You’ve spent your entire career building a nest egg for a relaxing retirement, but how do you make sure your money doesn’t run out when you need it most? A life insurance annuity can help turn savings into predictable income you can’t outlive, with insurer guarantees on many designs that can reduce sequence‑of‑returns risk. Industry data show U.S. annuity sales set an all‑time record in 2023 (≈$385 billion) and remained exceptionally strong into Q2 2024, led by fixed products and continued momentum in fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) and registered index‑linked annuities (RILAs) (LIMRA; LIMRA Q2 2024). Higher benchmark yields since 2022 have supported better crediting rates, caps, and income payouts (Federal Reserve H.15).
How does annuity life insurance work?
An annuity is a contract with an insurance company: you pay premiums (as a lump sum or over time) and, once contract conditions are met, the insurer makes periodic payments or credits interest to your account. Contracts can be immediate (income starts right away) or deferred (income begins later), and may be fixed, indexed, variable, or structured/index‑linked. The mechanics, guarantees, and risks differ by type—review the prospectus or disclosure for the exact fee table and crediting terms (SEC: Variable annuities; SEC: Indexed annuities; SEC: RILAs).
However, the most significant difference between life insurance and a life insurance annuity is how and when you receive money. Life insurance generally pays a lump sum to beneficiaries upon death, while an annuity converts your premium into payments you receive for a set period or for life. Payment amounts depend on your contribution, age, payout option, and prevailing interest rates at purchase. If held in a retirement account, required minimum distribution (RMD) rules apply; current IRS guidance sets the RMD age at 73 (rising to 75 in 2033) and provides special treatment for annuitized contracts (IRS: RMDs).
Types of annuities
There are several life insurance annuities to choose from, including newer registered index‑linked annuities (RILAs) that blend equity‑linked growth with downside buffers or floors. Understanding how each type works—and its fees, crediting formula, and risks—will help you choose the option that fits your goals (what is a RILA?).
- Fixed annuities are consistent and predictable for principal protection and rate‑lock strategies. U.S. annuity sales hit ≈$385B in 2023 with fixed products representing the majority, and volumes stayed exceptionally strong into Q2 2024; fixed‑rate deferred (MYGA/FRD) sales that surged in 2022–2023 moderated in 2024 as rates leveled, while FIAs remained robust (LIMRA; LIMRA Q2 2024). Many fixed contracts include a market value adjustment (MVA) during the surrender period; caps, participation rates, or guaranteed rates reflect the rate environment (Federal Reserve H.15).
- Variable annuities let you invest in underlying funds; account values and payouts fluctuate with markets, and optional living/death benefit riders add guarantees at an extra cost. Typical ongoing charges on traditional VAs include mortality & expense (about 1.0%–1.5% annually), admin fees (~0.10%–0.30%), and subaccount expenses (~0.30%–1.50%+), with riders often ~0.20%–1.50%+ per year; newer advisory/fee‑based VAs may have lower base fees (SEC: Variable annuities; FINRA).
- Fixed-indexed annuities credit interest using an index formula with caps/participation rates or spreads, while protecting principal from market losses; they don’t earn dividends and growth is limited by the crediting design. FIAs set record annual sales in 2023 and remained strong in 2024 as caps/participation stayed competitive; optional income riders can provide lifetime withdrawal guarantees for an added fee (LIMRA; SEC: Indexed annuities).
- Immediate annuities (SPIAs) convert a lump sum into income that begins right away, typically paying the highest guaranteed lifetime income per dollar among retail options. Payout levels have been elevated amid higher interest rates, contributing to increased adoption for base income needs (AM Best).
- Deferred annuities start income later and can be fixed, indexed, variable, or structured. RILAs—a fast‑growing category—link returns to an index with defined upside and downside via caps and buffers/floors; losses beyond the buffer or below the floor are possible, so review product‑specific crediting mechanics and the prospectus carefully (LIMRA Q2 2024; SEC: RILAs).
Benefits of a life insurance annuity
The best life insurance companies are evaluated by independent rating agencies for financial strength—verify grades and outlooks with A.M. Best, S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s, and Fitch before you buy (A.M. Best rating guide; S&P definitions; Moody’s; Fitch). State guaranty associations provide a limited safety net if an insurer fails, with coverage caps that vary by state and product; they are not a substitute for strong ratings (Insurance Information Institute).
“Annuities are marvelous and versatile tools to provide financial growth and stability over long stretches of time,” says Dr. Jeffrey Crum, a financial services professional with MassMutual Carolinas. “Insurance companies are some of the strongest and most stable companies, and they are designed to be the very best at playing the long game.”
Choosing an annuity can secure guaranteed monthly cash flow for a set period or for life, and some designs offer features to help with purchasing‑power risk. For example, many income annuities let you elect fixed annual increases (e.g., 1%–5%) at the cost of a lower starting payout, and some riders allow market‑linked “step‑ups.” Keep in mind: fixed, level payments lose real value over time—$2,000/month loses roughly 45% of purchasing power over 20 years at 3% average inflation and about 62% at 5% (2,000/1.03^20 ≈ $1,109; 2,000/1.05^20 ≈ $760) (BLS: CPI; FINRA).
Risks of a life insurance annuity
Complexity and taxes are key risks to understand. For nonqualified annuities, withdrawals are generally taxed earnings‑first under “LIFO” rules and may incur a 10% additional tax if taken before age 59½ unless an exception applies; annuitization uses an exclusion ratio so each periodic payment is part basis (tax‑free) and part taxable income until basis is recovered (IRC §72). Qualified annuity distributions are typically fully taxable as ordinary income, subject to basis recovery rules if after‑tax contributions exist. RMDs start at age 73 (rising to 75 in 2033), Roth employer‑plan RMDs are eliminated starting in 2024, and QLACs purchased inside retirement accounts are excluded from RMDs until income begins—subject to a $200,000 lifetime limit and contract requirements. The IRS provided 2024 relief for certain inherited‑account RMDs under the 10‑year rule, with final regulations expected to apply from 2025 (26 U.S.C. §72; IRS Pub. 575; IRS: RMDs; IRS Notice 2024‑35; IRS: QLACs).
Annuity fees can also catch people off guard. Commissionable designs often include surrender schedules lasting about 6–10 years, with first‑year charges commonly around 7%–10% that decline annually; “free” withdrawal allowances (e.g., 10%) and MVAs may apply. Traditional variable annuities frequently carry base M&E and admin charges aggregating ~1.0%–1.8% annually plus subaccount expenses (~0.30%–1.50%+); optional riders (e.g., guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits) often add ~0.75%–1.50%+ per year. Many FIAs and RILAs advertise low or no explicit annual fees at the base level, but their economic cost is reflected in crediting terms (caps/participation/spreads) and buffers/floors; rider fees can still apply. Disclosures and best‑interest standards have tightened under state adoption of NAIC Model #275 and the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2024 Retirement Security Rule for retirement investors (review prospectuses and required disclosures carefully) (FINRA; SEC: Variable annuities; SEC: Indexed annuities; SEC: RILAs; NAIC Model #275; DOL Retirement Security Rule).
How to select the right plan for you
Clarify your objective and timeline. If you want guaranteed lifetime income to start now, compare immediate annuities (SPIAs) across carriers. If you’re building toward future income with principal protection, consider a fixed‑rate deferred annuity (MYGA) or an FIA; if you want market exposure with guardrails, evaluate RILAs (buffers vs floors, 1‑year vs multi‑year terms). Income annuities and QLACs have benefited from higher interest rates, and QLAC rules now allow up to $200,000 inside retirement accounts with the prior 25% cap removed (AM Best; IRS QLAC FAQs; LIMRA).
When you speak with your insurance agent, ask about all costs and mechanics: surrender period and first‑year charge, any market value adjustment (MVA), penalty‑free withdrawal %, base contract fees (M&E/admin on VAs), underlying fund expense ratios, and the exact cost and formula of any riders (GLWB roll‑ups, step‑ups, payout percentages by age). For VAs and RILAs, read the prospectus fee table; compute an “all‑in” estimate before choosing add‑ons, and compare to lower‑cost advisory share classes where appropriate (SEC: prospectus fee tables; SEC: RILAs; Morningstar Annuity Landscape).
While your insurance agent may present you with several great options, always compare across insurers and verify financial strength directly with the rating agencies. Check A.M. Best/S&P/Moody’s/Fitch grades and outlooks, and understand that state guaranty funds are a limited backstop with coverage caps that vary by state. If you save through a 401(k)/403(b), note the growing availability of in‑plan lifetime income features designed for portability and competitive pricing (e.g., target‑date strategies embedding deferred annuities) (A.M. Best; S&P Global Ratings definitions; Insurance Information Institute; BlackRock LifePath Paycheck; NAIC Model #275).
Companies that offer life insurance annuity
American Insurance Group (AIG): Best for variable annuity options
American Insurance Group (AIG) is a major U.S. annuity provider offering multiple immediate and deferred designs, including variable annuities with a range of subaccounts and optional living benefits, and, in some channels, advisory share classes with reduced or no surrender schedules. For current market leadership and category trends (e.g., MYGA vs. FIA vs. RILA vs. VA), consult independent sources such as LIMRA and AM Best; rankings can shift with interest rates and distribution dynamics (LIMRA newsroom; AM Best). Always review the prospectus and fee table for M&E/admin charges, fund expenses, and rider costs (SEC: Variable annuities).
New York Life Insurance Company: Best for long-term stability
If you want an insurance company that can withstand the tests of time, New York Life is for you. Founded in 1841, the company carries an AA+ rating from Standard & Poor’s — one of the highest categories. If you choose New York Life as the issuer for your annuity, you can rely on its strong financial strength, and you should always verify the latest ratings and outlooks directly with the agencies (A.M. Best; S&P Global Ratings definitions; Moody’s; Fitch).
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