Suze Orman has built her brand on offering smart, no-nonsense financial advice to everyday Americans. When it comes to annuities, she hasn’t been shy about waving the caution flag. In many cases, she’s right: Traditional annuities can be complex, expensive and difficult to exit once you’re locked in.
But there’s another side to the story, especially with today’s direct-to-consumer annuities.
What Orman Gets Right
Orman has long warned consumers about the pitfalls of annuities sold through traditional insurance agents and brokers. These products often come with high commissions, limited transparency and surrender fees that can surprise even the most cautious investors.
She’s also correctly pointed out that some annuities are marketed inappropriately—sold to older adults who don’t fully understand the long-term commitment or to younger investors who may need greater liquidity.
Her advice to read the fine print and prioritize financial flexibility is spot on.
What She’s Missing: The Rise of Transparent, Online Annuities
What has changed in recent years is the rise of online annuity platforms that eliminate many traditional downsides. Companies such as Gainbridge, an A-rated carrier, now let consumers shop for fixed-rate and fixed-index annuities directly online, often with:
- No commissions
- Clear, upfront rates
- Shorter-term options
- Low or no account fees
High-rated carriers provide products backed by strong financial ratings and full transparency, giving consumers confidence that their investment contributions are secure
These platforms offer a level of transparency and control that many traditional annuity channels simply don’t. Investors can compare products, lock in guaranteed rates, and avoid the layers of sales pressure that have long given annuities a bad name.
Annuities Today Can Be Smart and Simple
While not all annuities are created equal, the right ones, particularly fixed-rate annuities, can be powerful tools for retirement planning. These types of annuities provide:
- Principal protection
- Guaranteed income or interest
- Tax-deferred growth
- Peace of mind in volatile markets
When purchased from trusted online platforms, they can offer these benefits with fewer strings attached.
Bridging the Gap
To be clear, Orman’s skepticism has protected many people from poor financial products. But a blanket dismissal of annuities going into 2026 doesn’t reflect the evolution that’s taken place.
The annuity space has modernized. Digital platforms have disrupted the old commission-driven model, making annuities more accessible and easier to understand for the average investor.
The Bottom Line
Suze Orman’s wariness of traditional annuities isn’t without reason, but ignoring the rise of direct-to-consumer annuities does a disservice to today’s savvier investors. With lower fees, increased transparency, and access to high-quality carriers, online annuity platforms are changing the game.
Annuities aren’t bad. Bad annuities are bad. In 2026, there are finally good ones worth discussing. Explore our complete 2026 annuity guide to understand all your options.
Here are some key takeaways:
- Suze Orman is right about traditional annuity pitfalls, but new platforms address many of them.
- Direct-to-consumer annuities can offer simplicity, lower costs and clear benefits.
- Consumers should still read the fine print, but they now have better tools and options.
- Choosing A-rated providers like ensures security, stability, and trust.
