Annuities are financial products that offer a guaranteed income for life. They have many benefits, but they also have some drawbacks. In this guide, we will focus on the differences between variable annuities and fixed annuities.
How Do Annuities Work?
Annuities are insurance contracts that guarantee regular income payments immediately or in the future in exchange for payment(s) now. Most annuities help prevent you from outliving your savings by “insuring” that you’ll receive a certain amount in regular payments for a fixed period of time or the rest of your life.
The time when you put money in an annuity is called the accumulation phase. You can add money gradually or in one big payment. When you start to take out money from your annuity, this is called the distribution phase.
When you open an annuity, you must choose when your payments will start and how long they will last. The insurance company that provides the annuity calculates the value of your monthly payments based on how much money you’ve saved, the time before starting the income, and how long you want them to last.
What Is a Variable Annuity?
A variable annuity is a fixed-income investment that fluctuates in value depending on the performance of financial markets such as the stock market.
A variable annuity is a retirement savings account that offers tax-deferred growth for your investment. When you start receiving payments, you pay ordinary income taxes. Variable annuities are notable because they let you make unlimited annual contributions to a tax-advantaged account. They might also include appealing add-on features traditional retirement accounts don’t have, such as death and guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits.
Variable annuities are similar to fixed annuities in that they may be purchased as either a:
- single-premium deferred annuity (SPDA)
- flexible-premium deferred annuity (FPDA)
- single-premium immediate annuity (SPIA)
Variable Annuity Rates
A variable annuity’s rate of return is determined by the performance of the investments in its portfolio. Variable annuities generally provide a variety of subaccounts, which function like mutual funds and offer a combination of component investments.
Benefits of Variable Annuities
You might want to get a variable annuity because it offers certain benefits that include:
- No Contributions Limits: You might want to get a variable annuity if you have maxed out your retirement plans at work and in an IRA. This will allow you to save even more money for retirement without losing any benefits you would get from saving in these other places.
- Plenty of Upside Potential: Variable annuities let you accumulate wealth faster in the future. The more money you put in, the more income comes out.
- An Income For Life: Investors can receive a guaranteed income for life. Variable annuities allow investors to extend their growing cash reserves over their lives.
- A Death Benefit For Beneficiaries: Your beneficiaries inherit the remaining balance in the variable annuity’s account.
Disadvantages to Variable Annuities
There are several advantages to investing in a variable annuity but also disadvantages.
- High Fees: Annual fees for variable annuities range between 3 and 4 percent of the contract value.
- Unpredictable Returns and Potential Losses: A stock market downturn might reveal that your portfolio does not earn as much as you had anticipated, and its value may be jeopardized.
- Surrender Charges: If you need to withdraw funds above your allotted amount from your annuity before the expiration date specified in your contract, you may be hit with penalties called surrender charges.
- Tax Penalties: An IRS 10% early withdrawal penalty may apply if you withdraw money before you reach age 59 1/2.
What Is A Fixed Annuity?
A fixed annuity is a guaranteed return investment that promises a certain amount each year, similar to a Certificate of Deposit at a bank. Fixed annuities are considered less risky than variable annuities and offer investors the opportunity to protect their money while still receiving payment from their retirement savings.
Fixed Annuity Rates
Unlike a variable annuity, where your rate of return is linked to the stock market, fixed annuities provide a set rate of return for the duration of the agreement.
Fixed Annuity Benefits
Fixed annuities offer several benefits that include:
- The Guaranteed Rate Of Return: You’ll be protected from stock market volatility while still achieving a reasonable rate of return on your investment. Deposit rates at a bank will be much lower than a fixed annuity.
- Easy To Understand: Fixed annuities are generally more straightforward for investors to comprehend and avoid unpleasant surprises after purchase since they have fewer moving components.
- Budgeting Your Future Income, Today: Knowing the actual annuity payout amounts you will receive throughout the contract, you can plan your retirement more accurately.
Fixed Annuity Disadvantages
Fixed annuities, while offering a guaranteed rate of return and basic protection against principal loss, have certain flaws.
- Lower Returns: Fixed annuities generally have higher rates than comparable long-term investments, such as certificates of deposits (CDs), but they are typically a fraction of stock market returns. And because you’re locked into a fixed annuity contract, you won’t be able to take advantage of future interest rate hikes.
- Inability To Keep Up With Inflation: Rates of return indicate that your investment will not keep up with inflation. Riders are available to help you find the solution that best fits your needs and budget, but costs may negate any benefits. If you request a COLA rider, you will receive lower initial distributions than if you did not get one.
- Possible Fees: Variable annuities come with more riders and higher fees, but riders like long-term care, lifetime income, and death benefits for your heirs can quickly raise your fixed annuity annual management costs.
- Surrender Charges: You’ll be penalized if you need to withdraw your money before the end of the surrender term. These might be as high as 9 percent.
- Tax Penalties: If you’re under age 59.5, you’ll face an additional 10% penalty from the IRS.
Fixed vs. Variable Annuity
Variable annuities and fixed annuities have advantages and drawbacks. In certain situations, one may be more appropriate than the other.
Variable Annuity
Variable annuities might be the answer for individuals ready to take a chance on their retirement funds—or those who want to save a lot for retirement.
For people who wish to invest in stock-like markets but need guaranteed income, living benefit, or death benefit linked to their annuity to help them achieve their financial objectives, variable annuities might be a good option.
Fixed Annuity
A fixed annuity is better if you do not want the risk.
If you want to earn more interest than a CD but don’t want to take on the risk, a guaranteed investment contract called a fixed indexed annuity might be a better option.
When deciding between these types of annuities, focus on your risk tolerance and what blanks you need to fill in your retirement plan.
General Accounts and Separate Accounts
The cash value of a variable annuity is calculated based on the performance of the variable subaccounts in the insurance’s separate account to which premiums have been allocated, as well as the value of the structured investment account.
The insurer’s separate account is a segregated account with several variable subaccounts tailored by objective, risk level, and underlying portfolio.
Separate accounts are not governed by state insurance law requirements for secure, fixed-income securities and can be funded with common stocks and other more volatile securities.
Separate accounts are maintained by professional investment advisors, just like mutual funds.
The insurer’s general account, which is generally invested in bonds and other fixed-income securities, supports fixed and fixed index annuities.
Fixed and variable Annuities at a glance
| Variable Annuity | Fixed Index Annuity | Fixed Annuity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Protection | No | Yes | Yes |
| Access To Principal | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Control Over Money | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tax-Deferred Growth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guaranteed Growth | No | Yes | Yes |
| Guaranteed Income | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Inflation Protection | Yes | Yes | No |
| Death Benefit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Long-Term Care Help | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What’s Better Than A Fixed And Variable Annuity?
A fixed index annuity offers the best of both worlds. You earn interest based on the performance of a stock market index like a variable annuity, but your principal is protected from market downturns. To top it off, you also earn a fixed interest rate. As a result, you can enjoy the potential for growth with indexes without worrying about losing your investment during a market crash. In addition, the fixed interest rate means that you will always have a guaranteed return on your investment, even if the stock market takes a dip. Overall, a fixed index annuity is an ideal way to grow your savings while minimizing risk.
Next Steps
So, what’s the verdict? Variable annuities are a great choice if you want to be able to increase your earnings potential as the stock market performs well. However, they can also be riskier since your payout is based on market performance. Instead, consider a fixed annuity if you want more stability in your investment and don’t mind less growth potential. Alternatively, look into a fixed index annuity if you want the best of both worlds. These products offer competitive interest rates and protection from market downturns. Contact us today for a quote on the best annuity product for you!
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