Comparing Fixed Annuities and Bank CD’s
Posted by John C. Ryan | Under Finance Thursday Feb 11, 2010Those employees getting closer to retirement assures that their finances obtain the right amount so that they don’t fall into economic threats later on. Most people opt for the bank CDs and those with a better mind about savings he could pick the option, fixed annuities. The fixed annuity is advantageous over a bank CD as it is capable of providing all the protection of a CD, in fact, something more.
The main difference between bank CDs and fixed annuities are that towards the end of the guarantee the latter enables the investor to pocket a certain contractual minimum which is absent in the case of CDs. Fixed annuities have good rates ,almost always more than bank CDs in terms of percentages. Thus these annuities with their guaranteed rates are by far a better option in this era of constant decline in interest rates.
Just like bank CDs the fixed annuities have a duration during which you have to hold on to them and by the end of this, a penalty applies. This duration is termed as surrender period in case of a fixed annuity. Also not cashing the annuity at the surrender period in case you miss it will not make you eligible for a penalty. You can just cash it at a later date. The case of CDs is the reverse. Missing out on the surrender period means the CDs will roll over with a penalty period. Thus you end up paying through your nose in fees to the bank.
Fixed annuities have the advantage of lower taxation on growth. Those who have invested in CDs will definitely have to shell out more in tax money as they remove any growth from CDs at retirement time to support their income. This applies regardless of whether they shift their funds into the next CD or not.
A fixed annuity tax-shelters funds until you remove them. If you’re still working and have a high tax bracket, the money grows tax-free. Once you retire and need to add to retirement income by removing funds, you then pay taxes on any growth you removed. At that time, however, your income is lower.
The advantage of governmental guarantees offered by the fixed annuities makes sure that they are never dissolved prematurely. Each state has numerous insurance companies supporting these annuities other than the Federal Depository Insurance Company. Thus every state is equipped with an Insurance Guarantee Fund which ensures that even if one of the insurance companies supporting the annuity goes out of business others will pitch in to supply necessary liquidity or else take over the clients.
Annuity products aren’t for everyone, however, since their design is specifically for retirement or situations where a lifetime of income is required. In order to maintain their tax-deferred status, there is a trade off. If you have a fixed annuity and need the funds, you only have two options or have a ten percent penalty on the growth. The first is to wait to remove funds until you’re 59 and the second is to take systematically equal payments until you’re 59 or at least for 5 years.
If you’re interested in a fixed option that gives a lot of benefits, you might consider a fixed annuity. Talk to a local representative or look online for more information to see if this option is appropriate for your needs.
John C. Ryan discusses financial retirement options including fixed annuities and the other annuity types. Did you like this article? To learn more about how a fixed annuity compares to Bank CD’s or other financial options, visit our website.