Canyon Creek Allstate Insurance
What Is An Annuity? H
ealthier lifestyles and better medical care are extending life spans for many people these days. Living a longer life may also mean enjoying a longer retirement, so it’s important to consider in advance how you’ll fund your golden years. One option is an annuity: a contract between you and your insurer that can be used to provide income during retirement. When you invest in an annuity through a lump sum or by making periodic payments over several years, your insurer in return agrees to make regular payments to you that can last the entirety of your retirement.
Types of Annuities Before choosing an annuity, it’s important to understand the different types and how they might affect your financial picture. The main categories of annuities include: Fixed Annuities: A fixed annuity offers a specified interest rate during the accumulation phase, or the period during which your value is growing in the annuity. When you are ready for your stream of payments to begin, the value of your funds is turned into a steady stream of payments that provide a specified payment for either a certain
period of time — say, 20 years — or for an indefinite period, such as your lifetime or the lifetime of you and your spouse, the SEC says.* Variable Annuities: In a variable annuity, you direct funds accumulating in your annuity to investments of your choice that are offered by the insurance company — typically mutual funds, according to the SEC. Your income stream in retirement is dependent upon how well your investments performed during the annuity’s accumulation phase, the SEC says. Indexed Annuities: An indexed annuity provides you with a return that is tied to a major stock market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index, says the SEC. During the accumulation phase, your investment’s rate of return reflects the performance of the selected index. However, these annuities typically also offer returns that are no less than a specified minimum, no matter the index’s performance.
Advantages of Annuities for Retirees Annuities can be an attractive retirement income choice for a number of reasons, including: • Tax Deferral: You don’t pay taxes on the income and investment gains from your annuity until you begin receiving payments. *Like many other investments, the earlier in life you purchase an annuity, the better, since your money has longer to grow, according to Time. • Lifetime Income Stream: If you choose to receive annuity payments with a lifetime contingency (10 years plus life, for example), an annuity can provide an income stream for the duration of your retirement. • Death Benefit: Should you pass away before you begin receiving payments, the person you name as a beneficiary will receive a specified payment. Depending upon your state of residence, annuities may also offer other benefits, such as protection of your investment from creditors. For these reasons and more, an annuity may provide you and your family with increased financial security during your retirement. Call Canyon Creek Allstate to discuss or consult your investment professional to determine how you might best benefit from an annuity.
Do you have a New Roof? It could save you hundreds or More on your Home Owner’s Insurance! www.CanyonCreekLifeMedia.com
15
