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An annuity is an insurance product offered by an insurance company or other financial institution as an investment tool that pays out a fixed amount of money over a certain term. Deciding on the type of annuity, investment amount and the best time to add it to your portfolio mix can be a complex formula to work out.
Luckily, Ryan Huber, Agent Development Specialist with the Life & Annuity team for AAA, is here to help. AAA Living chatted with Ryan to get answers to your questions about annuities.
Annuities fall into two broad categories: fixed and variable.
Yes. Within these broad categories of fixed and variable, there are many kinds of annuities. The one you select is based on a list of options, such as length of term, premium requirements, investment strategy, interest rate and more.
An annuity is an investment account that houses your money. An individual contributes to the annuity either with a lump sum or through a series of payments. The money is invested by the annuity provider (like AAA Life) and grows over time by earning interest.
Annuities provide income. People who want to ensure they have cash flow during retirement may use an annuity to guarantee a set amount of money each month. Annuities can also pass along to designated beneficiaries that typically go directly from the insurance company to the beneficiaries, avoiding the probate process.
AAA Life Insurance Company requires $3,000 to start a fixed annuity, but there are some annuity providers that will start as low as $2,500. The maximum is usually $2 million. However, if an investor wants to go above $2 million, additional approval and documentation are required.
Two reasons. First, there’s an abundance of choice. There are many different kinds of annuities, so understanding the details and differences of the various products can be confusing.
For example, AAA offers three annuity products, and understanding which one is right means that investors have to do their homework. Working with a qualified agent can really help streamline the process because you’ll be able to lean on someone who’s educated about this complex subject. An agent can also help explain the jargon and answer your questions.
Second, there’s a general lack of education about what annuities are. Annuities haven’t enjoyed the same kind of PR and marketing as other investment options, like a 401(k) account or life insurance. In fact, people often confuse annuities with life insurance.
Typically, an individual purchases a life insurance policy to provide a tax-free lump sum benefit for a beneficiary upon the policyholder’s death. An annuity can provide income to the investor during their lifetime, typically to help with retirement.
They can also provide a legacy to loved ones when the proceeds of the annuity aren’t used for income.
Dig into the differences between life insurance and an annuity.
Read moreNo, you can be any age. Selecting an annuity is often based on your financial situation and investment goals. If you’re looking for a safe, steady growth investment, then a fixed annuity can be smart. If you have a higher risk tolerance, then a variable annuity could be the way to go.
Typically, you can access up to 10% of the amount each year without penalty. Also, if you annuitize the money (aka create an income stream), you won’t incur a penalty.
Both qualified and non-qualified annuities require you to be age 59.5 before withdrawing funds. If you withdraw the money before that, the IRS imposes a 10% tax penalty on earnings.
Knowledge is power. AAA can help you find the right annuity.
Learn moreYes. If diversification is part of your investment strategy (and it should be!), then you may want to consider different types of annuities.
Think of a fixed annuity as the foundation of the portfolio because it’s safe and secure. Once the foundation is solid, you build it up with different investments that have different risk tolerances. That’s when the variable annuity might come into play.
The options available for investment are diverse so I recommend sitting down with an annuities or financial services agent to evaluate what makes sense and to make sure your goals are aligned with your investment strategy. An agent can help you figure out what makes sense by conducting some type of financial or needs analysis. AAA Members—and even non-Members—can talk with an agent at 855.880.5750.
This information is being provided for general informational purposes only. The Auto Club Group does not assume any liability in connection with providing this information.
Life insurance underwritten and annuities offered by AAA Life Insurance Company, Livonia, Michigan. AAA Life Insurance Company is licensed in all states except NY. CA Certificate of Authority #07861. Products and their features may not be available in all states.
AAA Life and its agents do not provide legal, tax or financial advice. Please consult your professional advisor prior to the purchase of any policy or contract.
This is a summary of product provisions and does not contain all of the benefits and exclusions. For complete terms of the insurance coverage or annuity, please contact your agent or refer to the policy/contract.
Annuities - LA
Annuities are not short-term products. During the surrender charge period, withdrawals exceeding 10% will be subject to a surrender charge that may be higher than fees associated with other types of financial products and may reduce principal. Withdrawals prior to 59½ may be subject to IRS penalties, separate from the annuity’s schedule of surrender charges.
EliteGuarantee Deferred Annuity - LAEG Contract Form Series: ICC11-4101/DA-4101 (In OR: ICC11-4101)
Platinum Bonus Annuity - LAPB Contract Form Series: ICC11-4111/DA-4111 (In OR: ICC11-4111)
Guaranteed Income Annuity - LAGI Contract Form Series: ICC14-4120/SPIA-4120 (In OR: ICC14-4120)
The payout amount you will receive is based on your individual circumstances, the options you select at the time of application and your initial premium payment.
Term Life Insurance - LT
Premiums are guaranteed. They are level for the term period and increase annually thereafter. Any sample premiums are examples only and may vary based on your personal health history and underwriting guidelines. The answers provided to the health questions are used to determine eligibility for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Product and its features may not be available in all states. Coverage ends at age 95.
If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (8% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.
ExpressTerm - LTE Policy Form Series: ICC19-1601/1601 (In OR: 1CC19-1601)
Traditional Term - LTT Policy Form Series: ICC19-1801/1801 (In OR: ICC19-1801)
Group Direct Term Policy Form Series: GT8200
Individual Direct Term Policy Form Series: ICC16-1501
Universal Life Insurance – LULG
Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.
Lifetime Universal Life Insurance - LUL Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.
Policy Form Series: ICC19-4701/4701 (In OR: ICC19-4701)
If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (7% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.
Accumulator Universal Life Insurance - LULA Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.
Policy Form Series: ICC19-3701/3701 (In OR: ICC19-3701)
If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (5% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.
Whole Life Insurance
Whole Life Insurance (for coverage amounts of $30,000 or more) - LWL Policy Form Series: ICC18-5601/5601 (In OR: ICC18-5601)
Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.
If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (8% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.
Rapid Issue Whole Life Insurance (for coverage amounts of $25,000 or less) - LRIWL Policy Form Series ICC20-7001/7001 (In OR: ICC20-7001)
Responses to the application will be used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify.
This Whole Life policy is referred to as graded benefit whole life insurance. If you suffer a non-accidental death within the first two years of coverage, your beneficiaries will get 100% of the base premiums you paid, plus 35%. After two years, the total amount of your coverage is paid for death due to any cause.
After the first two years of coverage, if insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (8% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.
Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance - LGIWL Policy Form Series: ICC16-6301/GWL6301 (In OR: ICC16-6301)
The maximum amount of Guaranteed Issue Whole Life insurance coverage per insured is $25,000.00. Subject to age requirements and policy limit restrictions.
This Guaranteed Issue Whole Life policy is referred to as graded benefit whole life insurance. If you suffer a non-accidental death within the first two years of coverage, your beneficiaries will get 100% of the level monthly premiums you paid, plus 30%. After two years, the total amount of your coverage is paid for death due to any cause.
If you are a California resident 65 years of age or older, we are required to advise you of the following. The sale or liquidation of any stock, bond, IRA, certificate of deposit, mutual fund, annuity, or other asset to fund the purchase of this product may have tax consequences, early withdrawal penalties, or other costs or penalties as a result of the sale or liquidation. You may wish to consult independent legal or financial advice before selling or liquidating any assets and prior to the purchase of any life or annuity products being solicited, offered for sale, or sold
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