Browse by Categories

• Worry, yes, But Don‘t Overdo It

  Q. A recent article suggests that incoming Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke faces quite a challenge: "a housing-bubble-triggered consumer recession and deflation, exacerbated by foreign flight from the dollar and bonds." How should that affect my... Posted Feb 02 2006, 01:58 PM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Home Ownership & Mortgages, Q&A (from print), Variable Annuity Watch

• The 1035 Exchange Escape Route

  Q. Each time you go on a tear about variable annuities, those of us who have them feel like idiots. The question for us is can we do anything at this point to fix the situation? Can you roll an annuity over into something better or are you stuck? ---L... Posted Apr 25 2002, 09:54 AM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Home Ownership & Mortgages, Q&A (from print), Variable Annuity Watch

• No, This Variable Annuity Won‘t Do

  Q. My wife and I have $500,000 in fixed annuities earning about 5 percent. Recently a broker made a proposal to us to make a tax-free exchange into a variable annuity with MFS Regatta Annuity program. The benefit of this program is a 5 percent extra credit... Posted Dec 21 2001, 11:39 AM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Home Ownership & Mortgages, Q&A (from print), Variable Annuity Watch

• When You Don’t Have Money, Wait Until You Do

  Q. My son is shopping for his first home in Santa Maria, California. He can, with our help, put down a 10 percent down payment if he takes money ($10,000) from his 9 year-old IRA. And he either takes a second mortgage or an equity loan from his credit... Posted Apr 05 2001, 09:47 AM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Home Ownership & Mortgages, Q&A (from print), Variable Annuity Watch