What are fixed index annuities? Benefits, risks and how they work
These annuities protect your principal from market losses — but there’s a catch.
Former Bankrate writer Rachel Christian is a long-time journalist with a history of reporting on personal finance and business. She wrote about investing at Bankrate and has written extensively about investing for beginners, cryptocurrency, retirement, Social Security and Medicare.
In particular, Rachel brought deep expertise to annuities. As a former writer at Annuity.org, she’s spent years studying these complex products and approaches them with a level of nuance unique among financial journalists. Her coverage was rooted in research, transparency and balanced reporting, cutting through industry bias to give readers a clear-eyed view of when annuities make sense — and when they don’t. Drawing on insights from industry experts and financial professionals, she helped individuals understand the real value and risks of annuities.
Rachel is passionate about making personal finance accessible for everyone by providing accurate information that breaks down complex topics for readers. She has been a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF) with FinCert, a division of the Institute for Financial Literacy, since 2021.
Her work has been featured in publications across the country, including Business Insider, the Tampa Bay Times, Yahoo Finance, Evansville Business and the Orlando Business Journal. She previously worked as a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Outside of work, Rachel enjoys watching documentaries, attending concerts and discovering new music.
Financial education is a priceless asset that pays lifelong dividends.
— Rachel Christian
These annuities protect your principal from market losses — but there’s a catch.
Allianz annuities aren’t for people looking for simplicity or quick access to cash.
Nationwide offers a range of annuities designed to meet different retirement goals.
CDs and MYGAs both offer guaranteed returns but they deliver them in different ways.
Here are some top strategies for withdrawing your retirement funds from three planning experts.
A custodial account is a popular way to invest for a child’s future.
Immediate annuities tend to be the simplest and most straightforward type of annuity.
A $50,000 annuity won’t go far — you’ll need a larger sum for a meaningful payout.