retirement

Annuities: They May Be a Better Option than You Think

To approach annuities with an open mind, first take a look at the basic types and how they work.

November 23, 2018

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Mention the word “annuity” to an investor, and you’re likely to receive mixed reactions. The concept is often misunderstood, leaving the everyday investor who is planning for retirement concerned that their money will end up tied up and inaccessible — and subject to market losses. But this isn’t an accurate characterization.

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The following is a summary of the basics. The range of annuity products is broad, running the gamut from very simple to deeply complex. Like all the investment options we have, they have their pros and cons — or as I like to say, every rose has its thorns. Here are the basics:

What are annuities?

Annuities are contracts issued by insurance companies that can be used by investors to accumulate wealth and/or create a stream of guaranteed income for a period of time (for example, 10 or 15 years, or even a lifetime). You can fund an annuity with all types of money and accounts, such as an IRA, Roth or money transferred from a savings account.

What types of annuities are available?

There are several types of annuities out there for investors. Choosing the right one comes down to your retirement goals and income needs. When do you plan to retire? What do you anticipate your minimum income requirements will be in retirement? How averse are you to market risk? Here’s a breakdown of your options.

First off, annuities can be broken down into two categories, based on when payments start:

Immediate: Payments begin as soon as the investment are made.
Deferred: The investor commits their money to the annuity for a certain period of time, such as five, seven or 10 years, after which they can either take it out as a lump sum, move it somewhere else or start payments. As part of this, there is a “surrender period” during which early withdrawals may be subject to penalty fees.

Beyond that, annuities come in three different types, based on how they are paid.

Fixed: Similar to CDs*, these are the simplest type of annuity to understand. Under the terms of a fixed annuity, you commit a sum of money, and the annuity provider guarantees a yield. As an example, a 65-year-old woman is in need of dependable income to supplement her Social Security. She can take $200,000 and give it to an insurance company, which in return supplies a monthly income of $1,100 for the rest of her life.
Indexed: These become more complicated. You commit your money to a similar time period, but you may earn a yield within a range, usually dependent upon a market index. There are many nuances that need to be understood, as the terms of an indexed annuity (that is, how much yield you might see) can vary from carrier to carrier. For example, there may be a cap on the index’s returns, or there may be certain returns that are not included in the annuity (e.g., dividends). Moreover, there are a variety of riders (such as guaranteed income options or death benefits) you may opt for as part of the annuity, which introduces further complexity. There are many moving parts to an indexed annuity, so it is important that you study up and work with an adviser to determine if it is right for you.
Variable: To fully explain these would demand much more space. Suffice it to say, these are where significant complexity enters the equation. Returns are based on the performance of the funds you choose to invest in, versus an index. You may also consider purchasing riders. Variable annuities can be compelling, but only if you are willing to put in the time to properly educate yourself on how they work.

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The Potential Downsides

So, what are the thorns on the annuity rose? Complexity is certainly one of them, but others include a possible lack of liquidity and fees.

Liquidity: Annuity contracts can restrict your access to your money. With immediate annuities, you cannot withdraw your funds once they are handed over to your insurer; you can only take the income payments. With deferred annuities, you may withdraw funds — up to a certain amount of the principal, depending on the contract — during the surrender period; however, as noted above, you may be subject to fees if your withdrawals exceed the amount permitted by your contract.

Fees: Fixed and immediate annuities seldom have any fees, but occasionally they may have a “market value adjustment” that can add to early withdrawal penalties. Variable and indexed annuities may have significant fees — and in the case of indexed, those fees may be deducted from your payouts — and they have to be weighed against the benefit you are deriving.

In summary, annuities may or may not have a place in your long-term plan. Approach them with an open mind. Some investors may immediately dismiss them because of what they have read or heard, but annuities can be attractive to investors who want to protect some of their portfolio from another serious market downturn. They can also be attractive for people in need of dependable cash flow.

All investment options have benefits and drawbacks. It is incumbent upon all of us, however, to educate ourselves and take control of our financial decisions.

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Jamie Letcher is a Financial Advisor of CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor.The opinions expressed those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. or its management.This article is provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as investment advice.

*Note: There are distinct differences between fixed annuities and Certificates or CDs. Most CDs are considered a short-term investment. An annuity is considered a long-term investment. The investment in a CD is insured by the federal government, either through FDIC or NCUA. The investment in a fixed annuity is guaranteed by an insurance company. Like CDs, fixed annuities have a penalty for early surrender, and withdrawals taken before the age of 59½ from an annuity may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty.

CUNA Mutual Group is the marketing name for CUNA Mutual Holding Company, a mutual insurance holding company, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Annuities are issued by CMFG Life Insurance Company (CMFG Life) and MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (MEMBERS Life) and distributed by their affiliate, CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, IA, 50677. CMFG Life and MEMBERS Life are stock insurance companies. MEMBERS® is a registered trademark of CMFG Life Insurance Company. Investment and insurance products are not federally insured, may involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by any depository or lending institution. All contracts and forms may vary by state and may not be available in all states or through all broker/dealers.

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

Jamie Letcher, CRPC

Financial Adviser, CUNA Brokerage Services

Jamie Letcher is a Financial Adviser with CUNA Brokerage Services, located at Summit Credit Union in Madison, Wis. Summit Credit Union is a $3 billion CU serving 176,000 members. Letcher helps members work toward achieving their financial goals and through a process that begins with a "get-to-know-you" meeting and ends with a collaborative plan, complete with action steps.