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Annuity Basics

Annuities 101 — Annuity Basics for Beginners

An annuity can provide guaranteed lifetime income that reduces the likelihood that you’ll run out of money in retirement. Income from an annuity is predictable, steady, and cannot be outlived. This Annuities 101 article provides an overview of annuities and links to resources that will help you decide if an annuity is right for you.

Longevity

Fixed and Income Annuities Overview

An annuity is a way to turn your savings into guaranteed income you can’t outlive, no matter what happens in the market or how long you live.

Annuity Trends

July 2020: How Today’s Fixed Annuity Rates Compare

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.

Annuity Trends

July Market Update: Monetary and Fiscal Stimulus Propel Markets

The S&amp;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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

Can You Lose Money In An Annuity? Know These Two Things To Figure It Out

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?

Inside Blueprint Income

Q&A with American Life CEOs Michael Salem and Mike Minnich

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Trends

Bond Yields Hit All-Time Lows

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.

Retirement Planning

Can I Retire?

Figure out if you've saved enough to support your retirement with Blueprint Income's 'Can I Retire' tool.

Retirement 101

January 2020: Annuity Rates and Market Update

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.

Annuity Trends

November Market Update: Fed Cuts Rates Again, But Annuity Yields On The Rise

This past Wednesday, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25% to a targeted range of 1.50% &#8211; 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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Retirement Income

Do Immediate Annuities Have Beneficiaries?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

At What Point Does the Beneficiary to an Annuity Acquire Rights?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Insurance Companies

What Is the Best Company for Annuities?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Retirement Income

What Happens to the Money in an Annuity When You Die?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

What Is the Best Annuity?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

Who Should Not Buy an Annuity?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Retirement Income

Should I Put My 401(k) into an Annuity?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

Should I Invest in an Annuity?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

Are Fixed Income Annuities a Good Investment?

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. &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Retirement Income

What Happens to an Immediate Annuity When You Die?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

Are Fixed Annuities a Good Investment?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

Can I Take My Annuity as a Lump Sum?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

Is an Annuity a Good Investment?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

Are There Any Good Annuities?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

Should I Annuitize My Annuity?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Trends

July 2019: 10 Year Treasury Yields Drop Below 2%

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Trends

June 2019: Bond Yields and Annuity Rates Down Again

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Basics

Should I Put My Money in an Annuity?

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 &hellip; <a href="https://www.blueprintincome.com/resources/annuity-basics/annuities-101-annuity-basics-for-beginners/">Continued</a>

Annuity Trends

May 2019: What Will the Fed Do Next?

Annuity rates have held steady this month. After several consecutive months of Treasury Bond declines, things leveled off in April.

Annuity Trends

February 2019: Annuity Rates Continue to Decline

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.

QLACs

QLAC Limit Remains at $130,000 in 2019

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.

Annuity Basics

Stocks Lose 7% in October While Annuity Rates Continue to Rise

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.

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