Yes, given that the OP has gone AWOL, it's hard to say without knowing more specifics of what the FA has proposed (and perhaps other specificsf the OP's friend's situation) whether what the FA has proposed is sensible or not.
Also agree that FAs have to eat to so I don't begrudge them a commission, but I think it should be disclosed. They's say "it's paid for my the issuer" but at the same time the issuer prices it into the product in one way or another.
It could well be that the FA is a good guy and has made a prudent recommendation.
However, given that the multitude of horror stories on annuity misselling that we see here on a regular basis, skepticism is prudent.
Super90, do you sell annuities or work in the industry?