As part of your retirement plan, an annuity can play a significant role in assisting you to plan for a secure retirement and achieve your financial goals. Many people are usually at risk of having inadequate funds to maintain their lifestyle during retirement. Even people who may have saved and invested properly for their retirement usually struggle to figure out how to withdraw their money from retirement accounts in such a way that offers a regular income stream without depleting their money.
The need for regular retirement incomes is now forcing people to have an interest in annuities. You can use the best retirement calculator to determine the amount of money you need to save so that you can have a good standard of living that you deserve. The good news is that annuities provide tax advantages and income. This page discusses why you should include annuities in your retirement plan.
Annuities explained
An annuity is an income investment for retirement providing a guaranteed payment stream. Compared to stock market investment, which can offer income but its value fluctuates based on financial market movements, an annuity offers a guaranteed source of income that can be stable regardless of the performance of the financial market.
The amount of income you can get from an annuity can vary depending on the amount of money you invest as well as the type of annuity you choose. In most cases, most annuities can pay between 4.5 and 5.5 percent each year. Earning this income that you can rely on gives you the opportunity to plan your budget. Remember that even if the asset goes to zero, the insurer can continue to pay you and your spouse, especially if you include your partner on the income guarantee.
There are various ways you can buy an annuity. One of them is an immediate payment annuity. This is a product that you can purchase with a lump-sum payment like the funds that you can roll over from your 401(k) once you retire. In such a case, payments can begin immediately. Alternatively, you can opt for a deferred payment annuity which you can fund utilizing periodic deposits for a specific period and begin making payouts at a future date.
It’s worth noting that both types of annuities have three different varieties, which are fixed, variable, and equity index. And, each one provides its combination of certainty, fees, and risk.
With a fixed annuity, it has a guaranteed rate of return and it’s fixed when you purchase it. If you decide to purchase a fixed annuity, you can rest assured that you have a guaranteed income stream. But the risk with this annuity is that they fix the rate of return and your income stream can sometimes not be enough, especially when inflation increases your cost of living.
There is also a variable annuity that offers an investment account known as sub-accounts that are similar to mutual funds. This annuity allows you to take advantage of some growth in the market. A variable annuity has become one of the most favorite types of annuity as there is less risk to the income stream being affected by a fixed rate of return. This income stream can increase and decrease, but it depends on the performance of the investments that are in your sub-accounts.
Lastly, there is an equity-index annuity which is a relatively recent financial product in the insurance industry. This is a fixed annuity that has a part tied to a stock index designed to offset some risks of inflation. Insurers use what is called a participation rate to determine the amount of stock market gains they need to keep to offset their risks. After all, they have to continue paying you even when the financial market turns bad. The good thing about an equity-index annuity is that there is usually a less downward risk for you compared to a variable annuity.
The benefits of purchasing an annuity
Perhaps, the biggest benefit you can have for purchasing an annuity is that it offers a guaranteed income. In other words, an annuity can help to offer a reliable paycheck during your retirement. With people now living longer than before, the chances that you may outlive your retirement savings are quite high. An annuity provides reliability and stability that can help you plan for this longevity risk.
And, annuity investment can grow tax-deferred until you withdraw the funds, so they can assist you improve your retirement savings. For instance, if you decide to cash out your traditional IRA and roll it into a qualified annuity, then you cannot pay taxes on the growth until you start making withdrawals. Once you leave your job and you are in a lower tax bracket, the annuity withdrawals can be taxed at lower rates.
Aside from this, an annuity can also assist to protect your principal and diversify your retirement portfolio. Most people prefer to protect the funds they have already accumulated instead of risk losing it when the financial market performs well.
You can find some types of annuities that can allow you to participate in the financial market and benefit from market gains. This can happen while still protecting your principal investment. Because there are various options out there, you can find an annuity that has your risk tolerance and suits your specific needs.
You can find varieties with annuities and they tend to be designed to meet various needs. If you are a conservative investor, you can choose a fixed rate. You can also go for a variable rate or even an indexed annuity that can track market indexes.
In conclusion, annuities offer various benefits. If you intend to fully fund your retirement and want the investment options that can help you to create retirement income, diversify your portfolio, protect your investments, manage taxation, and many more, annuities can be a great option. You need to include an annuity in your retirement plan so that you can accomplish your financial goals and even plan for a secure retirement. But before you purchase an annuity, you need to research so that you can understand the taxes and fees you need to pay.
Also Know More About –
Which Is The Best Course In Quality Management
Buying A Rental Property: What New Landlords Need To Know
6 Best Career Options As An It Professional