How long have you been in the annuity business?

2. What licenses or qualifications do you hold?

3. Have you ever had a license revoked or terminated?

4. Have you ever had a complaint or disciplinary action filed against you?

5. Do you work for one primary insurance/annuity carrier or do you broker with multiple?

6. What are your typical clients like, and how have their annuities performed?

7. How is your compensation/commission calculated?

8. What is your commission on this particular product you are recommending to me? (If they give a % rate ask…”What does that translate to in a $ amount?”)

9. What explanation can you offer me to help me feel confident that you are recommending this product in my best interest and not just because it pays a favorable commission?

10. Do you ever place compensation/commissions above a client's best interest? Explain?

11. Do you receive bonuses or incentives for utilizing certain annuity products/companies over others? (Vacation points, perks, bonuses, etc…)

12. Do you have client testimonials that I may review?

13. Do you have clients that would be willing to speak with me about their experience with you/your firm?

14. What makes you different than other agents and why should someone choose you over others?

15. What is the number one reason that your clients work with you?

16. Is this current hybrid annuity quote you’re recommending really the best option for me, and why shouldn’t I keep looking?

17. What other annuity options are available?

18. Are their better rates available out there than the annuity product you’re showing me? Why aren’t you recommending those?

19. How do you see this annuity meeting my stated needs for income, growth, and preservation of principal?

20. What are the rider fees associated with this product?

21. Can you explain the difference between the Accumulation Value and the Income Account Value and how they each receive interest?

22. What are the spousal continuation and survivor benefit options available with the annuity you are presenting me with?

23. What are the penalties and surrender charges if I need to get out early?

24. I noticed that the strength rating of the annuity company you are recommending is “….” It seems to me that there are higher rated companies out there that I could choose from with similar products, can you explain your reasoning for recommending this one?

25. How does this annuity provide for my children/heirs?

26. How do you determine the length of the deferral period on this annuity in order to give me the most mathematically advantageous income.

27. What happens to the lump sum value of my annuity once I activate the lifetime income benefit?

28. How many years of income will I likely receive before my original lump sum investment is exhausted down to zero?

29. What kind of inflation protection does this annuity provide for my lifetime income stream?

30. If I deposit the amount of initial premium you’re recommending and turn on the income at the time you’re recommending, and then pass away down the road at my normal life expectancy; when you compare my initial deposit against the total income I have received plus any remaining principal left over at the other end, what is the REAL internal rate of return that I have gotten on my money?