Byrer Wealth Management, LLC

10/25/2026

If one of your children passed away before you, should their share go to their children, or be split among your other kids?

That is the difference between per stirpes and pro rata on an annuity beneficiary form. The wording looks small, but it can change who receives the money, how much, and who owes the income tax on the gain.

Our free guide walks through real examples, plain-English definitions and the most common mistakes, like leaving the box blank, never naming a backup, or assuming your will controls.

Read it at

If a beneficiary dies first, per stirpes passes that share to their descendants. Pro rata divides it among the survivors. Updated October 23, 2026.

10/19/2026

Do you know which of your retirement income sources you can’t outlive? There are only three: Social Security, a pension, and an annuity. Everything else can go up or down with the markets.

My new Annuities 101 guide explains how annuities work, who they may fit, and the common myths, all in plain English. Read it on the blog:

What a MYGA is, and what a fixed indexed annuity is, in plain English. The paycheck, the limits, and the worries people usually bring up. Education only. Westfield, Indiana.

10/12/2026

Did you know life insurance can be income-tax-free to your family and still end up in your taxable estate? 🤔

An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) is one tool families use to keep that from happening. The trust owns the policy, so the proceeds can pass outside your estate when it is set up correctly.

It can also:

* Provide cash to pay estate taxes, so a business or property doesn’t have to be sold
* Protect what you leave from creditors
* Let you control how and when your heirs receive it
* Help provide for a loved one with special needs
* Keep things fair when one child gets the business

Like any strategy, it has tradeoffs. It is irrevocable, it needs ongoing administration, and it should always be drafted by an estate planning attorney.

I put the details in a new article, including a Q&A on the questions I hear most. Link in the comments 👇

How an irrevocable life insurance trust can keep a life insurance death benefit outside a taxable estate. Educational. An attorney drafts the trust. Insurance only. Westfield, Indiana.

10/05/2026

Ever wonder what a market crash in your first year of retirement would do to your income? 📉

I put real numbers on it. In our hypothetical, a couple withdrawing $60,000 a year from an $800,000 portfolio runs out of money in year 11 after a 40% first-year drop. A guaranteed income floor keeps paying, no matter what the market does.

The full stress test is on the blog.

A 65-year-old couple, $800,000, and a 40% decline in year one. Guaranteed lifetime income holds at $60,000. A matching systematic withdrawal is depleted by year 11. Illustrative. Insurance only.

10/01/2026

Proud to share some news: I've officially earned my CAS® (Certified Annuity Specialist®) designation! This graduate-level certification required 135+ hours of coursework and two comprehensive exams, covering everything from contract structure to tax strategy to income planning. It's one more way I'm equipped to help you make sense of annuities — when they make sense, and when they don't. Thank you for trusting me with your retirement planning.

09/28/2026

How much life insurance does your family actually need, and for how long? Term life is the most affordable way to protect the people who depend on you during the years your financial exposure is highest. But the right term length and coverage amount should be calculated, not guessed. I wrote a plain-English guide to how term life works and what to watch out for. Read it on the blog.

How term life insurance works: level term, how much coverage, how long, and conversion. Independent agent Ted Byrer, Westfield, Indiana. Insurance only.

09/21/2026

What if part of your retirement income could never run out — and your principal was protected from market downturns along the way? That's exactly what a guaranteed lifetime income rider on a fixed indexed annuity is built to do. No market losses eating into your savings, no guesswork about outliving them. Full breakdown on the blog

How a guaranteed lifetime income rider on a fixed indexed annuity turns savings into a paycheck you cannot outlive. Growth phase, income phase, costs, and who it fits. Insurance only. Westfield, Indiana.

09/15/2026

What if one asset could do double duty — growing your retirement savings AND standing ready to fund long-term care if you ever need it? That's exactly what a fixed indexed annuity with a long-term care rider does. No wasted premiums if you never need care. Read the full breakdown on the blog:

How a care rider on a fixed indexed annuity can fund long-term care without emptying a spouse’s savings. Cost comparison vs traditional LTC and self-funding. Insurance only. Westfield, Indiana.

09/09/2026

Proud to share two new milestones for Byrer Wealth Management: we're now an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau of Indiana, and a member of the Professional Insurance Agents of Indiana.

Both reflect our ongoing commitment to trust, transparency, and professionalism in every client relationship. Thank you to our clients for the trust that made this possible — we're just getting started.

09/08/2026

Did you know claiming Social Security early could cost you tens of thousands over your lifetime? I broke down exactly how the timing works — and the survivor benefit trap that catches married couples off guard. I provide a full breakdown here:

The claiming age you choose locks in a benefit that can last decades. Treat it as a decision, not a default.