Clark talks so much on the show about rotten companies and ripoffs that it’s hard to believe anyone is above board. Well, we’ve got one more instance for you, just to drive the point home even harder. Have you heard of “Ameriprise Financial?” It used to be American Express Financial but has spun off into a new outfit. Ameriprise reps convinced a large group of older Exxon retirees to put their retirement money into variable annuities and they lost it all. In fact, the people lost so much money that a division of the NASD is fining Ameriprise $22 million. That’s an unusual move for the NASD, so it tells you how dangerous these vehicles are. One man profiled in a story had $1 million saved at retirement. In five years, his million dwindled to $300,000. Clark hopes Ameriprise learns its lesson on this. You never, ever want to get involved with a variable annuity. So, when salespeople start pushing them on you – and they will push hard – run the other way!