AFLAC Inc. (AFL) Most people know little about this company, which sells life and supplemental insurance, except for its humorous commercials featuring a duck. AFLAC is in one of the rare bright spots in the financial sector. Even during an economic downturn, people will continue buying insurance. In its only venture outside the United States so far, AFLAC, which is one of the most profitable insurers, has been doing quite well in Japan. Recent share price: $63.53.

ConocoPhillips (COP) This stock is a greater bargain than the stocks of some competing oil giants. Its price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) recently was 12.3, which was roughly the same as Exxon Mobil's P/E, but ConocoPhillips' earnings per share have increased an annualized 58% over the past five years, compared with 35% for Exxon Mobil. ConocoPhillips, one of the largest refiners in the United States, has a 20% stake in Lukoil, the Russian oil giant, which provides access to vast reserves but also poses political risks. Recent share price: $81.13.

Southern Co. (SO) Utilities, which offer substantial dividends, provide a refuge for income seekers at a time of falling interest rates. Utilities also benefit because their borrowing costs drop along with interest rates, which helps their bottom line. The Southern Co., which provides electricity to more than 2.3 million customers in four southern states, is especially attractive. Southern is one of the most profitable names in the industry and is expected to maintain strong earnings growth. Its dividend was yielding 4.4% recently and it has been selling at a bit of a discount from the rest of the group. Recent share price: $35.77.

Bottom Line interviewed Brant M. Keller, CFP, president and founder of FAC Wealth Management, a fee-only investment advisory firm in Naples, Florida. He is author of two books, Money for Life and Wealth Creation and Protection, and was picked as one of America's best financial planners in 2007 by the Consumer Research Council of America.

Q: A friend told me that some lenders don't charge closing costs for reverse mortgages. Is this too good to be true?

A: Reverse mortgages -- loans against homes that borrowers don't have to pay back as long as they live there -- vary widely when it comes to fees and closing costs. You must be age 62 or older to qualify. The cash you get can be received as a lump sum, a regular monthly cash advance, a line of credit or as a combination of these payment methods. If you currently have a mortgage, check with your lender to see if it offers reverse mortgages and if so, what fees are involved. Since you are a known customer, you might get a break on fees or closing costs.

I know of three lenders that waive origination fees and closing costs, even for new customers, provided a borrower takes the loan in one lump sum -- Countrywide (800-608-0455, www.countrywide.com), Financial Freedom (888-738-3773, www.financialfreedom.com) and EverBank Reverse Mortgage (800-269-6797, www.everbankreverse.com).

Note: A lump-sum payment is best for those who will spend or invest it wisely. If you're not up to this, a monthly cash advance may be better.

More information: Visit the AARP Web site at www.aarp.org/money. Click on "Reverse Mortgages" for information on how they work, who qualifies, etc. Use AARP's calculator to get an estimate of how large a mortgage you may qualify for.

Our inside source: Nancy Dunnan, a New York City-based financial and travel adviser and the author or coauthor of 25 books. Her latest book is the ninth edition of her best seller, How to Invest $50 - $5,000 (HarperCollins).