When an employee retires after several years of work, the employer offers monetary retirement benefits such as a cash balance plan or pension.
Let us consider Nancy, who has retired from work. She likes to invest her retirement package in something that can yield regular income. She invests her money in an insurance company by signing a mutual agreement between her and the company. According to the agreement, the insurance company makes periodic payments to her. That is, the insurance company 'sells' an annuity to Nancy. Webster's Dictionary defines an annuity as `a sum of money payable yearly or at other regular intervals.'
Sometimes, even people who have yet to retire go in for purchasing annuities as a means of saving for their 'rainy days.'
There are basically three types of annuity payments: fixed, variable and equity-indexed. Fixed annuities are annuities in which the rate of return to the buyer remains constant. Suppose Nancy opts for a fixed annuity for a 20-year time period [known as the 'surrender period']. The insurance company assigns a rate of return and lets Nancy know it in advance. This rate of return remains unchanged during the entire 20 years. Because she knows how much she'll draw every month, it's much like a monthly salary. But she cannot withdraw any part of her invested amount during the surrender period, without some penalty. Security in a fixed annuity is linked to the financial standing of the insurance company.
Fixed annuities can involve a definite surrender period, as in the above example, or an indefinite period, such as Nancy's lifetime.
Suppose Nancy buys a variable annuity instead. A variable annuity involves a range of investment options, and the rate of return is tied to internal mutual funds. As these funds depend on financial market conditions, they can go up or down, thereby making the rate of return unstable.
If Nancy goes in for an equity-index annuity, the rate of return can vary depending upon changes in an equity index, such as the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index. According to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, she may even lose money, especially if she cancels the annuity early. This is because equity-indexed annuities are complicated and may contain several features that can affect the rate of return.
Annuities can be purchased by single payments or flexible payments. They can also be purchased as immediate annuities, where the yield is earlier, or as deferred annuities, where it is delayed.
Annuities are not insured by the FDIC and are not bank guaranteed. However, they are one of the most popular sources of regular periodic income to most people who are spending their post-retirement years.
Annuities are a series of payments made by an institution like an insurance company to the annuitant at regular intervals of time over a fixed time period. The payments are fixed and may be on a yearly, semi annual, quarterly or monthly basis. Generally, there are two types of annuity payments called "ordinary annuities" and "annuities due".
Ordinary annuities require payments at the end of every period until the maturity period of the investment. For example, with bonds, usually the seller pays coupon interest payments to the buyer at the end of every six months. However, sometimes annuity payments will be made at the beginning of each period like a rent payment. These are called "annuity due". Depending on the frequency of annuity payments, annuities can be divided into deferred annuities and immediate annuities. In immediate annuities, annuity payments are made at much frequenter intervals. Deferred annuities will make the annuity holders receive payments depending on the nature of the annuity. If the deferred annuity is a fixed deferred, the holder will get the guaranteed rate of return at regular intervals over the life of the contract. If it is variable deferred annuity, the payments depend on the performance of the underlying investment. This means the annuitant will not receive any guaranteed amount. However, the payments under the variable annuities are tax-free or tax-deferred.
There are several types of annuity payments depending on the nature of the annuity. If the annuitant or the nominee receives payments after the fixed period in spite of any contingency, such payments are called "annuity with period certain". If an annuity payment continues after the death of the annuitant, it is called a "life annuity" payment. If it continues over the annuitant's life or for a fixed period (whichever is longer), it is called "life with period certain". The latest version for annuity payments is called "equity-indexed annuity payments".
It is not advisable for the annuitant to get cash value of the annuity by cashing out, unless the annuitant is under financial stress. The ultimate responsibility of cashing out an annuity and getting the payments rests on the shoulders of the annuitant.
Structured settlements are a financial arrangement oftentimes used when an individual is awarded a large sum of money. This might stem from monetary awards used to compensate a person who has been seriously injured or from lottery jackpot winnings. Structured settlements are oftentimes used in cases involving automobile or workplace injuries, medical malpractice and injuries sustained due to the negligence of another.
There are several types of structured settlements with each being designed to suit the individual's financial needs. Typically, they are offered when damages exceed $10,000. In the case of a minor child, damages must exceed $5,000. Annuity payments are paid to the recipient (Annuitant) over a specific period of time.
Depending on the circumstances and amount of monetary award, Annuitant's might receive payments over the course of 10 to 20 years or for their entire lifetime. Much depends on the type and duration of medical care required, as well as living expenses.
Structured settlements are also arranged to compensate individual's who win jackpot lotteries. For instance, if someone wins $5 million, they can elect to take a lump sum payment or receive the money over a period of years. By accepting a lump sum payment, they will receive a lesser amount than if they elect to accept a structured settlement.
Similar to Certificate of Deposits (CDs) sold by banks, structured settlements are backed by an annuity held by a life insurance company. Annuities are invested to expand the Annuitant's financial portfolio. When annuity payments are paid as a result of injury or negligence, they are tax free. When they are paid for lottery winnings, they might be subject to taxation of both state and federal levels. Additionally, investment proceeds are subject to both state and federal taxes.
When structured settlements are paid for a specific period of time, they are referred to as "Designated Period" or "Period Certain Annuities." The Annuitant receives a set amount of money at a specific time for a certain number of years. Should the Annuitant die before the structured settlement is paid in full, the balance will be paid to a designated beneficiary.
In cases where annuity payments are paid for life, they are referred to as Life Annuity structured settlements. It's important to note that "life" may actually refer to a certain number of years based on the Annuitant's life expectancy. Also known as "Period Certain", this type of structured settlement allows the Annuitant to name a beneficiary. If the recipient dies prior to the number of designated years, the beneficiary will receive the remaining payments.
Lump Sum structured settlements provide a lump sum payment at a future date. This type of arrangement is well-suited for minor children, as it can provide for future educational expenses. Two types of lump sum are available -- "Lump Sum" and "Life Contingent Lump Sum." The first allows transfer of the annuity to a designated beneficiary, while the second does not.
Life Annuities structured settlements pay monthly annuities for life. There are two types of life annuities -- "Life Only" and "Joint Survivor." The first offers no provision for assigning a beneficiary, while the second will pay the beneficiary for the remainder of their life.
Last, but least, is Temporary Life Annuity structured settlement which pays regular payments for a specific number of years. There is no beneficiary provision and the annuity ends when the recipient dies.