Learn what annuities are, how fixed, variable, indexed, immediate, and deferred annuities work, and how they can help provide steady retirement income.

Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed. Suzanne is a content marketer, writer, and ...

Not all financial products are created — or regulated — equally. Stocks and mutual funds fall under federal securities laws, while savings accounts benefit from FDIC protection. But annuities? They’re ...

Understanding which licenses and processes are required to sell variable annuities is an essential step for financial professionals–including financial advisors, brokers or insurance agents–who are ...

Lindsey Crossmier has been a financial writer since 2022, and has been regularly quoted as an expert in outlets such as U.S. News, GOBanking Rates and Yahoo! Finance. She leverages her Yale financial ...

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. But if you've started exploring your annuity options, you've likely run ...

Life insurance policies and annuities are both tools that help ensure future financial security. While they have some similar characteristics, there are also some important differences. Understanding ...

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. A variable annuity is a way to get the stability of a ...

An annuity is a financial product designed to provide a steady income stream during retirement. It is a contract between you and an insurance company, where you make a lump-sum payment or a series of ...