Annuities
Indexed Interest Potential
Indexed Interest Potential With A Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA)
By virtue of its name, you might expect that the annuity has no flexibility. A fixed index annuity, on the other hand, offers a wide range of options. As one example, you may be able to choose which index you prefer. While you are not purchasing stocks or funds, you can choose an external index. The interest on your fixed index annuity would increase based on changes in the index you select. Depending on your annuity, you may be able to select how much to connect with specific indexes.
Protecting Your Savings
Another benefit of a fixed index annuity is the ability to choose the crediting method. In other words, the insurance company must follow certain timeframes and rules to calculate any index intertest. You could, for instance, choose a monthly or annual crediting method. Additionally, some crediting methods use an average value for a given period. Others calculate their interest based on the differences between rates over the same period. You may also have a fixed index annuity (FIA) that specifies its index value based on an annuity contract date.
A Fixed Index Annuity
Can Provide Retirees With Many Benefits
The most important benefit is keeping your money safe. Even if your index drops in value, it will not result in any losses. By law, insurance companies are required to protect your money. By doing so, you accumulate when your index performs well. In addition, your insurer protects against losses. The interest rate is set at a reasonable rate of return.** This will prevent you from losing your retirement savings to changes in the market. Many retirees have peace of mind knowing they won’t outlive their retirement savings.
What Factors Affect Potential Interest Rates?
Having a solid understanding of annuities is crucial for your retirement planning. When selecting your annuity’s crediting method, it is important to consider the many factors that impact your indexed interest potential.
Some fixed index annuities have a ceiling on how much interest the contract can earn. The cap typically lasts one month or one year. The interest rate isn’t based on the index rate if the selected index exceeds the cap. Instead, the insurance company uses the cap rate to calculate your interest.
Some fixed index annuities (FIAs) implement participation rates after caps. In other words, you’ll be using a participation rate to determine how much of the index increase is added to your indexed interest rate. It is usually applied after a cap but before a spread.
In some annuities, the indexed interest is calculated using a spread. An amount is subtracted from index gains within a given period. The annuity spread is 4% and the index increases 9%, for example. In this case, the contract would be credited with 5% indexed interest.
