With a wide range of benefits that include tax deferred accumulation, potential to earn interest linked to an index and protection against loss of principal, fixed index annuities (FIAs) can be a great component in an individual's overall retirement plan. However, even though FIAs can be a great way for individuals to protect their assets while growing their wealth, they're sometimes misunderstood.
Agents that truly understand the benefits of FIAs can help their clients decide if this annuity type is right for them, based on their retirement status, current and future financial needs and long-term financial goals and objectives. Here are seven key facts about FIAs:
1. The principal is loss-protected: Index annuities are guaranteed against losses during market downturns, differing from securities or even variable annuities. And the annuity value never dips below the initial purchase price.
2. FIAs are great performers: According to a study by David F. Babbel, Professor of Insurance and Finance at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, since inception in 1995 many FIAs have outperformed corporate and government bonds, equity mutual funds, and money markets in any combination.
3. Increases in value are locked in and cannot be lost: FIAs have a feature known as an "annual reset." According to Annuity Digest, an annual reset is an FIA crediting method. Annual reset indicates that the level of credited interest is based on the difference in an index value over the course of a year. The annual reset process begins every year.
