Banks quit paying anything but a pittance on interest on any type account or investment the day 0 was elected.
Annuities pay way more than banks ever did. And they are backed well. Mine will see 7% over 10 yrs, that goes for the IRA too. Which I can’t even begin to draw out for another 5 yrs anyway. Which I will turn around and put into paying off our downsized house. VA loan 3.5%.
Aren’t you better off keeping the 7% tax-deferred income from your IRA, since your VA loan is only 3.5% and tax-deductible?