An annuity is an insurance contract you purchase to receive payments for a specific period, such as 30 years, or for the rest of your life. By applying a mathematical formula consisting of variables ...

Annuity rates are competitive now amid an overall elevated rate climate. Some providers are currently offering immediate annuity rates above 7% for a 65-year-old, compared to the 4% to 5% range when ...

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. But here's the thing about annuities: They're not the right move for ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Dr. Melody Bell is a personal finance expert, entrepreneur, educator, and researcher. Melody ...

Retirement income planning can be an exciting journey, and annuity laddering is a simple concept that most agents can understand and share with ease. It's not a complicated idea at all — once it’s ...

The SECURE 2.0 Act helped pave the way for employers to offer workers annuities in their retirement plans. Most recently, Vanguard began offering employees regular payouts within 401(k) plans. An ...

Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed. Investopedia / Hilary Allison The present ...

John Egan is a veteran personal finance writer whose work has been published by outlets such as Bankrate, Experian, Newsweek Vault and Investopedia. Michael Adams is a former Cryptocurrency and ...

The annuity industry is shifting quickly, and the changes coming in 2026 will demand more from every financial professional. We're getting more questions than ever about protected income, taxes and ...

Annuities can guarantee you lifetime income, but they have their drawbacks. Ramsey isn’t a fan of their high fees and commissions. A fixed annuity may also do a poor job of keeping up with inflation.