Annuities

After the complete cost of the plan has been recovered, annuity payments you or your survivors receive are normally fully taxable. How is taxable amount of survivor annuity calculated? The tax-free component of each full monthly annuity payment is calculated using the Simplified Method by dividing the employee’s “cost” by a number of months based […]

While a fixed annuity can reduce market risk, there are other factors to consider when evaluating whether or not a fixed annuity is right for you. The “guarantee” of an annuity is only as good as the insurance company that issues it. In the event that an insurance company fails, state guarantees may exist, but […]

An annuity, in general, is not garnishable. Certain types of income are immune from being seized by creditors to pay a judgment owed, and annuity income is one of them. Each state has its own set of rules about whether an annuity can be garnished to pay off a debt. If you’re in a tight […]

A qualifying annuity is one that is acquired with pre-tax cash from an IRA or 401(k) (k). Premiums for qualified annuities may be tax deductible. A non-qualified annuity is one that is purchased after taxes and not from a tax-favored retirement plan. Premiums for non-qualified annuities are not tax deductible. Are annuity contributions tax deductible? […]

In divorce procedures, the most typical annuity disposition is to split the income in half. This is usually accomplished by taking half of the account’s value and distributing it to one of the spouses. Is an annuity protected in a divorce? An annuity that is considered marital property must be divided according to state law […]

There are a few different types of delayed annuities to choose from, each with different implications for your annuity income in the future. The returns, period, and funding style of your annuity will most likely be used to classify it. Annuity Types by Return Variable annuities don’t have a set rate of return. Variable annuities […]

If an annuity contract has a death benefit provision, the owner can name a beneficiary to receive the remaining annuity payments after he or she passes away. An inherited annuity’s earnings are taxed. The tax treatment of inherited annuities is determined by the payment structure and whether the annuitant is the surviving spouse or someone […]

While indexed annuities are considered more conservative than variable annuities, and their guaranteed return is a selling factor, they nevertheless come with hazards. One is if you need to break your contract early due to a financial hardship or another pressing requirement. While some insurers have reduced the surrender time, most still require you to […]

Employers frequently set up qualified annuities on behalf of their employees as part of a retirement plan. Can I move my annuity to an IRA? A transfer is the most straightforward way to move money from an eligible annuity to an IRA. All you have to do now is tell the firms that hold your […]

In retirement, annuities can provide a steady income stream, but if you die too young, you may not get your money’s worth. When compared to mutual funds and other investments, annuities can have hefty fees. You can tailor an annuity to meet your specific needs, but you’ll almost always have to pay more or accept […]