Dividends & Annuities: The Real Cost of Passive Income (Part 2)

Retirement Planning Happy Hour

Retirement Planning Happy Hour
Dividends & Annuities: The Real Cost of Passive Income (Part 2)
Feb 11, 2026
Eric Douglas, Chris Vaughn

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In this episode, we break down the truth behind so-called “passive income” strategies like dividend-paying stocks and annuities. While income can feel comforting, it often comes with hidden tradeoffs—reduced growth, higher taxes, market risk, and complex fee structures that many investors don’t fully understand. We explore how dividends are taxed, why high yields aren’t always a good sign, and how relying too heavily on income-producing assets can increase long-term risk.

We also dive deep into annuities, including income riders, benefit bases, and the concept of “phantom value”—numbers that look great on paper but don’t represent real, accessible money. This episode highlights why guaranteed income isn’t free, how insurance companies manage risk in their favor, and why growth still matters even in retirement.

If you’re building a retirement plan or evaluating income strategies, this conversation will help you understand the real costs behind the guarantees—and why balance matters more than payouts.

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