Retirement should be carefree — but as it approaches, many people find the thought of maintaining and possibly running out of money over time stressful. Enter annuities. These financial instruments provide you with a guaranteed income stream, either for a fixed length of time or for the rest of your life, depending on the annuity you choose.

It’s good to understand that an annuity transfers the risk of you outliving your assets to an insurance company. In turn, they guarantee a stable income for a specific length of time, or for as long as you live. Depending on the type of annuity you purchase, there may be fees involved in providing this guarantee. How costs are calculated: An insurance company prices its guarantee based upon your life expectancy at the time of application, and the payout period you desire. Generally, the more risk you transfer to the insurance company, the higher the fees.

These days, annuities have many options, which requires planning and a long-term commitment to make the most of the benefits. As licensed insurance professional, we help you understand all the factors to take into consideration. Here are a few points to keep in mind: Limited access to funds. There may be limitations on your access to the cash value of the annuity. Fees and penalties may apply for early annuitization, or liquidation. Taxation. The taxable portion of an annuity payment is generally taxed as income, not capital gains. Inflation. Ask about options many annuities offer to ensure your payments keep pace with rising costs.

One of the best things about an annuity is that you never have to lose what you put into it. Continuing payments. Payments cease upon death, but most annuities have options to continue payments to the surviving spouse or another loved one. Distributions. If your annuity has remaining cash value, it can be distributed to your beneficiaries—the people you specify to receive your assets when you pass away. Beneficiaries receive payment via a lump sum or installments. Distribution terms are private with no need for probate (a court proceeding) if beneficiaries are family members. This makes annuities a useful tool for transferring wealth to heirs.

Annuities are income-guarantee contracts offered by life insurance companies that are customized just for you. Many annuity applications can be submitted electronically, but a consultation with an insurance professional or advisor is required to help you determine which features are right for you, including: Access to funds Level of market exposure Desired payment periods Beneficiary options Tax-advantaged features Annuity company and product Our team will explain your options, help you understand long-term financial impacts, and guide you to a solution that maximizes your guaranteed income and supports your overall financial goals within your budget. Call us at (479) 431-5632 to speak to one of our agents and determine in an annuity is right for you.