Annuity

An annuity comes in many forms, but a simple definition is that an annuity is a contract that converts a sum of money into a series of periodic payments for an agreed upon period of time. An annuity can be thought of as a financial vehicle that converts a pool of money into a stream of income. Annuities are most useful in addressing the financial planning needs of people in or approaching retirement. Annuities are unique in the financial world because they can provide protection against the risk or outliving one’s assets (longevity risk) by guaranteeing income payments in perpetuity or any other selected amount of time. Annuities can be viewed as a type of personal pension plan. Social Security is similar to an annuity in that money contributed over the course of one’s working years is converted into a series of periodic payments that provide income during retirement.

3.87 Percent Inflation Increase for Penn Mutual Variable Annuity

The Penn Mutual Inflation Protector variable annuity was launched in November 2010. This variable annuity product incorporates a living benefit feature and is designed to provide owners with an income base that keeps pace with the rate of inflation. The income base of the Penn Mutual Inflation Protector increases based upon the greater of: The rate of inflation as measured by the consumer price index urban (CPI-U), or; Annual market performance. The inflation increases are capped at a maximum...

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Why Fixed Annuities Could Prove Toxic in an Era of Financial Repression

In a recent and highly recommended Bloomberg op-ed, Carmen Reinhart discusses the options available to governments and central banks when attempting to deal with the burden of enormous amounts of public and private debt.

Reinhart suggests that the preferred policy option for many governments--including the United States--is a form of stealth taxation that amounts to...

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Short-Term Focus has Adverse Impact on Retirement Income Product Development

Warren Buffett’s most recent shareholder letter focuses on the merits of productive assets such as equities in light of the current low interest rate environment and the potential for future inflation.

Buffett’s view is that although productive assets are variable and volatile, they are more likely to preserve future purchasing power than the fixed or currency-based alternatives.

Buffett’s advice would seem to provide a key...

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British Insurers Advocate Comparison Shopping for Annuities

The Association of British Insurers announced that the organization will adopt a new code of conduct that could have a meaningful impact on annuity sales. The decision is in response to criticisms of annuity industry sales processes. Critics have argued that current industry practices are inconsistent and opaque, and that this confusing annuity shopping environment ends-up costing financial services consumers real money. A recent report published by a British pension group suggests that current...

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Why Warren Buffett's Prescription Will Not Work for Retirees

In a Fortune article titled “Why Stocks Beat Gold and Bonds,” Warren Buffett provides a glimpse of his upcoming shareholder letter.

While Buffett’s advice is perfect for investors who have a long-term perspective, anyone near or in retirement may want to think twice about acting on the prescription.

The core of Buffett’s advice is as follows:

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Sequence of Returns Risk

TIPS

Bond

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Inflation Protected Annuity

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