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Registration with the SEC or state does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by regulators, nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. This content is for informational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for sale or purchase of any securities. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy, such as asset allocation or diversification, can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. All investment strategies involve risk and have the potential for profit or loss. Changes in investment strategies, contributions or withdrawals, and economic conditions may materially affect the performance of your portfolio. There are no assurances that a portfolio will match or outperform any particular benchmark.

Members of the Investment Team work directly with our firm and personnel but are licensed with Advisory Alpha LLC, a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. The Investment Team is not necessarily involved with the research, due diligence, and portfolio management functions related to all investment products or solutions used for each client. CFA® is a trademark owned by the CFA Institute. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Ed Slott’s Advisory Group is a group of financial professionals who pay a fee to attend a seminar that explores regulations, tax updates, and other issues regarding individual retirement accounts. It does not qualify a financial professional to provide investment recommendations or advice. These are the opinions of Ed Slott & Company and not necessarily those of Advisory Alpha, are for informational purposes only, and should not be construed or acted upon as individualized investment advice. While tax and legal issues may be discussed in the general course of financial and investment planning Advisory Alpha does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax or legal professional prior to making decisions relative to these issues. Ed Slott & Company and Advisory Alpha are separate and unaffiliated entities.

Links and references to other websites and third-party content providers are offered for your convenience. We do not necessarily prepare, monitor, review, or update the information provided by third parties. We make no representation or warranty with respect to the completeness, timeliness, suitability, or reliability of the referenced content.

An Annuity is a long-term financial product designed largely for asset accumulation and retirement needs. Annuities generally contain fees and charges which include, but are not limited to, surrender charges, administrative fees, and optional contract riders and benefits. Withdrawals and death benefits are subject to income tax. If withdrawals and other distributions are received prior to age 59 ½, a 10% penalty may apply. Annuities typically carry surrender charges for several years that may be assessed against withdrawals. Certain Annuity product features, offered by some Annuity companies, such as a stepped-up death benefit, a bonus credit, and a guaranteed minimum income benefit, carry added fees. If you are investing in an Annuity through a tax-advantaged plan such as an IRA, you will get no added tax advantage. Under these circumstances, you should only consider buying an Annuity if it makes sense because of the Annuity’s other features, such as lifetime income payments and death benefit protection. All guarantees of an Annuity are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer.

Any comments regarding safe or secure investments or guarantees of income refer only to fixed insurance products and do not refer in any way to securities or investment advisory products. Fixed index annuities with income riders are long-term investments and are not a direct or indirect investment in the stock market and while protecting principal against all stock market losses, will in almost all cases earn a lower rate of return than the stock market in positive stock market growth years, meaning you will not receive full stock market participation. Income riders in a fixed index annuity may provide a specified and guaranteed lifetime income amount and a specified and guaranteed “roll-up rate” that increases the guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit which increases future guaranteed lifetime income but is not available in a lump sum. Fixed income annuities typically contain a margin/spread/asset or administrative fee that subtracts a set percentage from the gain in the index being tracked. These features reduce your return in the same way that a direct fee would even if the annuity is called a “no fee” annuity. Income riders will typically carry an annual fee of approximately 1%, and your fee could be higher or lower. Principal guarantees, lifetime income guarantees, and guaranteed death benefits discussed are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.