Murphy, your information about variable annuities is well taken. I never much liked annuities and considered them a poor investment, although useful for a steady income stream.

When I told my broker I wanted to commence monthly withdrawals on the IRA account which I had rolled my 401-K over in to, he bought a variable annuity to enable it.

I thought he was nuts, but the annuity plus a few dividends from stocks has paid out about 4% of my total IRA every month for three years and is still worth the original face amount plus some. Of course that is due to the Trump economy, and I realise it could just as well go the other way...Geo