Five questions you should ask before buying an annuity
While annuities can be a great choice, they are not for everyone. The Insurance Information Institute says there are 5 questions you should ask before you buy.
Annuity Basics
Annuities are long term investments sold by insurance companies. They can allow you to save money on a tax deferred basis or provide you with retirement income immediately, and they protect you against outliving your assets. There are several different types - some provide a guaranteed fixed income and others invest in the stock market and provide a variable income.
5 Questions to Consider
* Am I comfortable with the risks involved in this annuity? Some are guaranteed and some are not.
* Do I have emergency funds? If you don't have additional cash you can count on for an emergency, an annuity is not for you.
* What will I be charged if I want to withdraw my investment early? That depends on the annuity. Shop around, because they all have different fees and ...
