Insurance Education - Different Types Of Annuities

LIFE ANNUITIES (STRAIGHT LIFE ANNUITIES)states that in event of the annuitant’s death,
This is the most common type of annuity. Thethe company will pay an amount at least equal to
simple "Straight Life Annuity" provides forthe total dollars paid in as premiums. The
guaranteed periodic payments that terminatecompany will continue to pay the guaranteed
upon the death of the annuitant. Once theamount of monthly income for as long as the
annuitant dies, the contract is fulfilled and noannuitant lives.
payments are made. This type of annuity doesThere are two types of this annuity:
not guarantee that the annuitant will receiveCash Refund: The Company agrees that if the
payments equal to the amount paid as premiumsannuitant dies, it will refund in cash the difference
on the contract. If the annuitant lives a long time,between the income that annuitant received and
they will recover more than all of the premiumsthe amount that was paid in premiums plus
they have paid; if they die soon afterinterest earned.
annuitization, the insurance company will only payInstallment Refund: The Company agrees to
the benefits up until the time of death.continue to make payments to the beneficiary
In the event the annuitant dies during theuntil the total of the payments made to the
accumulation period (i.e. the time that paymentsannuitant and to the beneficiary equals the
are being made on the annuity, but prior toamount the owner paid for the annuity plus the
annuitization) proceeds will revert to theinterest earned. The longer the payout is to
beneficiary, or if none is named, to the estate.continue after the annuitant’s death, the
Because this limits potential payouts, it will providesmaller will be the periodic payments.
a higher return than other plans.? Annuities with refund options pay annuitants
The Straight Life Annuity provides the maximumlower amounts of income than do comparable
income per dollar of outlay.contracts without them. The refund option
LIFE INCOME WITH PERIOD CERTAINrepresents an extra benefit for the contract
The Life Income with Period Certain guaranteesowner and an extra cost for the company.
that annuity payments to a beneficiary will beTEMPORARY LIFE ANNUITY
made for a specific number of years, even if theThe Temporary Life Annuity is a "combination"
annuitant dies before the end of this period.plan. Annuity payments will be made until either (a)
Payments to the annuitant will continue as long asthe end of a pre-determined number of years, or
he or she lives.(b) until the death of the annuitant, whichever
LIFE INCOME WITH REFUND ANNUITYcomes first.
The Life Income with Refund type of Annuity