What is a fixed annuity?

Posted in Fixed Annuities over 3 years ago, 9 replies

I'm going to be retiring this fall (aged 62) and I already have a life insurance policy for some time now and other investments as well. My accountant suggested I look into getting some fixed annuities but I didn't have an opportunity to ask him what they are.

So can you explain to me what a fixed annuity is?
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Yes I would like to know what a fixed annuity is as well please.
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Basically, you give an insurance company a large amount of money. Then, based on your age, they guareentee you a monthly or annual payment for the rest of your life.

You can do this a couple of different ways:

1.) Give them money (usually from a 401k, etc.) and start taking payments----SINGLE PREMIUM IMMEDIATE ANNUITY

2.) Give them money, and delay taking payments. The strategy here is the longer the wait to take payments, the higher your monthly check will be-------SINGLE PREMIUM DEFERRED ANNUITY

3.) You made payments into this account over the years and are looking to the future to annuitize the policy.

Let's say you give the insruance company $100,000, then they agree to give you, say, $6,000/year for as long as you are alive.

Now, if you live to age 82, you've made money. If you die at age 72, you've lost money.

HOWEVER, that is a simple example of an annuity.

Many now include riders that can refund the difference of your intial investment to a benificiary. You can do one for your's and your spouse's lives.

To be completely honest with you, you would probably do better placing your money in something like this:

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS189032+29-Sep-2008+PRN20080929

This product is invested in the stock market, and has quarterly step ups. This means your account can never fall below the amount you put. Let's take that $100,000 and put it into this variable annuity.

Now let's say in 2 years it is a Bull market and you have a 10% gain in one quarter. Your account would "step up" to that basis and your annual payments would be based on a percentage of the step up.

If your account dwindles (like many's 401k's have), you are still at the "high water" mark of the account.

I assume since your Financial Advisor recommended Fixed Annuities, that they have no idea about this product. Shoot me an email, and I'd be happy to help explain this further:

burks85@gmail.com

Hope that helps.
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Andrew Burks wrote:
I assume since your Financial Advisor recommended Fixed Annuities, that they have no idea about this product. Shoot me an email, and I'd be happy to help explain this further:

burks85@gmail.com

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Hey Andrew, I wonder if your BD knows that you're giving financial advice on the internet and using a non-company email address to get around the regulatory requirement that all your emails be monitored? (You may want to realize that there are 24s out there who will read your posts and report you.)

Folks, guys like this are violating industry regulations designed to protect consumers like you. In order to sell a variable annuity, you have to have a securities license, and ALL communications with the public (including emails and posts on boards like this one) have to be reviewed by the employing firm. You CANNOT use a personal email like gmail -- doing so can cost you your job and your license. Andrew will be reported to FINRA and the state regulators in Indiana. In the meantime, don't listen to anyone who tries to sell you any kind of investment product on the internet. Go to your state's insurance or securities department website, FINRA.org, or a reputable source such as AARP or USAA. You can also check out whether the person you're dealing with has a history of complaints or regulatory disciplinary actions by entering their name into FINRA's Broker Check.
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I am 75year old retired male . I have been getting the required distribution from my 401k for the last 4 years. It was suggested that I rollover my 401k to an IRA so that my spouse could rollover the balance to her own IRA thereby deferring her tax obligation. My 401k money is currently in very conservetive fund. It was suggested that I roll the funds into a fixed annuity. We currently do not use any of the 401k money for our living expenses. As an aside I have congestive heart failure and Parkinson's desease and my spouse is in the early stages of Altzhimer's. Is a fixed annuity the way to go?
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Mr. Fortunato,

You need to contact and attorney that can help you with estate planning, as well as someone versed in Elder care IMMEDIATELY!!!

You and your wife, as you know, have conditions that can get worse very rapidly. I would do some planning while you are still able. Keeping your assets and getting around medicare law will be tricky, which is why you need to see someone now.

Annuitizing your money is the least of your worries, and though I do not have all the information, may be an unsuitable suggestion, as you may have need for ample liquidity due to your health concerns.
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Compare about variable annuity and fixed annuity.

The annuity is an only safe guarantee. Fixed annuity could not possibly lose money. Variable annuity could lose money in the investment account but are guaranteed in the annuity income account. In most annuities you are guaranteed to have your principle. In mutual funds you pay an upfront load for the most part and if money is lost you have to wait it out to make it up or make moves. Fixed annuity should be fine (read more about Fixed annuity), depended upon the company insuring the annuity. Only the company can lose the money they had guaranteed you, not the investment.
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...junk annuities are not he way to go..Forbes said it best...never buy an annuity...but the commission hustlers that peddle this crap would disagree, when they get 9-13% commission to shove this trash down elderly throats....better off calling Vanguard and buying date certain GNMA certificates, oqwning them outright.....and kill the commission hustler and his junk annuities.
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Andrew Burks wrote:
I assume since your Financial Advisor recommended Fixed Annuities, that they have no idea about this product. Shoot me an email, and I'd be happy to help explain this further:

burks85@gmail.com

______________________

Hey Andrew, I wonder if your BD knows that you're giving financial advice on the internet and using a non-company email address to get around the regulatory requirement that all your emails be monitored? (You may want to realize that there are 24s out there who will read your posts and report you.)

Folks, guys like this are violating industry regulations designed to protect consumers like you. In order to sell a variable annuity, you have to have a securities license, and ALL communications with the public (including emails and posts on boards like this one) have to be reviewed by the employing firm. You CANNOT use a personal email like gmail -- doing so can cost you your job and your license. Andrew will be reported to FINRA and the state regulators in Indiana. In the meantime, don't listen to anyone who tries to sell you any kind of investment product on the internet. Go to your state's insurance or securities department website, FINRA.org, or a reputable source such as AARP or USAA. You can also check out whether the person you're dealing with has a history of complaints or regulatory disciplinary actions by entering their name into FINRA's Broker Check.
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hello,
about 25 yrs. ago,i fell in a auto parts store that had not veriffied the janitorial services bond papers.needless to say,i was taken care of WELL for about a year and a half.including flying in the best drs.,etc;.after a year i recieved a check for $45,000 and an annuity was established to pay"the estimated cost of a knee replacement in 25 yrs," to be paid in one lump.well the time has come and since the knee surgery that they performed,i have had little problems.it's also in the paperwork that if i did not need knee surgery,i can do whatever with it.{the annuity money}.it just so happens that my ssi on an 8 year old back injury.one knows nothing of the other and apparently i'm a tue blonde because i'm scared to death!do i pay taxes?i recently opened a direct deposit bank account but it can be used for "possible"ssi if it goes through.HELP!!!!!!
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