Don and Tom examine the promises behind fixed, indexed, and immediate annuities—and why the word ‘guaranteed’ deserves closer scrutiny. They explain how insurers invest policyholder money, what state guaranty pools actually cover, and why complexity can hide both cost and risk. Listener questions cover when to claim Social Security, how delaying benefits can protect a surviving spouse, the interaction between Social Security COLAs and Medicare Part B premiums, and where TIPS may—or may not—be...