The Annuity Structure and Process

The Annuity Structure and Process

A client investing in an annuity must complete an application. Once the application has been submitted to the insurer, the contract owner receives the contract, which contains a summary of the application, the rate of expected return on the investment(s), and type(s) of investments selected.

Annuity Premium Amounts

A Single Premium Immediate Annuity can be bought with a lump sum and start payouts at once. It is the most common type of annuity. It affords the contract owner a single premium, wherein the insurance company promises to pay the annuitant an amount each period (monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually).

The second method is “level premium.” Here, the premiums are paid in periodic payments over the years before the date upon which annuity income begins. The premiums can be paid yearly, semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly. The next premium payment option is a “flexible premium.” This is where the purchaser has the option to vary the amount of each premium payment, as long as it falls between a minimum and maximum amount.

Premium Computation and Annuity Payout Factors

Insurance companies use multiple factors to determine premiums and annuity payout amounts. These factors have been accumulated by the insurance industry using data on industry standards and identifying factors that have been found in specific groups of people. These factors can include:

• The annuitant’s age will determine how long the insurance company will have to make income payments to the annuitant. These determinations are made using data that explained how long an individual would typically live and base it on when the annuitant will begin taking the annuity payments.
• Statistics say that the annuitant’s sex plays a role. Statistics will show that women live longer than men do. Therefore, a woman would receive more income payments than a man would of her age.
• The insurance companies calculate the assumed interest rate. This rate is an assumption using data from the history of the success of the market, and the insurance industry offering annuities.
• The next factor is the annuitant’s amount of periodic income and the guarantees the insurance company made to the annuitant concerning the total number of payments the annuitant will receive.
• The last factor is the “loading” for the insurance company operating expenses. The insurance company takes into consideration its operating costs and gives a value bases on the assumption it makes for how much it will need to continue successfully.

Lifetime Guaranteed Rate

The minimum interest rate that is guaranteed for the life of the annuity is known as the lifetime guaranteed rate. Each states Department of Insurance, through its jurisdiction, mandates that annuities provide a lifetime guaranteed interest rate; therefore, most insurance companies offer rates of one to three percent on this type of annuity. The contract owner can opt for receipt of guaranteed income payouts on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.

Money-Back Guarantee

This is a significant selling feature in many annuity contracts due to no market risk for the contract owner. The contract owner is protected, and the insurer assumes the risks involved.

Contract owner satisfaction is guaranteed, depending upon the insurer’s principal language. If the contract owner is not satisfied with his annuity within the insurer’s allotted timeframe, he can get all of his money back. The insurer may also provide a guarantee on surrender charges that will not affect the principal, thereby allowing the contract owner to get back his entire initial premium.

Surrender Charges

Insurance companies vary in principal language to protect the insurer just as the guarantee of principal protects the contract owner. In most annuities, surrender charges are dissolved over a five to ten year period (ten percent free partial withdrawal not included). There may be an annual percentile decrease in surrender penalties, or the annuity may have a fixed surrender charge, such as the first six-months’ interest.

The Bailout Clause or Escape Clause

The Bailout Clause or Escape Clause is another protection for the contract owner. Some insurers will waive surrender charges under certain circumstances (i.e., nursing home confinement, terminal illness diagnoses, and death of the annuitant). Also, the agreement between the insurer and the contract owner can allow for utilization of the Bailout Clause if the interest rate decreases below a certain level.