Annuity Calculator: Calculate Your Guaranteed Lifetime Income

Shawn Plummer, CRPC

Retirement Planner, Financial Advisor, Annuity Broker, and Insurance Agent

Compare Guaranteed Annuity Payouts

Our income annuity calculator helps you compare payouts from 50+ top-rated insurance companies in real time. Instead of guessing what your retirement savings can provide, you’ll see precisely how much guaranteed lifetime income your money can generate.

Think of this tool as a retirement paycheck generator. Enter your age, state, and premium amount, then select when you want income to begin. The calculator instantly displays your annual and monthly payouts, ranked from the highest-paying insurers to the lowest.

This calculation isn’t a rough estimate — it’s a side-by-side comparison of actual annuity contract payouts available today in the United States.

👉 Book a free call with The Annuity Expert to secure your highest payout now.

Calculator Instructions

  1. Input your current age
  2. Select your resident state
  3. Input your retirement savings amount (premium)
  4. Choose when to start income (immediately or deferred)
  5. Solve the security question and click Get My Quote

Your results will include:

  • Financial Rating: We recommend carriers rated A- or better.
  • Annual Income: Contractually guaranteed payout for life.
  • 10-Year & 30-Year Totals: Shows long-term income potential.

Note: This tool illustrates two types of annuity payouts: Advanced and Level payouts. An advanced income annuity provides much higher income early on, then decreases after 10+ years. A level income annuity, by contrast, pays the same amount every year for life.

Contact us for a free comparison table showing guaranteed lifetime income payouts across top insurance carriers.

Annuity calculator comparison table showing guaranteed lifetime income payouts across top insurance carriers.

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Factors That Influence Annuity Payments

  1. Age at Purchase: Older buyers receive higher payouts since insurers expect to pay for fewer years.
  2. Start Age: Deferring income increases your eventual payout.
  3. Deferral Period: The longer you wait, the larger your income grows.
  4. Payout Option: Single-life pays more, joint-life pays less, but protects spouses.
  5. Premium: Larger contributions generate larger retirement paychecks.
  6. State Rules: Local regulations can affect contract terms.
Annuity Payout Calculator

Annuity Payout Options Explained

In addition to a lump sum payout option, all annuities provide a series of payments. Here’s a breakdown of the annuity payment options via annuitization or Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefits:

  1. Single-Life Only – Pays income for one person’s lifetime. Stops at death—no death benefit.
  2. Joint and Survivor – Pays income for two lives. Survivor continues at 100%, 75%, or 50% of its original payment—no extra death benefit.
  3. Period Certain – Pays for a set number of years (10–20). If death occurs early, the remaining payments are distributed to the beneficiaries.
  4. Life with Period Certain – Pays for life, with a guaranteed minimum term. Beneficiaries receive remaining payments if death occurs early.
  5. Level Single-Life (GLWB) – Lifetime income at a fixed level. Any unused balance may go to beneficiaries.
  6. Increasing Single-Life (GLWB) – Lifetime income that grows over time, often for inflation. The remaining balance may go to the heirs.
  7. Level Joint-Life (GLWB) – Lifetime income for two lives at a fixed level. Beneficiaries may receive the unused balance after both deaths.
  8. Increasing Joint-Life (GLWB) – Rising lifetime income for two people. The remaining balance may go to the heirs after both deaths.

Best Option: Level or Increasing GLWB — they provide lifetime income, earn interest, flexibility, and allow unused funds to pass to beneficiaries.

Helpful Tip: Not all riders are created equal. Some carriers pay significantly more for the same deposit. See which companies with the highest income riders are topping the charts this month.

Annuity Payout Options at a Glance

OptionHow It WorksDeath BenefitBest For
Single-Life OnlyPays income for one life; stops at deathNoneIndividuals wanting the highest income with no need for legacy
Joint & SurvivorPays income for two lives; survivor continues at 100%, 75%, or 50%None beyond survivor paymentsCouples wanting lifetime income protection for both spouses
Period CertainYes, after both deaths, if the balance remainsRemaining payments go to heirsYes, if the balance remains
Life with Period CertainLifetime income + minimum guaranteed termRemaining term paid to heirsRetirees who want income for life plus some legacy
Level Single-Life (GLWB)Fixed income for life with a rider; unused balance may go to heirsThose wanting a stable income with flexibilityYes, if the balance remains
Increasing Single-Life (GLWB)Lifetime income that rises over timeYes, after both deaths, if the balance remainsIndividuals worried about inflation risk
Level Joint-Life (GLWB)Fixed lifetime income for two livesCouples wanting a stable dual income with legacy potentialYes, after both deaths, if the balance remains
Increasing Joint-Life (GLWB)Rising income for two livesYes, after both deaths, if the balance remainsCouples wanting inflation protection and security

Annuity Costs You Should Expect

The cost of an annuity depends on the type and features you select.

  • Minimum Premiums: Most fixed, fixed index, and variable annuities require at least $5,000 to start. Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIAs) usually begin at $20,000.
  • Riders and Add-Ons: Features like a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) typically cost about 1% of the account value each year, deducted directly from the annuity.
  • Large Contracts: Premiums exceeding $1 million often require special carrier approval (Large Case Approval) before issuance.
  • Liquidity Costs: Even when no annual fees apply (as is common with fixed products), the main cost is the restricted access to your money. Withdrawals during the surrender period usually trigger penalties and reduce your payout.

In short, while annuities may not carry upfront fees like mutual funds or advisory accounts, the actual “cost” is in liquidity limits and optional rider charges.

Annuity Cost Comparison

Annuity TypeMinimum PremiumTypical FeesSpecial Rules
SPIA (Single Premium Immediate Annuity)$20,000No direct feesIrrevocable once purchased
Fixed Annuity (including MYGAs)$5,000No fees unless riders are addedSurrender charges limit liquidity
Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA)$5,000No base fee; ~1% annually if GLWB rider is addedGrowth limited by caps/participation rates
Variable Annuity$5,0002–4% annually (M&E, fund fees, riders)Higher risk; subject to market volatility
Large Annuities$1,000,000+Same as aboveRequire carrier approval before issue

Popular Annuity Payout Scenarios

Choose the amount closest to the premium you are considering. Each guide includes 2026 illustrative monthly payouts by age and start date, plus level, increasing, joint-life, and advanced payout options. Actual payouts vary by age, state, gender where applicable, start date, contract, and selected guarantees.

Annuity Payouts From $10,000 to $100,000

$150,000 to $500,000 Annuity Payouts

$600,000 to $1 Million Annuity Payouts

$1.5 Million to $5 Million Annuity Payouts

These pages provide educational estimates rather than personalized quotes. Current carrier payouts can change and may differ based on the applicant and selected income features.

Specialized Annuity Calculators

Need a more specific calculation? Use our specialized tools to model unique retirement paths:

  • TSP Annuity Calculator: Estimate your future savings and lifetime payout options inside the Thrift Savings Plan.
  • Annuity vs. Lump Sum Calculator: Compare the long-term math of taking a lottery, pension, or lawsuit settlement as a lump sum versus structured payouts.

Top Annuity Companies We Compare:

AtheneAllianz Life
NationwidePacific Life
MassMutualLincoln Financial
PrudentialAmerican Equity
Global AtlanticFidelity & Guaranty Life (F&G)
Corebridge Financial (AIG)Oceanview Life
Integrity LifeMutual of Omaha
Midland NationalSymetra
Jackson NationalVenerable
GainbridgeCanvas Annuity
FidelityVanguard
Charles SchwabClear Spring Life
North AmericanState Farm
American GeneralSILAC
EmpowerVoya
GenworthJohn Hancock
Brighthouse FinancialNew York Life
American NationalMetLife
USAABankers Life
Nassau FinancialProtective
EquiTrustSecurity Benefit
Guardian LifeTransamerica
The HartfordTIAA
AllstateAmerico
Reliance StandardGILICO
Commonwealth Annuity & Life Eagle Life Insurance
AspidaDelaware Life

Compare All Types of Annuities

We compare a full range of annuity products — from simple fixed annuities to variable and more complex contracts — each with different investment options and risk levels. By reviewing multiple carriers side by side, we help you identify the product that best fits your income needs, risk tolerance, and long-term goals.

Many annuities can also be funded directly from retirement accounts, including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), pensions, or the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Rolling these funds into the right annuity can transform your savings into a personal pension plan with guaranteed lifetime income.

Use our free guides and blogs as a starting point, and then contact us for personalized quotes. Our service is free of charge.

How Much Will An Annuity Pay Per Month?

Secure the Highest Retirement Income Now

Pro Tip: Calculator estimates are useful, but a formal quote locks in your rate and protects you from market fluctuations. Request a personalized annuity quote to receive a customized PDF illustration of the top three highest-paying annuities for your specific age and state.

👉 Lock in the highest retirement paycheck today. Don’t buy from just one company and risk leaving money on the table. Compare side-by-side quotes from 50+ top-rated insurers with The Annuity Expert — free, fast, and with no pressure.

Book your free call now and turn your savings into the maximum guaranteed income for life.

Estimate Annuity Payments

Feel free to contact us for help or advice on annuities. The service is free of charge.

Shawn Plummer, CRPC

Retirement Planner, Financial Advisor, Annuity Broker, and Insurance Agent

I am a licensed Retirement Planner (CRPC), insurance agent, financial advisor, annuity broker, and former financial trainer with more than 18 years of hands-on experience in annuities and insurance. My National Producer Number (NPN) is 15524738. I spent 12 years training financial advisors nationwide on annuity, insurance, and retirement planning strategies, in addition to 18 years of direct field experience selling annuities and insurance products, helping clients protect their savings and secure reliable retirement income.

I have been quoted in Time Magazine, Bloomberg, Entrepreneur, Yahoo! Finance, MSN, SmartAsset, LegalZoom, U.S. News & World Report, Women’s Health Magazine, Forbes, and many other leading publications.

I am also the founder of The Annuity Expert, an independent online insurance agency and annuity broker serving consumers across the United States. Through this platform, my team and I help Americans remove the guesswork from retirement planning and compare insurance solutions to find the strongest value at the most competitive rates. I want to see you get the best products at the lowest prices.

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