An annuity is a binding agreement between you and an insurance company where the insurer pays out invested funds, either on a monthly or one-time, lump-sum basis. Annuities benefit those nearing retirement and can be utilized as a regular source of income or a way to diversify your income portfolio. These investment vehicles can be an excellent tool to protect you from outliving your savings in retirement.
What Is an Annuity and How Does It Work?
Updated: October 27, 2023
Featured Experts:
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways on Annuities
Knowing the definition of an annuity is only the tip of the iceberg. A deeper appreciation of these financial products requires understanding how they work, the types of annuities available, and the benefits they can provide.
Annuities are contracts between you and an insurance provider that promise to pay policyholders a fixed income at a set time in the future.
Insurers use your payments (either a lump sum or monthly premiums) to make investments, allowing you to grow your money tax-deferred.
Insurers pay out your annuity in a lump sum (immediate) or through several payments over time (deferred).
When purchasing annuities, you can choose between three types: fixed, variable and indexed annuities.
Annuities are mainly used in retirement to help retirees supplement their savings with an additional income stream.
Annuities can help seniors and retirees meet their retirement income goals and manage or diversify their investment portfolios.
Understanding How Annuities Work
Having a nest egg for your golden years is one thing; ensuring a steady income stream, even during retirement, is another. That’s where annuities come in. If you're seriously considering investing in an annuity, it’s essential to go beyond the definition of an annuity.
Annuities are popular among older, retired adults because they can serve to augment income streams. The end-to-end process of securing an annuity is relatively straightforward. After selecting an annuity type, you purchase a contract by making payments, either monthly or as a one-time, lump sum. Your insurer grows your money through investments and begins to issue payments back to you after a predetermined period.
1
Select the Type of Annuity You Want
Annuity contracts generally fall into three types — fixed, variable and indexed. Depending on your preferences, such as how much risk you're willing to take and whether or not you want guaranteed growth or your principal protected, one type might suit you better than another.
2
Start Making Payments
Purchasing an annuity entails making payments. You can do this in two ways, depending on your preference: give a lump sum payment or make several scheduled payments to your insurance company.
3
Give Your Money Time to Grow
Depending on the type of annuity you purchase and the stipulations of your contract, you may have to wait for a predetermined amount of time to pass before you begin to receive payments from your insurance provider.
4
Start Receiving Your Payments
Setting up your annuity contract involves several decision points. More than selecting a type and how you want to make payments, you can also choose how (and when) you receive payments. Some individuals may prefer receiving payments shortly after paying a lump sum; others choose a specific age when they want their insurer to begin payouts.
Annuity Phases
- Life Option: You receive payments for the remainder of your life.
- Period Certain: You predetermine when and how long you'll receive payments.
- Systematic Withdrawals: You take out specific amounts of money in specific intervals.
- Lump Sum: You withdraw all your savings as a lump sum.
The Accumulation Phase
The accumulation phase is when you build your savings and attempt to increase the value of your annuity contract. It begins when you contribute to the annuity through a lump sum payment or monthly premiums. During this phase, your investment capital continuously grows and remains this way until you access it. Typically, the more funds you put in during the accumulation phase, the more you'll receive once the annuitization phase begins. This phase encompasses the first three steps outlined in the list above.
The Annuitization Phase
After the accumulation phase, you enter the annuitization phase. As you might have guessed, this pertains specifically to the fourth step in the list above — “Start Receiving Payments.” Because of this, the annuitization phase is also known as the payout phase. At this point, whatever money you have saved becomes an income stream. Your payment method can be distributed in one of four ways:
Deferred and Immediate Annuities
If you want to spend smartly during retirement, it's crucial to understand how you receive income. We've already touched on the payout or annuitization phase, but let's break that down further.
Annuity contracts come in two types regarding payouts — immediate and deferred. This distinction doesn't refer to whether you’ll receive a lump sum or monthly payments, but when you’ll begin receiving payments.
As its name implies, an immediate payout means you’ll start getting payments within a year of purchasing your annuity (it may even be as short as a month after). Typically, this payout type is possible when you make a lump sum contribution. A deferred payout means you begin receiving funds at a future date, which may work in your favor since it allows your contract to earn interest and grow in value over time.
Taxes on Annuities
One benefit of investing in annuities is that they allow you to grow your savings on a tax-deferred basis. That means that your money is not subject to tax while your contract is in its accumulation phase. However, once your annuity enters the annuitization phase, your payouts are subject to income tax.
Types of Annuities
More than simply knowing the definition of an annuity, it's also crucial to understand the types of annuities you can purchase. Your choice affects several factors, including how insurance companies set your interest rates, how they invest your money and what amount of risk you’ll take on.
Types of Annuities
Type of Annuity | Description |
|---|---|
Fixed Annuities | After purchasing your contract through a lump sum or a series of payments, a fixed annuity guarantees a return based on a fixed interest rate for a specified period. Once this period ends, your insurer can set another interest rate that may be higher, lower or identical to your original interest rate. Fixed annuities work best for people who have a low tolerance for risk. Your insurance company typically invests in safer vehicles, such as highly rated corporate bonds or Treasury securities. Although it might now have as much growth opportunity as variable annuities, it is not affected by the ups and downs of the market. |
Variable Annuities | While fixed annuities guarantee a steady but often low return, variable annuities may yield more growth by taking advantage of rising markets. With a variable annuity, your insurer offers a menu of investment options, and you have a say in which subaccounts your money goes. These may include stocks, bonds and money market instruments. The value of a variable annuity contract depends on how much you contributed and the performance of underlying investments — that's where the risk lies. You might experience losses if the market dips, making variable annuities better suited for experienced investors who can tolerate more financial risk. |
Indexed | An indexed annuity is the most complex among the different annuities available. While the yield of a variable annuity depends on the performance of investment options, an indexed annuity depends on a stock market index, such as the S&P 500. Note that the insurer doesn't invest your money in the index but uses its performance to calculate your return. So if the index has a gain, your contract value also increases. While indexed annuities are subject to market downturns, they usually offer some protection against risk. |
Benefits and Drawbacks of Annuities
Purchasing an annuity is an investment. While an annuity can help you achieve your financial goals in your golden years, it also involves some risks. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of annuities is a must, especially if you are seriously considering using them as a potential income stream.
- Once your annuity matures and enters the payout phase, it becomes an additional source of income.
- Annuities use pre-tax dollars, so your savings accumulate without being subjected to tax.
- You can pass on your annuity to a person through the death benefit option. Your beneficiary can receive the remaining amount (if you started receiving payouts) through a lump sum or a series of payments.
- You can set up your contract the way you want by selecting your preferred type (fixed, variable or indexed) and payout schedule (immediate or deferred).
- You can contribute as much as you want, regardless of age or income.
- Once you deposit your money in an annuity contract, you cannot withdraw it until the surrender period passes. Withdrawing your funds during the surrender period may result in a surrender charge.
- Your annuity contract may include several fees. These include fund management and underwriting fees and commissions.
- Not all types of annuities are easy to understand. Variable and index annuities (those that offer higher growth potential) are better suited for those with investment experience.
Fees Associated with Annuities
Purchasing an annuity can come with many advantages, the primary being an additional income stream when you retire. However, you must first put money into your annuity to earn these gains. Annuities can be expensive, not only because you have to come up with a principal but because they may also involve fees, much like other financial products. The more complicated your annuity is, the more fees you'll likely encounter.
Management Fees
You may encounter management fees if your annuity invests in mutual funds. These fees compensate an investment manager's time and expertise since he selects stocks and manages your portfolio.
Mortality and Expense Fees
You're not the only one dealing with risks — your insurer faces some, too. Mortality and expense risk charges assure them they'll get something back if unexpected events result in losses, such as the untimely death of the annuitant.
Surrender Fees
Annuities typically come with a surrender period, during which you cannot withdraw your funds without incurring a penalty. The surrender charge is a percentage of your contract that typically decreases over time.
Rider Fees
Like life insurance policies, you can add riders to your annuity contract. Some common ones are long-term care, terminal illness, cost of living (inflation) and return of premium. Although these riders ensure that your annuity is customized to meet your financial needs, they will increase your overall expenses.
Alternatives to Annuities
Annuities are most popular with people preparing for retirement for several reasons: they allow you to grow your money tax-deferred, and once payouts begin, you receive regular payments, allowing you to manage your finances. Other retirement savings plans, such as a 401k or a Roth IRA, provide similar benefits, but an annuity can act as a supplement once you've maxed out these other financial vehicles.
However, it's essential to know that are other financial products available for consideration. We looked at two specifically — mutual funds and dividend stocks.
Mutual Funds
A mutual fund pools funds from several investors and puts them into securities. There are several types of mutual funds, such as money market, bond, stock and target date funds. You purchase shares representing your part ownership of the funds and dictate the income these funds generate.
Mutual funds share similarities with variable annuities in that your earnings for both depend on the performance of the investments in your portfolio. However, the former tend to provide a higher rate of return since annuities have additional costs due to the built-in guarantees they provide, like payouts and death benefits.
The tax treatment between the two is different, too. Annuities are tax-deferred during the accumulation phase, but withdrawals are subject to regular tax rates. If mutual funds are in a taxable account like an individual brokerage account or a joint account, they can create taxable income. After mutual funds produce capital gains or pay dividends, that income must be included on your tax return and reported to the IRS.
Dividend Stocks
If you invest in a company's shares, you'll receive income from that company’s earnings in the form of dividends. Typically, investors receive these dividends quarterly in the form of cash or reinvestment in additional stock. The company's Board of Directors determines the dividend payments and amounts.
Variable annuities and dividends share several similarities. For example, they both invest in the stock market and offer growth potential. However, some differences may help you decide which is better when you retire.
The advantage of choosing an annuity is you're guaranteed an income stream for life, assuming you get the life option for a fixed annuity. Other, riskier annuities — like variable and indexed annuities — typically offer a cap on losses. On the other hand, dividends can result in significant losses if the market drops because they’re dependent on stock performance. Owning stocks also comes with advantages. You're free to sell them for cash whenever you need funds. Annuities typically have a surrender period, where you cannot withdraw your money without incurring a penalty.
Annuities FAQ
Before investing in an annuity, it’s crucial to fully understand how they work and what types of annuities are available. If you're considering an annuity as an option for your retirement, here are some questions that may provide more information.
What are annuities, and why are they popular with those nearing retirement?
An annuity is a contract between you and your insurance provider that requires them to release payments to you in the future. Most individuals purchase an annuity in preparation for retirement because it offers several benefits. These include earning tax-deferred and providing regular payment for a specific period (which could be the remainder of your life if you choose that option). Besides that, you can assign a beneficiary for your annuity so they can receive a death benefit should you pass away before your annuity is paid out to you in full.
What are the different types of annuities available?
Annuities come in three main varieties — fixed, variable and indexed.
Fixed annuities earn at a constant rate for a specific amount of time. That prevents these annuities from being affected by market conditions. Fixed annuities are typically best suited for risk-averse individuals.
Variable annuities may result in higher gains, especially if the market does well. They also allow you to invest your funds in different options, resulting in a diversified portfolio. However, a dip in the market may lead to losses.
Indexed annuities are similar to variable annuities. However, your gains depend on a stock market index. Although insurers don't invest your money in the index, they use it (and its growth) to calculate your earnings.
Can you customize your annuity contract?
Yes — that's one key benefit of investing in annuities. You can set them up to fit your needs.
For example, you can choose the type of annuity that suits your investment experience level and risk aversion. Another customizable area is your payout — you can receive payments immediately (one year within your purchase date) or deferred.
Payouts can also be made in one large sum or through a series of payments. If you choose the latter, you can set up your contract so these last throughout the remainder of your life or only within a specific period.
Are there risks associated with purchasing annuities?
Despite the numerous benefits annuities bring, you must also consider the drawbacks you may encounter. These include illiquidity (making withdrawals before your annuitization phase may result in a surrender charge), numerous fees and potential losses (in the case of variable and indexed annuities).
What is the tax treatment for annuities?
During the accumulation phase, your money grows on a tax-deferred basis. However, your payouts are subject to the regular income tax rate.
Expert Insights on Annuities
MoneyGeek reached out to several subject matter experts in the finance industry to share their insights about annuities. Here's what they have to say regarding what factors you should consider when selecting one, what age you should begin your investment and whether there are other possible income streams you can consider.
- What are some things to keep in mind when shopping for annuities?
- At what age should you invest in annuities and why?
- Are annuity contracts the best option for retirees to maintain a steady stream of income? If not, what other alternatives can they consider?
Elle SwitzerFSA, Director, Annuity Product Management at CUNA Mutual Group
Bradley J. RosenPresident of Longevity Financial
Related Content
Knowing what an annuity is and how it works can help you determine whether it's the best financial product for you when you retire. However, retirement in and of itself is a broad subject, and more information is available online that may help. Here are some pages you may want to peruse:
- Planning for Financial Success and Happiness: Your financial needs change at different stages in your life. Find some helpful tools for retirement and senior living, such as the Retirement Expenses Calculator on this page.
- The 401(k): Retirement Fund Basics: MoneyGeek sheds more light on this employer-sponsored retirement savings option and how it works. You can get more information about joining one and making contributions.
- Roth IRA: Not all retirement savings accounts involve an employer — some you can set up yourself, such as a Roth IRA. Our page covers the essentials, from opening one to contribution limits to making withdrawals.
- Annuities vs. Life Insurance: What’s the Difference and What Should You Get? An annuity can provide a death benefit, but so does a life insurance policy. Explore how these financial products differ and see which suits your needs better.
- How to Start Saving and Investing: Saving and investing can help you build a nest egg for your golden years. MoneyGeeks shares tried and tested ways to establish a financially secure future.
About Angelique Cruz
Angelique Cruz, a researcher and content producer at MoneyGeek, specializes in writing informative content on personal, auto and home loans. She has extensive experience developing content on macroeconomics, financial statistics and behavioral finance. She also has a 10-year background in management consultancy.
Cruz has a psychology degree from Ateneo de Manila University.
sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Reasons for Purchasing an Annuity." Accessed March 4, 2023.
- Investor.gov. "Annuities." Accessed March 4, 2023.
- Investor.gov. "Market Index." Accessed March 4, 2023.
- Investor.gov. "Surrender Charge." Accessed March 4, 2023.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "Variable Annuities." Accessed March 4, 2023.