Through the AARP Annuity Marketplace powered by Blueprint Income, AARP members can customize, compare, and purchase simple annuities from seven insurance companies, each with a financial strength rating of A+ or higher.
The IRS QLAC limit for how much of your 401(k) or IRA you can convert into a Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract remains at $130,000 for 2019.
Not all annuity websites are created equal. Do your homework.
We are working hard to help retirees make the most of the financial challenges that the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has brought on for many.
Treasury yields are low by historical standards, and the Fed says it “will likely aim to achieve inflation moderately above 2 percent for some time”. What does this mean for the annuity market?
Fixed income yields are at historic lows, but there are plenty of fixed annuities offering 3%+ yield. Be sure to understand the insurer’s financial strength and that the withdrawal provisions before purchasing and make sure they fit with your intended use of the product.
The S&P 500 and other market indices are almost back to pre-COVID levels. Credit spreads for the riskiest borrowers are back near historical averages despite depressed profitability expectations in most industries and much higher uncertainty about future profitability. This is occurring at a time of 13% unemployment, unprecedented government deficits, and in a period of … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
We answer some of the most common questions we get from potential clients regarding CDs and fixed annuities.
Through the AARP Annuity Marketplace powered by Blueprint Income, AARP members can customize, compare, and purchase simple annuities from seven insurance companies, each with a financial strength rating of A+ or higher.
There are two things you need to know if you’re an annuity owner or considering a purchase if you want to understand whether you can lose money. First, what kind of annuity do you own or are you considering purchasing? Second, what is the financial strength rating of the insurer?
If you're thinking about an annuity purchase, keep these 9 things in mind when evaluating the financial strength of the annuity issuer.
Blueprint Income's immediate annuity clients share how the guaranteed income they receive each month is bringing them peace of mind and helping to navigate the volatile market environment.
We are working hard to help retirees make the most of the financial challenges that the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has brought on for many.
American Life (AM Best: B++) is currently offering the most competitive fixed annuity rates on the Blueprint Income platform. While just about every other insurer cut rates in March, American Life actually increased its rates. American Life is 60 years old, but, under new ownership, the company has refocused on leveraging modern technology to deliver … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
The drop in US and global stock markets in response to the coronavirus has made it one of the worst weeks in stock market history. It’s best practice to make sure your portfolio is prepared to handle a wide variety of market stresses, and buying guaranteed retirement income or a guaranteed return annuity is strongly worth considering across all market scenarios.
Figure out if you've saved enough to support your retirement with Blueprint Income's 'Can I Retire' tool.
The IRS QLAC limit for how much of your IRA you can convert into a QLAC (special longevity annuity) has increased from $130,000 to $135,000.
Payouts on income annuities were down slightly in December as the pricing for some of the top insurers on our platform decreased. The bond market was mostly unchanged month-over-month. Top fixed annuity payouts held steady.
This past Wednesday, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25% to a targeted range of 1.50% – 1.75%. The move was widely expected by financial markets and the reaction was muted. This is the third straight rate cut. On October 30, the Fed cut rates, continuing the downward pattern in short-term interest rates that … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
An immediate annuity can have beneficiaries as long as you elect to include a refund at death (a.k.a. a cash refund or death benefit) or a certain period (number of years where payments are guaranteed even if the annuitant has passed away). For immediate annuities purchased with a refund at death, the beneficiary will receive … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
The beneficiary to an annuity acquires rights upon the death of the owner. In most cases, the beneficiary will receive a lump sum cash refund of the contract, although, with certain annuity contracts, the beneficiary can take over the policy as the owner for the remainder of the term. Annuities typically avoid the probate process … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
Deciding what the best company for annuities is depends on what you’re looking for in an annuity. Some companies offer better rates for one type of annuity than another. And, some companies that offer annuities have higher financial ratings than others, but they might offer lower rates. Blueprint Income is a marketplace that distributes simple … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
What happens to the money in an annuity when you die depends on the type of annuity and the options chosen. If you have an immediate or longevity annuity and pass away, the contract will terminate unless you include a refund at death (a.k.a. cash refund or death benefit). Including the refund at death ensures … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
The best annuity depends on your goals. If you’re looking for a pension-like monthly income stream for life, an income annuity is likely the best fit. If you’re looking for a CD-like guaranteed return for a set number of years, a fixed annuity is likely the best fit. If you’re looking for something that changes … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
You should not buy an annuity if Social Security or pension benefits cover all of your regular expenses, you’re in below average health, or you are seeking high risk in your investments. Take our quiz here to decide if an annuity makes sense for you. If you’re interested in reading more, here are several articles … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
Putting a portion of your 401(k) savings into an annuity makes sense if you’re looking to diversify your retirement savings and add a guaranteed piece to your portfolio. Your 401(k) is a basket of savings tied to market performance that does not protect you from the risk of living longer than expected (and needing an … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
You should consider investing in an annuity if you’re saving for retirement, consider yourself to be a moderate to conservative risk investor, and are interested in guaranteed income or growth. If, on the other hand, you’re looking to access funds for a near-term purchase, only want to invest in higher risk/higher return potential assets, an … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
Fixed income annuities are a good investment for those looking for guaranteed lifetime income in retirement. An income annuity is a lifetime income guarantee (typically paid monthly for the rest of your life) that you purchase from an insurance company as a way to reduce the risk that you run out of money in retirement. … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
If you have an immediate annuity and pass away, the contract will terminate unless you include a death benefit (a.k.a. a cash refund or death benefit) or a period certain. Including the death benefit ensures that a beneficiary receives the premium paid less any income payments the owner had received prior to death. Even if … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
Fixed annuities are a good investment for those looking for a safe, tax-advantaged way to earn a guaranteed return on retirement savings needed in the near future (3 to 10 years). Fixed annuities operate very similarly to CDs. Both vehicles offer a safe way to save money, crediting higher interest rates than those available through … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
Whether you can take your annuity as a lump sum depends on the kind of annuity you purchase, as well as when the annuity was purchased. The following annuities offer the ability to take a lump sum: Fixed annuities Variable annuities Indexed annuities However, if you purchased the annuity within the last few years, you … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
An annuity is a good investment for those looking for guaranteed income or guaranteed growth of their retirement savings that is safe from market volatility. An annuity is generally not a good investment for those who need near-term access to their money and is generally not a good investment for those looking for higher risk … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
Yes, there are good annuities out there, but it’s important to do your research to make sure you get one of them. Originally annuities only existed to provide a pure guarantee, whether guaranteed income or a guaranteed return. Over time, a few different types of annuities have been created with different value propositions, demoting the … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
In order to decide whether or not to annuitize your annuity, you need to be clear about your goals for the annuity and how you expect to use in the future. You also need to understand how your current annuity works, whether the income amount is guaranteed, and how much your benefit has earned in … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
It continues to be a wild ride in the financial markets. You’d think that trade war fears and some soft recent macroeconomic data would push markets lower. But that’s not what has happened at all. The stock market had its best first half of the year in recent memory. And bond prices have risen to … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
In response to a decline in bond yields, many insurers reduced annuity rates this month, but top fixed annuity rates have held steady. Lincoln Financial increased longevity annuity rates, but all other carriers have reduced rates. Sentiment has shifted from believing the Federal Reserve would not change rates any time soon to conventional wisdom now … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
You should consider putting your money in an annuity if you’re saving for retirement, consider yourself to be a moderate to conservative risk investor, and are interested in guaranteed income or growth. If, on the other hand, you’re looking to access funds for a near-term purchase, only want to invest in higher risk/higher return potential … <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-trends/whats-next-for-annuity-rates-september-2020/">Continued</a>
On June 19, Vanguard exited the income annuity business to focus on other priorities.
The market now predicts a 68% chance that rates will be cut in July, up from a 20% chance just a week ago.
Fixed annuities tend to follow movements in Treasury rates but move more slowly. The highest yielding fixed annuities are relatively more attractive, but be aware of counter-party credit risk.
Annuity rates have held steady this month. After several consecutive months of Treasury Bond declines, things leveled off in April.
We have recently identified parameters where certain indexed annuities with income riders generate more lifetime income than longevity annuities (a.k.a. deferred income annuities or DIAs).
We've expanded our real-time income annuity calculator to include Period Certain annuities. Unlike other income annuities, Period Certain annuities are not life contingent.
Next Deferred Income Annuity offers simple and transparent way to begin building guaranteed income for retirement with as little as $100
There were steep declines in longer-term Treasury yields in March, largely precipitated by the Fed’s comments that they were less likely than previously assumed to raise rates this year, next year, and even in 2021.
A summary of rate lock procedures for income annuities and fixed annuities.
Although top fixed annuity rates held steady in February, many insurers decreased their rates.
The Fed sent a strong signal last week that rates were less likely than previously thought to move up in the near-term. After the Fed’s meeting, Wall Street thought there was now only about a 10% chance of any rate increases this year.
The IRS QLAC limit for how much of your 401(k) or IRA you can convert into a Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract remains at $130,000 for 2019.
When it comes to the fountain of longevity, the question remains: to drink or not to drink? The net result? It may surprise you.
Research suggests that there is a relationship between parent and offspring longevity. Environmental factors play a role as well.
By transferring money out of your Traditional IRA and into a QLAC, you reduce the Traditional IRA balance subject to RMDs, deferring them until the QLAC income starts.
Not all annuity websites are created equal. Do your homework.
Not all insurance agents are created equal. Be leery of those who think of your financial life as an opportunity to sell you something.
Should you hate annuities? Yes, some types. Others? No, not if you believe the federal government, trusted academics or Ken Fisher himself.
Instructions for how to purchase a Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC) in a 401(k), 403(b), IRA or other plan.
You have a few options if you'd like to purchase a QLAC with a 401(k).
December and early January saw a precipitous drop in yields in the bond market, including in Treasuries. Coupled with a decline in November, this has caused many insurers to reduce annuity rates.
Planning for your retirement can be broken down into three primary objectives: liquidity, growth, and income. There are different financial products to use to meet each of those needs.
There are warning signs building that the 8-10% average market returns we’ve experienced over the last decade likely are not here to stay. The guaranteed 4%+ growth of most top-paying fixed annuities are starting to look more attractive.
A summary of the different options you have when your fixed annuity matures.
Easy and free access to the marketplace of simple, fixed annuities for consumers. The platform provides real-time fixed annuity rates from 25+ insurers, native digital application with automation-assisted suitability review and eSignature capabilities.
The answers to the most important questions for when buying a fixed annuity.