Structured Income Plans Offer Retirees Confidence Even When Markets Don’t, Says Jim Sloan

For nearly three decades, Jim E. Sloan has been helping Americans retire with peace of mind. As the founder of Jim Sloan & Associates, LLC, Sloan has built his career on educating retirees and pre-retirees about how to spend confidently in retirement, even when markets are unpredictable. But with growing volatility and confusion in today’s financial landscape, Sloan says one critical tool is still misunderstood: structured income plans.

“There’s always going to be misinformation and misconceptions about annuities,” Sloan explains. “In my 28 years, most people have a bad connotation about them. But once I educate them, they realize it’s nothing more than a personal pension plan.” 

Unlike traditional retirement strategies that rely heavily on equity-based portfolios and long-term market performance, a structured income plan is designed to provide consistent, reliable income. This is especially significant in the crucial early years of retirement when the Sequence of Returns risk can derail even the most well-built investment portfolios. 

According to Sloan, the widespread resistance to annuities isn’t just about misunderstanding the product. It’s about how financial firms are structured. “I’m a fiduciary advisor. I offer annuities and market-based solutions,” he says. Take, for example, a recent client with $1.2 million in retirement savings. Sloan’s plan: place $700,000 into a fixed annuity to generate lifetime income and invest the remaining $500,000 in the market. “He’s only paying fees on the $500,000 portion,” Sloan says. “That’s about 40 basis points overall, compared to 1% on everything if he stayed with a traditional model.” 

Sloan’s commitment to educating retirees sets him apart in the industry. A licensed investment adviser representative with MariPau Wealth Management, LLC, and as an insurance agent, he’s even authored six books, each written with the goal of helping people better understand retirement planning. His latest one, The Financially Informed Investor, is currently in revision. It will expand to include the history and modern purpose of annuities, further countering the myths that surround them. “It’s never the annuity that’s the problem,” Sloan says. “It’s the advisor who structured it poorly. I’ve never seen a single case where someone got hurt by the annuity itself. It’s about using the right tool in the right way.” 

At the heart of Sloan’s philosophy is this: retirees deserve a plan that matches their reality. “Everyone knows the market does well in the long term,” he notes. “But retirees need income this year, next year, and every year after. If the market drops early in retirement and you’re withdrawing income, you might never recover. That’s why I’ve never had a single call from a client panicking during market downturns. Their income is protected.” 

Sloan even shares examples of a structured income plan. One of them is an account with low-risk assets that provides income during the first five years of retirement. “We typically utilize low-risk or protected savings vehicles that are designed to achieve this goal. Savings, CDs, Treasuries, certain types of bonds, and income annuities are options to help achieve this account’s goal,” he shares. 

The second type of account is where individuals can grow their income for the first five years, which then delivers income for years six to 10. One could use bonds or fixed annuities with or without an income rider to help achieve this account’s goal. In accounts #3 and #4, individuals invest for long-term growth, then kick in for income after 10 or 15 years. 

“In some cases, we use 5–6–7 buckets depending on the client’s needs,” Sloan says. “But the goal is the same: structured, predictable income without market risk for up to 15 years—or life. That gives the rest of the portfolio time to grow without emotional, knee-jerk reactions to volatility.” 

This “bucket” approach also combats the psychological strain many retirees feel when markets decline. Sloan says, “When I call them, I remind them that the volatility is only on the portion of their portfolio that you’re touching for years. You’re still on track. And they get it. They feel confident.” 

For Sloan, the mission goes beyond numbers and products. His role, he says, is to help retirees “live the life they want, enjoy the lifestyle they’re after, and spend confidently.” That’s what drives his planning process and his writing. “Everything I do is built around educating people and doing what’s in their best interest. That’s why I’ve written these books,” he adds. “If I were in their shoes, I wouldn’t want my entire nest egg in the market just hoping for the best.” 

Sloan even emphasizes the importance of seeking a second opinion, especially from a fiduciary. He says, “Give yourself that second opinion. Find someone who’s not just going to sell you the firm’s model but will show you all the options. Most people don’t even know what’s possible.” 

With market uncertainty unlikely to fade anytime soon, Sloan believes more retirees will turn to structured income as a way to build confidence in their financial future. “Do you have a structured income plan for your retirement?” he asks. “If not, it’s time to get one.” 

As for the myths surrounding annuities and income planning, Sloan’s response is simple: “Let’s talk about it. I’ll walk you through it step by step because education is the foundation of every solid retirement plan.” 

Disclaimer: 

Insurance products and services offered by Jim Sloan and Associates, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through MariPau Wealth Management, LLC and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Please note that the use of the term “registered” to refer to our firm and/or our associated persons does not imply any particular level of skill or training. Jim Sloan and Associates, LLC and MariPau Wealth Management, LLC are not affiliated entities. While the processes mentioned in this article have been designed with care, financial outcomes can never be guaranteed as investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. None of the information contained in this article shall constitute an offer to sell or solicit any offer to buy a security or any insurance product. Insurance may be subject to fees, surrender charges, and holding periods which vary by insurance company. The information and opinions contained in this article are provided by the author and have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. They are given for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to buy or sell any of the products mentioned. This article is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. Jim Sloan and Jim Sloan and Associates, LLC do not give tax or legal advice. Tax laws are subject to change and can affect results. The firm is not affiliated with the U.S. government or any governmental agency. Hypothetical examples have been provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation.