To Buy or Not to Buy: Do Annuities Have a Purpose in Your Portfolio?
There are two specific types of retirement savers for whom annuities make a lot of sense. See if you're one of them.

Investors have a love-hate relationship with annuities.
1. Annuities offer guaranteed income
I often meet with people who have no guaranteed income for retirement other than their Social Security benefits. They might have other savings, but it’s in the stock market or other investments with some risk.
So, let’s say a couple comes in with living expenses of $4,000 a month, and their Social Security checks will cover only $2,000 of that. Neither spouse has a pension, and they need and want another income stream guaranteed to pay out the remaining $2,000 every month.

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.
That’s where an annuity comes in. By positioning a portion of their savings into an annuity, they can potentially generate the extra $2,000 a month and bridge that income gap. Once that need is covered, they may be able to take some risk with the rest of the money in their portfolio — or they can use it any way they please through the years, for whatever need comes up.
If the same couple came in with plenty of fixed income — Social Security and a pension … and a desire to keep the rest in the market — we wouldn’t necessarily recommend an annuity, because they wouldn’t need it. But in this case, it serves a purpose, and they don’t have to worry that the ups and downs of the market will upend their lifestyle in retirement.
2. Annuities offer protection
Sometimes we have clients who have the guaranteed income they need, but they still don’t want their money in the stock market. They prefer to focus on preservation over accumulation, and they don’t want to take a risk with any part of their nest egg. They just want to put the money in a safe place where it can grow at a reasonable rate.
We often find a fixed indexed annuity is right under these circumstances. It’s designed to grow safely, and may earn anywhere from 3% to 6%. The purpose behind the purchase is a little different. It’s designed to help keep your money protected. But again, an annuity is a viable retirement planning vehicle.
Annuities can offer the protection and income many people need. You can’t lose your principal, and you’ll have guaranteed income coming from it. What’s not to like about that?
Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article.
Annuities are insurance contracts designed for retirement or other long-term needs. They provide guarantees of principal and credited interest, subject to surrender charges. Annuity guarantees and protections are backed by the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurer. The article is for general information only and is not intended to provide advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest that you consult your accountant, tax, or legal adviser with regard to your individual situation.
Cornerstone Wealth Management offers securities through Kalos Capital, Inc. and investment advisory services through Kalos Management, Inc., both at 11525 Park Woods Circle, Alpharetta, Georgia 30005, (678) 356-1100. Cornerstone Wealth Management is not an affiliate or subsidiary of Kalos Capita, Inc. or Kalos Management Inc.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Jammie Avila is the managing partner/co-founder of Cornerstone Wealth Management in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. Jammie has passed the Series 7 and 63 exams and is licensed to sell insurance products. Jammie and his wife, Danielle, have four children.
-
Is Indulging Your Vice Putting Your Retirement at Risk?
From alcohol to gambling, adults spend a lot of money pursuing their vices, but are they jeopardizing their retirement nest eggs?
By Donna Fuscaldo Published
-
Stock Market Today: Investors Respond to the Usual Uncertainty
Stocks surged late but the major indexes closed mixed as the search for market leadership continues.
By David Dittman Published
-
The Best ROI? Investing in Yourself This Year
If personal growth is something you invest in only after taking care of all other priorities, it's time to turn that mindset on its head. Here's how to start.
By Frank J. Legan Published
-
The Four Worst Mistakes to Make When Selling Your Business
From ignoring potential buyers to failing to consider what you'll do once you've stopped working, here are the key mistakes to avoid when selling a business.
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA® Published
-
Market Volatility Tempting You to Get Out? Read This First
If you're retired, or soon will be, riding out a roller-coaster market can be nerve-racking. Try to hold steady and focus on balancing your investments.
By Lauren Ivester Published
-
Five Strategies to Defer Capital Gains in Real Estate Investing
These powerful strategies, from timing your sales during low-income years to leveraging qualified opportunity zones, can defer capital gains taxes on your real estate investments.
By Daniel Goodwin Published
-
Retirement Income Planning for Unfunded Health Care Costs
Retirement income plans often don't include late-in-life health or long-term care expenses. Here's how to cover for the unplanned withdrawals to pay for those.
By Jerry Golden, Investment Adviser Representative Published
-
Federal Employees Buyout Offer: Five Things to Consider
Federal workers have a constellation of retirement benefits, and assessing them can get complicated fast. Here are five high-stakes decisions to focus on.
By Ben Kautz, CFP® Published
-
Insurance Bad Faith After Natural Disasters: What to Know
Understanding the basics of insurance claims after catastrophic losses is important, especially if you encounter insurance bad faith. Here's what to do if that happens.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq. Published
-
Five Reasons Not to Give Your Child Power of Attorney
When drawing up powers of attorney, older parents will most likely name adult children as their representatives. But is that always the smart choice?
By Peter Newman, CFA Published