An annuity provides income for a specific number of years or for life. An annuity protects a person against outliving their money. Annuities are not life insurance, but a way of accumulating money and liquidating an estate.
Annuity Owner
Annuity owner is the purchaser of the annuity.
Annuitant
Annuitant is the person who receives the payments from the annuity.
Accumulation Period
Accumulation Period, also known as the pay-in period, is the period of time over which the annuitant makes premium payments into the annuity. It is also the time that the premium payments earn interest on a tax deferred basis. Annuity Period, also known as the annuitization period or liquidation period, is the time during which the money that has accumulated during the accumulation period is converted into income payments to the annuitant.
Note: If an annuitant dies during the accumulation period, the beneficiary will receive the cash value or total premiums paid whichever is greater.
Annuity Funding
There are twoways to fund an annuity:
A single payment (lump sum) Periodic payments, in which premiums are paid in installments over a period of time.
Annuities can also be classified according to when income payments from the annuity begin.
Immediate Annuity
An immediate annuity is one that is purchased with a single lump sum payment and provides income payments that start within one year from the date of purchase.
Deferred Annuity
A deferred annuity is an annuity in which the income payments begin sometime after the first year. Deferred annuities can be funded either with a single lump sum or through periodic payments.
Annuity Payout Options
Annuity payout options specify how annuity funds are to be paid out. They are very similar to the structured settlements annuities options used in life insurance and determine how the policy proceeds are distributed to the beneficiaries.
Straight Life Income Option
The Straight Life Payout Option, also known as Pure Life, will pay a specific amount for the remainder of the annuitant's life. This option provides highest monthly benefit for an individual annuity. Although the annuity payments are guaranteed for the lifetime of the annuitant there is no guarantee that all the proceeds will be full fully paid out, because the payments stop after the annuitant's death.
Life With Period Certain
Life with Period Certain is anotherr annuity payout that is contingent on the annuitant dying. Under this option the annuity payments are guaranteed for the entire lifetime of the annuitant and for a specified period of time to the beneficiary.
Fixed Annuities
Fixed Annuities provide a fixed guaranteed payout. Payments that do not vary from one payment to another and guaranteed minimum rate of interest.
Variable Annuities
A variable annuity serves as a hedge against inflation, and is variable because there is not a guarantee of payout. Payments can vary from one payment to another, and there is not a set rate of interest. A variable annuity is considered a security and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). An agent selling annuity must also have a securities license in addition to their Life Insurance License.
Accumulation Units
As variable annuity premiums are invested and begin to grow this is known as the accumulation of units.
Annuity Units
Annuity units is the payout phase of the Variable Annuity.
Variable Annuities
A variable annuity is considered a security and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). An agent selling annuity must also have a securities license in addition to their Life Insurance License.
Accumulation Units
As variable annuity premmiums are invested and begin to grow this is known as the accumulation of units.
Annuity Taxes
A portion of each annuity benefit payment is taxable and a portion is not. The portion that is nontaxable is the anticipated return of the principal paid in. This is known as the Cost Base. The portion that is taxable is the interest earned on the principal. This is known as the Tax Base.
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