Few Doubts About a Once Sure Bet

Retirement investors have long viewed annuities as an effective way to protect their nest egg. But the recent financial crisis has highlighted an inherent paradox: While annuities offer safety and guarantees, their benefits are tied to the financial strength of an insurer. If the company fails, you could be looking at a loss in the very part of your portfolio that you were counting on to be rock solid.

Annuities were considered the ultimate safe investment - until insurers started wobbling.
Source: CNN Money