Insurance AnnuitiesAn annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company. Specifics include how deposits or payments are made and what benefits are derived. The exchange of money for specified benefits is agreed in advance and the contract will designate the responsibilities of each party. Benefits to the annuity purchaser may include the following. • Safety. Annuities are among the most guaranteed and safe investments available. • Avoid Probate. Annuities transfer to a beneficiary without the need for probate. • Income. At any time, annuities can change from a savings or accumulation vehicle to an income vehicle. Annuities can provide an income that cannot be outlived. • Death Benefit. Your beneficiary receives the full account value from the annuity immediately. • Access. Unlike bank CDs, you have access to your funds during the interest earning time period. A variable annuity allows you to choose your investment options from typically wide choice. The responsibility of performance is born by the annuity owner and not the insurance company. This is in contrast with a fixed annuity where the responsibility is that of the insurance company. A new type of fixed annuity is known as equity linked indexed annuity. The yield on this product is tied to an outside source of reference such as the Standard and Poor’s Stock Index 500. The original guarantee of your funds is intact but the yield is not guaranteed and is based on the performance of the index. |