ADVANCED ANNUITY INFORMATION - THE 'AVERILL METHOD'

HOW TO SELECT THE BEST ANNUITY FOR YOU OR YOUR CLIENTS IN 2023

Updated 09.14.23 - Carleton Averill II

The Averill Method

If you have been searching for the right annuity, you might be feeling frustrated or overwhelmed. There are thousands of available contracts from many different companies. If your agent sells the same one to everyone, what is the chance that this one annuity is the best fit for all situations?

Wouldn’t it be more logical that you would need to consider all of those annuities to determine which is the best for you and your specific situation?

Maybe you have been proactive in your search and have already learned that your financial person  has only sold a couple of different annuities in the past year, and only has access to sell a handful of options.

Did an agent  ask you detailed questions about your goals, your plans, your liquidity needs, or provide factual comparative information supporting why the contract they recommend is superior for your needs?

Our approach is based in empathy. We gather enough information to put ourselves in your shoes. This is a crucial step. Based on that we are able to eliminate whole categories of unsuitable annuity types to narrow down the choices. There is just not time to comprehensively review thousands of annuities, so why bother reviewing unsuitable annuity types that you have eliminated based on your needs. The first “thinning of the list” happens by learning what you are trying to accomplish, and eliminating the “white noise” of contracts not designed to do what you need.

Only after this initial step do we use our state-of-the-art technology to create a shortlist of suitable products for you to consider. This process eliminates contracts from the shortlist that have allocation methods with Date Lottery problems, poor return history, or other problems of that nature. We believe if you want a product you will be satisfied, that is the second necessary step (in that order).

Why do we do things this way? We believe in treating people the same way we would like to be treated, which has led to our positive reputation and our history for client satisfaction.

An agent from our agency can help you interpret the shortlist, by running fresh historical comparisons on the shortlist contenders.

But then the most important step: our agents analyze companies on the basis of whether or not they would purchase the contract based on your goals (not ours).

Some of the reasons our agents drop companies from the shortlist include:

• Known high instances of client dissatisfaction with the company or the product;

• Some companies maintain a practice to keep first year offering rates level after the first year and others lower rates after the first year by design or custom. These practices make contracts “appear” to perform better at first blush, but in reality they may not be performing as well as others.

This is where our history and personal experience of having reviewed annuity historical statements over the years comes in to assist you in reviewing the various annuity options on the shortlist. We attempt to help you avoid those “loss leader” contracts that look intriguing in the first year, but may not be the most beneficial for you in the longer term.

The Averill Method is a strategic approach to helping you achieve your financial goals and secure a prosperous retirement. By following a series of carefully constructed steps, we can guide you towards making informed decisions about annuity products. Our method is designed to provide you with a clear roadmap, empowering you to navigate the complexities of retirement planning with confidence and clarity.

You can learn a portion of The Averill Method on this website by navigating through the various articles under the Table of Contents.

Keep in mind, we can save you the effort, and do everything for you:

Step 1: Determine Your Financial Goals

We firmly believe that understanding your unique financial aspirations is the foundation of successful planning. By collaboratively defining your objectives, we gain valuable insights into what matters most to you and how to tailor our recommendations accordingly.

Step 2: Decide on Your Number

What return rate will you need to maintain your desired lifestyle during retirement? Our expert advisors will guide you through the process of identifying the optimal return rate that aligns with your financial objectives for your long-term security.

Step 3: Run the Intelligent Backtester

With the help of cutting edge AI backtesting technology, we leverage data-driven analysis to test-drive potential annuity products. This enables us to determine which options possess the highest propensity for delivering superior returns, all while considering your individual goals and preferences.

Step 4: Planning Meeting

Our team of dedicated fiduciaries takes a holistic approach to planning, going beyond the numbers to truly understand your unique circumstances. Putting themselves in your shoes, they examine every aspect of your financial situation, ensuring that the chosen annuity perfectly fits your life.

Step 5: Client Presentation

We believe in complete transparency and want you to be an active participant in the decision-making process. During the client presentation, we provide a detailed breakdown of our methodology, explaining the rationale behind our recommendations. Your input and feedback are essential, and once we receive the green light, we proceed with the annuity purchase on your behalf, keeping you informed every step of the way.

At Carleton E. Averill, II & Associates, Inc., we are committed to providing you with a comprehensive, personalized experience that leads to optimal outcomes to help reach your goals and maintain your peace of mind.

Make this easy on yourself.

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