Have you ever gone to the grocery store and forgotten that one item on your mental list that was the most important reason why you went to the store? Milk, eggs, or even something simple like paper plates sometimes slip our minds at the most inopportune moment as we walk in the door to our homes.

AIP Marketing Alliance, an Integrity Company, shares this mental gap as most people planning for retirement might not remember some of the most important factors to consider when picking that day or year on when and how they want to spend those “golden” years after completing decades of earning their paychecks.

Let’s start this article by reminding you of some of the common questions asked by consumers – and the potential expenses that could happen after your clients decide to retire.

• Do they have enough money to retire? That’s the age-old question as most articles and professionals state the number around $1.5 million in their chosen retirement accounts. Others state the 80% Rule (up to 80% of their pre-retirement income) to maintain their current standard of living or the 25x (25 times) Rule suggesting saving 25 times the client’s expected annual expenses.
• Will they receive Social Security payments? Another “what if” situation involves these payouts, which the Social Security Administration estimates could become depleted by 2034 and unable to pay scheduled benefits on a timely basis at that time. A recent CNBC article states the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund could be exhausted by 2032.
• Will they need to make lifestyle changes? Robin Leach’s glimpse into a potential lifestyle of champagne wishes and caviar dreams could be the goal, but is it realistic for most consumers? Are they willing to make and stick to a budget during their retirement years? Cut back on meals, vacations, vehicles, and other expenses?
• Are they prepared for the unexpected expenses, such as potential long-term care or other medical expenses? Approximately 70% of adults turning 65 will require some form of long-term care services and supports (LTSS) during their remaining lifetime. According to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), about 56% of individuals will require a high level of assistance that meets severe care thresholds.

AIPMA also wants to remind you and your valued clients about other potential expenses and factors including sequence of return risk (when losses happen due to market conditions on investments), lifestyle habits (eating, drinking, vacations, etc.), the rate of inflation and fluctuations in cost of living, tax implications (taking money out of retirement accounts), personal debts, healthcare visits and prescriptions, helping out loved ones, or any other bill or cost that comes up during those retirement years.

Having enough money to last throughout those retirement years is becoming more forefront than ever in the retirement planning process, and June reminds financial professionals about how consumers could need additional assistance with their strategy including an option that provides guaranteed lifetime income (based on the claims-paying ability of the insurance carrier).

June officially kicks off Annuity Awareness Month. During this timeframe, AIPMA encourages you to approach your clients working toward their retirement years by discussing some of the benefits of annuity products. Whether complementing or supplementing their current retirement planning strategy, the annuity market could prove beneficial to their accumulation goals due to today’s rate environment.

Our team keeps our downline independent annuity wholesalers and agents informed about weekly changes in MYGA rates, development of FIA products, and potential options which include long-term care provisions within these products. Being contracted with more than 70 nationwide insurance carriers provides not only licensed agents with multiple considerations, but AIPMA downline annuity agents also can leverage our annuity rate and income rider comparison tool for free through the Agent Tools section of AIPMA.com.

Agents also can share some reasons throughout Annuity Awareness Month to purchase an annuity. We’ll defer to one of our carriers, North American, who shares the advantages of annuities in their recent article, “What to know about purchasing annuities for retirement.”

North American covers some of the advantages of annuities including tax-deferred growth, protection from market volatility, guaranteed income for retirement, optional riders for added protection, and death benefit options. As stated above, AIPMA also is contracted with additional nationwide carriers who have product-specific benefits including LTC options and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits.

AIP Marketing Alliance also created new 2026 consumer-focused social media posts, YouTube video, and email marketing campaigns to start the annuity – or even retirement planning – conversations with your clients and potential referrals/prospects. We also leverage the strength of our multiple insurance carrier relationships to share their compliant, approved content for distributing to consumers (including the very common conversation piece, annuity vs. CD).

If you have clients or prospects with older annuity products (more than 4 years old), AIPMA also can discuss repositioning to a newer product, IF the new product would fit the person’s best interest for accumulation or other benefits. Depending on the current annuity, our team can provide potential carriers and products which could align better with their retirement goals. If not, it’s worth taking a couple of minutes to have the client conversation to see if a newer product would benefit their long-term goals. Think of it as a life insurance policy review but for annuities.

Either way, AIP Marketing Alliance’s team is here to support you and your annuity sales efforts throughout June’s Annuity Awareness Month and all-year long. If you need marketing resources, an illustration, or assistance before an appointment, contact AIPMA’s Business Development team at (800) 783-5206 Press #2 or marketing@aipma.com. We’re glad to help you out as #thedifferenceispersonal with AIPMA!

We are #TheRightMIXin26 for independent insurance wholesalers and agents. For more than 40 years, AIP Marketing Alliance (AIPMA), an Integrity Company, serves as a premier life insurance and annuity distribution partner to provide full-service support to independent wholesalers, brokerages and agents from our Troy, Michigan office. NOT AFFILIATED WITH OR ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.

AIP Marketing Alliance is committed to supporting our independent insurance wholesalers and agents. Visit our blog on aipma.com to stay informed on these upcoming launches and learn why wholesalers nationwide choose AIPMA as their distributor for selling life insurance, annuities, long-term care insurance, final expense, and much more. Ask about lead programs, access to IntegrityCONNECT’s technology, myAIP CRM platform with customizable recruiter portal, and online tools/resources designed to grow your business. The difference is personal.

AIP Marketing Alliance, an Integrity Company, has developed this electronic communication for informational and educational use only. Be advised, AIP Marketing Alliance, Inc., does not provide legal advice, tax advice, or guidance on issues involving securities laws, insurance laws nor securities or insurance regulations. This material should not be relied on as providing any such advice or guidance to either agents or retail consumers. Within this communication, AIPMA shares links for usage as information only. This content should not be interpreted as solicitation to purchase life insurance, annuities, or other products or as advice designed to meet your clients’ specific needs. Content involving fiduciary, tax, or legal advice should be directed to your legal, tax, and financial professionals for specific advice or product recommendations. AIPMA will not accept any legal liability resulting from any use of 3rd party material(s).