Many business owners spend decades building a company while setting aside too little for retirement. Their backup plan sounds reasonable: “Someday, I’ll sell the business and retire on the proceeds.” But as that “someday” approaches, the plan can collide with reality.

A coordinated relationship between a CPA and a qualified insurance and financial adviser can become extremely valuable. The CPA helps the client build and grow the business. The adviser helps the client protect income, continuity, and the retirement strategy that business is supposed to support.

For people who want protection, flexibility, and predictable retirement income, a properly designed cash value life insurance policy — such as an Indexed Universal Life policy — paired with a Roth individual retirement account funded by a guaranteed lifetime income annuity can be a powerful planning combination. 

Private citizens, business owners, and self-employed professionals can create their own version of a pension — guaranteed income for life — by using annuities.