Annuities are characterized by their safety, tax-deferral features, guaranteed interest rates, and for providing income when it is needed most, in one's retirement years.

Annuities offer the investor many choices. Here are some of the popular kinds of annuities that are available:

* Fixed Deferred Annuities specify a fixed, guaranteed minimum rate of interest that will be paid on the principal amount invested in the annuity. The company assumes the investment risk. If investment performance is less than what is required to fund the minimum rate of interest, the annuity company must make up the difference at no cost to you.

* Single Premium Deferred Annuities are for those who make their investment all at one time and don't plan to add to it. Those who have a large sum of money available some time before retirement might buy this type of annuity. The money might come from an inheritance or a lump-sum distribution from a pension plan.

* Flexible Premium Deferred Annuities are for those who make a series of regular investments over time, rather than putting everything in at once. It is called "flexible" because you can decide how often you want to invest and how much you invest each time.

* Immediate Annuities are similar to a single-premium annuity, but payments begin right away. You are most likely to be interested in an immediate annuity if you want to convert accumulated assets into income payments that start at once.

Once the annuity payments begin, you generally give up any control of the principle in your account. You cannot withdraw cash from it beyond the annuity payment to which you are entitled. Upon an annuitant's death, payments ordinarily cease unless an arrangement has been made with the annuity company to continue payments to an additional beneficiary as your heir. Continuation of payments to an heir is an option you may wish to consider when setting up your annuity.

What type of annuity is best for you?

We can assist you in determining the appropriate annuity, whether it is a deferred, immediate, or one of the many other annuity programs we offer.

Call us or stop by next time you're in the area and we'd be happy to give you a No Obligation Quote or fill out our on-line quote request form.