Fixed annuities


Fixed annuities

Contracts in which an insurance company or issuing financial institution pays a fixed dollar amount of money per period.

Fixed Annuity

An annuity that allows the annuitant a fixed return for the life of the annuity. Like any annuity, the annuitant buys into a policy, either with a lump sum or premiums over a period of time. When the annuitant reaches a certain age, or retirement (whichever is greater), he/she begins to receive payments. Typically, the insurance company issuing a fixed annuity invests the premiums in low-risk investment vehicles such as bonds. This results in a smaller likelihood that the insurance company will be unable to make the payments, but also exposes the annuitant to inflation risk. See also: Variable annuity.