Ten questions to bring to your follow-up appointment, how to find your free-look deadline, and how to check that the agent is licensed. Free to use and free to print. No sign-up.
This is the checklist to bring to your follow-up appointment after a free annuity dinner seminar. Ten questions, plus the two things worth confirming before you sign anything: your free-look deadline, and the agent's license.
Nothing here is gated. Use it, print it, or send it to whoever is helping you decide.
Every annuity contract includes a free-look period. In most states you have between 10 and 30 days after you receive the contract to review it in full, ask any remaining questions, or confirm you are in the right product, with no explanation required if you decide to make a change. State minimums vary and are current as of September 2026.
Your exact window is printed on the first page of your contract. Calling the carrier directly, rather than the agent, is a reasonable way to confirm the date.
Bring this list with you
Download the one-page PDF using the button at the top of this page. It has the same ten questions, formatted to print, with a code you can scan to book a call.
A straight answer to each one tells you a lot about the fit, and about the person sitting across the table. A licensed specialist should be able to work through all ten without hesitation.
Every agent selling annuities needs an active state insurance license, and you can verify one in a few minutes through your state's Department of Insurance producer lookup. Search by the agent's name and confirm the license is active and in good standing.
If the seminar included securities, such as a variable annuity or an investment advisory pitch, the agent likely also holds a securities license. FINRA's BrokerCheck shows license history and any disclosed complaints or disciplinary actions. A few minutes on either site is a reasonable step before a follow-up meeting, not a sign of distrust.
Question one on the list matters most, because the answer changes what the other nine mean. Here is how the main types line up by goal.
| If your goal is | You may have been shown | The main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Safe, predictable growth on money you will not need for a few years | Multi-year guarantee annuity (MYGA) | Your money is generally committed for the term, with no market upside beyond the stated rate |
| Growth without risking what you have already saved | Fixed index annuity for growth | The upside is capped, so a strong market year is not captured in full |
| Income for life, starting now | Single premium immediate annuity (SPIA) | You generally give up access to the lump sum in exchange for the income stream |
| Income for life, but not until later | Fixed index annuity with a lifetime income rider | The income rider usually carries its own fee, and the structure is more complex |
The full guide behind this checklist covers what actually happens at a dinner seminar, how agent commissions work, how to read a surrender schedule, and when an annuity may not fit: You Just Left an Annuity Dinner Seminar. Now What?
If you would like someone to look at what you were shown, HiWire's specialists will compare it against quotes from more than 40 carriers so you can see how it stacks up. Often that comparison confirms you are already looking at a strong option. When it does not, we will help you find one that fits better.
Get a free, no-pressure contract reviewThis checklist is educational information, not individualized advice. Annuities are long-term products designed for retirement income. All guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing company. Annuities involve fees and charges, including possible surrender penalties. Withdrawals are generally subject to ordinary income tax, and a 10% federal penalty may apply if taken before age 59.5. Product and feature availability may vary by state. This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice. HiWire Financial offers insurance products and services.
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