Annuity insurance is an investment vehicle where an investor makes a lump sum payment, or numerous payments, and in return, receives regular payments at set intervals for their retirement. The insurance company provides annuity investors with a certain sum either for a specified duration or for the entire lifetime of the person.

There are many benefits of annuity insurance. Most notably that investments in annuities are tax deferred until withdrawals are made. Annuity insurance also doesn’t have maximum contributions, like other tax-deferred investments such as your 401k.

The most popular annuity is the fixed annuity. Not coincidentally it is also the safest providing guaranteed return of principle as well as a reasonable interest rate. Investors receive payments at regular intervals during their retirement.

A fixed annuity provides investors with security against the on-going fluctuations of the marketplace. Negative gains are taken out of the equation, leading to a positive, steady cashflow at set intervals for retirement. On top of the security, fixed annuity investors receive tax-deferred interest, at a rate that is often higher than other “safe” investments such as CD’s or low-risk bonds.

There are two kinds of fixed annuities. An Immediate fixed annuity, which implies that the investor starts receiving payments immediately or within a very short period after the principal is deposited. This is commonplace for retirees, as US annuity investors are not able to receive payments (without tax penalty) until the age of 59.5 years old.

The second type of fixed annuity is the deferred fixed annuity where the principal amount is left to mature for a certain period of time in a non-taxable form and the interest earned is obtained on the completion of the given period.

By now, you may be thinking a fixed annuity would be a smart investment, and they are the right choice for many people. However, you should always consider all the facts. They are not right for everyone. Before considering a fixed annuity always consider your financial needs and requirements. A drawback of annuities is that they penalize investors for early withdrawals. If you ever need to withdraw your money from an annuity, you are able to do so, but if done before the age of 59.5, you will be penalized by the IRS and likely the insurance company as well.

A fixed annuity can be right for many people’s retirement, however, it’s not right for everyone. Always consider all the implications before making a major long-term financial decision.

John C. Ryan authors content regarding annuity insurance, attempting to provide individuals with the info they need to assess their fixed, variable, and index annuity options.