Artificial intelligence can write essays, analyze data, and answer almost any question you throw at it. So it's no surprise that people have started asking AI about their retirement money.

But here's the truth — AI annuity advice can actually be very helpful. Or it can be a very expensive mistake. And knowing the difference could save your retirement.

In this episode, Marty Becker shares a real client story that sparked this conversation — a client who came to him ready to buy a specific annuity because AI recommended it. The problem? That product wasn't even available in their state.

Marty then does something different — he actually asks AI three questions directly:

• When does it make sense to use AI for annuity advice?
• When does it NOT make sense?
• How will AI change the annuity industry in the future?

The answers might surprise you.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why AI is a great tool for learning about annuities — but a dangerous one for making decisions
• The difference between annuity education and annuity advice
• Why there's no such thing as "the best annuity" — and why AI doesn't know that
• What AI gets right, what it gets wrong, and what that means for your retirement

If you're using AI to research your retirement options — this episode is a must listen before you make any moves.

In this episode, Marty Becker tackles one of the most common misconceptions retirees have about annuities — the belief that annuity companies are simply returning their own money back to them. He explains why this flawed thinking may actually be causing retirees to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars less than they safely could in retirement.

Marty breaks down the risks associated with the traditional Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP), including sequence of returns risk, longevity risk, withdrawal rate risk, and behavioral risk — such as panic selling during volatile markets. He uses a compelling real-world example of two retirees, Ben and Susan, who retired just three months apart in 1968, yet ended up with nearly a million dollar difference in their retirement outcomes due to sequence of returns risk alone.

He also addresses how today's markets are even more volatile than in previous decades due to high-frequency trading and algorithmic manipulation, making this risk more relevant than ever for those approaching retirement.

Marty then explains how income annuities can serve as a powerful tool to mitigate these risks and allow retirees to spend more confidently throughout their retirement years.

In this episode, Marty Becker explores the often-overlooked psychological side of retirement that has nothing to do with 401(k)s, Social Security timing, or interest rates. He discusses the multi-year psychological transition that occurs when someone leaves a lifelong career and explains why financial preparation alone isn't enough if retirees aren't mentally prepared for this major life change.

Marty walks listeners through the research on retirement as a process rather than a single event, breaking down the phases many retirees experience during this transition. He then explains how financial structure—particularly income annuities—can help stabilize the psychological shift and provide the emotional security needed during this critical period.

This episode is essential listening for anyone approaching retirement who wants to understand not just the financial mechanics, but the mental and emotional journey that lies ahead.

Retirement isn't about chasing returns—it's about engineering income. In this episode, Marty Becker shares a real client case study that demonstrates one of the clearest retirement income frameworks he's ever seen.

Dave, one of Marty's clients, responded to the previous week's episode on CDs versus MYGAs with a simple but powerful statement: he uses 2, 3, 4, and 5-year MYGAs and FIAs to build an income ladder that funds his annual expenses—and he believes it's far better than CDs or bond ladders.

Marty breaks down Dave's strategy step by step:

• Year 1: Money sits in a high-yield money market for immediate access
• Years 2-4: Funds are in high-yield MYGAs with guaranteed rates and known maturity dates
• Year 5+: Money is in fixed indexed annuities with principal protection and growth potential

What Dave created is a 5-year runway that emotionally insulates him from market volatility and bad decisions. The markets can fluctuate all they want, but his next five years of income are secure.

This isn't just a ladder—it's a system. A strategy that prioritizes peace of mind, predictability, and protection over chasing long-term averages.

In episode 102 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker breaks down the key differences between Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs) and bank CDs. While both are considered safe money options, there are critical distinctions that can significantly impact your retirement strategy.

This episode covers a comprehensive side-by-side comparison including tax treatment, liquidity options, beneficiary protections, and the often-misunderstood topic of FDIC insurance versus state guaranty associations.

Marty explains why tax deferral can be a game-changer for retirees who are tax-sensitive, how penalty-free withdrawal provisions differ between the two products, and why MYGAs offer unique advantages when it comes to converting to lifetime income.

One of the most important topics covered is the safety and protection of your principal. While bank CDs are FDIC insured, MYGAs are protected through state guaranty associations. Marty provides historical context from the 2008 financial crisis to help you understand the real-world track record of both protection systems.

Whether you're comparing rates, looking for tax advantages, or planning for long-term retirement income, this episode provides the clarity you need to make an informed decision between MYGAs and CDs.

If you've inherited an annuity, the insurance company is probably pressuring you to fill out forms fast. But here's what they won't tell you: once you sign certain paperwork, the decision is irreversible—and it could cost you thousands in unnecessary taxes.

In this episode, Marty Becker walks you through what really matters before you make a choice you can't undo.

What You'll Learn:
• Why inherited annuities are so confusing (and different from inherited IRAs)
• The LIFO tax trap—and why the first dollars out are the most heavily taxed
• Your 3 distribution options: lump sum, 5-year rule, and lifetime payouts
• The tax consequences of each option and who they're best for
• Common mistakes people make with inherited annuities
• Why you have 12 months to decide—not 30 days

Whether you inherited from a spouse, parent, or sibling, this episode gives you the clarity to make a smart, tax-efficient decision.

About Marty Becker:
Owner and founder of Atlas Financial Strategies in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in safe money retirement strategies.

Get Help: Book a free consultation at atlasannuity.com

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. Always consult with qualified tax and financial professionals regarding your specific situation.

If you've ever wondered why retirement feels more complicated than it should, you're not imagining things. For decades, people were told to save enough, invest wisely, and then withdraw 4% every year. But new research from Morningstar tells a very different story—one that explains why so many retirees feel uneasy, and why guaranteed income tools like annuities are becoming more relevant than ever.

In this milestone 100th episode, Marty Becker breaks down Morningstar's latest 2025 research showing that the safe withdrawal rate has dropped to just 3.9%—with a 10% chance of failure even then. That's only $39,000 per year for every $1 million in your portfolio. Marty explains why most retirement failures don't happen because markets are bad forever, but because something goes wrong early.

Discover what this means for your retirement strategy, why sequence of returns risk is the silent killer of retirement plans, and how guaranteed income can provide the stability that market-based withdrawals simply can't guarantee.

What if you could convert your traditional IRA to a Roth without feeling the tax pain? In episode 99 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker reveals a little-known strategy that uses deferred income annuities to make Roth conversions virtually painless—and could save you over $110,000 in lifetime taxes.

Most retirees wait until they're forced to take distributions from their IRAs, which means paying taxes when the government decides—often at higher rates. But there's a smarter way. Marty walks through a real-world example of a 60-year-old couple who funds a deferred income annuity with $500,000 from their traditional IRA, creating $80,000 per year in guaranteed lifetime income starting at age 70.

Here's where it gets interesting: during the 10-year deferral period, they systematically convert $50,000 per year to a Roth IRA using internal partial withdrawals from the annuity. The result? They pay just $110,000 in taxes over 10 years at a controlled 22% bracket. If they had waited and let the IRS force distributions, they would've paid over $220,000 in taxes—literally double.

Marty breaks down the math, explains how internal partial withdrawals work, and shows why the years between retirement and age 70 are the golden window for this strategy. If you have a traditional IRA or 401(k) and want to take control of your tax future, this episode is a must-listen.