Annuity Definition

So what is an Annuity?

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company in which you make a lump sum payment or series of payments and in return obtain regular disbursements beginning either immediately or at some point in the future. The goal of annuities is to provide a steady stream of income during retirement.

Advantages of Annuities

Most annuities are among the most unique types of investments available, and there are many reasons why investors look to them as a key retirement savings vehicle. Some of the key benefits provided by annuities are:

Tax Deferral – Annuities stand alone as the only investment that is inherently accorded tax-deferred status. All money invested into annuities of any kind grows tax-deferred until it is withdrawn. Annuities have no limit on the amount of money that can be placed into them, and there are also no income phase out schedules that apply to contract owners or annuitants. This gives them a substantial advantage over Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and qualified plans for wealthy investors who can shelter millions of dollars from taxation inside these contracts.

Guaranteed Payout – Annuitants that choose any type of life payout option can rest assured that they will receive some sort of payment until they die, even if they completely exhaust the value of the contract beforehand.

Protection from Probate and Creditors – Annuity contracts are generally exempt from creditors in most cases and are unconditionally exempt from probate proceedings nationwide. Exemption from creditors can vary somewhat from one state to another; for more information on this matter, call your state insurance commissioner.

Exemption from FAFSA Asset Status – Parents and students who apply for financial aid do not have to list any annuity contracts that they own as assets on the Free Application Of Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This can obviously make a huge difference in the amount and terms of loans and grants that the student is eligible to receive.