Are annuities still the safest bet for retirement planning?
I've been reviewing my retirement savings projections, and it hit me that the traditional 4% withdrawal rule may not hold up for younger retirees facing longer lifespans and unpredictable healthcare costs. My financial advisor insists that annuities are the safest bet, but I'm skeptical about locking in low returns for decades. Should we really be encouraging people to rely heavily on annuities in their retirement planning, given how much the market and inflation have shifted in recent years? I'm genuinely torn because stability sounds great, but flexibility seems just as crucial for weathering the unexpected.