What To Consider When Choosing Your Fixed Annuity

By John C. Ryan

The advantages, the accumulation rates and interest rates all differ in various fixed annuities. So ensure that you get expert guidance before you select and sign documents for any specific product. You have a variety of annuities to choose from, but get one that suits you best.

Though asking your friends or financial advisors about the details of good investment schemes is a terrific way to educate yourself of the new products, this is definitely not the way to go about looking for fixed annuity schemes. Everyone has different needs and your necessities need not be that of your friend or neighbor. Remember that the only constant is change. Nothing was what it was in the days gone by.

A person who puts in a principal during a period when the interest was sky high, may be getting a bigger sum as opposed to people who invested their money during a lower interest rate period. The companies alter the returns some times and as a result, what you get every week may change accordingly.

Fixed annuities are excellent for people seeking security irrespective of the fact whether it is to draw an instant income or permit the invested amount to accrue interest. The stable upward trend with absolutely no worry about the loss of the initial amount invested frequently attracts those who are dubious about taking any risks. Invariably such people are those who are in their pre-retirement years and have no will to fight for losses that occur due to bad investment.

These fixed annuities provide guarantees akin to banks which have the support of the government. Suppose a company which functions within a state develops a financial crunch, they will take care to see that the policy holders do not incur any losses through selling proportionately pooled sums of money. Now you are aware that the State Guarantee Funds functions in a way similar to the FIDC, which makes fixed annuities extremely secure and the best.

You may receive advice from friends regarding investing in an annuity that offers high interest rates, but before investing you must ascertain whether it suits your situation and your needs. Remember matters like emergency funds or sudden access to any other sort of money are points to be considered and dealt with before you make the investment.

Each annuity has a surrender period. The surrender period is similar to the length of time you lock your funds into a CD. If you remove the funds before the time is over, you pay a penalty. Unlike a CD, however, if you decide to continue the contract after the surrender period, you don't have the hassle of going to the bank and signing up for a new CD. If you miss the window, also unlike a CD, you don't have to wait, it's available to you anytime you choose. It never begins another surrender period.

There are a lot of people for whom the money that they invest is never made use of and for such people; the term of surrender does not create any trouble. But for people who have to use to money when a contingency arises, the penalty free sum is an important criterion. Similar is the case with persons who require sums at fixed intervals. The most important thing that you should look into is what exactly your requirements are before you put in your money. - 31884

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here