Choosing the right mix of investments is important if you want to avoid running out of money in retirement. CATHERINE LANE/Getty Images

Retirement planning has always been challenging, and it has only gotten more complex in today's unusual economic landscape. Between the ongoing issues with stock market volatility and sticky inflation , and the questions about Social Security's long-term viability, many soon-to-be retirees are now looking for ways to create predictable income streams in their golden years. And, given these issues, it's no wonder that annuities , which are financial products designed to provide guaranteed income, have become a more common option worth considering.

But as retirees dive deeper into their annuity research, they might find themselves wondering

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