In contrast to a fixed annuity, the key features of a variable annuity can fluctuate (they are “variable”) during the accumulation period and during the payout phase. Also in contrast to a fixed annuity, the variable annuity contract holder assumes much of the investment risk. With a variable annuity, the insurance company provides the contract holder with the ability to determine how his or her premiums are invested. One investment option is a variable account which typically consists of equity, bond or money market mutual funds. The other option is the general account of a variable annuity which provides a guaranteed return. The contract holder decides how much risk or variability they want to tolerate by allocating premium payments among the general and variable accounts. The amount of money accumulated and the amount of income during the payout phase are determined by the returns of these accounts. With a variable annuity: 1) the money can go in as a single premium payment or a series of payments; 2) the money is invested at a variable or non guaranteed rate; 3) payments are variable and can begin immediately or at some future date.
Thanks for reaching-out.
It is generally very difficult if not impossible to provide a simple yes/no answer to this type of question without having much more detail regarding your situation and needs. That said, here are some things to think about:
Submitted by Anonymous on
My spouse recently left her employer and has about $200,000 in her 401K with this previous employer. A friend of ours who works for a brokerage firm spoke to us about doing either an IRA rollover or possibly investing in a variable annuity.
There currently exists what would appear to be a once in a lifetime opportunity for life insurance companies who are essentially the manufacturers of asset decumulation products such as annuities.
