Good points. I am NOT an annuity advocate. Insurance products are extremely complex—emphasize extremely complex. In my opioion, there are generally hidden fees and “gotta ya” features and characteristics with insurance products. You pay for features like guaranteed terms, joint life, etc which may or may not be suitable for the investor/person. Read the contract, prospectus, and demand an “Illustration.” I have never bought any annuity or insurance product other than term life, in my view, for almost all circumstances, there are valid reason for the oft quoted phrase “buy term and invest the rest.” Again, not advocating any insurance product but some scenarios where a SPIA maymake sense: no heirs or charitable inclinations, sufficient assets to carry through one’s life, good health genes, desire to supplement PART of assets to buy for longevity, desire to buy a cost-adjusted product (inflation adjusted , to have a joint survivorship etc. (again, you pay for .
these feature so they or may not be suitable for a specific investor, tax considerations, etc.). I’m k) I not providing advise, I am suggesting folks educate themselves on these matters. For me, a balanced portfolio that considers short and long term goals, tax implications , RMD, legacy, cash flow, legacy considerations, etc works.