Annuities are tailor-made for providing guaranteed lifetime income. Technically, an annuity is a contract with a life insurance company, which in return for your investment agrees to pay income for a specified time or for your entire life. “Immediate annuities” pay income immediately. “Deferred annuities” defer the income phase, leaving time for an accumulation phase at a fixed rate (fixed annuities) or through investments in stocks and bonds (variable annuities). Growth on deferred annuities is tax-deferred, with income taxes due only when you take out money. (Note: A 10% federal tax penalty may apply to withdrawals taken before age 59% .) Annuities generally provide other benefits as well, such as guaranteed death benefits and, with variable annuities, “living benefits” that can guarantee a potentially rising income that’s protected against market downturns. These benefits can guarantee retirement income as long as you live, or as long as you and your spouse live, regardless of market ups and downs. Living and death benefits may be optional, and available for an additional fee. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

American Annuity Advocates

Deferred Annuity

A deferred annuity is a contract between a life insurance company and an individual (the annuity owner).

Immediate Income Annuities

An income annuity is the only.