Annuities
Annuities – what they are, how they work and how to choose the best type of Annuity
Found 146 Articles.
Get access to our full article archive by subscribing to Retirement Watch and Retirement Watch Spotlight Series.
How to Grow Annuity Income
Old-style defined benefit pension plans are looking more attractive to many retirees and near-retirees. A defined benefit (DB) plan pays a fixed monthly amount for life, and many even increase the payment for inflation each year. When the stock market is volatile and uncertain, and bond yields are low, a DB plan can look good. […]
New Looks in Annuities
Recent changes are making annuities hot again. At least that’s what the annuity sellers want you to believe. Some of the new annuity features are attractive. But others are just sales gimmicks. The biggest changes are in fixed annuities. The bear market in stocks initially drew investors to safer investments, such as fixed annuities. But […]
Equity Indexed Annuities
Equity indexed annuities are back. Sharp stock market moves seem to stir sales of these annuities. A strong stock market draws conservative investors to them, seeking higher returns than their fixed income investments. A bear market causes other investors to look for a safer way to invest in stocks. Unfortunately, few investors really know what […]
Overdue Annuity Abuse Crackdowns
Regulators finally are focusing their efforts on some negative aspects of the variable annuity market that we’ve been discussing for years. Recently, several actions were taken by the National Association of Securities Dealers and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The NASD, which regulates its broker members, in April proposed new rules governing variable annuity marketing. […]
SUBSCRIBE TO RETIREMENT WATCH SPOTLIGHT SERIES
In my new Retirement Watch Spotlight Series, I’ll share my newest breakthrough strategies for protecting your assets and growing your portfolio, including how to prepare for the next market downturn. Click here now to learn more.
New Tax Break for Annuities
The IRS in a recent ruling handed a break to annuity owners who are under age 59 1/2 and need cash. The ruling allows these annuity owners to restructure payments they receive from the annuities. Until the ruling, annuity owners had only one opportunity to determine the payment stream to take before age 59 1/2. […]
Should You Take an Annuity or a Lump Sum?
Almost every retiree has a choice of how to receive benefits: as either a lump sum or a stream of annuity payments. The choice is critical, yet it doesn’t receive the critical analysis it should. About half of employers give these options on 401(k) and other retirement plans. You face a similar choice with an […]
How to Find the Right Annuity for You
Annuity companies had their own scandals long before the mutual fund sleaze grabbed the headlines. Yet even now, annuities aren’t in the clear. There are reports that variable annuity issuers also allowed select investors to make guaranteed-profit trades just as some mutual funds did. Annuities can be valuable financial tools for the right investors. To […]
Estate Planning: Charitable Annuity vs. Charitable Trust
Charitable Remainder Trusts get a lot of attention from estate planners. Yet, they might not be the best option for many estate owners. There is the less-known charitable gift annuity to consider. Each strategy shelters appreciated assets from capital gains taxes, reduces current income taxes, provides income for life or for a period of years, […]
