The key points smart investors know about annuities.

If you are seeking protection from market volatility, tax-deferred growth, or a guaranteed income during retirement, an annuity might be right for you. By understanding how annuities work, you can better evaluate their role in your financial strategy, ensuring that they align with your needs and goals.

How Annuities Work

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company, with terms designed to meet your specific financial goals. You can contribute money as a lump sum or periodically, and it grows based on a fixed rate or is linked to market performance, depending on the annuity you select.

Annuity Types

Understanding the various annuity types is crucial to finding the one that meets your financial goals:
Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs)
offer fixed interest rates and function like CDs but often provide higher returns.
Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs)
combine the safety of fixed annuities with the growth potential tied to a market index, such as the S&P 500. They also include principal protection, ensuring you won’t lose money even during a downturn.
Immediate Annuities
pay income shortly after the lump sum is invested and are great if you’re retired and need immediate, predictable cash flow.
Deferred Income Annuities (DIAs)
ensure you will have income in the future by allowing you to invest now and then start receiving income at a pre-selected date when other resources may have been depleted.

Why Annuities?

Annuities, depending on the type, can help you protect your savings from market volatility, safeguard your principal, offer tax-deferred growth, and offer guaranteed lifetime income. It’s that simple. Finally, annuities offer flexibility. Whether you’re looking to earn a guaranteed rate, take advantage of tax-deferred growth, or guarantee income now or in the future, there’s an annuity product designed to meet your specific goals.

Annuities and Taxes

Annuities continue to grow without being taxed until you take your money out, making them an advantageous investment if you’re currently in a higher tax bracket. In many cases, only the interest or gains will be taxed as ordinary income, eliminating any concerns about capital gains (as always, be sure to talk with your tax advisor before an investment). Understanding the tax implications of annuities will help you optimize their benefits within your financial plan.

Annuity Options

If you choose an income annuity, you can structure payouts to be:
  • Guaranteed income for the rest of your life.
  • Guaranteed income for as long as you or a designated beneficiary is alive.
  • Guaranteed income for the rest of your life with a guaranteed return of remaining principal to your beneficiaries if you die early.
  • A pre-set number of years for your payouts.
Plus, you can select an annuity with a rider providing death benefits or long-term care, among other options. Please note: While these add-ons can enhance the annuity’s utility, they often come with additional costs.

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MYGA/Fixed Rate Annuities

Current Rate Highs
5.25%
2 Years
6.00%
3 Years
6.25%
5 Years
6.10%
7 Years