Learn what annuities are, how fixed, variable, indexed, immediate, and deferred annuities work, and how they can help provide steady retirement income.

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. But while it's imperative to have a solid plan in place for your ...

A deferred annuity is a long-term contract with an insurance company that provides future income–often for life–in exchange for premium payments, with options like fixed, variable, and indexed types ...

Annuities have a bad reputation due to their complexity, lack of transparency, and limited flexibility. However, for retirees focused on maximizing their spending in retirement, the simplest annuities ...

Annuities are a tool that can create reliable retirement income that can last as long as you do. Each annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company: You provide the company money now, and ...

Cassidy Horton is a finance writer with over five years of experience contributing to top finance brands like Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet and ConsumerAffairs. She’s also the founder of Money Hungry ...

Researchers (including us) often find that retirees can benefit from partial allocations to annuities. But what should be done with the rest of the portfolio after the annuity has been purchased? Most ...

An annuity is a contract between an individual and an insurance company in which the individual pays a lump sum or series of payments to the insurance company in return... An annuity is a contract ...

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. These rules act as practical guidelines, and understanding them before ...

Laurie Sepulveda is a MarketWatch Guides team senior writer who specializes in writing about insurance, investing, personal loans, home equity loans, mortgages and banking. She lives in North Carolina ...

Annuities are an integral part of the retirement portfolios of investors who want a guaranteed stream of retirement income. A deferred annuity is a contract that provides the buyer with a steady ...