Making the Right Decision On Fixed Annuities: What to Consider When Purchasing A Fixed Annuity

When safety and security is an issue, you might find yourself, like many others, turning to the guaranteed investment of the fixed annuity. While there’s many reasons to choose either a CD or a fixed annuity, the annuity often has features that make it a preferential choice. Many times, you’ll find the rate higher in the annuity and because the product gets preferential tax treatment, the money grows even faster. There are differences in annuities and you’ll need to do some shopping in order to find the best one for your situation.

It’s not always obvious things that make one specific fixed annuity better than another one is. Interest rate or rate of return, of course is one indicator but there are other more specific items to look at also.

See how long the company guarantees the initial interest rate. If the rate is a one -time item, such as a bonus rate you need to get out the calculator and see if it really pays over the long run. Some rates that have a lower initial rate because of a bonus but higher in the second year may actually pay more in the long run.

Each product has a minimum guaranteed rate of return also. This is the rate that no matter what the economic conditions, the company promises is the lowest you’ll ever receive. When interest rates at the bank drop below a percent, the minimum guaranteed rate becomes important.

On occasion, minimum investments become important. If you plan to remove money periodically until you deplete your policy, you’ll want to avoid a fixed annuity with a penalty if the funds fall below a specific amount. If you’re a smaller investor, you won’t even be able to start a fixed annuity if your funds don’t meet the company minimum.

The ability to add more funds is also important. Many people find that they like the easy carefree annuities, particularly as they age and want less complication in their finances. They often want to add additional funds. The ability to add to a fixed annuity and the minimum additions become important in this case.

Surrender charges, like early withdrawal penalties are important when you invest your money. Some companies surrender period is shorter than others are. You might find an annuity that allows you to invest for one year and then remove the funds without penalty. Other products may have charges that last not just your lifetime unless you take annuity payments.

Occasionally, you’ll find annuitize that don’t allow your beneficiaries to receive the funds in a lump sum but also require they annuities the proceeds. If the heirs want a lump sum payment, they pay a high penalty regardless of how long you had the product before you passed. If this fits your plans for the way you want your money received by heirs, it’s a huge benefit. Others, however, find the restrictions too limiting.

For those that worry about the potential for emergency cash, most annuities offer the ability to access a portion of the principal as well as all the interest. Some policies allow you to take out 10 percent of the money in the contract without paying a penalty. In a liberal policy, if you don’t use the 10 percent one year, it transfers to the following year and accumulates each year.

Be as careful when shopping for an annuity as you are for any other major purchase. Most people don’t buy the first car they see, they get competitive offers, look over all the features and then choose. Do the same thing when you buy an annuity and you’ll buy the best annuity for your situation.

Christopher Tyler discusses of fixed annuities and other investment options for retirement. As the economy slides into the worst recession in decades more and more investors are looking for safe options to grow their investment for retirement. Visit our site to learn more about the fixed annuity as a viable investment for retirement.

Fixed Annuity Offerings Can Differ Greatly Betwee Companies: Here’s Some Things To Consider

If you believe all fixed annuities are exactly alike, think again. Fixed annuities have different options and rates to fit almost everyone’s needs. The key to finding the right annuity is getting annuity quotes that to find the one that’s best for your situation. An annuity quote helps you eliminate some of the products that don’t fit your situation and find those that pay you the most money. In addition to increasing your return, there’s even more good news, annuity quotes are free.

There are thousands of fixed annuities available with each one offering you something special. Of course, what you’re most interested in is the rate of return for your money. The way you use the annuity makes a difference on the contract that makes the best sense for your needs. Checking several different annuity quotes helps you do this.

Some people want a deferred annuity. That’s an annuity, which simply sits and grows interest in a tax-deferred manner. Others look for the benefit of taking payments immediately on a monthly or other systematic basis. They need to look at other features.

The owners of deferred annuities can annuitize, request systematic payments, later but many people simply use them to avoid immediate taxation of growth. When you look for an annuity quote of this kind you need to pay close attention not only to the immediate interest rate, but also to the guaranteed interest rate.

The immediate rate is the interest the company pays for a specific guaranteed length of time. Sometimes the offer is simply a one-year guarantee, other times it’s longer. Once that length of time expires, the company has the right to change the rate as to any amount equal to or higher than the guaranteed rate of the policy. To find the highest annuity quote, look for a website that offers annuity quotes from many different companies.

Surrender fees schedules are important to check when purchasing a fixed deferred annuity. The surrender fee is a percentage of the lump sum invested based on the number of years you hold the annuity. The length of time varies but some companies always have a surrender fee unless you annuitize, turn the policy into systematic payments.

It’s rare to find a company that doesn’t allow some type of invasion into the contract without a penalty. Most companies offer at least ten percent each year but it may be as little as ten percent of the principal plus interest over the lifetime of the contract. Almost every company offers you the right to remove any accumulated interest. Some people simply take the interest every year as part of their retirement income. Just like a CD, you have the choice of having it deposited in your bank account or allowing it to accumulate.

If you’re very young, you might not want to consider using a CD as a vehicle for savings. Just like a Roth or Traditional IRA, there’s a 10 percent penalty if you remove the funds before you’re 59 . Of course, if you plan to retire early and take systematic periodic payments, there’s no penalty as long as you take the payments until you’re 59 or at least for five years.

When you choose to take payments from an annuity, you simply check the payment amount to find the best rate of return. You can take payments for a specific amount of years, over your lifetime or the lifetime of two individuals or for a number of years with a guarantee of return of principal. The easiest way to find the best product is by securing an annuity quote. Annuity quotes from several companies helps you find the best possible payouts available.

John C. Ryan is a writer, focused on educating investors on annuity insurance. Purchasing an annuity is a major decision. Before making that decision you should properly assess all the options available through multiple annuity quotes . Contact us to read more from John, and talk to an advisor about the best annuity quote for you.