Is Fidelity Investments a Good Company?
Is Fidelity Investments a good company? Absolutely—Fidelity is a respected platform for saving and investing, known for low-cost funds, strong technology, and broad account types. But when your priority shifts from accumulation to guaranteed retirement income, it’s smart to compare Fidelity’s market-based approach with fixed and fixed indexed annuities that can protect principal and create lifetime paychecks. As an independent brokerage, Diversified Insurance Brokers helps clients keep what Fidelity does well—and add annuities where guarantees, higher income quotes, or downside protection could improve outcomes.
Compare Fidelity vs. Guaranteed-Income Options
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What Fidelity Does Exceptionally Well
Fidelity’s platform is built for efficient accumulation: low expense ratios, index and active funds, brokerage, cash management, and capable planning tools. Investors who are early or mid-career often thrive with Fidelity’s ecosystem.
- Low-cost investing: Helps more of your returns stay invested.
- Broad product menu: Mutual funds, ETFs, managed accounts, and retirement plans.
- Strong digital experience: Research, screeners, and easy account management.
- Service and scale: Local investor centers, phone support, and robust infrastructure.
Where Pure Investments Can Fall Short for Retirement Income
When paychecks stop, the conversation changes. Market-only solutions rarely offer the one thing retirees value most: predictable, contractually guaranteed income. That’s the gap annuities can fill.
- No contractual lifetime guarantee: Traditional portfolios can’t promise a fixed monthly payment for life.
- Sequence-of-returns risk: Poor markets early in retirement can permanently shrink your nest egg and future withdrawals.
- Behavior risk: Volatility can force investors to sell low or delay spending, undermining retirement goals.
This is why many clients augment their Fidelity accounts with fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) or multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs)—to lock in an income floor and stabilize cash flow.
How Annuities Complement a Fidelity Portfolio
Think of annuities as a pension you create for yourself. Used properly, they:
- Protect principal: FIAs and MYGAs shield against market losses.
- Create paychecks: Optional income riders can produce lifetime income for one or two lives.
- Simplify the plan: With essentials covered by guarantees, your remaining assets can pursue growth without funding day-to-day spending.
We frequently pair Fidelity’s growth engine with an annuity income base. That blend preserves upside potential while defending your lifestyle with guaranteed cash flow.
Fidelity vs. Independent Annuity Marketplace
- Fidelity-focused approach: Great for accumulation, flexible, transparent, but withdrawals rely on markets.
- Independent annuity marketplace: Access to 75+ carriers for potentially higher guaranteed payouts, bonus-credit options, and varied liquidity features.
- Blended approach: Keep assets at Fidelity for growth; use annuities to secure base income. We align both for taxes, RMDs, and estate preferences.
Who Benefits Most from Adding Annuities
- Retirees wanting stable monthly income they can’t outlive.
- Investors seeking downside protection for a portion of assets.
- Couples prioritizing joint lifetime benefits and beneficiary safeguards.
- Clients who prefer simplicity: dependable cash flow with less market stress.
Implementation: What We Do for Fidelity Clients
Diversified Insurance Brokers is independent—not tied to one carrier. We’ll:
- Review your accounts and income targets to right-size guaranteed coverage.
- Shop fixed, fixed indexed, and income annuities across many carriers for stronger payouts and features.
- Coordinate with your Fidelity holdings for tax efficiency, liquidity, and legacy planning (e.g., beneficiary protections).
Lock In Your Retirement Paycheck
We compare leading carriers and design a secure income ladder that complements your Fidelity portfolio.
Related Pages
- What Is the Difference in Stocks, Bonds and Annuities
- How to Protect Your Funds in Retirement
- Fixed Indexed Annuity Myths Debunked
- Current Fixed Annuity Rates
- Annuity Beneficiary Death Benefits
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FAQs: Is Fidelity Investments a Good Company?
Is Fidelity a good company for retirement planning?
Yes—Fidelity offers solid investment options and strong financial tools. However, it doesn’t focus on guaranteed income like annuity providers do.
Does Fidelity sell annuities directly?
Fidelity offers some annuities through partner insurers, but independent brokers compare many carriers for better rates and features.
Are Fidelity’s investment fees competitive?
Fidelity is known for low-cost funds and ETFs, keeping costs minimal. That’s a strength during accumulation but less relevant to income guarantees.
Can I move part of my Fidelity account into an annuity?
Yes. You can transfer retirement assets into fixed or indexed annuities without triggering taxes when done as a qualified transfer or rollover.
How do annuity returns compare with Fidelity mutual funds?
Funds fluctuate with the market; annuities offer guaranteed minimums and potential index-linked growth, trading upside potential for protection.
Should I keep my Fidelity account if I buy an annuity?
Usually yes. Many clients keep Fidelity for growth and use annuities to stabilize income. The two can complement each other effectively.
What’s the advantage of working with an independent broker?
Independent brokers access dozens of carriers to find better rates, bonuses, and income-rider options—something captive firms can’t match.
About the Author:
Jason Stolz, CLTC, CRPC, is a senior insurance and retirement professional with more than two decades of real-world experience helping individuals, families, and business owners protect their income, assets, and long-term financial stability. As a long-time partner of the nationally licensed independent agency Diversified Insurance Brokers, Jason provides trusted guidance across multiple specialties—including fixed and indexed annuities, long-term care planning, personal and business disability insurance, life insurance solutions, and short-term health coverage. Diversified Insurance Brokers maintains active contracts with over 100 highly rated insurance carriers, ensuring clients have access to a broad and competitive marketplace.
His practical, education-first approach has earned recognition in publications such as VoyageATL, highlighting his commitment to financial clarity and client-focused planning. Drawing on deep product knowledge and years of hands-on field experience, Jason helps clients evaluate carriers, compare strategies, and build retirement and protection plans that are both secure and cost-efficient.
