In a recent MSN feature, renowned life and business strategist Tony Robbins sheds light on annuities and their critical role in securing a stable retirement. Robbins emphasizes that, when understood and utilized correctly, annuities can provide retirees with guaranteed lifetime income, acting as a form of “income insurance” for those who want financial peace of mind.
Key Highlights

Creating Your Own Pension Plan
With traditional pensions disappearing, today’s retirees are on their own when it comes to securing guaranteed income. Robbins highlights how annuities allow individuals to create their own pension plan—one that provides consistent, guaranteed payments for life, ensuring they never run out of money in retirement.
Types of Annuities: Robbins Outlines Two Primary Categories
- Immediate Annuities: A lump-sum payment in exchange for fixed monthly income starting immediately—ideal for those at or near retirement seeking predictable, guaranteed cash flow.
- Deferred Annuities: Individuals contribute a lump sum or periodic payments, with the option to begin withdrawals at a later date, allowing the investment to grow tax-deferred until needed.
Mortality Credits: The Unique Advantage
A standout feature of immediate annuities is mortality credits, a powerful financial advantage that allows retirees who live longer to benefit from the pooled risk of other annuity holders. This can result in a higher stream of income than traditional investments like CDs or bonds.
Today’s Annuities: More Sophisticated, More Customizable
Robbins also emphasizes that annuities today are NOT what they used to be. Thanks to increasing demand and innovation in the industry, modern annuities are highly sophisticated and can be uniquely designed to fit a person’s specific financial goals, risk tolerance, and retirement needs.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all product, retirees can now customize their annuity strategy, allowing for flexible payout structures, inflation protection, and tax-efficient income planning.
Stabilizing Retirement Income in a Volatile Market
As market swings continue to threaten traditional investment portfolios, annuities provide retirees with a safe, reliable income stream that isn’t dependent on stock market performance.
By combining annuity income with Social Security, IRAs, and 401(k)s, retirees can build a solid financial foundation that ensures a lifetime of stability and peace of mind.
Why This Matters
With increasing life expectancy and no guarantees from the stock market, Robbins believes that annuities are a critical piece of a well-rounded retirement strategy.
“[Annuities] are a form of income insurance—protection for life,” he says.
Read the full article on MSN here.