A Look At What Is A Fixed Annuity

What is a Fixed Annuity? An annuity is a contract from an insurance company to pay money in the future. The company guarantees a fixed rate of return, usually based on some underlying bond crediting rate. The contract is between the insurer and the owner of the annuity contract.
Annuities are used to provide a future benefit in the form of a stream of payments. These payments are made within one year, in the case of an Immediate Annuity. They may also take place at some future date, more than a year, as in a Deferred Annuity.
A Fixed Annuity differs from Variable Annuities because the insurer backs the interest rate earned. A Variable Annuity permits the owner to invest the payments in the market for a potentially higher return. This also means that the owner of a Variable Annuity has a substantially higher investment risk. As such, Variable Annuities are registered security products; fixed annuities are not. One fixed annuity, the equity indexed annuity is also not considered a security.
Fixed Annuities have two distinct phases: accumulation and annuitization. During the accumulation or build-up phase, payments are made and grow on a tax-deferred basis. When the owner decides to receive income, the annuity is "annuitize" or paid-out. Payout can take place all at once or over years based on the life of an annuitant. The annuitant is similar to insured in a life insurance policy.
Annuities are often compared to mutual funds and other investment products. This is a mistake because there are stark differences between the two. To start, Fixed Annuities are not investment products. They provide a way to defer income for a period of time. Their guaranty return is unique and not found with mutual funds that face market risk. A Fixed Annuity has mortality and expense charges that are not found in investment products.
An initial payment into an annuity can be made all at once or over a series of period. These are single pay and fixed pay annuities respectively. Annuities enjoy tax advantages during the accumulation phase and should not be used until age 59 and a half. Taking money out prior to that age for purposes other than a special need may result in penalties and fees. Many Fixed Annuity contracts have what are known as surrender charges. A surrender charge is a declining fee, based on the number of years money is held. They can be as high as 30 percent and last up to 20 years.
Fixed Annuities are useful in planning for such life events as retirement. They may also be used to distribute lump sum payments such as inheritances or lawsuits. These are special Fixed Annuities known as structured settlement annuities. A Fixed Annuity gives ease of mind to a person who is uncertain about the market. They tend to be competitive with bank certificates of deposit but again are unique products.
When considering the purchase of a Fixed Annuity contract you should consult a licensed insurance agent or financial adviser. A competent agent or counselor can provide you with comparative information and help determine the appropriate product. A Fixed Annuity may be valuable addition to your product holdings.

Some Facts About Selling Settlements

Before you decide to begin a search for companies that buy structured settlements you should consider what is involved in the process. Often, insurance companies offer a structured settlement rather than an immediate pay out of cash. Under a structured insurance settlement, the insurer promises to pay money in regular installments over a period of time. Typically selling your future structured settlement payments will require a legal process.
The insurance company is ordered by a court to pay you or your family over a period of time. Insurance companies typically fund these awards by purchasing annuities. The annuity therefore belongs to that insurance company and not to you, meaning you cannot sell the annuity. You can however sell the rights to receive future payments You can sell this asset on terms that you negotiate with a third-party buyer, or companies that buy structured settlements.
In most cases selling a settlement will require a court review. Simply put a court ordered the payments and therefore a court will have to rule in favor of selling future payments.
The court's legal review examines the person's financial circumstances, and the arguments in favor of selling future annuity payments. You would have to show that your interests would be better served by an immediate lump sum of cash, compared to the inflexible terms of the existing annuity.
The process will seem impossible throughout and it is advised to find a settlement specialist to help through the process. There are benefits to a lump sum payout and there are advantages to extended payments. The individual should decided what is the best approach to take. Laws may vary state by state so proper research is needed before you make a hasty decision.
Life can throw unexpected surprises at you everyday and your needs may have changed since you were awarded the settlement. The court generally had your best interest in mind when the award was made. You would do well to consider all factors before proceeding with your settlement sale