Playing the investment market can be quite a ride. Markets go up and markets go down. And while chasing the hot fund can deliver big gains from time to time, jumping between hot and cold investments more often hurts the average investor’s overall returns.

Investors may think that the constant shifting of investments will even out the volatility over time, but this “emotional investing” rarely pays off. Most often, investors end up buying high and selling low. In fact, between January 1986 and December 2005, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index returned an average of 11.9 percent per year, while the typical equity investor saw a return of only 3.9 percent.¹

Riding the ups and downs of the market may work for younger investors who have time to realize eventual gains. But older investors, for whom reliable retirement income is a more pressing concern, may be better served with the stable, guaranteed returns of an income annuity.

Annuities Deliver More
Based on the average investment returns mentioned above, compare the hypothetical results of the average equity investor to those of an individual who purchases an income annuity:

If your clients were like the average equity investor above and either experienced market losses or decided to draw more income from their investments, they could see their assets decline over time and be at risk of outliving their income sources.

When it comes to investing for income, you can help your clients make the most of their money by helping them select a Symetra income annuity. Income annuities allow your clients to receive dependable, tax-favored³ income immediately or in the future, and they can select from a variety of payout options to meet their income needs.⁴ They also eliminate the need to maintain an account or continually monitor the investment performance of funds.

Investing for retirement can be like riding a roller coaster. While your clients may feel compelled to jump into action at every rise and dip in the market, you can help them realize that sometimes the smooth ride of an income annuity can deliver better results in the long run.

To learn more about Symetra’s income annuities, contact the Sales Center at invest@symetra.com or 1-800-706-0700.