Personal Investing

An annuity is an insurance contract that guarantees an income. This tool is a way to save money for retirement by increasing your investment portfolio and simultaneously deferring taxes on growth....

Every portfolio must include a range of nonstock investments. Given the inverse relationship between risk and reward, most investments in this category --- from government bonds to annuities ---...

Annuities are one of the most common forms of saving for retirement. They are good for deferring taxes on contributions up until a certain age, or as a safeguard against a life-altering event....

Fixed rate annuities and variable annuities are financial instruments typically issued by insurance companies or other financial entities. Annuities are contracts between a company and individuals...

While annuities may not be the right choice for every investor, there are times when these unique investments make a great deal of sense. Immediate annuities in particular can be a good choice for...

Annuities are investments designed to help investors save for retirement. Money in an annuity grows tax-deferred for investors holding the money in the account until age 50 1/2 or later. There are...

Annuities are contracts typically issued by insurance companies or financial entities that promise specific interest gains and payments to the buyer, who is called the annuitant. Typically, the...

There are different methods for investing in fixed income, depending on your goals and your appetite for risk. Investment in fixed income instruments may allow you to receive a predictable amount...

Variable annuities were first introduced into the United States by the Teachers Insurance and Annuities Association - College Retirement Equity Fund (TIAA-CREF) in 1952, to fund pension...

Fixed index annuities are a recent addition to the annuity marketplace. They offer investors a chance to earn a reasonable rate of return without risking principal.

Certificate of Deposits (CDs) are issued by banks, and annuities are issued by insurance companies. Understanding some differences may help you decide which one is best for you.

A fixed annuity may be a good option depending on your personal financial situation. It offers safety of principal, competitive interest rates and other benefits.

Fixed deferred annuities can be a good option for investing, depending on your personal financial situation. There are benefits and drawbacks to fixed deferred annuities. Consult a professional...

Fixed annuities are considered a "safe" investment. Issued by insurance companies, they are somewhat similar to CDs. They offer a fixed rate of return credited annually on a tax-deferred basis,...

Purchasing a fixed annuity is a complex decision. The purchaser must understand the function of the annuity, the benefits, liabilities, fees and penalties the investment carries. Fixed annuity...

Annuities can provide additional tax-deferred growth opportunities to help supplement your retirement savings. Annuities offer no income restrictions on contribution eligibility and there is no...

TVM stands for the time value of money. In long-term payment contracts, it represents what the money might have earned had you received it immediately.

Although your indexed annuity is invested in the stock market via an index fund, you enjoy only a percentage of the growth of that particular index. This is because most annuities don't have a 100...

If you want to exchange a lump sum of money for the security of regular income, consider buying an immediate annuity. Purchased as insurance products, immediate annuities provide you with a...

The financial markets have been extremely turbulent and discomforting for most investors over the past 18 months. Many investors have now come to the realization that they cannot mentally or...

One way to grow your passive income earnings over time is to invest some of your investment dollars in immediate annuities. What happens with immediate annuities is that an individual gives a...

You purchase an immediate annuity from an insurance company with a certain amount of money (a single premium). You may begin to collect regular income on your investment in approximately thirty...

When setting up annuities, identify the annuity company to buy an annuity from, figure out when to get the money back, and tell the company what to do with the money. Think about the beneficiary...

A fixed income investment is when money is placed into a company that will pay the individual back at a future date. Find out how fixed income investments range from annuities with help from a...

Annuities are financial products that have been a cornerstone investment product for a long time. Although they take a variety of forms depending on the law of the land, generally speaking an...

Variable annuities are insurance company-backed investment vehicles that allow individuals to establish a guaranteed future income, typically for retirement, while also deferring taxes on the...

When it comes to saving for retirement, you don't have to put all your eggs in one basket. Once you assess how much you can contribute to your overall retirement portfolio, set up a variety of...

Annuities are contractual agreements between individuals and insurance companies that guarantee a specific income or lump sum return from the insurance company in exchange for a premium paid by...

Investing is when you put your money into something that you think will make it increase over time. Investing your money is a good way to help it grow. Being a good investor requires setting...

An annuity works very much like the reverse of life insurance. With life insurance, you pay a small amount over a period of time. If you die during that time, the insurance will pay out a large...

Buying annuities is a great way to save for retirement. They return relatively steady gains, and are predictable when compared to stocks. However, you can get stuck with several fees for benefits...

Variable annuities can be great tax-deferred retirement vehicles. They are a simple contract between you and an insurance company and can be a productive place to put your money, provided you've...

Purchase an annuity for income over a period. You pay a lump sum or fixed sums to the insurance company for a guarantee of payment starting now or sometime in the future. Annuities guarantee...

A market value adjusted annuity offers several options for people who want some choices in their investing. You can choose from annuities with guaranteed returns or those that are dependent on the...

An equity indexed annuity is connected to an equity index or stock, and the interest earned is dependent on the market performance of that stock or index. Your account is credited with interest...

Many annuities (contracts between you and an insurance company) are set up to provide income for the lifetime of the annuitant. A fixed period annuity enables the contracting party to provide...

Everyone wants to be able to retire with enough income to sustain his or her lifestyle. Purchasing an annuity is a smart way to guarantee that you'll receive a certain amount of income for the...

Legacy or stretch annuities are some of the best annuities for those concerned about the welfare of loved ones left behind after they die. This annuity allows the beneficiary to keep the favorable...