An annuity is a contract that you will receive an income for your life as a pensioner. Different types of annuities cover one or two people; they increase with inflation, and there is a guaranteed payout. If you are ill and you expect to live a shorter life, then you qualify for an enhanced/impaired life annuity.

Having maladies such as blood pressure, cancer, etc. will increase the retirement annuity rate and the income almost 40% higher. The annuity is based on government bonds/gilts for a long term. If this fall, then the income also falls. Gilts are used to back the annuities which continue to pay for decades.

However, in the recent times, retirement annuity rates have been pushed down due to the financial crisis, and high life expectancy.

Tips for getting the best value from your retirement annuity

Before you retire, your pension firm will send you a reminder of the value of your savings and the various retirement annuity rates available. They will also tell you which firms you have saved but not how much and where.

Most people benefit by switching providers, but there is always an exception. Your current provider may offer a retirement annuity rate, fixed when you started the pension; this may be higher than the other companies.

Analyze priorities
Annuities get the highest retirement rates. Want to spend your entire savings, or save and pass it onto your spouse as inheritance, or want to continue to invest, or want your income to increase as you grow older. Ask this question before you choose an annuity.

The annuity will be paid out for a couple of years after you die until a specific time frame. The conventional annuity pays an income even if the market turns volatile. Income is based on the size of your savings, age, and tax-free cash. You could also pick up an investment-linked annuity which converts your pension fund into an income. They carry more risks than basic lifetime annuities in return for a higher interest.

If you don’t want a pension pot you can buy an annuity that keeps investing as you become older you can buy an annuity and use the rest of the savings in a pension wrapper. You can take the help of n financial adviser who will explain that this is costly if you have a small pension. Before you choose an annuity, check your health and also the needs of your family. Be honest about your health, fitness – as enhanced annuities give more than the conventional annuity.

Compare and choose rates
Once you exactly know the type of retirement annuity you need, compare the rates by calculating online. Once compared, you can choose an annuity and buy from an insurance provider, agent or annuity broker.

A few questions

• Remove the fear of running out of money after retirement.
• Avoid risking your assets in a volatile market.
• Save for your spouse so that he/she does not run out of money.
• Create your own personal pension with annuities that you control.
• Use Index annuities to hedge.
• Banks are offering much higher annuity rates
• Avoid tax by using annuities.
• Calculate the amount of savings you will require to retire safely.
• Your money is safer with higher rated insurance companies.

Annuities for retirement
Retirement should be the best years of your life, and for that, you need to save and invest. Annuities are a great way to secure your future. Annuities help you invest in your family’s future. You have to be responsible for your future, so prepare ahead of time.

Annuities can be customized by the individual there are many options available. Plan on what you will require in your retirement and how much can you afford now. Discuss with financial professionals and compare the annuity rates before making a final decision.

Annuities are the place to invest if you expect that social security will not provide for all your needs. This is a very good plan. Annuity is a great way to secure a fixed income after retirement. This is loaded with benefits for your retirement plan. For an annuity, the set number of payments for a period of time will depend on your retirement goal and the time until you retire. Once the investment is done, you will start receiving payments. This will serve you as your income throughout your retired life.

People prefer annuities as they guarantee an income which includes–

Immediate payment is paid according to a predetermined schedule.
Fixed annuities –are a more conservative annuity that guarantees a minimum rate of interest.
Equity- lets you earn a high rate of interest
Variable – are more flexible annuity and will rise and fall like stocks and bonds.
It is a good choice to find annuity companies that have a high financial rating. Always find out about the rating of a company before you invest in a retirement annuity plan. Check that you are getting high annuity rates. An annuity is the tool to create a source of income after retirement.