Fixed Annuities

What is an Annuity?

An annuity policy, as the name suggests, helps you to get regular payment for life after making an instalment investment. It is a long-term investment that is issued and designed to help protect you from the risk of outliving your income. Annuity plans are specifically designed to meet the long-term retirement needs of people with a decent corpus for investment. Under an annuity plan, you pay an investment in the accumulation period and get regular payments as long as you live or for a pre-specified fixed period.

Fixed Annuities

A fixed deferred annuity is similar to a cash deposit with more flexibility for accessing your money later. These will provide you with a fixed rate of return on the amount present in your account. The money in your contract is credited with a fixed rate of interest for a specific period of time. Taxes do not need to be paid on your earnings until you withdraw them as income. When you are ready to begin receiving income, you can choose from a variety of options to customize your income stream.

PREDICTABILITY

Interest rates are “locked in” for a specific period of time and provide a greater certainty of savings growth, as you plan for your future.

LIQUIDITY

Most contracts allow the owner to withdraw a certain percentage of their contract value annually – usually up to 10 percent – free of any surrender charges.

DEATH BENEFIT

If you die during the accumulation phase of your annuity contract, your beneficiary will receive a death benefit. Any death benefit payable during the annuity income phase is based upon the annuity option you select.

There is no additional tax-deferral provided when an annuity contract is used to fund a tax-qualified retirement plan. Investors should only buy an annuity contract for the annuity’s additional features, such as lifetime income payments and/or death benefit protection. Amounts withdrawn in excess of the free withdrawal amount are typically subject to surrender charges. Taxable withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax and, if made prior to age 59 ½, may be subject to an additional 10% federal income tax.