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Home Posts tagged "what is an annuity"
How to Choose an Annuity

How to Choose an Annuity

By Ed Crowe | General Articles | 0 comment | 1 September, 2023 | 0

How to Choose an Annuity

Annuities can be an integral part of financial wellness plans for the golden years of your life, as well as a plan for the future of your family’s financial security. But, like many financial decisions, choosing an annuity can be intimidating. Here are four simple steps to choosing an annuity and starting to safeguard you and your family’s future during your retirement:

 

 Choose when payouts begin

There are two options for the date that payouts begin on an annuity. The first is called deferred, meaning that payouts will begin in the future at a previously determined date. The second is called immediate, which means payouts begin shortly after the first premium is paid. In this case, the premium is a lump sum.

 

 Select the rate of return deciding how to choose an annuity

This selection depends very much on the level of financial risk that you are comfortable taking. There are three usual options:

  • Guaranteed/Fixed

These payouts are based on the amount that is guaranteed in the contract. The company bears the investment risk so the client doesn’t have to, and the payments are typically the same regardless of timing.

 

  • Variable

Although some variable annuity contracts may offer minimum payout guarantees, both the account payout and the earnings are variable and not guaranteed with this type of annuity.

 

  • Indexed

This is a combination of the two previous, essentially. Indexed rate of returns provide a minimum guaranteed interest rate and an interest rate tied to the market index.

 

  Select payout term when  – how to choose and annuity

These are very similar to life insurance terms. There are five types:

  • Lifetime of policyholder

  • Lifetime with remainder of funds to beneficiary

  • Guaranteed for five, ten, fifteen, twenty years, etc.

  • Joint and survivor

Of these, all of them except for the “lifetime of policyholder” allow remaining funds to be transferred to a survivor or beneficiary at the end of the policyholder’s life.

 

 Select payout type

There are two standard types of payouts on an annuity. Lump sum withdrawal is when the policyholder receives all the funds at once, and some fees can apply to this. The other type, annuitize contract, is when monthly payments are sent to the specified recipient in the previously chosen payout term.

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What is an Annuity

What is an annuity

By Ed Crowe | Annuities | 0 comment | 14 September, 2017 | 1

 What is an annuity

This is a more complicated question than one might realize. So what is an annuity?  The standard definition from the dictionary is listed below but it does not really help to answer the question.

an·nu·i·ty
əˈn(y)o͞oədē/
noun
noun: annuity; plural noun: annuities
  1. a fixed sum of money paid to someone each year. In most cases, payments are for the rest of their life.
    “he left her an annuity of $1,000 in his will”
    • a form of insurance or investment entitling the investor to a series of annual sums.
      “an annuity plan”

Answer:

Annuities are a type of investment account clients typically use either for retirement savings, conservative account growth or to generate regular income payments in retirement. Annuities are insurance contracts, the issuing insurance company provides basic guarantees in the contract, this depends on the type of annuity.

There are many types of annuities, and the right one for each person depends on their situation and goals.

Looking for guaranteed income in retirement

Consider income annuities or annuities with guaranteed income riders:

Income annuities can provide a stable and predictable source of retirement income. With these types of annuities, you surrender access to a lump sum of money in exchange for a stream of income that’s guaranteed for life. Payments from income annuities can start as early as 30 days from the day you sign the contract.  Although, the more competitive income annuities require a much longer gestation period ranging all the way up to age 85.

Fixed or Variable Annuities with guaranteed income rider:

 The majority of annuities on the market today offer a guaranteed income riders.  Riders will provide a set amount of income at a future date determined by the insured.  Income riders are predictable and can be illustrated to show how much guaranteed income will be paid out for life at any given start date.  Most income riders have an annual fee that is deducted from the overall account value of the annuity. Some income riders will increase the benefit base (number used to determine the income payout) on a guaranteed annual basis.  You can find past income riders with 8% to 10% compound roll ups for 20, 30 or sometimes 40 years.  The current interest rate environment has lowered the guarantees in most products income riders over the past few years.

Trying to conservatively grow your nest egg.

Consider either a Variable or fixed indexed annuity for safe growth.

 Most growth oriented annuities will provide minimum growth guarantees and also have lock in features which set a new minimum value every year.  Some Variable annuities can go below your initial value if the market based accounts they use have negative returns.

What is an annuity; what to consider when making a choice:

Understanding the basics of an annuity is one thing.  The bigger step is knowing the details and understanding which annuity is best for your situation.

  • What the fees and charges will be. Fees and charges vary greatly from company to company and also depends on the type of annuity.
  • Who issues the annuity. Annuities are backed by the strength of the company that offers them. Take a look at the financial rating of the company you use.
  • How do you want your annuity invested. You can go with a fixed annuity (called a MYGA), an indexed annuity or variable annuity.  In general the fixed annuity is a set rate but will often have a lower yield.  Fixed indexed annuities have potential for more growth but can also do little to nothing in bad years.  A variable annuity can either grow substantially or have negative returns.  This will depend on market performance.
  • How much flexibility you need. Annuities have surrender periods.  The surrender periods range from 3 years up to 15 years.  This depends on the product as well as state.  Choose one that fits your needs.

If you have more questions on the topic, either give us a call at 203-796-5403 or email Edward@croweandassociates.com to get answers.

For more information; you can visit our website croweandassociates.com.

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