In episode 95 of the Atlas Annuity Podcast, Marty Becker reviews the Axonic Trailhead fixed indexed annuity—a product that's making waves in the industry. As of December 2025, Axonic offers the highest S&P 500 cap rate for an A-rated company with no fees and no risk to your gains.

Marty breaks down why this matters and shares his philosophy on indexing options. After nearly a decade in the business, he explains why he relies on the "good old trusty S&P 500" over hypothetical indexes that often underperform their back-tested projections.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Key features of the Axonic Trailhead FIA (5, 7, and 10-year terms)
• Why the S&P 500 remains the most reliable index for growth
• The truth about proprietary indexes and hypothetical illustrations
• Unique benefits like the interest boost after the first crediting term
• How Axonic compares to other A-rated carriers

Whether you're looking to protect a portion of your portfolio or seeking reliable growth with downside protection, this episode gives you an honest, no-nonsense review of one of the market's leading fixed indexed annuities.

In this episode, Marty Becker explores a powerful but often overlooked benefit of annuities—asset protection. After a conversation with an estate planning attorney from Florida, Marty breaks down how annuities can shield your non-qualified (after-tax) assets from legal threats, and why protection levels vary dramatically by state.

You'll discover which states offer unlimited protection (like Florida and Texas), which provide limited or conditional coverage, and how to strategically use annuities as a legal shield for your retirement savings. If you have substantial assets outside of your IRA or 401(k), this episode reveals an important protection strategy that many retirees overlook.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why IRA money is already protected under ERISA
• How non-qualified assets are vulnerable to creditors
• Three categories of state annuity protection laws
• Which states offer the strongest asset protection
• Real-world example from an estate planning attorney
• Strategic considerations for high-net-worth retirees

Whether you're a business owner, professional, or simply want to protect what you've worked hard to build, this episode provides crucial insights into using annuities as financial armor.

In this episode, Marty breaks down why long-term care planning is one of the most overlooked parts of retirement—and why it can have serious financial consequences if ignored. Most people don’t realize how common long-term care needs are or how expensive they can become. With nursing home costs reaching $72,000 to $100,000 per year, and Medicare offering almost no help, retirees often find themselves facing difficult choices.

Marty explains the realities of Medicaid, the quality of care offered in many facilities, and why relying on it as a fallback can lead to problems. He also walks through the three main types of long-term care policies and how they work, including traditional standalone plans, life insurance with LTC riders, and asset-based long-term care options.

From there, he breaks down the new Nationwide Care Matters long-term care annuity. This product can double or even triple your benefit on day one and continue growing every year with a guaranteed interest rate. Marty shares a real example of how the benefits expand over time and compares it to the risks of trying to self-fund care using market returns.

You’ll also learn what it takes to qualify for benefits, how the elimination period works, and what makes this annuity different, including penalty-free withdrawals, international benefits, and the ability to use a 1035 exchange.

If you want to see how long-term care fits within your retirement plan and whether the Nationwide Care Matters annuity makes sense for you, schedule a time to talk at AtlasAnnuity.com.