With a fixed annuity, you'll earn a stated, fixed interest rate that will make you regular payments. For example, if you buy a $200,000 fixed annuity paying 6% per year, you'll earn $12,000 annually, or $1,000 per month.
Most financial advisors will tell you that the best age for starting an income annuity is between 70 and 75, which allows for the maximum payout. However, only you can decide when it's time for a guaranteed stream of income.
For a $50,000 immediate annuity (where you start getting payments immediately), you're looking at around $300 to $320 per month if you're about 65 years old. For example, a 65-year-old man might get about $317 per month, while a 65-year-old woman might receive closer to $302.
The type of annuity you choose can significantly impact your monthly income. With a $300,000 fixed immediate annuity, a 65-year-old man could receive around $1,450 to $1,950 per month for life, while a 65-year-old woman may get $1,800 to $2,200 per month.
There are a variety of options that are better than an annuity for retirement, depending on your financial situation and goals. These include deferred compensation plans, such as a 401(k), IRAs, dividend-paying stocks, variable life insurance, and retirement income funds.
Don't have sufficient savings to cover premiums: Buying an annuity could mean laying out $50,000 or more to cover the premium. If purchasing an annuity would drain your liquid savings and put you at risk of having to borrow to pay for unexpected expenses, it may not be worth it.
Currently, three-year fixed annuities pay up to 5.65 percent, according to Annuity.org, while 10-year fixed annuities pay up to 5.45 percent. Fixed annuities feature a minimum rate — typically 1 percent to 3 percent — that they will pay each year, even if interest rates fall below that level.
The five-year rule requires that the entire balance of the annuity be distributed within five years of the date of the owner's death.
Annuities have longer durations, but bonds can be reinvested as they mature, so both financial products can be used for the long-term. In general, bonds pay a higher yield than annuities—but not always.
Variable annuities and a life-only income annuities are the two annuity products where you have the risk of losing money. All other types of annuities (fixed, fixed-indexed, immediate) have built-in protections that secure your principal and some even offer guaranteed minimum returns.
Qualified annuities are paid with pre-tax money, and all payouts are taxed; while nonqualified annuities are paid with taxed money, and only the earnings are taxed. If you take money out of an annuity before you are 59½ years old, you might have to pay an extra 10 percent IRS penalty.
So, how much should you commit to an annuity? Based on our research, you could consider starting with between 10% and 25% of your savings for an income annuity, but not more than 50%. Consider keeping the rest invested to suit your spending needs and offer growth potential.
Generally, the minimum investment for a deferred annuity ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. These annuities allow your investment to grow tax-deferred until you begin receiving payments, making them suitable for long-term retirement planning.
Social Security does not count pension payments, annuities, or the interest or dividends from your savings and investments as earnings. They do not lower your Social Security retirement benefits. See What Income Is Included in Your Social Security Record for more information.
How long it takes to cash out an annuity depends on what type of annuity it is. In most cases, cashing out an annuity may require 30 days. If the annuity funds a structured settlement — and requires court approval to sell its payments — it may take up to 90 days or more to process.
One of the biggest drawbacks of variable annuities is that they come with fees. This includes a mortality and expense fee, which is typically between 1% and 2% per year in addition to the underlying fund expenses. You also may pay an additional fee for any optional riders you choose.
In some cases, an annuity may pay a set amount of money that can be passed on to a designated heir if money remains in the account when the accountholder dies. The person who inherits can accept the money as a lump sum or in a series of payments.
While there's no federal law setting specific age restrictions for annuity purchases, many annuity companies impose their own age limitations. Typically, these range from a minimum age of 50 to a maximum age between 75 and 95. It's essential to consider these restrictions when exploring your options.
If taxes are a concern, a fixed deferred annuity may be a better option. Earnings on CDs are taxable in the year the interest is earned. With fixed deferred annuities, earnings accumulate tax deferred and are not treated as taxable income until they are withdrawn. This could help come tax-return time.
Fixed annuities
If you're risk-averse, a fixed annuity is a good option. However, the rate of growth you receive may not be enough to keep up with inflation. If this happens, you'll actually lose money by using a fixed annuity compared to other investment options.