I think it's appropriate to understand annuities and I'm not surprised that any broker would suggest them, especially since you stated that you are risk adverse. The important thing is to take your time and remember the golden rule - do not buy into anything you don't understand.
I have a very small annuity. At the time I bought it, I thought it would be a good addition to my investments. I understood exactly what I was buying and I'm happy with it. As with any insurance, it's a gamble. If I live long enough, it will be a nice investment. In any case, it's beer money that's pretty secure (I won't use the term guaranteed). OTHO, my in-laws bought a bunch of annuities and riders. It's not a stretch to say that the sales person had no business selling these to a couple in their late 70's early 80's. No one really understood what they bought. Now, FIL has passed and MIL has Alzheimer's and is in a memory care unit. DW has had to try to sort all this out and make the most of the situation in order to provide the most money, which translates to the best care, they can obtain. It's been hell. DW's sister wants to sue, but the reality is that the company is following the contract. The worse aspect of it is that one of the provisions had a ten year holding period - FOR AN EIGHTY YEAR OLD! So, there is plenty of reason for people to have a bad view of the industry and the product, but it can be a reasonable product if you know and understand exactly what you're buying. Take your time.