Annuities

Annuities are contracts issued and sold by financial institutions where the funds are invested with the goal of paying out a fixed income stream later on. They are mainly used for retirement purposes and help individuals address the risk of outliving their savings. Upon annuitization, the holding institution will issue a stream of payments at a later point in time. Annuities are financial products that offer a guaranteed income stream. Annuities exist first in an accumulation phase, whereby investors fund the product with either a lump-sum or periodic payments. Once the annuitization phase has been reached, the product begins paying out to the annuitant for either a fixed period or for the annuitant's remaining lifetime. Annuities can be structured into different kinds of instruments—fixed, variable, immediate, and deferred income—which gives investors flexibility.

Annuity products are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Agents or brokers selling annuities need to hold a state-issued life insurance license, and also a securities license in the case of variable annuities. Annuities are appropriate financial products for individuals seeking stable, guaranteed retirement income. Because the lump sum put into the annuity is illiquid and subject to withdrawal penalties, it is not recommended for younger individuals or for those with liquidity needs to use this financial product.

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