"Unbiased" annuity-information service reviews variable annuity contracts. Annuity IQ, a Fayetteville, N.Y.-based website that star-rates top-selling variable annuities, has put out a second edition of its Annuity Report updates, with "significant changes" from the inaugural original report and provides further guidance to brokers and investors to research variable annuity contracts.

Shocking

"As things change, I am dedicated to keeping the information current," says Scott DeMonte, owner of Annuity IQ, who says his "only goal" with the website is to help folks "get the straight facts about the best selling variable annuities in the market place today."

The new edition, which goes for $29.95, tracks changes in overall market conditions and benefit changes. "Some companies surprised me with their improvements," says DeMonte. Others, meanwhile, "really shocked me with the changes they made to their benefits."

In a world where - in the opinion of personal-finance columnist Humberto Cruz - most of those who buy variable annuities don't understand the living benefits, the Annuity Report promotes "a better understanding [of] how these benefits work in an easy to read format," DeMonte promises. -FWR

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