they want peace of mind. They say they want income they can't outlive. But when you o...

If someone handed you a suitcase with a million dollars and said it has to last the rest of your life, would you feel confident or nervous? Most people say nervous—and that reveals everything wrong with how we think about retirement. In this episode, host Marty Becker breaks down groundbreaking research on the "Peak 65 Zone"—a demographic tsunami where over 11,000 Americans turn 65 every single da...

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 lon...

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 Flori...

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 themsel...

  Did you know that your fixed index annuity is only as good as the indexing options offered? In episode 92 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker reviews the Lincoln Financial OptiBlend 5, a unique 5-year fixed index annuity that breaks the mold with first-year withdrawals and multiple S&P 500 options.   While most annuities make you wait until year two for penalty-free withdrawals, this...

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...

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 dif...

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 t...

In episode 88 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker tackles one of the biggest fears retirees face — inflation. After years of rising prices, many people wonder if their money can really last as long as they do. Marty explains why relying on a traditional 60/40 portfolio and a fixed 3% inflation adjustment isn’t a foolproof strategy — and how it can actually cause you to run out of money too...

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker tackles one of the biggest fears in retirement — running out of money. Longevity risk is the risk of outliving your savings, and most advisors fail to plan for it properly. Marty explains why relying on the old 4% rule or a simple systematic withdrawal plan could put your retirement in danger. He walks through real numbers showing how long...

In episode 86 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker takes a deep dive into systematic withdrawal plans and why they may not be the safe retirement strategy many advisors claim. Marty explains the origins of the 4% rule, why economists now suggest lower withdrawal rates, and how sequence of returns risk can devastate a portfolio — even when using a “safe” 60/40 allocation. He breaks down the t...

In episode 85 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker breaks down one of the most anticipated financial moves of the year—the Federal Reserve’s likely rate cut in September. We’ll cover what’s driving the Fed’s decision, how it really works behind the scenes, and most importantly, what it means for you. You’ll learn: The history and role of the Federal Reserve and why its decisions matter How r...

In this episode of the Atlas Annuity Podcast , Marty Becker introduces a brand-new product in the annuity world: the EquiTrust Smart Boost Index Annuity . Developed in partnership with Genesys—the pioneer of fixed index annuities—this innovative contract brings unique features designed to give retirees more flexibility, growth potential, and security. Marty breaks down the key details, including:...

If you're facing a choice between taking a lifetime pension or a lump sum buyout , this episode is for you. Marty Becker shares a real-life conversation with a potential client offered $2,000/month for life—or a $350,000 lump sum. Which is better? The answer might surprise you. With firsthand experience losing his own pension, Marty breaks down: Why defined benefit pensions are becoming less relia...