Can Older People Be Protected Against Aggressive Sales Tactics?

Between 2005 and 2007, some 1.86 million Minnesotans 65 and older received mailings promising a strategy for avoiding probate court legal bills, and after in-home consultations, 1,277 bought the service. Sales agents then approached those buyers and pitched investment accounts called deferred annuities; 328 people bought them. There were several problems, Minnesota district and appellate courts later concluded: For one thing, the estates probably wouldn't have faced probate court costs. What's more, people their age should not have bought deferred annuities that incurred withdrawal penalties for up to 14 years. … Back to Article