Dr. Alice James

A federal survey found 18% of US adults carried medical debt in 2025, showing how quickly care costs and lost income can strain budgets.
Even insured households can face deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and uncovered services, while one emergency or procedure can displace money set aside for rent or groceries.
Emergency treatment often left little time to compare prices or networks, and bills could arrive from ambulances, tests, specialists, prescriptions, and follow-up visits.
Repeated appointments, therapy, and prescriptions can keep pressure on budgets, especially when illness cuts work hours and families turn to credit, loans, or relatives.
Review bills for errors, confirm network status before scheduled care, and ask providers about payment plans, assistance, or negotiated balances before unpaid charges reach collections.

Medical Expenses Can Push Households Into Serious Debt

For fixed annuities and MYGAs, current benchmarks place competitive rates in the mid-5% range, though offers vary by state, deposit, insurer, and term.
Some leading offers reached the low-6% range, but a higher short-term rate is not automatically better than a slightly lower longer guarantee.
Comparisons get harder beyond fixed contracts because indexed annuities use caps, spreads, or participation rules, while immediate annuities are judged by income.
A headline rate alone is not enough; buyers also need to weigh insurer strength, surrender charges, withdrawal access, guarantee length, and overall retirement flexibility.
Comparison shopping can matter because similar contracts may offer different rates and rules, helping buyers match return, guarantees, and access needs to retirement goals.