One of the more common difficulties that people have with their fixed annuities relates to the tax treatment. Although it may seem overwhelming the concept is usually pretty simple to grasp. A fixed annuity is a contract in which the insurance company agrees to make a fixed payment over a specific period of time. The payment is contractual and is based on the premium paid to the insurance company.
One of the more appealing features of an annuity for most people is the option to make it a life annuity. These types of annuities can provide a steady, reliable income for the duration of an annuitant’s lifetime.
On the surface, the tax treatment of fixed annuities is rather simple. In is when you dig into the details that the more complicated parts can emerge. Plainly stated, most annuities have tax-deferred growth, and are taxable upon payment distributions.
The tax-deferred growth means that any values that increase in the account during the accumulation phase are not taxable until they are pulled out of the account. This sort of deferred taxation can have very positive effects on the size of the account.
Each annuity distribution is split into two sections, a taxable section and a nontaxable section. The portion of the benefit that is taxable is dependent upon the exclusion ratio for the annuity. This ratio is calculated by dividing the amount invested in the annuity by the total amount expected to be received. This ratio is then multiplied by each anticipated distribution to calculate the taxable and non-taxable portions of the distribution.
Generally speaking, the taxable portion of the account refers to the portion of the account that has never been taxed, or the growth and payments beyond the premium payments. The nontaxable portion of the annuity is typically the sum of the premiums paid.
A life annuity contract is generally more difficult to calculate than fixed period annuities. The difficulty with a lifetime annuity is determining the expected payout. Life expectancy tables prepared by the U.S. Treasury Department are used to determine life expectancy of the annuitant.
The fixed annuity can be a good vehicle for your retirement planning needs and the future preservation of your hard-earned money. Lifetime income annuity contracts are able to provide a steady, secure, and predetermined income that you are sure to not outlive. Add in the tax-advantages that annuities provide, and the fixed annuity can be a very effective insurance planning tool.
Before you purchase a fixed annuity be sure to visit Brian Atkinson online. There are number of fixed income annuities strategies that can be combined to create the most effective financial plan for your individual circumstances.
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