Guaranteed Income for Life
Create a reliable stream of income you can’t outlive. Annuities can provide guaranteed monthly payments for as long as you live, offering stability and confidence throughout retirement.
Market Crash Protection
Your income isn’t tied to market performance. Annuities can protect you from stock market volatility, economic downturns, and unexpected financial swings.
Attractive Current Rates
Many annuity products are offering some of the most competitive rates seen in years. Locking in today’s rates may provide stronger long-term income, depending on the product and availability.
Retirement Risks Without Annuities
- Market crashes can devastate your retirement savings
- You might outlive your money if you live longer than expected
- Unpredictable income makes budgeting impossible
- Sequence of returns risk can destroy your portfolio early in retirement
- Forced to make drastic lifestyle cuts when markets drop
- Constant stress and anxiety about running out of money
Peace of Mind With Annuities
- Guaranteed income for life, no matter how long you live
- Zero market risk your income never decreases
- Predictable monthly paychecks make budgeting easy
- Protect your spouse with joint-life income options
- Tax-deferred growth maximizes your returns
- Sleep soundly knowing you’ll never run out of money
Find the Right Annuity for Your Goals
Different types of annuities are designed to support specific retirement needs, income timelines, and financial priorities.
Immediate Annuities
BEST FOR: Retirees who need income nowConvert a lump sum into guaranteed monthly income that starts immediately. Perfect if you’re already retired or retiring soon and need income right away.
- Income starts within 30 days
- Highest payout rates available
- Simple and straightforward
- No market exposure
- Life-only or joint-life options
Deferred Income Annuities
BEST FOR: Pre-retirees planning aheadPurchase now, receive guaranteed income later. Allows your money to grow and locks in higher future payments. Ideal for people 5-15 years from retirement.
- Income starts at your chosen age
- Higher payouts than immediate annuities
- Lock in current high rates
- Bridge the gap to Social Security
- Tax-deferred accumulation
Fixed Index Annuities
BEST FOR: Growth with downside protectionEarn returns linked to market indexes with zero downside risk. Your principal is protected, you capture market gains (up to a cap), and can convert to lifetime income later.
- Principal protection guaranteed
- Participate in market gains (5-10% typical)
- No losses when markets drop
- Optional lifetime income riders
- Flexible access to funds
Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities
BEST FOR: Safe growth like a CDFixed interest rate guaranteed for a set term (3-10 years). Similar to a bank CD but typically offers higher rates and tax-deferred growth.
- Guaranteed fixed rates (5-6% currently)
- No market risk whatsoever
- FDIC-like protection via state guaranty
- Tax-deferred compounding
- Perfect for conservative investors
Why Annuities Make Sense for Your Retirement
Longevity Protection
Americans are living longer than ever. Annuities ensure you’ll never outlive your money, even if you live to 100.
Pension Replacement
Traditional pensions are rare. Annuities recreate that guaranteed monthly income our parents enjoyed in retirement.
Social Security Supplement
Social Security replaces only 40% of pre-retirement income. Annuities fill the gap with additional guaranteed income.
Tax-Deferred Growth
Your money grows tax-deferred until withdrawal, potentially adding years of additional compound growth.
Spousal Protection
Joint-life annuities continue paying your spouse after you pass, ensuring they’re never left without income.
Inflation Options
Choose cost-of-living adjustments that increase your payments annually to keep pace with rising expenses.
Creditor Protection
In most states, annuities are protected from creditors and lawsuits, keeping your retirement funds secure.
Probate Avoidance
Annuities pass directly to beneficiaries outside of probate, saving time and legal fees for your heirs.
Common Questions About Annuities
Everything you need to know before making your decision
How much income will I receive from an annuity?
+Income depends on your age, gender, amount invested, and annuity type. Generally, a 65-year-old male investing $100,000 in an immediate annuity receives approximately $600-700 per month for life. At age 70, that increases to $700-800 per month.
Current rates are at 15-year highs, so now is an excellent time to lock in guaranteed income. Exact quotes depend on multiple factors and vary by insurance company.
What happens to my money if I die early?
+You have several options to protect your beneficiaries. Period-certain options guarantee payments for a minimum number of years (10, 15, 20) regardless of when you die. Joint-life annuities continue paying your spouse. Cash refund options return any unpaid principal to beneficiaries.
While life-only annuities (with no death benefits) offer the highest monthly payments, most people choose options that provide some protection for heirs.
Are annuities safe? What if the insurance company fails?
+Annuities are backed by state guaranty associations (similar to FDIC for banks) that protect your investment if an insurance company fails. Coverage varies by state but typically protects $250,000-500,000 per person per company.
Working with A-rated or higher insurance companies provides additional security. These companies have survived multiple recessions, depressions, and market crashes over 100+ years in business.
Can I access my money if I need it?
+It depends on the annuity type. Immediate annuities are illiquid you exchange a lump sum for lifetime income with no access to principal. Fixed index and multi-year guaranteed annuities typically allow 10% penalty-free withdrawals annually and full access after the surrender period (usually 5-10 years).
It’s recommended to use only a portion of your assets for immediate annuities to cover essential expenses, keeping other funds accessible for emergencies and discretionary spending.
How are annuity payments taxed?
+Taxation depends on how you funded the annuity. Non-qualified annuities (purchased with after-tax money) use an exclusion ratio part of each payment is tax-free return of principal, part is taxable interest. Qualified annuities (funded with IRA/401(k) dollars) are fully taxable as ordinary income.
Annuities grow tax-deferred, meaning you pay no taxes on growth until you withdraw. This allows your investment to compound faster than taxable accounts.
When is the best time to buy an annuity?
+Now is an exceptional time. Annuity rates are at 15-year highs due to rising interest rates. Rates have increased 40-50% compared to 2020-2021, meaning significantly higher lifetime income for the same investment. When interest rates eventually fall, so will annuity payouts.
Most people purchase annuities between ages 55-75. Buying earlier locks in guaranteed future income at higher rates. Waiting until older provides higher immediate payouts but less time to benefit from tax-deferred growth.
Should I annuitize all of my retirement savings?
+No. Financial experts recommend annuitizing only enough to cover essential expenses (housing, food, healthcare, utilities). Keep the rest in liquid investments for discretionary spending, emergencies, healthcare costs, and legacy goals.
A common strategy is the “income floor” approach: use annuities plus Social Security to guarantee 70-80% of expenses, keeping remaining assets flexible. This provides security without sacrificing all liquidity.
How do I choose the right insurance company?
+Focus on financial strength ratings from agencies like A.M. Best, Moody’s, and Standard & Poor’s. Look for A-rated or higher companies. Also consider the company’s history, claims-paying record, and state guaranty association backing.
Comparing quotes from multiple top-rated carriers ensures you get the highest payout rates and best contract features for your guaranteed income.