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2012年9月26日 星期三

Taxes on Annuity Death Benefits


The death benefits from an annuity are subject to income tax. The amount of taxes due will depend on the amount of money involved and how it is inherited.

The term death benefit can apply to either the funds in the plan or to a life insurance policy attached to it.

Annuities are a tax-deferred investment which means that taxes are due when funds are taken out of one. Therefore taxes will be due if a person inherits all of the money in one or takes all of the funds out. Many people get quite a shock because they are not expecting the funds or the increase in their tax bill.

Any money that you receive from an annuity including funds you inherit from one is reportable income. That means it could increase your tax bracket and your tax rate. If there's a large amount of money in a plan it will affect your tax rate. Any increase in the value of an indexed or variable annuity that you inherit will be regarded as an increase in income by the IRS.

Annuity Payments vs. Death Benefit

The only time you will be taxed on annuity funds you inherit is if they are distributed directly to you. If you simply take over the payments you will only have to report the payments on your taxes. The funds in the plan itself will still be tax deferred.

So you can keep your tax bill lower by simply becoming the beneficiary of the plan. This will only be of benefit to people over 59? years old because the IRS will charge a 10% tax penalty on money persons under that age receive from annuities. If Giorgio had an annuity and named his 65 year old brother Sid as the beneficiary Sid could receive the payments.

Make sure you read the annuity contract carefully before you set such an arrangement up. It will only be allowed if the plan allows you to take that step. Another option might be to roll the funds over into another kind of annuity. That can preserve their tax-deferred status. You will have to check with the IRS or a tax advisor to see if that is possible before attempting it.

Inheriting an Annuity

If you inherit an annuity you should be prepared to pay some additional taxes. Most people that inherit will not be able to continue as a beneficiary so they will have to take all of the funds out. That means they will have to report that income and pay taxes on it.

There are some ways to reduce your tax liability if this happens. One is to invest that money in a tax-deferred retirement investment such as a deferred annuity, an immediate annuity with deferred payments or an IRA. You may still have to pay some additional taxes but you could lower future tax bills. You will not have to pay taxes into funds you put into such plan until you take the money out.

A good way to keep this money out of your reportable income is to put it into a deferred annuity or an immediate annuity with deferred payments. In such an arrangement you can put payments until you retire. By taking that step most of your additional income will be in a tax-deferred arrangement that will provide you with a regular stream of income after you retire. You should only have to pay income tax on the payments and not the principal of the money in the plan.




Steven Hart is a freelance writer and a Financial Advisor from Cary, IL. He writes about Annuity topics like Annuity Calculator, and Annuities Good or Bad.





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2012年9月22日 星期六

Benefits and Costs of a Variable Annuity


The new variable annuity has become a staple in many people's financial plan. The reason is the guarantees offered by the new variable annuity. The guarantees come in both living benefit and death benefit form. Living benefits offer guarantees to make certain the owner doesn't lose if the stock market or other investments drop below freezing. The death benefits guarantee the beneficiary a specific amount regardless of the stock market performance.

A variable annuity is nothing more than mutual funds with tax sheltering. What makes the new variable annuities so much different is that they include popular funds from a plethora of fund families and of course, contain guarantees no mutual fund can offer.

The tax sheltering of the mutual fund is a benefit for more than tax-free growth. If you own mutual funds and attempt to rebalance as the markets fluctuate, at each rebalancing you have a reportable tax incident. As anyone that actively manages their mutual fund portfolio can attest, it becomes a nightmare to track all the changes in a rapidly moving market. The tax sheltering of the annuity eliminates all the record keeping involved in mutual funds.

Variable annuities aren't all alike, however. Each of them has different surrender periods, charges, funds and guarantees. The interior charges on a variable annuity affect the investment return. The easiest method of finding the best variable annuity is to compare the rate that you'd receive if you invested into the product. Many of the companies offer hypotheticals based on past experience. While they aren't predictions of future returns, they do give you an idea of the policies with the best performing funds and lowest costs.

Variable annuities have guarantees on many products. The guarantees, known as living and death benefits, are different for every policy type. Some of the living benefits offer the guarantee that you'll never lose a penny of principal as long as you leave your funds in a specified length of time. The length of time varies from policy to policy and the some policies actually guarantee more than just the principal but also a specified return on your funds.

Other living benefits guarantee that if you take a specified percentage of income from your policy, you'll never run out of fund. Even if your real market value drops, the company has a second column that shows a guaranteed growth. If you withdraw five percent every year and the guarantee is five percent, even if the market drops ten percent every year, you'll still get five percent of the base amount until you die. If the market increases however, often these policies offer the right of resetting the base amount used to calculate the payment. Of course, if you access more than the five percent allowable, the guarantee cancels.

Death benefit guarantees are important also, particularly if the investments in the variable annuities are heavily loaded in the stock market during a volatile time. The principal may shift wildly as the market fluctuates, but the investor knows that his principal is safe and secure when he has a death benefit guarantee on the balance.

Variable annuities are wonderful retirement product but you need to know what you're buying before you dive in headfirst. It pays to decide what you need, compare annuities and seek the advice of a trained annuity specialist before you purchase any variable annuity.




Jonathan Tyler writes about investments for retirement including annuities insurance. Annuities can be a smart investment tool, but there are many different options to choose from, and few investors truly grasp how to properly assess the information available. If you would like to learn more about getting a variable annuity or the other types of retirement investments available, come see us at the above links.





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Different Types of Fixed Annuity and Its Benefits


Spiritual gurus may prophesy to live life in the moment but at times, it is very important to think about the future as well. And one of the most important aspects of future planning is financial planning. In the increasingly volatile world of today it is imperative that we have an assured source of income at retirement or when an economic calamity hits us.

For the daring investors, there is the stock market which can help you make quick money. But for the not-so-daring who are looking for a secure investment is a fixed annuity. This investment option basically gives you interest which is guaranteed by the insurance agency.

Fixed annuity is also at times referred to as tax deferred annuity. Reason being that it delays tax payments on your earnings until you withdraw money from it or start earning an income. This investment option is a great way to secure your retirement plans and gives you a steady flow of money.

A fixed annuity is of different types. They are:

· CD annuity - The certificate of deposit or CD annuity gives you a fixed rate of interest for a specified period of time. The interest rate does not change for the decided time period which is chosen by you at the time of setting up the annuity.

· Traditional Fixed Annuity - As the name suggests, this is the oldest and most popular kind of annuity. In this kind of annuity, the insurance company revises the rate of interest each year at the starting date of your annuity. But you can be rest assured that the revised interest rate would not be less than the minimum rate of interest guaranteed by the insurance company. The minimum rate of interest is clearly mentioned by the company at the time of fixing up your annuity. This kind of annuity is market linked and does have its pros and cons because at times of adverse economic conditions, the interest rate can be significantly lower than that in a CD annuity.

· Immediate Annuity - The name says it all. This kind of fixed annuity does not give you the benefit of tax deferral. Instead, it immediately starts giving you a steady flow of guaranteed income at the outset. This type of annuity is best suited for people who are nearing their retirement and do not sufficient time to build upon their resources with the help of tax deferral. Tax deferral annuities are meant for people who have a long way to go for retirement and can build a substantial reservoir of finances for their old age.

These are the different kinds of fixed annuities. But before you take a pick from the above, make sure that you consult some top notch financial planners to make an informed decision. Most of the times, insurance companies or banks would not tell you what is best for you. Hence, it is always wise to consult an expert before you decide to invest your hard earned money.

Click on the link below to learn more about a Fixed Annuity.




Visit http://www.annuitycampus.com for more Annuity and Life Insurance Tips and Tricks. Call Robert Eldridge directly at 800-643-7544. Robert Eldridge holds over a decade of experience as a multiline agent in multiple states and currently serves on the membership council of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.





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2012年9月2日 星期日

Reviewing the Benefits of the Fixed Annuity


If you're planning for retirement, leaving a position and rolling your pension or 401(k) or simply want to start a safe secure investment, you'll find the fixed annuity is perfect for your situation. There so many different uses for a fixed annuity that it works for almost everyone's financial plan at some point in their lifetime. Fixed annuities are versatile and although the wording might be confusing at first, once you understand a few phrases, you'll easily understand the fixed annuities.

Fixed annuities are qualified or non-qualified, immediate or deferred and come in a variety of different names that describes the company or entices you to purchase the product. The term fixed is an indication of how the principal acts. Unlike a variable product whose principal fluctuates daily. The fixed annuity is like a CD or savings account. The principal only grows as you add interest to it.

A fixed annuity can be an IRA, pension, 403(b), 401(k) or rollover IRA, which makes the product a qualified annuity. Qualified annuities and non-qualified annuities can be the same product. The difference between the two is the paperwork used to identify that the government recognizes its pension money, and therefore gets special tax consideration. If you thought an IRA was a special product, think again. It can be any type of investment with the papers to show the funds for an IRA. If make an annuity an IRA, it becomes a qualified annuity.

Fixed annuities are either immediate or deferred. Immediate annuities are ones you select when you wish to begin an income from a lump sum of money. You purchase the fixed annuity and at the end of one payment period, you receive your first check from the insurance company. Of course today, most people have the income directly deposited into their checking or bank account to avoid the hassle of taking a check to the bank or the worry of someone stealing the check from their mail. A deferred annuity is like the bank CD; you simply use the account to grow your funds. The difference between bank products and a fixed annuity is that you have tax sheltering in fixed annuities.

You can have fixed annuities, which are single payment annuities and others that allow you to make as many payments into the product as you wish. Single payment annuities are ones that don't allow any more payments after the initial deposit. If the annuity doesn't identify itself as a single payment annuity, then it's a multiple payment product.

Products can be single payment, deferred and qualified all at the same time. You can combine the different names for the annuity as long as you don't use two opposing titles, such as immediate and deferred. Immediate or deferred annuities can be either qualified or non qualified. Immediate annuities, however, must be single payment.

Once you understand those few words, you'll understand most of the basics for a fixed annuity. There are differences to all annuities in interest rate, guarantee periods for the initial rate and minimum guarantees. There are also differences in the length of the surrender period. The surrender period is how long you must hold the policy before you can cash it out without a penalty. The final term is the penalty free withdrawal. The penalty free withdrawal is the amount the insurance company allows you to remove before the surrender period ends, without any penalty. Some companies only allow interest while others allow a ten percent per year cumulative withdrawal.

If you understand all the terms mentioned, you have a good grasp on what a fixed annuity is. However, it always pays to compare products before you purchase and one of the easiest ways to compare is to use an online quoting site. These sites show products from many different companies, which allow you to find a fixed annuity perfect for your needs.




Jonathant Tyler provides information and strategies for retirement. He often discusses fixed annuities and other retirement vehicles for investors. Come see us if you would like to learn more about acquiring a fixed annuity or the different types of annuities.





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2012年8月30日 星期四

Investment Benefits in Tax Deferred Annuity and Deferred Annuity


All annuities can be said as tax deferred. Tax deferred annuity is referred to as such a policy in which tax is charged when the annuity holder starts getting periodic payments and not at the time of investment period. A person can avail this policy thinking of the dangerous impacts that he might likely face in any circumstances. It certainly plays a protagonist's role if the annuity holder suffers financially.

In a tax deferred annuity, a person is not only provided with higher return on investment but it also promises to be a good income source constantly. A better quality lifestyle can be lead by this income. It relieves a person from thinking about the financial support for him and also his family. However, it should be noticed that the person under this policy cannot draw the whole amount at once. But its best part is tax a deduction is not charged during the investment. As a result, it helps the investments grow higher and higher.

Tax deferred annuity is no doubt a resourceful scheme after retirement which assures the annuity holder of stability in future. Similarly, there is deferred annuity for the people which serve as a benefit for post retirement period. Under this policy, a person deposits money for a fixed period either in lump sum amount at a time or can pay the amount in installments. One of its advantages is that if the annuity holder expires, then the premium that the person was paying either on monthly or quarterly basis becomes refundable provided the amount is taxable or not is decided then only.

Apart from the above mentioned advantage, there are other advantages also if invested in deferred annuity plan. Usually, the plan has two phases: the first phase consists of the savings and investment phase and the second phase consists of retirement income phase. A person should use annuity calculator during the first phase to check what returns he is drawing from the investment. If the returns are higher, then the urge to invest here is natural. In this phase, the person saves the money and accumulates it so that the amount increases with time. In the retirement phase, the person can decide of withdrawing the money either at once or in monthly installments.

Therefore, deferred annuity is a convenient plan that a person can avail. It is a great way to save for retirement.




Robert Cook is a Financial consultant who has good information on deferred annuity. For more information on Tax deferred annuity, he recommends you to visit immediateannuities.com.





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2012年8月26日 星期日

Tax Benefits of Annuities


A tax-deferred annuity allows individuals to save for their retirement with pre-tax contributions. The contributions to a tax-deferred annuity are usually taken directly from employees' salaries, thereby reducing current taxable income. Investors do not pay taxes on their contributions or their earnings until they funds are withdrawn at retirement.

A tax-deferred annuity is a long-term investment plan in which assets increase over time, and a steady income is ultimately provided. Taxes are imposed on funds only when they are withdrawn, usually upon retirement. Monies taken out of the plans before age 59.5 years are subject to federal income tax penalties and ordinary income taxes.

Tax deferred annuities guarantee the principal and interest rate for a set period of time that is established by an insurance company. There are two main types of tax-deferred annuities: fixed and variable.

Fixed Tax Deferred Annuities

These products provide a guaranteed rate of interest over a specific time period. Earnings increase without being taxed until the income is withdrawn by the annuity's owner, also known as the annuitant. It is important to purchase fixed tax deferred annuities from a stable company that expects to stay in the market for a long time.

Variable Tax Deferred Annuities

This type of tax-deferred annuity offers both choice and flexibility. Monies allocated for variable funding options are subject to the ups and downs of the marketplace, which means that their account balances could be higher or lower than the original value at the time money is actually withdrawn or surrendered.

Variable tax deferred annuities are popular with individuals who want high interest and tax relief on their savings. These products are issued by life insurance companies and represent a good option for those who want safe, predictable investments coupled with a high interest rate and favorable tax treatment.

Features of a Tax Deferred Annuity

One of the major features of tax-deferred annuities is that when yearly interest compounds, it remains tax-free. Other benefits of tax deferred annuities include control over tax payments via the timing of distributions, the option to have a guaranteed income for life, and the provision of a death benefit that can be handed down to beneficiaries, potentially avoiding probate.

While tax deferred annuities are considered to be long-term investments, it is still possible to access the funds in the accounts if necessary. Distributions from the accounts can be made as lump sums or as monthly payments over a lifetime. Insurance companies may impose surrender charges in such cases, however.

Lump sum payments provide the complete value of the annuity contract, but this may be the least attractive option in terms of taxation. Tax liability is incurred for all earnings received in a single year, so a higher tax bracket may result if lump sums are taken.

With the lifetime annuity option, payments are taxed on the basis of the exclusion ratio, with each payment including a partial interest amount (subject to regular income tax) and a tax-free, partial payment of principal until the entire principal is returned.




For more information from Steven on how to invest in deferred annuities, their pros & cons, and common annuity investment mistakes, visit Tax Deferred Annuity For more information on fixed annuities, visit Fixed Rate Annuity





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2012年8月24日 星期五

Know the Benefits and Disbenefits of Annuities


You choose an annuity, like any investment, to achieve a goal. Knowing the benefits and disbenefits of an annuity is important to devising your strategy. This article outlines some of each.

Deferred annuity benefits:

A deferred annuity is an investment vehicle for accumulating a lump sum of money. The benefits it offers are:

* A tax-shelter that defers annual taxes on your earnings within your annuity contract. So, you may potentially grow your investment faster than other investments that yearly lose a portion of their earnings to taxes.

* You can contribute any amount you wish to your deferred annuity from any source.

* You can arrange to make your contributions through a flexible payment program.

* You can choose your annuity investment type - i.e. fixed, indexed, or variable - as you wish. Specifically, you can choose a fixed deferred annuity to assure a guaranteed growth rate. Your investment protection comes from the insurance company's financial strength and its state regulations backup insurance.

* You can choose how to convert your lump sum to an income stream (annuitization) or convert to another product or investment. Taxes will be due if you take the money out.

Immediate annuity benefits:

An immediate annuity gives you an income stream. Its benefits are that:

* You can convert a lump sum of money into an income stream for a finite term or for the remainder of your life.

* Your annuitized payments are assured as they come from the insurance company under your annuity contract. The assured payments can be fixed (under a fixed annuity) or be variable (under a variable annuity). Again, the assurance of your payments comes from the financial strength of the insurance company and its state-regulated backups.

* You may use this as retirement income.

* You may assign those payments to someone.

* You can use those assured and ongoing payments to pay some obligation or as premiums for another product such as life insurance.

* Converting a lump sum of money into an income stream may protect your money from Medicaid in some instances since it treats lump sum assets differently from an asset in the form of an income stream.

Each annuity carries specific contract obligations that include fees, surrender and withdrawal terms and conditions. Here are some important issues to be aware of.

Disbenefits of Deferred Annuities

* Deferred annuities have a certain amount of illiquidity. You can't just cash in your funds when you want without incurring fees or penalties.

* All withdrawals from deferred annuities are considered taxable earnings until you've withdrawn all earnings to date.

* You're required to pay a surrender fee of up to 10% over the first perhaps 10 years - the fees decreasing each year. You may be limited to only a 10% withdrawal per year without triggering the surrender fee.

* If you're under 591/2, federal law imposes a 10% tax on whatever you withdraw - in addition to whatever taxable income it triggers.

* Because so many options and guarantees are offered with variable annuities, your investment growth my may suffer from excessive fees.

Disbenefits of Immediate Annuities

* Once an annuity is annuitized - i.e. regular payments begin to you - the company won't generally convert the payments back to a lump sum for you.

* If you no longer need your annuity payments, you may be able to sell them to another party, but at a value that may be significantly less than their present value.

* Fixed annuity payouts for life are constant dollar payouts. Over an extended time such as 20 years, the purchasing power of those payments may fall by as much as 40% if inflation averages about 3%.

Because an annuity, unlike other types of investments, is a contract with an insurance company, it involves insurance-related promises and obligations. These add cost and fees to annuities that other taxable investment types don't have. And it tends to make them considerably more illiquid.

But annuities have unique properties - like a life annuities, and payout properties - that help you achieve goals you can't with other investments. Knowing how to get the benefits of annuities without stumbling over their disbenefits requires careful planning.




Shane Flait gives you workable strategies to accomplish your goals in financial, legal, tax, retirement and protection issues.
Get his FREE report on Managing Your Retirement http://www.easyretirementknowhow.com/FreeReportandSignUp.htm
Read his ebook: 'Wise Way to Financial Independence' http://www.easyretirementknowhow.com/WiseWayGate.htm





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2012年8月23日 星期四

The Benefits Of A Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity


For those who are looking for an insurance based investment vehicle but want one that offers more flexibility than a standard deferred insurance investment vehicle, a flexible premium deferred annuity might be what you are looking for.

Annuities have long been used as investment vehicles for retirement programs. They allow participants to earn interest on the principle amount while deferring the tax consequences until a later date. This allows the money in the account to grow without being taxed, thus increasing the speed in which the investment grows. The insurance portion of the account helps to guarantee that the participant will have an income stream from the account that cannot be outlived.

Defining a Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity

A Flexible Premium Deferred Contract or FPDA is an insurance investment vehicle used for retirement that allows the contract holder to deposit funds on a regular ongoing basis. Unlike a standard deferred one that requires the same amount be deposited each month, a FPDA allows differing amounts to be deposited. In some cases, the amount can be as little as $50. The period in which deposits are required will vary from company to company but are typically monthly, quarterly, semi annually, or annually.

Other Benefits of a FPDA

One of the benefits of a FPDA ensures that the contract holder will receive an amount that will not be less that the total premium.

FPDAs can be used to fund other retirement vehicles that have limited amounts of deposits each year. IRAs, SEPs, and SAR SEPs are examples of qualified (tax deferred) plans that have limits on the amount that can be deposited each year. When the FPDA is beyond the time period in which a surrender charge is required, the policy holder can roll the funds from the FPDA into another qualified plan without incurring negative tax consequences.

Since the funds of an FPDA are guaranteed by the insurance company managing it, the funds are safe and relatively guaranteed to be there for the contract holder when needed in the future. For those who may be looking into diversifying their retirement portfolio and want something more secure than the typical bond fund, an FPDA may be worth investigating. An FPDA is considered one of the most secure and low risk retirement investments by many investment advisers.

Most FPDAs allow contract holders access to their funds if they take an early retirement without assessing surrender charges provided the contract holder has met certain requirements. If the contract holder has had the FPDA for at least five years and has attained the age of fifty-nine and one-half there is not a surrender penalty associated with the FPDA.

Finally, investing money to grow at a tax-free rate is a huge benefit for any investor. An FPDA will allow for the tax deferral of all gains on the contract until the time of withdrawal. This allows the account balance to grow at a faster rate than if capital gains tax were to be assessed each year at tax time.




Visit http://www.annuitycampus.com for more Annuity and Life Insurance Tips and Tricks!

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2012年8月22日 星期三

The Compelling Payout and Performance Benefits of Fixed Annuities


Though there are almost countless types and variations of fixed annuity products, the benefits of such products are undeniable. Each variation is designed to provide a slightly different performance or safety benefit to the investor. The different aspects of these contracts are worth further exploration.

Annuity Payout Benefits

The complexities and several shortcomings dissipate when the Single Premium Deferred Annuity is "annuitized" - i.e. the accumulated funds are used to commence monthly payments to the annuitant guaranteed for life. Payments are usually monthly, but can be quarterly or even annual.

There are varieties of ways the annuitization process may be arranged, based on guaranteed cash payments for life, and/or with guaranteed payments (period certain) made even after death to named surviving beneficiaries.

The annuitized payments provide for return of principal in addition to interest, enabling the annuitized payment to be larger than a standard interest withdrawal, as well as partially tax-free through the return of principal. Selecting the manner of the payment stream is relatively complex and professional advice is recommended.

Performance Comparison

Single Premium Deferred Fixed Annuities, as evidenced by performance history, are an above average investment alternative and may consistently outperform other alternatives. Remember, however, that past performance may not be indicative of future results.

The performance of annuities may be even more compelling when their ability to defer income taxation is also considered. While U.S. government issues avoid state taxation and municipal bonds can avoid both state and federal taxation, they are also prone to price fluctuation - especially with longer term maturities.

Deferred Annuities purchased on the fixed yield basis do not fluctuate, and are guaranteed not to lose value. Deferred annuities only increase in value - through the process of interest crediting. Like all insurance products, they have the additional benefit of not being subject to probate.

Fixed Immediate Annuity

The fixed immediate annuity is one where the insurance company agrees to pay an income (generally monthly) to the annuitant. If the amount of the payment is guaranteed at the outset, this is called a "fixed" benefit. Other contracts, with payments that fluctuate based on a portfolio of securities, are referred to as "variable" annuities.

The insurance company has the assurance of the funds for a longer period with an immediate annuity since it cannot be surrendered by the policy owner. Therefore, it will base its payout on the highest current long term investments available. This is usually a higher rate than that which is credited to the current fixed accounts of deferred annuities, which can be surrendered.




Ryan Whittaker is an experienced investor and has studied extensively the pros and cons of fixed annuity contracts. For more information on the fixed annuity, visit him online at The Fixed Annuity Guide.





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