An annuity plan is a financial product that provides you guaranteed regular payments for the rest of your life after making a lump sum investment. The life insurance company invests your money and pays back the returns generated from it. You could think of it as a pension payment that is made to you.
Both annuities and life insurance should be considered in your long-term financial plan. While both include death benefits, you buy life insurance in the event you die too soon and an annuity in case you live too long.
Fixed annuities offer guaranteed returns ranging between 3% and 5.25%, while the interest rates of variable annuities depend on the performance of a connected investment portfolio. Annuities with higher interest rates also carry a greater risk of losing money.
Annuities are used mainly to supplement more traditional sources of retirement income such as Social Security and pension plans. Common features include: Tax-deferred growth. You will pay no income taxes on the earnings from your annuity investments until you begin making withdrawals or receiving periodic payments.