Smart Ways to develop confidence in investing—ideal for anyone feeling uneasy or nervous about putting hard-earned money at risk

Smart Advice on buying and selling, using a broker, and developing and tracking a portfolio

Smart Tips on how to make college savings, tax-free investments, and retirement plans work for you

• Smart Ways to develop a sensible investment plan NOW to maximize savings and to minimize the financial demands of later years
• Smart Advice on setting your financial goals, understanding the different investment choices and their risks, diversifying a portfolio, and maintaining a patient, long-term outlook
• Smart Strategies to avoid the eight common investment mistakes, such as spending too quickly, investing too conservatively, and over-reacting to market fluctuations
• Smart Tips on financing a college education, consulting financial professionals, tracking investments via the Internet, and planning for a comfortable retirement
• Quick reading and easy referencing with a comprehensive index and loads of sidebars and tables

Getting Started in annuities

One of the most popular retirement investment options, annuities are also among the most difficult to comprehend. This handy volume provides an in-depth, easy-to-understand look at these complex instruments, revealing exactly what they are, how they work, and what advantages they have over other investment vehicles. Along with performance tables, sample portfolios, and a helpful Q & A section, you'll find up-to-date details on tax law changes, as well as complete information on:

Complete profiles of today's most successful annuities... Expert tips on how to maximize your returns...

Variable annuities now outpace mutual funds as the number one choice among street-smart investors—and it's easy to see why. Tax-deferred, commission-free, easy to purchase and redeem, carrying less risk than most other instruments, and exhibiting a superb overall performance, they are an indispensable addition to any low-risk, high-yield portfolio. Now, in the first book of its kind, financial planning expert Gordon Williamson demystifies annuities investing. Writing in a straightforward, down-to-earth style, he:

• Clearly explains how annuities work, profiles their return potential, and frankly assesses their relative advantages and disadvantages
• Steers you to the 100 best annuities for your investment dollar
• Emphasizes risk reduction without sacrificing returns
• Supplies complete annuity profiles, including average annual returns over the past 3, 5, and 10 years
• Ranks and evaluates today's entire spectrum of annuity products—aggressive growth/small cap, international, growth and income, balanced, money market, and more
• Pinpoints the best performing variable annuities
• Includes investment options within each annuity recommended

The word is out: variable annuities are one of the best investment instruments developed in this century. Now find out how you can take full advantage of their unprecedented earning potential with The 100 Best Annuities You Can Buy.