Our Purpose
Annuity.org’s editorial team is committed to delivering accurate and relevant information that helps readers make informed decisions about their finances.
We seek to empower consumers by teaching them about safe investment vehicles, opportunities to leverage their existing assets for immediate cash and insurance options that can keep their families financially protected.
We adhere to ethical journalism standards and practices, presenting unbiased information in accordance with Associated Press style guidelines. Our sources are identified and quoted on the record to ensure transparency and reliability.
Our Mission
Annuity.org’s mission is to explain annuities and other financial literacy topics using plain, straightforward language.
We dissect annuities, structured settlements and other safe money products so that you, the reader, can understand how these products fit into your financial plan. And, for readers who wish to purchase an annuity or sell their payments, we present an impartial explanation of the benefits and drawbacks of the different choices.
We equip readers with the tools they need to make educated decisions about their financial futures, relying on well-researched, accurate and up-to-date resources.
Our Audience
Annuity.org’s audience includes, but is not limited to:
- People seeking financial security now and in the future through the purchase of annuities and other insurance products.
- People seeking financial freedom through access to cash now.
- People seeking carefully researched, timely information on important financial topics.
- Members of the media, researchers and industry experts seeking reliable information and expert insights.
Topical Coverage
Annuity.org covers a wide range of financial literacy topics. We provide comprehensive content on both the primary and secondary annuity markets in order to present a holistic representation of annuities and structured settlements.
To differentiate between primary and secondary market information, we use language such as “buying” (primary market) and “selling” (secondary market) and incorporate clear identification in the website’s design and navigation. We do this to ensure that our readers can find the information most relevant to them.
Editorial Control
Our published information generally aligns with but is not dictated by our partners or affiliate advertisers.
This website’s editorial team operates independently of all external influences. Writers, editors and marketers work collaboratively to propose relevant content for Annuity.org based on the topical needs of our readers.
We may consider story ideas from outside sources, provided they support our mission of consumer education and offer original, valuable content.
For more information on our business relationships, visit How We Make Money.
Editorial Integrity
Annuity.org declares these three principles as crucial for responsible journalism:
Accuracy
Our content is accurate and supported by industry experts. Annuity.org writers, researchers and editors use facts and meaningful context to provide fair, reliable and clear information that is helpful to the public.
The editorial team follows strict guidelines for written and visual content, including vetting all sources and verifying quotes and statistics to guarantee honesty and integrity in our reporting. All articles are edited and proofed for accurate grammar and mechanics.
We cite only reputable sources, including but not limited to authoritative financial publications, academic organizations, peer-reviewed journals, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, government reports, court records and interviews with qualified experts.
Fairness
Our content offers balanced perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of financial products and services, empowering readers to decide whether to seek information from our partners or advertisers. We organize content logically, providing sufficient background and examples for context.
Transparency
Annuity.org’s commitment to transparency in media is evident in many ways, including:
- Providing clear attribution for sources used within the main content of a web page and/or in the source list available at the bottom of every article. Annuity.org does not attribute information that is considered common knowledge.
- Including links to help readers easily access original sources of information cited on a web page. Links occasionally break because of actions beyond our control; therefore, we update source links regularly.
- Providing full names and relevant affiliations, experience and credentials for all experts quoted within our content.
- Indicating the date of the most recent update at the top of each article.
Trust
The Annuity.org editorial team provides content of the highest quality. We adhere to a strict process of research, writing, editing and fact-checking and do not publish content that has not been reviewed by our editors for accuracy and clarity. We hold ourselves accountable for the information published on Annuity.org.
Expert Review Process
The editorial team works closely with an independent panel of highly qualified financial and insurance industry experts to review our articles and other content for factual accuracy.
Each reviewed piece includes the name of the reviewer along with a link inviting the reader to view the reviewer’s full bio for more information on their expertise. We strive to review all content in a timely manner.
Use of Direct Quotes
Quotes from experts or contributors featured on Annuity.org are their own words. Quotes may be provided in written or verbal form, and we clearly indicate when quotes have been provided. We do not create quotes but may make minor adjustments for consistency and clarity. Such changes will be made only if they do not substantially change the speaker’s meaning.
Anonymous Sources Policy
To ensure transparency, we strictly prohibit the use of anonymous sources. All sources must be fully identified to establish their credibility, experience and relevance to the content. We do not accept “off the record” or “on background” information from sources.
Plagiarism
Annuity.org has no tolerance for plagiarism. We do not take the work of others and claim it as our own. We respect copyright. Annuity.org may use limited sections of others’ work to support or elaborate on a topic as long as the writer provides clear attribution. Attribution includes the name of the publication in the body of the text, possibly a link to the original publication and proper attribution in the source list located below the article. Our writers limit directly quoted material, instead conducting original reporting with a variety of sources to ensure a diversity of viewpoints.
Our Content Types
Annuity.org provides a variety of educational content types to serve the interests of our readers.
Evergreen Pages
Evergreen web pages offer comprehensive coverage of a specific topic. These web pages are written as part of the site’s overarching mission of educating and informing and fit into a specific section to provide context for related topics.
We regularly revisit and update these web pages with current statistics and facts.
Blogs and News
Annuity.org publishes a blog that features timely information on a variety of financial topics and news from the industry. We augment these posts with our From the Experts series featuring insights and analyses from our panel of financial experts.
We strive to include related links in blog posts to other content on Annuity.org that allows readers to further explore the topics that are relevant and interesting to them.
Features
The editorial team hand-picks topics to explore as our featured stories, or features. Features are in-depth, explorative and research-driven. They are backed by statistics and first-hand expert interviews. They are topical and driven by the interests of our readership.
Features also include a variety of visuals, including graphic elements, videos, widgets and other highly stylized design elements.
Commercial Content
We publish commercial content primarily in the form of product reviews, comparisons and roundups. Our editorial team compiles and compares diverse product options in an effort to educate readers and empower them to make informed decisions.
On our product roundup pages, we focus on personalized superlatives — not rankings or ratings — that align with and address our readers’ specific needs. We compile independent and objective product information and create our roundups using clear, published methodologies which have been vetted by industry professionals. In-depth consumer research, independent data analysis and relevant expert insights inform all published product review content.
As a strict rule, the editorial team maintains sole authority in selecting the individual brands and products included in commercial content. This clear separation from the interests of our partners is essential in allowing us to uphold editorial integrity. Annuity.org does not receive compensation in exchange for inclusion in any commercial content piece.
Guides
Our guides address more narrowly focused topics in an effort to improve financial literacy. They offer detailed, actionable recommendations for specific groups, such as students, seniors and veterans, or for people with unique financial circumstances, such as first-time investors or people seeking a financial advisor.
Glossary
Annuities are complex insurance products, and the industry doesn’t use a precise standard for annuity terminology. We designed our glossary to help you understand the terms used throughout the site. Terms are clearly defined in alphabetical order and link back to relevant web pages across our website.
Our Style
Annuity.org generally follows the Associated Press (AP) style guidelines.
AP style, used in most U.S. newspapers, offers a host of rules covering everything from proper punctuation and capitalization to spelling and hyphenation tips. The goal is to improve readability through the standardization of mass communication.
Source Lists
For source lists, we use a modified American Psychological Association (APA) format, including hyperlinks to the original source material whenever possible. We do not cite telephone, email or in-person interviews in source lists.
Independent Contractors
Annuity.org may occasionally publish content written by independent contractors. These writers are experienced professionals. Their work is reviewed and edited by Annuity.org’s editorial team to ensure it meets our standards for readability, accuracy, fairness and transparency.
Use of Photography
Annuity.org uses photographs provided by iStock, a stock photography provider, or original images created by internal designers. We may request permission to use photographs from other sources. The source of those images will be identified in the text directly below the image if permission is granted. Annuity.org will not obtain photos from a person’s social media account or website without permission.
Linking Policy and Copyright Infringement
The content on Annuity.org is the property of the company and is protected by copyright laws.
External organizations, individuals and nonprofits are asked to attribute to Annuity.org when referencing our content. To accommodate this request, each article published on Annuity.org includes a button to generate citations in APA, MLA and Chicago formats.
We link to credible sources that are attributable and valuable to our readers. We do not link to competitor websites or unverifiable sources.
Reader Engagement
The Annuity.org editorial team invites you to contact us with your feedback and questions. If we don’t know the answer, we will find it. It takes time and effort to understand annuities and other personal finance-related topics, and it’s our job to help our readers navigate this complex marketplace.
Corrections
While we strive for accuracy, errors and omissions may occur. The editorial team reviews content regularly and strives to correct any erroneous or outdated information in a timely manner. If you identify an error anywhere on the site, please contact Senior Financial Editor Savannah Pittle to report the inaccuracy.
