Generally speaking, Equity Indexed Annuities are very complex sophisticated financial instruments and purchasers of these type products should be conversant with and understand the terms, conditions, tax consequences and other implications of owning annuities in their investment portfolios.
Purchase can be either deductible or non-tax deductible dependent on type of account used.
Equity Index Annuities are a relatively new product fashioned after products available for some time in the United Kingdom.
Equity Index Annuities typically offer a minimum guaranteed fixed rate of return over a specified time frame, varying from several to 10 years, coupled with additional participation potential associated with market appreciation typically indexed to a equity index like the S&P 500 Stock Index.
Participation rates relative to an Index like the S&P500 varies widely depending on the issuing company's time frame for calculation, rate of participation establish and formula used to do the calculations.
Equity Index Annuities offer tax-deferred interest and growth accumulation and generally a taxable distribution.
The gains withdrawn from Equity Index Annuities are typically taxable, and withdrawals for owners under age 59 1/2 are additionally subject to an IRS imposed 10% tax penalty.
Equity Index Annuities offer preservation of capital, typically with some minimum interest rate guarantee.
Guaranteed minimum interest rate is generally coupled with some first year interest rate enhancement.
Some Equity Index Annuities offer a certain percent free annual withdrawal and liquidity option.
Typically Equity Index Annuities have a death benefit provision.
Some Equity Index Annuities have a nursing home and disability waiver for no penalty withdrawals.
Equity Index Annuities issued by insurance companies and are state specific, what is available for the resident of one state might or might not be available for the resident of another state, and or the terms can be quite different.
Annuity insurance products are state specific and not all insurance companies offer annuity product to residents of all states.
The death benefit payable and other payment the owner of an annuity receives is dependent on the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
