The retirement income blind spot: Why Americans plan to retire and what they're missing
Americans are clear about one thing when it comes to retirement: they want to retire with confidence. For 64% of those surveyed, building retirement savings is a top financial goal, and having reliable income to support it isn't far behind. (YouGov, Financial Confidence & Independence, Jan 17, 2025)
Retirement savings aren't retirement income
Income planning addresses these challenges directly. It shifts focus from building a balance to creating stability. It helps you translate a lump sum into monthly income under a fixed annuity or annuitization option. That way, you feel secure enough to enjoy the money you've worked so hard for.
The awareness problem: Income tools exist, but people don't consider them
Successful retirement planning requires knowing which tools turn your savings into regular income. Annuities can convert a portion of your money into a stream of periodic payments for a set period or, if a lifetime income option is elected, for life.
Around 57% of Americans surveyed have not considered annuities as a way to generate contractual income (YouGov, Financial Confidence & Independence, Jan 17, 2025).
Reframing annuities as structured retirement income
Many of the benefits annuities offer line up directly with what retirees say they want most: predictable income, protection from market swings, and confidence their savings will last.
Unlike traditional investments such as stocks and bonds, annuities can convert a portion of savings into contractually defined income, usually paid out monthly. Insurers structure these products with guaranteed payout options, including fixed contracts and lifetime income riders, to help stabilize retirement cash flow.
Annuities and securities (including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds) are regulated differently and have materially different liquidity, cost, and tax profiles. Annuities generally impose surrender charges and market value adjustments on early withdrawals, and earnings withdrawn before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty in addition to ordinary income tax.
How Gainbridge℠ seeks to address the retirement income blind spot
Gainbridge℠ addresses the retirement income blind spot by simplifying how people understand and explore annuities. As a digital-first platform, it offers direct access to the insurer's retirement income products without paying a third-party agent commission, allowing users to see pricing and product details upfront and compare options at their own pace.
That's why 68% of investors feel comfortable purchasing directly from website providers. (YouGov, Financial Confidence & Independence, Jan 17, 2025). This preference for clarity and control also helps explain why platforms built around self-directed exploration may appeal to certain consumers.
Get started with Gainbridge℠
For too long, the retirement conversation has centered on how much to save, not on how to turn those savings into future income. The missing step is creating predictable cash flow so you can enjoy your retirement without worrying about how to pay for it.
Gainbridge℠ offers a digital platform where you can review product information and compare available annuity options at your own pace. Insurance-licensed representatives can answer questions about product features. They do not provide investment, tax, or legal advice.
Learn more about how annuities available through Gainbridge℠ may fit into your retirement income plan.
Disclosures
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be interpreted as, individualized investment, legal, or tax advice. The Gainbridge℠ digital platform provides informational and educational resources intended only for self-directed purposes.
Annuities are long-term insurance products designed for retirement. All guarantees are subject to the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company, Annuities are not deposits, are not insured by the FDIC or any federal government agency, are not guaranteed by any bank or bank affiliate, and are not a condition of any banking service.
Annuity contracts include internal costs, which may include surrender charges and market value adjustments, whether or not an external agent commission is paid.
Withdrawals of taxable amounts are subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. Withdrawals may also be subject to surrender charges and market value adjustments during the surrender charge period. Annuities held within qualified retirement accounts (e.g., IRAs) do not provide any additional tax-deferral benefit beyond that of the qualified account itself.
Lifetime income requires election of an annuitization option or a lifetime income benefit rider, which may be irrevocable, may reduce your account value, and may involve additional charges. Fixed annuity payments generally do not adjust for inflation unless a rider is elected (at additional cost).
Sources
FINRA Investor Education Foundation, National Financial Capability Study, 2024 [https://www.finrafoundation.org/national-financial-capability-study]Investopedia, How Increasing Life Expectancy Is Shaping Modern Retirement PlanningYouGov, Financial Confidence & Independence, Jan 17, 2025
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