Tag Archives: Kinds of Annuities

Which Annuity Scheme is the Best?

Annuity, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When it comes to financial and investment products, there is no single answer to the question – which is the best product available? If there were a single product that worked well for everyone, other products simply would not exist. The fact that there are various kinds of annuities out there goes to show that which Annuity scheme will work best for you depends on your individual circumstances and what is most important to you.

The fact is that there are various annuities out there, each different from the other in some aspect or the other. The two main types of annuities are variable income annuities and fixed income annuities. As the title suggests, a fixed income annuity scheme pays a level, fixed income throughout the term of the annuity. A variable annuity, on the other hand, pays a variable income that is based on different factors depending on the type of the variable annuity.

If having a steady source of fixed income is important to you, a conventional level annuity scheme may work better for you than an annuity that is linked to an investment product such as stocks or shares. If you wish to protect your spending power and prevent your income from being eroded by future inflation levels, then an escalating or inflation linked annuity scheme might work well for you. On the other hand, if you require the maximum possible income from an annuity scheme right from the outset, then an escalating annuity scheme may not work well for you, since these type of annuities usually pay less than a conventional annuity would in the initial stages.

There are different bells and whistles that can be added to an annuity scheme, depending on the particular product and provider. For instance, you could add an extra feature that allows you to delay the annuity, or a feature that would allow your income payments to be made to your partner or beneficiaries for a certain period of time, even after you are gone.

So, when it comes to an annuity scheme, there is no single option that will work best for everyone. Everyone needs to find an annuity that will suit their specific needs. You can find the most suitable annuity by exploring the entire open market, and by comparing different products. If needed, you can also consult an independent financial advisor who can give you objective advice and help you make the right choice.

Evaluation of the Risks Associated with Annuities

Annuity, , , , , , , , , , ,

Annuities have become a popular investment choice for those consumers who are close to reaching their retirement age. There are several reasons why annuities work for many consumers, as they allow for guaranteed income and have several safeguards in place to ensure that the consumer at least maintains a certain level of income once they have stopped working. However, there are also some annuity risks associated with purchasing an annuity, especially certain annuities, as there are a variety of different kinds of annuities currently available to consumers. In order for those consumers approaching retirement to make the best decision available to them, they must know both the advantages and disadvantages to purchasing an annuity in an effort to help them fund their retirement years.

While annuities do guarantee a level of income for a designated period of time that does not mean that the amount of money in question will remain constant over time. That is to say that annuities do not factor in inflation unless the consumer chooses to invest in an inflation-linked annuity. That means that with a standard or conventional annuity, the consumer may end up with less money over time, given the impact of inflation on their pension savings.  That being said, annuities are not all made equal. While the consumer can customize their annuity to some extent, these add-ons and enhancements typically cost more money. So, in order to alleviate some of these annuity risks, the consumer must invest more.

Another annuity risk is that the consumer simply does not have an opportunity to make much money on their investment. Therefore, they cannot continue to build their savings. For example, with a fixed annuity, the consumer is not able to make any money off of their investment. So while the consumer is guaranteed their income, they run the annuity risk of not ever being able to make more money off of their investment. Lastly, annuities are notoriously inflexible. This means that the consumer is unable to make any changes to their annuity, including payouts and enhancements, once the annuity has been purchased. Therefore, an annuity risk exists if the consumer finds themselves in a position where they need to change their retirement options.

Regardless of what the consumer needs and wants, they should always consult with an independent financial adviser. A specialist or expert can ensure that the consumer has all of the information needed to make the best and most unique decision for their particular situation.