Definition
A contract between an annuitant and the issuer , the terms of which promises to pay the annuitant income. The income is usually for a fixed period of time, over the life of the annuitant or the joint life of the annuitant and beneficiary. The annuitant is the client or the investor. The issuer is the financial institution which is usually the insurance company .
Publication 575 defines an annuity as a series of payments under a contract made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year. They can be either fixed (under which the annuitant receives a definite amount) or variable (not fixed).
Referring Cite
Annuity contract, IRC § 403(b), IRS Publication 571, IRS Publication 575
Additional Helpful Information
Individuals should work with a financial planner to ensure that the amounts added to their nest eggs during the accumulation phase are consistent with their financial goals & objectives and suit their financial profiles. This includes ensuring that the following factors are taken into consideration.
- Under a single annuity or single-life annuity, the annuitant usually receives payments for life, unless it is for a fixed period ( term certain) where payments are made for a fixed period.
- Under a joint life annuity ( or joint and survivor annuity), the annuity payments are usually made to the annuity and continues to his/her surviving spouse after he/she dies
- 403(b)s can be funded under annuities, and are then referred to as tax-sheltered annuity (TSA) or tax deferred annuity (TDA)
