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Indexed Annuities Offer Growth, Protection and an Income Stream

Indexed annuities have become very popular over the past decade or so – especially with those who are approaching retirement. That’s because an indexed annuity can provide you with market-linked growth, along with safety of principal – regardless of what’s happening with equities and interest rates.

Like other types of annuities, indexed contracts can also offer you a lifetime income in retirement. In fact, if you choose the lifetime income option, you can count on a regular payment for the remainder of your life – no matter how long that may be.

But are indexed annuities really all they’re cracked up to be?

Before you make a long-term commitment to one, it’s important to know exactly how these annuities work. Otherwise, you could be in for a surprise if the annuity doesn’t perform the way you anticipated it to. If you want to know which type of an annuity may work best for you, click here to take our free online annuity quiz, which only takes about 30 seconds to fill out.

What is an Indexed Annuity?

Indexed annuities are a special type of insurance and income-producing financial vehicle. With an indexed annuity, the return is based in large part on an underlying market index, such as the S&P 500.

Many indexed annuities will actually allow you to track multiple indexes from a list of options. There is also a fixed account alternative where you can place some (or even all) of your contributions.

Often referred to as a fixed indexed annuity or equity indexed annuity, these indexed annuities have quite a few moving parts. But, for the right investor, they can provide a long list of benefits – both before and after you retire.

As with other types of annuities, an indexed annuity represents a contract between an individual and an insurance company. In exchange for a premium payment (or multiple premium payments), the insurance company promises to pay the individual with an income stream in the future.

Indexed annuities can either be immediate or deferred. This means that the income can begin right away (or within 12 months of making your contribution), or alternatively, you can make one or more contributions and have the income begin at some time in the future.

Funds that are in the annuity’s account are allowed to grow on a tax-deferred basis. This means that gains will not be taxed until the time of withdrawal. Because of this tax-deferred concept, the account value can earn interest on your contributions, as well as interest on interest, and interest on the money that would have otherwise been paid out in taxes each year.

Indexed annuities may also offer other benefits, as well, such as a death benefit and/or the allowance of penalty-free withdrawals in the event that the annuitant (the person on whose life the annuity is based) is diagnosed with a terminal illness or must reside in a nursing home for a certain length of time.

If or when you want to convert the annuity to an income stream, you will typically have a number of options to choose from, such as:

  • Life Only – The life only income payout option allows the annuitant to receive an ongoing income stream for the remainder of his or her lifetime (regardless of how long that is). This can help to alleviate the fear of running out of income in retirement.
  • Period Certain – With the period certain option, the annuity will pay out an income stream for a set time frame, such as 10 or 20 years. If the annuitant dies before that time period has elapsed, the annuity will continue to make payments to a named beneficiary.
  • Life with Period Certain – The life with period certain pay out option will also provide income for the annuitant’s lifetime. But, if he or she passes away within a certain amount of time, the annuity will keep paying income to a beneficiary until that time period has elapsed.
  • Joint and Survivor – The joint and survivor annuity income option continues to pay out for the remainder of two peoples’ lives. This option is often used with married couples or partners so that each individual can rely on income for life.

What is an Indexed Annuity?

Indexed annuities are a special type of insurance and income-producing financial vehicle. With an indexed annuity, the return is based in large part on an underlying market index, such as the S&P 500.

Many indexed annuities will actually allow you to track multiple indexes from a list of options. There is also a fixed account alternative where you can place some (or even all) of your contributions.

Often referred to as a fixed indexed annuity or equity indexed annuity, these indexed annuities have quite a few moving parts. But, for the right investor, they can provide a long list of benefits – both before and after you retire.

As with other types of annuities, an indexed annuity represents a contract between an individual and an insurance company. In exchange for a premium payment (or multiple premium payments), the insurance company promises to pay the individual with an income stream in the future.

Indexed annuities can either be immediate or deferred. This means that the income can begin right away (or within 12 months of making your contribution), or alternatively, you can make one or more contributions and have the income begin at some time in the future.

Funds that are in the annuity’s account are allowed to grow on a tax-deferred basis. This means that gains will not be taxed until the time of withdrawal. Because of this tax-deferred concept, the account value can earn interest on your contributions, as well as interest on interest, and interest on the money that would have otherwise been paid out in taxes each year.

Indexed annuities may also offer other benefits, as well, such as a death benefit and/or the allowance of penalty-free withdrawals in the event that the annuitant (the person on whose life the annuity is based) is diagnosed with a terminal illness or must reside in a nursing home for a certain length of time.

If or when you want to convert the annuity to an income stream, you will typically have a number of options to choose from, such as:

  • Life Only – The life only income payout option allows the annuitant to receive an ongoing income stream for the remainder or his or her lifetime (regardless of how long that is). This can help to alleviate the fear of running out of income in retirement.
  • Period Certain – With the period certain option, the annuity will pay out an income stream for a set time frame, such as 10 or 20 years. If the annuitant dies before that time period has elapsed, the annuity will continue to make payments to a named beneficiary.
  • Life with Period Certain – The life with period certain pay out option will also provide income for the annuitant’s lifetime. But, if he or she passes away within a certain amount of time, the annuity will keep paying income to a beneficiary until that time period has elapsed.
  • Joint and Survivor – The joint and survivor annuity income option continues to pay out for the remainder of two peoples’ lives. This option is often used with married couples or partners so that each individual can rely on income for life.

Regular Fixed Annuities vs Fixed Indexed Annuities

Even though regular fixed annuities and fixed indexed annuities share several common features, there are some added bells and whistles that you could obtain with the latter – particularly with regard to the overall return in the account.

What really sets fixed indexed annuities apart from regular fixed annuities is the way that the return is calculated. For instance, while a regular fixed annuity’s return is based on a set rate, a fixed indexed annuity credits interest that is determined through a formula that is based on changes in the underlying index it is tracking.

By tracking a market index (or multiple market indices), there is the opportunity to obtain a much higher return with indexed annuities versus a regular fixed product. But it’s important to note that many indexed annuities include a “cap” or maximum amount of return that can be attained.

As an example, if the annuity has a cap of 5% and the underlying index returns 8% in a given time period, the annuity will only be credited with the 5%. There is a “tradeoff” here, though, because if the tracked index has a negative return in a given year, the annuity’s account value won’t incur a loss. Rather, it will simply be credited with a 0% for that period.

So, while there is no gain, there is also no loss – and because of that, future gains can build upon previous growth, but without having to first make up for any decrease in value. In other words, your gains in a fixed indexed annuity are locked in, never to be lost in the future, no matter what happens in the stock market. Given that, indexed annuity rates can typically be higher than the rates on a regular fixed annuity.

Enhancing Indexed Annuity Payout with a
Guaranteed Income Rider

Many annuities come with option to add some additional benefits. This is usually done by adding various riders to the contract. Doing so can help you to better “customize” an annuity to more closely fit your specific needs.

There are several riders that you may be able to add to indexed annuities and that can enhance the overall benefits and the payout you get from it. These riders could include:

  • Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit (GMIB) – This annuity income rider can guarantee a minimum payout in the future, regardless of market performance. Therefore, no matter how the underlying investment or funds perform in the annuity’s account, the GMIB rider ensures that you receive a set amount of income going forward.
  • Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefit (GMAB) – The GMAB rider can guarantee that the value of the annuity’s income will be at least equal to a minimum percentage of the amount of money that you’ve contributed to the annuity over a certain period of time.
  • Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) – This Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit, or GMWB, rider can help to guarantee that a certain percentage of the amount that you’ve put into the annuity can be fully recovered, no matter what the actual performance is.
  • Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) – The GLWB rider offers a guarantee that you’ll receive a set percentage of the account value of the annuity for as long as you live.

It is important to point out that the income rider is not a part of the annuity’s overall contract value. Nor can it be accessed as a lump sum – and this is where people tend to get a bit tripped up. So, if you see an annuity that offers a 7% or 8% “guarantee,” it is important for you to determine whether that rate actually pertains to the annuity’s contract value, or just to the income rider.

Other indexed annuity riders that you may run across when considering your annuity options include the:

  • Death Benefit Rider – With this rider, a named beneficiary can receive the remainder of your principal if you pass away before receiving all of these funds back from the annuity. In some cases, depending on the specific annuity, there may even be some interest added to these funds.
  • Inflation/Cost of Living Rider – Because many people use annuities as a source of retirement income – and as people are living much longer life spans today – it is important to have an income that will increase over time. This rider can help you to keep pace with rising inflation, and ensure that your future purchasing power remains in-tact. With an inflation/cost of living rider, the amount of your income that is paid out from the annuity will typically increase on an annual basis.
  • Return of Premium Rider – With the return of premium rider, you can guarantee that a beneficiary will receive back the remainder of the annuity’s paid-in premiums.
  • Long-Term Care Rider – If you must reside in a long-term care facility (usually for at least a period of 90 days), a long-term care rider can allow you to receive an additional amount of income from the annuity. Alternatively, depending on the annuity, you could access some (or even all) of the annuity’s premium penalty-free.

Enhancing Indexed Annuity Payout with a
Guaranteed Income Rider

Many annuities come with option to add some additional benefits. This is usually done by adding various riders to the contract. Doing so can help you to better “customize” an annuity to more closely fit your specific needs.

There are several riders that you may be able to add to indexed annuities and that can enhance the overall benefits and the payout you get from it. These riders could include:

  • Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit (GMIB) – This annuity income rider can guarantee a minimum payout in the future, regardless of market performance. Therefore, no matter how the underlying investment or funds perform in the annuity’s account, the GMIB rider ensures that you receive a set amount of income going forward.
  • Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefit (GMAB) – The GMAB rider can guarantee that the value of the annuity’s income will be at least equal to a minimum percentage of the amount of money that you’ve contributed to the annuity over a certain period of time.
  • Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) – This Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit, or GMWB, rider can help to guarantee that a certain percentage of the amount that you’ve put into the annuity can be fully recovered, no matter what the actual performance is.
  • Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) – The GLWB rider offers a guarantee that you’ll receive a set percentage of the account value of the annuity for as long as you live.

It is important to point out that the income rider is not a part of the annuity’s overall contract value. Nor can it be accessed as a lump sum – and this is where people tend to get a bit tripped up. So, if you see an annuity that offers a 7% or 8% “guarantee,” it is important for you to determine whether that rate actually pertains to the annuity’s contract value, or just to the income rider.

Other indexed annuity riders that you may run across when considering your annuity options include the:

  • Death Benefit Rider – With this rider, a named beneficiary can receive the remainder of your principal if you pass away before receiving all of these funds back from the annuity. In some cases, depending on the specific annuity, there may even be some interest added to these funds.
  • Inflation/Cost of Living Rider – Because many people use annuities as a source of retirement income – and as people are living much longer life spans today – it is important to have an income that will increase over time. This rider can help you to keep pace with rising inflation, and ensure that your future purchasing power remains in-tact. With an inflation/cost of living rider, the amount of your income that is paid out from the annuity will typically increase on an annual basis.
  • Return of Premium Rider – With the return of premium rider, you can guarantee that a beneficiary will receive back the remainder of the annuity’s paid-in premiums.
  • Long-Term Care Rider – If you must reside in a long-term care facility (usually for at least a period of 90 days), a long-term care rider can allow you to receive an additional amount of income from the annuity. Alternatively, depending on the annuity, you could access some (or even all) of the annuity’s premium penalty-free.

Understanding Indexed Annuity Fees

Many insurance and financial products charge fees. For instance, certificates of deposit will penalize you if you withdraw your funds before the CD matures. Even your checking and savings accounts my charge fees if you make “too many” withdrawals (or deposits!), use the ATM, or let your account balance fall below a certain dollar figure.

Annuities can also charge fees. The type and the amount of those fees will often depend on the type of annuity you have, as well as the insurance company you purchased it through. With regard to indexed annuities, the most common fee is the surrender charge you could incur if you withdraw some or all of your money from the contract during a certain time period known as the surrender period.

While all indexed annuity surrender charges can differ, typically these fees will start out higher (in some cases as much as 10% or 12% in the first year), and then they gradually decrease over time until they eventually reach 0%.

Many indexed annuities will allow you to withdraw up to 10% of the contract’s value each year without a surrender charge. It is important to note that if you take withdrawals from an annuity before you turn age 59 ½ – regardless of whether or not the annuity is still in the surrender charge period – you can incur an additional 10% “early withdrawal” penalty from the IRS. So, unless you have no other options, it can pay to keep your money in an annuity – at least until the surrender period has elapsed.

Over the years, there have been some indexed annuity complaints – many that centered around the fees that were being charged on the annuity. So, it is always recommended that you read all of the fine print before you commit to any type of annuity. Otherwise, there can be some problems with indexed annuities if you’re entering into uncharted territory.

Provided that you are comfortable with the inner workings of an indexed annuity, as well as with the long list of benefits it can provide, it may make sense to add this type of financial vehicle to your portfolio.

Some annuities have fees that may be buried deep in the prospectus and difficult to identify. If you need help calculating how much you are paying in fees, we do offer a complimentary annuity fee analysis for people that are concerned about paying too much in fees. Feel free to send us which annuity you would like us to conduct an extensive fee analysis on by clicking here. We have helped countless investors throughout the country save thousands of dollars in fees that were hidden in the annuity contract.

Who Should Consider a Fixed Index Annuity?

As employer-sponsored pension plans fade away, individuals are left with the responsibility of generating a significant portion of their retirement income on their own. An indexed annuity could help to solve that problem.

But, while indexed annuities can certainly provide some really nice benefits, these financial vehicles are not right for everyone. So, it is important to determine whether or not this type of annuity will truly help you to reach your short and long-term objectives.

Because all annuities should be considered as longer-term financial commitments, it is also recommended that you don’t contribute money that you may need to access in the near future for emergencies or other obligations.

So, if you’re still wondering, “Should I buy a fixed index annuity?”, talking with an experienced indexed annuities specialist should ideally be the next step. That’s where Annuity Gator can help. We are a team of annuity experts. Our mission is to educate consumers on annuities so that they know exactly what they’re buying, and so that they know what to expect.

We also offer a multitude of annuity reviews on our website. These annuity reviews expose the good, the bad, and yes even the ugly about annuities. But we feel that knowing the whole story is really the only way for you to make a well-informed decision.

Want to chat with an annuity specialist?

If so, feel free to contact us directly by phone at (888) 440-2468. Or, you can send us a message through our secure online contact form here and set up a convenient time to talk. We look forward to hearing from you.

Who Should Consider a Fixed Index Annuity?

As employer-sponsored pension plans fade away, individuals are left with the responsibility of generating a significant portion of their retirement income on their own. An indexed annuity could help to solve that problem.

But, while indexed annuities can certainly provide some really nice benefits, these financial vehicles are not right for everyone. So, it is important to determine whether or not this type of annuity will truly help you to reach your short and long-term objectives.

Because all annuities should be considered as longer-term financial commitments, it is also recommended that you don’t contribute money that you may need to access in the near future for emergencies or other obligations.

So, if you’re still wondering, “Should I buy a fixed index annuity?”, talking with an experienced indexed annuities specialist should ideally be the next step. That’s where Annuity Gator can help. We are a team of annuity experts. Our mission is to educate consumers on annuities so that they know exactly what they’re buying, and so that they know what to expect.

We also offer a multitude of annuity reviews on our website. These annuity reviews expose the good, the bad, and yes even the ugly about annuities. But we feel that knowing the whole story is really the only way for you to make a well-informed decision.

Want to chat with an annuity specialist?

If so, feel free to contact us directly by phone at (888) 440-2468. Or, you can send us a message through our secure online contact form here and set up a convenient time to talk. We look forward to hearing from you.

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