What to Expect When Working With an Annuity Advisor

The First Call — Getting to Know Your Situation (15–20 Minutes)

Everything starts with a simple conversation. When you call or book a consultation, the first thing I want to do is listen — not talk. I will ask you a handful of questions to understand where you are financially and what you are hoping to accomplish. These might include:

How old are you, and when are you planning to retire? What savings do you have — a 401(k), IRA, CD, savings account? What income sources do you expect in retirement — Social Security, a pension, rental income? What is your biggest financial concern going into retirement? Have you looked at annuities before, and if so, what was your experience?

There are no wrong answers and no judgment. This call is purely informational — for both of us. By the end, I will have a clear enough picture to know whether a follow-up conversation makes sense and what it should focus on.

The Review Meeting — Looking at Your Numbers Together (30–45 Minutes)

If the first call suggests that an annuity conversation is worth having, we schedule a more detailed review. This can happen in person at one of our offices in Harlingen, Brownsville, or McAllen — or by phone or video call if that is more convenient for you.

In this meeting we go deeper. We look at your full retirement income picture — every source of guaranteed income, every account balance, and the gap between what you have coming in and what you actually need to cover your essential expenses. We talk about your timeline, your health, your family situation, and what matters most to you about how your retirement years look and feel.

This is the conversation where we figure out not just whether an annuity makes sense — but what type, what term length, and what features would actually serve your goals. I do not bring a stack of applications to this meeting. I bring questions and a notepad.

The Illustration — Seeing Your Numbers in Black and White

Based on what we discussed, I research products across multiple highly rated carriers and prepare a formal illustration — a detailed document that shows exactly how a specific annuity would perform for your situation. No estimates. No approximations. Actual contract numbers.

For a MYGA, the illustration shows your guaranteed rate, your year-by-year growth, and your account value at maturity. For a Fixed Indexed Annuity with an Income Rider, it shows your benefit base growth year by year, your guaranteed income amount at different activation ages, the impact of the rider fee, and your death benefit values throughout the contract.

I walk you through this illustration line by line — in plain English, or in Spanish if you prefer — until you understand exactly what you are looking at and what every number means. There is no rush. Every question gets a complete answer.

The Recommendation — Honest, Not Promotional

After reviewing the illustration together, I give you my honest recommendation. Sometimes that recommendation is enthusiastic — “I think this product fits your situation very well and here is exactly why.” Sometimes it is cautious — “This product has some advantages but I want to make sure you understand this trade-off before deciding.” And sometimes the honest recommendation is that an annuity is not the right fit right now.

I will never recommend a product I would not be comfortable explaining to your adult children. I will never suggest a surrender period that does not genuinely fit your timeline. And I will never downplay a cost or a limitation to make a product sound better than it is. My reputation in the Rio Grande Valley is built on clients who trust me — and that trust requires honesty, even when honesty means telling someone that what I have to offer is not what they need.

The Application — Simple and Straightforward (If You Decide to Proceed)

If after reviewing the illustration and the recommendation you decide you would like to move forward, the application process is straightforward. Most annuity applications can be completed in a single sitting — in person or electronically — and typically require basic personal information, your beneficiary designations, and details about the funding source (your IRA account number, your 401(k) plan information, or banking details for a direct deposit).

I handle all of the paperwork and coordinate directly with the carrier on your behalf. You should not have to navigate a bureaucratic process alone. My job is to make sure the application is complete, accurate, and submitted correctly so there are no delays.

The Free Look Period — Your Final Safety Net

Once your application is approved and your contract is issued, Texas law gives you a free look period — typically 10 to 30 days depending on the product — during which you can review the full contract and cancel for any reason with a complete refund. No questions asked.

I encourage every client to actually read their contract during this period and come back to me with any questions. If anything in the contract does not match what we discussed, I want to know immediately. This is your last checkpoint — and a legitimate carrier and advisor will always honor it fully.

After the Sale — Ongoing Service and Annual Reviews

My relationship with clients does not end when a contract is issued. Every year, I reach out to review your annuity’s performance — your account value, any index credits that were applied, and whether your overall retirement plan still looks the way you want it to. If your situation changes — a health event, a family change, a shift in your income needs — I want to know so we can revisit the plan together.

You will also have my direct contact information for any questions that come up between reviews. Whether you need to update a beneficiary, understand a contract statement, or simply have a question about your coverage — I am accessible, responsive, and committed to your ongoing peace of mind.