What are the differences between variable, fixed and immediate annuities?
There are many, many different types of annuities.
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Living Benefits
Living benefits or guaranteed living benefits (GLB) are optional guarantees that can be embedded into variable annuity products. In the past, variable annuities could come with a guaranteed minimum death benefit (GMDB) which paid a minimum benefit upon death of the annuitant. Over the past decade, however, product development and innovation have flourished, and insurers offer income, accumulation, or withdrawal guarantees that can provide a significant measure of protection against market risk while the annuitant is alive. Some of these “living benefits” include: guaranteed minimum income benefit (GMIB); guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB); guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB), and; guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit (GMAB). Living benefits have proven to be incredibly popular. More than 95% of variable annuity sales in 2007 contained some form of living benefit. Guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits (GLWB) have proven to be one of the most popular guarantees.
What are "living benefit" options associated with annuities and how do they work?
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How can an annuity protect me from a volatile market?
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High expenses or fees are one criticism I have heard regarding annuities. Can you explain the fee structure around annuities?
Annuities are products that combine insurance and, in the case of variable annuities,
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Owners of Variable Annuities with Living Benefits Protected from Market Storm
Certain living benefit guarantees--particularly guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits--embedded in variable annuities have provided owners with downside protection during the recent financial market turmoil. A popular variable annuity -- the one with guaranteed “living benefits” -- may be the riskiest product ever sold by the insurance industry. Risky to the health of the insurance carriers, that is. If you bought one of these annuities, you will collect your promised, fixed, minimum income...
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