When you give the issuing insurance company a lump sum, you buy a single-premium annuity. The issuing company may set minimum and maximum amounts they will allow. You may also buy a flexible-premium annuity. This annuity type enables you to determine the timing and amount of additional payments.

2. When do you want benefit payments or payouts to begin?

If you want income to start right away, you will need an immediate annuity. An immediate annuity is a type of contract which begins paying out within one annuity period – e.g., one month or one year, after it is purchased – and pays principal and earnings in equal payments over some time period.

For example, if you schedule your income payments to be paid monthly, the first payout will occur one month after your purchase. Retirees or soon-to-be retirees typically buy immediate annuities with money they have already accumulated for retirement. This contract is purchased with a single premium.

On the other hand, payouts from deferred annuities (a type of contract used to accumulate money over a number of years) usually begin many years after the insurance company issues the contract. You may wait to select your payout options later. When you need the funds, you may take your money either in a lump sum, through systematic withdrawals or by electing a payout option to annuitize – converting the deferred annuity you have accumulated into a stream of regular payments. Because deferred annuities are accumulation vehicles, individuals of all ages purchase them for personal retirement savings funds and for special tax-deferred programs such as IRAs, Keogh plans and tax-sheltered annuities. These contracts can be either a single- or flexible-premium type.

 3. Options for your savings

Annuities are long-term investments to help you accumulate assets on a tax-deferred basis. When purchased to fund a tax-qualified plan, which already provides tax deferral, annuities provide other unique benefits such as options for guaranteed lifetime income you cannot outlive.

Under fixed annuity contracts, the life insurance company pays an interest rate for a specific period at the time the annuity is purchased. At the end of each guaranteed period, the current rate (the interest rate currently paid on a fixed annuity contract for a specific period of time) is raised or lowered based on the company’s interest rate policy.

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For annuities to suit your savings and retirement needs, contact Connie Dello Buono (insurance broker) 408-854-1883 motherhealth@gmail.com (in 50 US states)

CA Life Lic 0G60621