Indexed Annuities: A Comprehensive Guide for Retirees

An indexed annuity is a financial product that pays out a return based on the performance of a linked index. The contract is backed by an insurance company and is popular among retirees because it provides a relatively steady stream of income with downside riskDownside RiskDownside risk refers to the probability that an asset or security will fall in price. It is the potential loss that could result from a fall protection. However, it also severely limits the upside potential of the investment, illustrating the tradeoff between risk and return.

Summary

• An indexed annuity is a financial product that pays out an income stream based on the performance of the linked index (i.e., S&P 500).
• Indexed annuities provide downside protection through their minimum guaranteed return. However, they also limit potential upside through the participation rate and rate cap.
• The guarantees of the annuity contract rest on the ability of the insurance company to honor them.

Indexed Annuity Components

1. Participation Rate

The participation rate refers to the percentage of index return that is credited to the annuitant (annuity holder). For example, if the indexed annuity offers a participation rate of 90% and the linked index realizes a return of 10% for the period, the annuitant receives 9% (90% x 10% = 9%). Most indexed annuities offer a participation rate between 80%-90%.

2. Rate Cap

The rate cap also limits the upside of the index by establishing a ceiling on the rate. For example, if the indexed annuity comes with a rate cap of 7%, the annuitant will get a maximum return of 7%, regardless of the amount of the index’s earnings. When the participation rate is used together with the rate cap, the annuity return is the minimum between the two.

3. Spread/Margin/Asset Fee

Depending on the insurance company, a fee may be applied to the return rate. For example, if the fee is 2% and the index return is 7%, the annuitant receives 5% (7% – 2%).

4. Minimum Guaranteed Return

In contrast with the rate cap, the minimum guaranteed return is offered as a floor to limit the downside of the index. For example, the insurance company may guarantee a minimum return of 2%, so the annuitant is promised 2% even if the index performs poorly over the period.

5. Rider

A rider is an optional form of benefit that can be purchased to supplement an indexed annuity. Many different types of riders can be used to accommodate financial needs, such as early fund withdrawal, lifetime income, death benefits to beneficiaries, and many others at the expense of reduced returns.

Indexed Annuity Examples

An annuitant buys an indexed annuity linked to the S&P 500 IndexS&P 500 IndexThe Standard and Poor’s 500 Index, abbreviated as S&P 500 index, is an index comprising the stocks of 500 publicly traded companies in the. The terms of the indexed annuity are 80% participation rate, 7% cap rate, and a minimum guaranteed return of 2%.

If the S&P 500 generates a 15% return:

Participation rate = 15% * 0.8 = 12%

Minimum of participation rate and cap rate = 12% > 7% = 7% return

If the S&P 500 generates a 6% return:

Participation rate = 6% * 0.8 = 4.8%

Minimum of participation rate and cap rate = 4.8% < 7% = 4.8% return

If the S&P 500 generates a -9% return:

Minimum guaranteed return: 2% return

Advantages of Indexed Annuities

1. Increase in returns when the underlying index performs well
2. Downside risk protection from the minimum guaranteed return – Protects the principal amount
3. Deferred taxes – Taxes are realized only when funds are withdrawn, so it can be advantageous for managing tax payments

Disadvantages of Indexed Annuities

1. No dividends – Annuitants miss out on dividend payoutsStable Dividend PolicyA business with a stable dividend policy pays out a steady dividend every given period, regardless of the volatility in the market. The exact amount of dividends that are paid out depends on the long-term earnings of the company., which historically returns an average of 1.87% on the S&P 500.
2. Limited upside from participation rate and rate cap
3. Tax withdrawal penalty – Contrary to the acclaimed advantage that annuitants can’t lose money on the principal because of the downside risk protection, it is actually possible to incur losses if the annuitant withdraws funds early or surrenders the annuity. Also, if the annuitant withdraws funds before age 59½, they face a tax withdrawal penalty.
4. Surrender period – Annuities lack liquidity because annuitants cannot touch their money during the surrender period, which is typically 6-8 years. If they surrender the annuity contract during this period, they are charged a high surrender fee.
5. Insurance company’s financial health – Annuity payments are tied to the financial health of the insurance company; if the company goes bankrupt, the indexed annuity is worthless.

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