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About Us

Protecting Futures

Building Relationships

Protecting Futures

We have years of insurance experience helping clients prepare for the unknown. Ask us about Fixed Indexed Annuities that can secure your retirement income with monthly payments for the rest of your life. We can access many choices for the right Annuity Insurance product so you can get the right one for you.

Assessing Need

Building Relationships

Protecting Futures

Many financial experts will tell you some unforeseen events and a lack of the right kind of insurance can spell trouble quickly. Call us today, and we'll analyze your insurance needs and get you covered quickly at the right price.

Building Relationships

Everyone has different insurance needs. Call us today for a personalized business or individual assessment and find out how we can help protect your hard-won assets.

Our Principal Owner

Darlene Cerezo Swaffar

Darlene began her career at New York Life in 2010. Her next move was working for Humana as a career agent for six years. She then started her own Agency, Sunshine Insurance Associates in 2015. Darlene has been serving the Insurance needs of her clients for 12 years.

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Darlene moved to South FL in 1993 and have called South Florida my home for over 29 years. Darlene is a graduate of St. John's University in Jamaica Queens, New York.

Sunshine Insurance Associates has a mission to provide service and guidance to our clients in the Health, Life, Annuity, and Supplemental Insurance Plan Market. Our goal is to search for alternative strategies to save our clients money. We work with only the top “A” rated insurance carriers in the industry. Sunshine Insurance Associates is a Certified Woman-owned and Hispanic-owned business.

HONORS:

- Small Business Administration TED Women’s Center “Business Growth Award” May 2019

- Monarch Care “Connector’s Award May 2019

- Fort Lauderdale Finest Honoree, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, June 2003

- Winner of the 2001 VISTA Award, NAWBO

- Winner of “In Focus Magazine’s” Technology Summit of the Americas, Year 2000 Latin Business & Technology Award.

- Year 2000 Finalist - South Florida Business Journal “Up & Comers Awards.”

- Community Service Awards from the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of South Florida, December 1999, September 1999, December 1997, and July 1996

- Finalist for the 1999 “Puerto Rican Woman of the Year” award being presented by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is an Annuity?

An Annuity is a financial contract between an individual — the annuitant — and an insurance company — the issuer. It can be structured in different ways with a variety of custom features, including death benefit payments and inflation protection.

Despite the range of structures, all annuities share a fundamental similarity. They involve an upfront payment by the annuitant in exchange for a series of income distributions from the issuer.

The size, timing, variability and duration of the income distributions depend on how the contract is structured. For many people, this is determined as part of their retirement plan.

How do Annuities Work?

There are many different types of annuities. Fundamentally, all annuities work in a similar fashion. An annuity contract entails a lump-sum purchase in exchange for a series of immediate or deferred income distributions. The size, timing, variability and duration of the distributions depend on how the contract is structured, which should be aligned with your investment objectives and tolerance for risk.

How are Annuities Rates set?

Annuity Rates vary from issuer to issuer, depending on the structure of the contract and the leniency of the issuer. So, an annuity rate is usually reflective of a few key factors, including the current interest rate environment, the life expectancy of the annuitant and the inclusion of customized features, such as inflationary adjustments, lifetime payments and death benefit payments.

How Much Income Does an Annuity Pay Out, on Average?

An annuity payout depends on several factors, including the amount of your investment, your age and life expectancy, the structure of the annuity and any features incorporated into the contract. Generally, the younger you are and the longer your life expectancy, the higher the payout you can expect. Additionally, riders generally diminish payouts, given the protections they offer

What Are the Benefits of Annuities?

3 Benefits Annuities Offer

Tax-deferred growth - Annuities facilitate tax-deferred growth, which can have a powerful compounding effect on your savings. But unlike 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts, there are no contribution limits for annuities.
Guaranteed stream of income - Annuities provide a guaranteed stream of income, which is invaluable for retirees.
Stability - Annuities offer stability during turbulent economic periods. The downside protection is ideal for conservative investors that are unable to withstand market shocks.