35. Are Annuities the New Bonds for Retirees?
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35. Are Annuities the New Bonds for Retirees?
Bonds are supposed to be the safe part of your portfolio…
…but what if they’re not?
Today, many retirees are discovering that the part of their portfolio they thought was stable can still lose value at exactly the wrong time.
So in this lesson, I’m breaking down what retirement research actually says about “safe money”—and why that’s leading some retirees to rethink bonds and consider alternatives like MYGAs and fixed index annuities.
We’ll walk through the real risks in retirement, including sequence of returns risk and investor behavior, and then compare how different “safe money” tools actually function inside a portfolio.
Because this isn’t just about returns—it’s about predictability, stability, and making sure your money is there when you need it most.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Are bonds really safe?
00:30 – The real question retirement research is solving
01:15 – What the research actually found (Pfau, Milevsky, Mitchell)
02:15 – Why volatility matters more in retirement
03:15 – Behavior: the hidden risk most retirees overlook
04:15 – What actually improves retirement outcomes
05:00 – What “safe money” is supposed to do
05:45 – The reality: why safe money isn’t always safe
06:30 – The traditional 60/40 portfolio explained
07:15 – The assumptions behind bonds
08:00 – Where bonds break down today
09:00 – The real risk to your retirement plan
09:45 – What the research points toward instead
10:30 – Safe money comparison: Bonds vs MYGAs vs FIAs
11:30 – How retirees are rethinking their portfolios
12:15 – Where annuities fit (beyond income)
13:00 – Portfolio shift: 60/40 → Stocks / Annuities / Cash
13:45 – Final takeaway: upgrading your safe money
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About Dr. Amanda
Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT®
Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.
She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.