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

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 ...

Fixed annuities and certificates of deposit (CDs) are both low-risk savings vehicles that provide guaranteed returns, but they work in different ways. A CD locks in funds for a set period at a fixed ...

Beverly is a writer, editor, and paralegal specializing in personal finance and tax law. She covers personal financial and legal topics, as well as tax breaks, tax preparation software, and tax law ...

Adam B. Frankel is a personal finance writer and financial adviser with over 30 years of experience. When he’s not managing money in the stock market, he teaches financial topics and other core ...

Challenger’s Aaron Minney provides his comparison of annuities and direct fixed income in a response to an article recently published in Money Management and authored by fixed income provider FIIG.

Annuities have a bad reputation due to their complexity, lack of transparency, and limited flexibility. However, for retirees focused on maximizing their spending in retirement, the simplest annuities ...

Fixed index annuities provide market-linked growth for your money and protect your principal. But returns are capped, and fees can be significant. A fixed annuity could provide partial protection ...