MONEY Magazine Features H.E.L.P.'s Annuitytruth.org

In its June 2007 issue, MONEY Magazine writer Denise Topolnicki encourages readers to go to H.E.L.P.'s annuitytruth.org website for its tips on complaining effectively, plus links to state securities and insurance watchdogs.

Her article, titled "All You Really Need to Know About . . . Dumping an Annuity" can be found on page 40 of the magazine. It talks about variable and equity-indexed annuities, stating "as MONEY has long warned, high fees and stiff surrender charges make these annuities lousy investments."

An important part of H.E.L.P.'s work is helping people plan ahead to maintain control of their care and finances. In doing that work, pointed out executive director Ed Long, "We often discuss the financial steps people have taken - and all too frequently find that seniors have been sold annuities in what appear to be very inappropriate circumstances."

"We're very concerned that people are not being told in a clear way about all aspects of the annuities they are being offered," he added. "We created annuitytruth.org to help address this problem, and help seniors and families better understand annuities."

The annuitytruth.org website provides information on how annuities work, warnings from financial writers and regulators, the truth about certain alleged benefits of annuities, H.E.L.P.'s list of "stinky" annuity sales situations, and more.

H.E.L.P. is an award-winning Torrance, California -based non-profit education and counseling center providing impartial information to older adults and families on elder care, law, finances and more. Since its inception in 1996, it has helped thousands of individuals, couples and families. Its services include public classes, private consultations, publications and telephone and Internet assistance. H.E.L.P. is located at 1404 Cravens Avenue, Torrance, California 90501. The phone number is (310) 533-1996, and the Internet addresses are www.help4srs.org, www.annuitytruth.org and www.better-endings.org.