As traditional pension plans diminish, many individuals are seeking alternative strategies to secure their retirement income. While commercial annuities offer a solution, their often-complex structures, high fees, and limited flexibility can be deterrents. This article proposes an innovative approach: building a do-it-yourself (DIY) annuity. By strategically combining various income-generating investments such as high-quality bonds, U.S. Treasuries, and dividend-paying stocks, individuals can emulate the benefits of a traditional annuity while maintaining greater control over their assets and potentially achieving superior returns. This self-directed path aims to empower retirees to maximize their financial well-being by circumventing the hidden costs and rigidities of conventional annuity products.
\nUnlocking Higher Returns: The DIY Annuity Revolution
\nIn the evolving landscape of retirement planning, where high interest rates are fueling a surge in demand for guaranteed income, a groundbreaking trend is emerging. In 2024, as the sale of annuities reached an astounding $432.4 billion, reflecting a growing need for financial security, savvy investors are discovering a more lucrative and flexible alternative: the DIY annuity. This innovative approach allows individuals to construct their own income-generating portfolios, potentially outperforming traditional annuity products by mitigating their inherent high fees and restrictive terms. Devin Carroll, a prominent financial advisor and owner of the Carroll Advisory Group, advocates for this self-managed strategy, emphasizing the control and cost-efficiency it offers to retirees.
\nThe journey to building a personalized annuity begins with understanding the diverse spectrum of income-generating investments available. Instead of relying on the typical 4% to 8% annual returns of commercial annuities, which are often eroded by surrender charges, commission fees, and annual administrative costs, individuals can curate a diversified portfolio tailored to their specific risk tolerance and income needs. For those seeking stability akin to a fixed annuity, a combination of high-quality bonds and U.S. Treasuries, which typically pay distributions semiannually, provides a predictable income stream. As of June 2025, instruments like 10-year U.S. Treasuries offer a 4.25% yield, while investment-grade bonds provide 3.55%.
\nFor investors comfortable with a calculated degree of risk in exchange for potentially higher returns, U.S. corporate bonds, with an effective interest rate of approximately 5.3%, present an attractive option. In contrast, 12-month Certificates of Deposit (CDs), while offering the lowest risk, yield less than 2%, with interest typically paid at maturity. Furthermore, dividend-paying funds, such as the iShares Select Dividend ETF, boast yields around 3.69% and can be integrated into a DIY annuity, provided investors choose funds with minimal management fees to maximize their net returns.
\nThe allure of a DIY annuity lies in its transparency and autonomy. Unlike the opaque structures of indexed annuities, which often involve complex participation rates, cap rates, and underlying index compositions, a self-built portfolio ensures full oversight of assets and expenses. This direct control minimizes the "big bites" taken out of returns by various charges, a common concern highlighted by financial experts regarding commercial products.
\nHowever, this empowered approach demands a commitment to time, diligent planning, and a fundamental understanding of investment principles. While a DIY annuity eliminates the guaranteed income floor offered by traditional annuities, it compensates with unparalleled flexibility in asset allocation and the potential for significantly higher net returns. The ability to save thousands of dollars in fees, coupled with the satisfaction of self-managing one's financial future, makes the DIY annuity an increasingly compelling choice for the discerning retiree.
\nFrom a journalist's perspective, the rise of the DIY annuity signals a significant shift in retirement planning, reflecting a growing desire among individuals to take charge of their financial destiny. This movement is not merely about optimizing returns; it's about reclaiming agency in a financial world often dominated by complex products and hidden costs. The emphasis on education and informed decision-making embedded in the DIY annuity concept resonates deeply, fostering a more financially literate and empowered populace. It underscores the importance of understanding one's investments thoroughly, rather than blindly entrusting them to third parties. As interest rates continue to fluctuate, and traditional pensions become a relic of the past, the DIY annuity stands as a testament to individual ingenuity and financial resilience, offering a beacon of hope for a secure and prosperous retirement.
Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, has achieved an extraordinary financial milestone in 2025, augmenting his wealth by nearly $100 billion within a mere seven-month span. This remarkable surge elevates him to the position of the world's second-richest individual. His journey is a testament to resilience, having navigated early career challenges, including periods where he struggled with basic utility payments. The resurgence of Oracle’s stock, driven by pivotal advancements in AI and cloud technology, underscores the dynamic nature of the tech sector and its profound impact on personal fortunes.
\nLarry Ellison's Unprecedented Ascent in the Financial Sphere
\nIn a compelling narrative of financial triumph, Larry Ellison, the visionary co-founder of Oracle Corp. (NYSE: ORCL), has captivated global attention with an astonishing expansion of his personal fortune. By the mid-point of 2025, his net worth had ballooned by close to $100 billion, firmly establishing him as the world's second-richest person. This incredible achievement becomes even more striking when contrasted with his humble beginnings.
\nDuring an engaging discussion in 2024 with Disprz, Ellison shared poignant recollections from the 1970s, a period marked by acute financial hardship. He vividly described the anxiety of facing unpaid electricity and gas bills, a worry amplified by his dependence on a garage computer for his burgeoning software ventures. His primary concern was not personal comfort but the vital need to power his computer, the very engine of his early innovations. He recounted waiting outside venture capital offices, often unable even to secure a rejection, as prospective investors declined to meet with him.
\nFast forward to the present, and the landscape has dramatically shifted. As of July 24, 2025, Ellison's net worth stands at an impressive $289 billion, placing him squarely behind Elon Musk on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His year-to-date gain of $96.8 billion dwarfs the increases seen by other tech luminaries such as Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jensen Huang.
\nEllison's monumental wealth accumulation is intrinsically linked to Oracle's stellar performance. Over 80% of his fortune is tied to Oracle stock and options. The company's shares have surged by an impressive 27.69% in the last six months and a staggering 43.41% year-to-date, culminating in a 66.38% increase over the past year, as reported by Benzinga Pro. This upward trajectory has been significantly bolstered by the U.S. government's decision earlier this month to ease export restrictions on semiconductor sales to China, benefiting key players like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices. As Oracle heavily relies on advanced chips for its expansive cloud and AI infrastructure, this policy shift has provided a substantial tailwind.
\nFurthermore, Oracle has proactively cemented its position in the rapidly evolving tech ecosystem through multi-billion-dollar cloud agreements and deepened collaborations. Notable partnerships with industry giants like OpenAI and SoftBank Group, particularly under the ambit of its Stargate initiative, have been instrumental in driving this growth. Oracle's robust performance is further validated by Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings, which highlight strong upward momentum across short, medium, and long-term investment horizons.
\nEllison's journey is a powerful illustration that success often emerges from unforeseen origins and challenges. His initial struggles to maintain essential services like electricity, simply to power the nascent technology he was developing, underscore a profound dedication and foresight. This narrative resonates deeply, reminding us that even the most formidable industry leaders often begin from a place of humble necessity. His story provides a compelling blueprint for aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs, emphasizing that perseverance, coupled with a keen understanding of market dynamics and strategic partnerships, can transform initial disadvantages into unparalleled successes. It highlights the notion that true vision is often cultivated in adversity, ultimately leading to transformative impact and immense prosperity.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) has recently faced a significant setback in the stock market, with its shares experiencing a sharp decline. This downturn follows the company's announcement of a revised outlook for its full-year same-store sales, moving from an anticipated double-digit increase to a flat projection. This unexpected shift has led to considerable investor disappointment, pushing Chipotle's stock to its lowest point since April and erasing much of its year-to-date gains.
The culinary chain, celebrated for its burritos and bowls, had initially projected robust growth in same-store sales for the entirety of the year. However, recent corporate communications have indicated a more modest expectation, now forecasting these crucial sales figures to remain unchanged compared to the previous year. This news has understandably dampened investor enthusiasm, as reflected in the stock's performance.
During a recent call with financial analysts, Chipotle's CEO, Scott Boatwright, acknowledged the current challenges but conveyed confidence in the company's ability to rebound. He expressed belief in a future return to mid-single-digit comparable sales growth and eventually surpassing average unit volumes of $4 million. This long-term vision offers a glimmer of hope amidst the immediate market reaction.
Despite the stock's recent volatility and revised forecasts, several Wall Street analysts continue to hold a positive outlook on Chipotle. Major financial institutions like Bank of America and Oppenheimer have maintained their 'buy' ratings and ambitious price targets for the company's stock, suggesting an underlying faith in its business model and future prospects. While some, like JPMorgan, have slightly adjusted their targets downwards, the overall sentiment among many analysts remains bullish, emphasizing that the current situation is perceived as a temporary hurdle rather than a fundamental flaw in the company's trajectory. Analysts from Morgan Stanley echoed this sentiment, advising patience while growth is expected to resume.
The market's reaction underscores the importance of growth metrics for fast-casual dining establishments. For Chipotle, the unexpected recalibration of sales expectations has highlighted sensitivities within the investment community. Nevertheless, the company's leadership remains committed to its strategic path, focusing on operational improvements and long-term value creation, aiming to restore investor confidence and drive sustained growth in the coming periods.