The stock market is up, the stock market is down, day after day. Stress among many people worried about the future is very high. If you have experienced losses in your IRA and are worried about your future retirement options, answer a few questions to determine if the "Gain or Retain" system is for you. Consider these questions regarding your IRA and other retirement funds:

• Does the daily volatility in the equity markets make you crazy?
• Do you think the U.S. and world economy is volatile?
• Has your retirement date been pushed far ahead into the future?
• Have your retirement funds experienced a decrease in value?
• Are your retirement plans based on an IRA or 401 (k)?

If you share these feelings, consider a simple and guaranteed approach to retirement planning. Retain or Gain!

The product of choice is called a Fixed Indexed Annuity. This product ties its returns (crediting) to an outside source such as the Standard and Poor’s Stock Index 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. When these markets move up, your account is credited. When the market lowers itself, you do not participate. Your account can only increase and never decrease. Here is the catch, your funds are not invested in these indexes, they are used simply to calculate yield!

These products also will allow for conversion to a lifetime pension and safe, secure, recurring income. They provide income that you or your spouse can never outlive. Income that you can never outlive is a great stress reliever!

There are numerous companies and a myriad of products available so make certain your choice matches with your goals. Think “Gain or Retain” for your important retirement dollars and remove all risk.

What is the downside? The insurance company gets to hold your money! That is the only downside and if you invest anywhere, the investment company or bank will hold your money. Why not let the most regulated industry in the country hold your money? Safety and security is their goal and the fear of loss will be forever removed.

In the past few years a Perfect Storm has been slowly developing, a storm that will have a negative effect on retirement planning. Since the financial downslide America faced in 2007, general interest rates have declined to historic lows, resulting in a very low interest rate offered by US Treasuries which are the financial backbone for investment used by insurance companies. Since US Treasuries provide a fully guaranteed asset, many companies have a large percentage of their assets in this category. Interest rates dictate the payout guarantees offered by insurance companies and when they are very low, planning for often decades of future financial responsibility becomes more negative.

Instead of personally managing your retirement funds or allowing a financial planner or stockbroker to manage them, move your funds to an insurance company. What is the difference? Simple, an insurance company will issue you a retirement annuity based on an underlying guarantee. That guarantee is simple: your funds will never lose value and will never be exposed to market risk. The removal of the possibility of losses provides a guaranteed base on which future growth will be added.

Many experts feel it may take a long time, even years, to recover from this current volatility in the world’s equity markets. Many consumers are frightened and confused about what road to take with their important funds. You don’t have to feel alone. Most people in this country have those same feelings. What to do?