Annuities suffer from an image problem: They're incredibly versatile products that can solve a multitude of problems, yet they often are seen as a one-trick pony.

In today’s environment of financial uncertainty, having some form of guaranteed retirement income is especially appealing. For starters, you don’t have to worry about the stock market fluctuation or ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bob Carlson researches all facets of retirement finances. Combining annuities with IRAs or 401(k)s can be powerful. Annuities ...