Annuity Calculator

Today we’re going to teach you about an Annuity. Regardless of your financial goals and status, everyone needs to have a plan for retirement. Unfortunately, 64% of Americans have reported that they are not prepared for retirement. More troubling is the fact that 48% don’t even care.

While there are a variety of reasons, like not having enough money to save, the fact is you need to think about your retirement yesterday. Even if you begin stashing money away in a savings account each month is better than nothing. At some point though, you are going to have to step-up your retirement plan by investing in retirement savings vehicles like a 401(k) or an IRA.

But, have you also considered additional retirement plans like annuities? If not, you may want to. Although frequently misunderstood, it can be an effective way to generate a stream of lifetime income — guaranteed.

If that sounds too good to be true, then dive into the following annuities guide. It will explain everything that you need to know about annuities so that you can determine if they fit into your retirement plan.

What You’ll Find in This Guide

In this guide, we’ll look at the pros and cons of annuities. We’ll discuss the options and the values, and we’ll explain what you need to know as you consider using this financial tool to give yourself a more secure financial future.

While all annuities swap a customer’s payments for a future return, annuities come in a range of different versions. In addition to being either deferred or automatic, they can also be variable or fixed, and they can be limited and set for life. Their values vary over time and the rates that they deliver to customers can also vary between insurance companies.

As you consider adding an annuity to your financial toolbox, we’ll make sure that you have the information you need to decide whether this tool suits you and which kind of annuity suits you best.

An Overview of Annuities

Before getting too far ahead of ourselves, let’s quickly explain what an annuity is.

Believe it or it’s actually an insurance product. Specifically, it’s a contract between you, the annuitant, and an insurance company where you’ll make a single payment or series of payments, also known as premiums. In return, you’ll receive regular disbursements that begin either immediately or sometime in the future.

That may sound confusing. And, that’s to be expected. After all, annuities can be very complex. So, the easiest way to think of an annuity is when you purchase travel insurance or a warranty on a new vehicle. They offer protection in case your trip gets canceled or your car breaks-down. Annuities guarantee that you’ll receive a steady income for the rest of your life.

Because of this, annuities are often used as a way to save for retirement. When you go this route, you’re essentially paying an insurance entity to grow that money. And, more importantly, send you payments when you retire.

However, some prefer to convert their savings into a stream of retirement income. But, you do have the option to do both. If so, the insurance company will delay the pay-out until the future.

While this might be a lot to wrap your head around, the main takeaway should be this; with annuities, you pay an insurance provider. As a result, they’ll assume the risk of you outliving your retirement savings if you happen to outlive your income. What’s more, you’re also safe from market risks.