Your post made me smile on a day (more likely a couple of weeks) that there isn't a lot to smile about.

I was talked into an annuity by a fellow from a major investment company who had the blessing of the college district where I worked to solicit business there. I think there was some contribution by the district, but I don't really remember. Anyway, it was 1996 and I put away $100-200 a pay period. That money went up, down, up, down through all the fluctuations of the past 25 years. It was greatly reduced in the recession of 2008-09, then rebounded. Now it is going, going.....as you put it.

I was warned by my accountant, a family friend, when I was a young single mother to invest only in Widows and Orphans Funds, and so I have been totally conservative with the bulk of my money. My only foray into the stock market was through the annuity investing for me what started out a very little bit over the years. I'm sure it will come back, but will take til I'm 90, if I live that long.