A segregated fund is a mutual fund offered by a life insurance company. Sales commissions for segregated funds are usually non-negotiable. Also, life insurance funds offered through subsidiaries, rather than the life insurance company itself, may not be segregated and as such will not be guaranteed. Dividend funds provide additional income. With special equities, a little should do you.
Precious metals provide a hedge against inflation.
Segregated funds are guaranteed. Index funds should have low management fees.