Abstract: A system and method and a financial income protection product are provided for enabling individuals who are approaching or are in retirement to ensure future sources of income with a reduced initial monetary outlay than conventional income protection products such as, for example, annuities. Income benefits are provided to the individuals only when they need it, i.e., either when market returns have not kept pace with expectations and/or when the individuals have lived beyond the point in time at which their expected wealth expires.