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Understanding Annuities: The Ideal Investment

An annuity is a grand investment and should be handled with care. Although many people assume that annuities are similar to life insurance policies, it is not the case.

By: Tom Lustina
Category: Insurance
: Finance
Posted: Sep 03, 2009
Updated: Sep 03, 2009
Views: 200


An annuity is a grand investment and should be handled with care. Although many people assume that annuities are similar to life insurance policies, it is not the case. An annuity is a written contract that you have with a life insurance company in which you agree to pay a premium or premiums until a specified date at which time your insurance company pays you back the value of your annuity over a series of payments

Understanding annuities is realizing that an annuity benefits you in your future; a life insurance policy benefits your family after your death. Annuities contain many twists and turns, so it’s better to familiarize yourself with them before taking the plunge.

By understanding annuities, you increase your chances of being successful in the future. Here are the three main players involved in an annuity contract:

1. Owner. The owner is the purchaser of the annuity and the one who makes the premium payments. He/she is also the individual who benefits financially from an annuity in the future.
2. Annuitant. In most cases, the annuitant is the same person as the owner. The annuitant’s age and life expectancy determine the benefits that the annuity will produce.
3. Beneficiary. In the event of an unfortunate circumstance, the beneficiary will receive all of the assets if the owner passes away before the payout period.

When understanding annuities, you also need to familiarize yourself with common tips about annuities. They are:

• You can either pay a single premium or multiple premiums over the life of your annuity.
• If you are considering retirement, it would be in your best interest to acquire an immediate annuity which begins pay outs. A deferred annuity, however, is a better option for those not contemplating retirement because the ability to accrue more assets over a long period of time is greater.
• There are a couple of annuities to choose from such as variable or fixed. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so make sure you talk with your financial planner or insurance agent to determine which would work best for you.

Take the Plunge by Understanding Annuities

Understanding annuities takes much patience, but the reward is worth it. With an educated understanding of annuities, you’ll be well on your way toward a successful and comfortable future. If you feel understanding annuities is not enough, contact your insurance agent who can guide you to make the best investment.

Staff contribution: Rafael Onak

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