Introduction To Annuities


by Barry Waxler - Date: 2007-05-11 - Word Count: 417 Share This!

Insured investments are an important part of any financial plan. An annuity is one such aspect.

An annuity is a legal contract whereby one party pays in a lump sum of money to another and receives regular payments in return over an extended period of time. There are several various types of annuities, but the basic idea remains the same. Annuities are a deferred investment contract. They are a financial instrument that is sold by the same companies that sell life insurance policies.

In some ways, the annuity is like a life insurance policy in that the risks and uncertainties are transferred from the insured to the insurer. The insurer reduces his own risks by pooling a large number of annuities. One of the common examples of an annuity is the deferred payments after winning a lottery. The lottery winnings can be paid out in a lump sum or spread over a number of years with equal guaranteed payments. The equal payments are in the form of an annuity.

Another use of annuities is after the roll over or distribution of a retirement plan. The lump sum can be used to purchase an annuity that continues to pay a set amount of money on a monthly or yearly basis for the remainder of the owner's lifetime. In some cases, the payouts can continue after death to a designated beneficiary.

An annuity can also be used as an investment tool for retirement planning. The Internal Revenue Service limits the amount of money that can be put into tax deferred retirement plans like a Roth IRA. If a person has extra cash or income and is seeking a long term investment beyond the limits of his retirement plans, the purchase of an annuity can be a very attractive option. Knowledge of the types of annuities and how they can be used in formulating a successful personal financial plan can be a valuable asset in making long term financial game plans.

The Insurance Company invests the annuity funds in a wide variety of different investments. The idea of "pooled" annuities gives the Companies a large amount of investment capital that can be used to generate a profit and cover the payouts that are due to the owners of the annuity. The payments begin at a specified time called the annuitization date. The owner of the annuity is called the annuitant. Although they are not as well known as Individual Retirement plans, the annuity is one of the most attractive long term investment opportunities available.

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Read more annuity information at UFCAmerica.com.

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