Seniors: Before you attend that sales meeting, here are some tips… 

• Bring a trusted friend or family member. Agents should welcome family members or other advisors to join you at seminars or follow up appointments. No attempt should be made to isolate you.
• Be wary of sales pitches that offer a one-size-fits-all plan.
• Check the credentials of the sales person or seminar presenters. Individuals may boast designations and credentials designed to convince people they have special expertise in assisting seniors in designing investment strategies. In the worst cases, designations are the result of minimal or nonexistent education. The most important credentials are licenses. Ask what licenses they hold and where you can confirm the information. Verify with your state insurance department that the salesperson is licensed to sell fixed annuities and whether there have been any complaints against this person. 
• If you attend a seminar and it was put on by a company, call the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints. 
• Don’t sign anything or provide personal or financial information until you have checked the credentials of the salesperson or seminar company and you are comfortable moving forward.

Fixed annuities provide all of the insurance coverage of traditional insurance products, including death benefits, withdrawal options, payout options and benefits triggered by disability or incapacitation. The interest rates for fixed annuities are either declared at the beginning of the period interest will be earned or calculated by positive changes in a financial markets index. They should not be thought of as investments.