Higher Interest Rates Mean Annuities Are Paying More These Days
Put more money in your pocket.
Retirees interested in the security of guaranteed income often turn to immediate annuities, which provide regular payments that begin right away in exchange for a lump-sum investment. In recent years, that guarantee has come at a price: Low interest rates have depressed monthly payments. But rates have begun to move up and are expected to climb higher. Annuity payouts are rising, too.
QUIZ: Are Annuities Right for You?
In October 2016, a 65-year-old man who invested $100,000 in a single-life immediate annuity would have received an average monthly payment of $506, says ImmediateAnnuities.com. The average monthly payment recently was $567, up 12%.
The Federal Reserve raised the rate for overnight bank loans by 0.25 percentage point in March and signaled that it plans at least two more hikes this year. You may be inclined to postpone an annuity purchase until those hikes take effect. But if the economy falters, the Fed could put off those increases. If rates fall, you’ll have missed a chance to lock in current rates.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
One way around this problem is to build an annuity ladder. Suppose you have $200,000 to invest. Instead of investing it all at once, you might invest $50,000 this year and another $50,000 every two years until you’ve spent the entire amount. If rates rise, you can take advantage of them. And if rates fall, you’ll have locked in at least some of your money at current rates.
To continue reading this article
please register for free
This is different from signing in to your print subscription
Why am I seeing this? Find out more here
Block joined Kiplinger in June 2012 from USA Today, where she was a reporter and personal finance columnist for more than 15 years. Prior to that, she worked for the Akron Beacon-Journal and Dow Jones Newswires. In 1993, she was a Knight-Bagehot fellow in economics and business journalism at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She has a BA in communications from Bethany College in Bethany, W.Va.
-
Stock Market Today: Nasdaq Soars Ahead of Tesla Earnings
The EV stock rose nearly 2% ahead of its highly anticipated Q1 earnings report, due after tonight's close.
By Karee Venema Published
-
GM Stock Accelerates After Earnings Beat
General Motors beat expectations for the first quarter and raised its outlook for the year. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
403(b) Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $69,000 a year.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up for 2024. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
simple IRA The maximum amount workers at small businesses can contribute to a SIMPLE IRA increased by $500 for 2024.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2024 is increasing, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Is a Medicare Advantage Plan Right for You?
Medicare Advantage plans can provide additional benefits beneficiaries can't get through original Medicare for no or a low monthly premium. But there are downsides to this insurance too.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
What You Must Know About the Different Parts of Medicare
Medicare Medicare can be complicated but we've got you covered. Here is a quick guide to the different benefits provided through each part.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated