Clear answers to common annuity questions.

An annuity is a contract issued by an insurance company. Depending on the contract, it may be designed to accumulate value, provide income, protect principal from certain market losses, or support a combination of objectives.

Annuity Index provides general education about fixed annuities, multi-year guaranteed annuities, fixed indexed annuities, registered index-linked annuities, and income annuities. Features and availability vary by insurer and state.

Explore the major annuity categories.

Annuities are insurance contracts. Some annuities are also securities and are subject to securities regulation. The licensing and disclosures required depend on the type of annuity being discussed.

People often explore annuities when considering protected accumulation, predictable interest, future or current retirement income, longevity risk, or legacy planning. Whether a specific annuity is appropriate depends on individual circumstances and must be assessed by a properly licensed professional.

It depends on the contract. Registered index-linked and variable annuities can lose value. Fixed and fixed indexed annuities may protect against direct market losses, but withdrawals, surrender charges, market value adjustments, rider fees, taxes, and other contract provisions can reduce the amount received.

Insurance-company guarantees generally depend on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer and are not FDIC-insured. State guaranty associations may provide limited protection under applicable law, but they are not a substitute for evaluating the insurer and should not be used as a sales inducement.

Independent rating organizations evaluate an insurer's financial strength using their own methodologies. Ratings are opinions, can differ among agencies, and can change. They do not guarantee investment performance or the suitability of a particular contract.

A fixed indexed annuity generally does not give the contract owner direct ownership of the referenced market index. Interest is calculated using a contractual formula that may include caps, participation rates, spreads, or other limitations.

Some annuities have explicit annual charges, mortality and expense charges, investment expenses, or rider fees. Others may not have an explicit annual fee but use crediting limitations or surrender charges. Review the complete contract and disclosure documents.

Many contracts permit withdrawals, sometimes including a limited annual amount without a surrender charge. Larger or earlier withdrawals may trigger surrender charges, market value adjustments, loss of benefits, taxes, or penalties. Contract rules vary.

No. A rate may apply only for a stated period or crediting strategy. Renewal rates and index-crediting terms may change subject to contract guarantees. Confirm the effective date, guarantee period, and minimum contractual terms before making a decision.

Tax treatment depends on factors such as whether the contract is qualified or nonqualified, how it is funded, and how money is withdrawn. Annuity Index does not provide tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional about your circumstances.

Annuity Index is an educational and marketing platform. We provide general annuity information, help consumers organize their priorities, and facilitate connections with participating financial professionals.

No. Annuity Index does not provide personalized financial, insurance, investment, tax, or legal advice and does not determine whether a specific product is suitable for an individual.

There is no direct charge to consumers for using Annuity Index. Participating financial firms may pay us a fixed marketing fee for arranging a booked appointment, whether or not the consumer purchases anything.

Our appointment fee is not based on a specific product recommendation or completed transaction. Review the Compensation Disclosure for more information.

The platform is intended to serve consumers across the United States. Professional participation and specific product availability vary by state. Product discussions must be handled by a professional holding the appropriate license for the consumer's state.

The initial Zoom conversation is generally scheduled for 30 minutes. It may cover your general goals, timing, liquidity needs, annuity categories, and questions. Any specific product discussion should include appropriate disclosures and a suitability assessment by the licensed professional.

No. Completing the questionnaire, booking an appointment, or attending a meeting does not obligate you to purchase an annuity or continue a relationship.

Use the rescheduling or cancellation links included in your appointment confirmation. If you cannot locate the confirmation, email [email protected].

Appointments are assigned based on participation, availability, routing, and licensing considerations. The platform may not offer a choice of a specific professional.

Contact information is used to respond to your request, support scheduling, send appointment information, and facilitate the authorized connection with a participating financial professional. Review our Privacy Policy for details.

Do not submit Social Security numbers, passwords, complete bank or brokerage account numbers, or other highly sensitive financial information through the questionnaire, appointment notes, or ordinary email.

For general website, privacy, scheduling, or partnership questions, email [email protected].