Thinking of Buying a Fixed Annuity? Ask These Questions First
Of all the types of annuities out there, a fixed annuity is the one that's most straightforward. Is it the one that's right for you?
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Newsletter sign up Newsletter

Fixed-rate annuities are popular because of their guarantees, simplicity and higher rates than most competing products.
A fixed-rate annuity — also known as a multi-year guaranteed annuity — acts much like a bank certificate of deposit (CD). There’s a set interest rate for a set period. For example, a seven-year fixed annuity from one company was offering a guaranteed annual yield of 3.50% for seven years as of June 2020.
There are some key differences. CD interest is taxable annually, unless the CD is in an IRA or other qualified account. Annuity interest is tax-deferred until withdrawn. This lets your money compound faster over time.

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.
With so many annuities available today, it’s important to choose the one that is right for you and your specific needs. Although fixed annuities are straightforward, there are differences in the interest rates, length of the guaranteed rate periods, and the ability to make withdrawals.
Here are some of the important questions to ask before purchasing a fixed annuity.
Does the annuity have a pre-set and guaranteed interest rate for the entire guarantee period?
Most fixed-rate annuities have a guaranteed interest rate for the entire guarantee period, but with some products, the rate may change after an initial period. For example, the annuity may offer a higher interest rate for the first year and then a lower rate for the remainder of the guarantee period.
If the rate can change, be sure that you know how soon it can change and what the new rate will or could be.
While having a fixed rate for the entire period is an advantage, sometimes a fixed annuity with a rate that later becomes adjustable can be a good deal. It just depends on how the contract is structured.
How strong is the company that insures this annuity?
Unlike bank deposits, annuities are not FDIC insured. However, there is a form of insurance provided by state guaranty associations in case the insurer becomes insolvent. Coverage varies by state.
Annuities are guaranteed by the issuing insurance company. Therefore, it is important to check the insurer's ratings provided by agencies such as A.M. Best, Standard & Poor's or Moody's. These agencies grade insurers for their overall financial strength and their claims-paying ability.
Be sure that the insurance company you go with is financially stable, as you will want it to be there in the future when you need it.
Are withdrawals permitted during the term of the annuity? If so, how much is allowed?
Nearly all fixed annuities let you withdraw a certain percentage of your total account value or your initial premium each policy year. Typically, account holders may withdraw up to 10% of their principal each year without penalty. However, withdrawals before you reach age 59½ may be subject to an IRS penalty of 10% of the earnings that are withdrawn, plus ordinary income tax.
Therefore, it is not generally advisable to purchase a deferred annuity if you will need either access to your funds or to make withdrawals prior to age 59½.
How does the interest compound?
Annuity interest compounds annually unless you withdraw it. Not taking withdrawals will allow your funds to produce more interest each year of the contract. For example, if you purchased a $100,000 annuity that guaranteed a 3.50% interest rate for 10-years and withdrew your $3,500 in interest earnings each year, at the end of 10 years you will have collected $35,000 in total interest. By contrast, if you allowed your interest earnings to remain in the annuity and compound each year, at the end of the 10-year period your annuity value will have grown to $141,060, giving you over $6,000 more in total interest earned as compared to annual withdrawals.
How is the growth on your funds inside the annuity taxed?
The interest credited to your annuity will grow tax-deferred until it’s withdrawn. The money inside the account continues growing without taxes, allowing your funds the opportunity to compound exponentially over time.
This can be a distinct advantage over the funds inside of a bank CD not held within an IRA or qualified account, as the interest that is earned on a CD is taxed each year. So, for instance, if you’re earning 1.80% on a five-year CD and you’re paying 25% in federal and state income taxes, you’d net a mere 1.35% annually after taxes.
With an annuity, your funds will compound at the full quoted rate because you’re delaying taxes. You or your heirs will owe tax on the gain eventually, but delaying the tax bite means more money in your pocket in the long run.
Are there any fees associated with a fixed annuity?
There are no upfront sales charges or ongoing maintenance fees. All of your money goes to work for you.
Surrender charges will only occur if you withdraw more than the allowed amount during the surrender period. So, be sure that you won’t need most of the money you deposit until the period is over.
What happens to your funds in the annuity if you pass away prematurely?
If you die before you have gotten back all of the money that you deposited in the annuity including any accumulated interest earnings, your named beneficiary will receive the amount remaining in the annuity. On the vast majority of deferred annuities (not yet annuitized) the insurance company keeps nothing. There is a waiver of surrender charges upon death and the beneficiaries receive the full remaining accumulation value. If your beneficiary is your spouse and you haven’t taken any withdrawals, he or she will inherit the entire annuity and will typically have the option of assuming ownership, which would continue the policy’s tax-deferred status and avoid any immediate taxation. (For more on that, see Inheriting an Annuity, Here’s a Little-Known Way to Stretch Its Tax Benefits.)
What are your choices when the initial guarantee period is up?
There’s a lot of flexibility. You can take all the money in cash and pay income tax on the gain, but most people don’t do that.
To continue to defer taxes, you can renew for an additional term or use the funds to buy another annuity from the same or a different insurer via a 1035 exchange. When transferring to a new annuity, you can choose any type of annuity you want, such as a fixed-indexed or variable annuity.
You also can choose to annuitize the proceeds. This means you convert the fixed annuity into a stream of guaranteed lifetime monthly income that begins immediately or, with a deferred income annuity, on a future date you choose.
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.
Retirement-income expert Ken Nuss is the founder and CEO of AnnuityAdvantage, a leading online provider of fixed-rate, fixed-indexed and immediate-income annuities. Interest rates from dozens of insurers are constantly updated on its website. He launched the AnnuityAdvantage website in 1999 to help people looking for their best options in principal-protected annuities. More information is available from the Medford, Oregon, based company at https://www.annuityadvantage.com (opens in new tab) or (800) 239-0356.
-
-
How to Protect Your Cash and Investments in a Banking Crisis
A focus on FDIC insurance and Treasury-only money market or bond fund options can help safeguard investments when a banking crisis threatens.
By Peter Newman, CFA • Published
-
Maximize Charitable Giving Tax Savings and Give All Year
Thinking of December as ‘contribution season,’ paired with using tax-savvy giving tools, can help you spread the generosity all year long.
By Mark Froehlich, CPA, MBA • Published
-
Protect Your Retirement: Seven Things You Can Do Right Now
Whether you’re preparing to retire or already retired, a proactive plan is critical to help safeguard your retirement, especially amid uncertainty.
By Jessica Cervinka, IAR • Published
-
Is Retirement in 2023 Still Possible?
Yes, it is, if you have a customized plan specific to your retirement. If you do, you’re in the minority, though, so here are some ways to develop that plan.
By Nicholas J. Toman, CFP® • Published
-
I Wish I May, I Wish I Might: Estate Planning’s Gentle Nudge
Contrary to what you might expect, using precatory language such as ‘I wish’ or ‘I hope’ can play an important part in three estate planning objectives.
By Allison L. Lee, Esq. • Published
-
Investors Nearing Retirement Show Patience With Markets
Despite last year’s upheaval, many investors are sticking with long-term plans and tightening their budgets instead of moving money out of stocks and bonds.
By Matthew Sommer, Ph.D. CFA® • Published
-
Long-Term Care Planning vs. Taxes: Finding a Healthy Balance
Many families discover that trying to mitigate the cost of long-term care can conflict with another common retirement concern — reducing taxes for retirees and their heirs.
By John M. Graves, Esq., IAR, Agent • Published
-
For a Concentrated Stock Position, Ask Your Adviser This
There can be advantages to having a lot of stock in one company, but ‘de-risking’ can help avoid some significant disadvantages.
By Robert Gorman • Published
-
Long-Term Care Insurance Quandary: Keep Paying or Let It Go?
As long-term care insurance premiums go up, many policyholders are struggling with what to do. Accept higher premiums, reduce benefits, let the policy lapse or take a payout?
By Roxanne Alexander, CFP®, CAIA, AIF®, ADPA® • Published
-
In Retirement, Many Crucial Questions Start With the Word ‘When’
For a secure retirement, make sure you know the answers to all of these “when” questions.
By Bradley Geddes, CFP® • Published