Does an Annuity Fit Within My Financial Plan?

Annuities tend to generate strong opinions, for and against, that don't always account for the fact that fit depends entirely on the individual plan. The same product that solves a real problem for one household adds unnecessary cost for another.

Working through the fit methodically, cash flow needs first, then the specific purchase goal, then the tax picture, tends to produce a clearer answer than starting with a specific product.