ANNUITIES

A number of the annuity products currently on the market can help provide a secure stream of income during retirement. Some annuities that may be suitable for your unique situation are fixed annuities, with principal protection and no market exposure, and fixed index annuities, with principal protection and the potential for higher earnings with increases in a linked Market Index. Riders are usually available, for an additional annual premium, to include protection against inflation and other benefits. Some of the policies available will include an up-front bonus that begins earning interest along with your premium amount immediately.Some of the features that are available to you through fixed index annuities are bonuses, various crediting methods, and allocation options that give you choices for your money.

Most annuities have a surrender period for the first five to 15 years of ownership; early withdrawal will deplete your principal by the amount of surrender charge still in force. Bonus annuities may carry higher fees and charges than annuities without the bonus feature, may only accumulate interest prior to annuitization, and may not pay the bonus in case of early withdrawal.