by Bill Willard
Though popular among today’s aging Baby Boomers and members of the Mature or “Senior” markets, annuities can be traced back to ancient Greece. The term “annuity” comes from the Greek word “annus”—or “year”—and refers to annual income payments. Similarly, in ancient Rome citizens would make one-time payments to a contract called “annua” in exchange for lifetime payments made once a year.
In 17th century Europe, annuities were used as fundraising devices by governments to finance their ongoing wars with neighboring nations. These governments would offer “tontines,” which promised payments into the future to those who bought shares.
In the 18th century annuities were introduced to North America, with private insurance companies selling insurance and annuity contracts to individuals wanting to avoid outliving their resources, In 1759 in Pennsylvania a company was formed to benefit Presbyterian ministers and their families. The ministers would contribute to a fund, in exchange for lifetime payments. In 1912, the Pennsylvania Company for Insurance on Lives and Granting Annuities became the
first American company to offer annuities to the public.
However, annuities experienced a huge growth in popularity during the late 1930s when the collapsing financial markets turned many people away from equities in favor of products from more secure institutions—insurance companies that could and did make annuity payments, as promised.
Early annuities were simple contracts guaranteeing a return of principal and fixed rates of return from the insurance company during the accumulation phase. At withdrawal, the annuitant chose either a fixed income for life or payments over a specific number of years.
Buyers have always been drawn to annuities by their tax-deferred status. As a consequence of being issued by insurance companies, annuities have always been able to accumulate without taxes being taken out at year-end, which has added the time value of money to their list of advantages.
The most recent major development has been the inception in 1952 of variable annuities, which offer the investment features of separate mutual fund accounts inside the annuity with the tax-deferral available from life insurance products. Variable Annuity owners choose the type of accounts to use, often receiving modest guarantees from the issuer in exchange for the greater risks assumed.
“The shift to investment-linked annuities has been so marked that 25,000 investment-linked annuities were sold [in 2001] - 9.5% of all annuity business,” reports Peter Quinton is managing director of The Annuity Bureau, adding that “it's likely that the popularity of these annuity will continue to increase as they are the only at-retirement products that offer retirees a half-way house between the two extremes of purchasing a safe conventional annuity and opting for a investment-linked income drawdown plan, where the cross-subsidy system does not apply.” Source: Pensions Management; 12/1/2002
Wider Choices
Although long part of well-diversified financial portfolios, annuities have continued to evolve. Recent developments have included features such as adding checkbook access to Variable Annuity funds, more attractive "bonus" rates, shorter maturity periods, and guaranteed death benefits.
But consumers now have wider choices of annuity types, plus more investment options and guarantees to fit their investment and income goals. For example, some annuities offer guaranteed bonus interest rates for the first few years or guaranteed returns for the life of the contract. Other annuities guarantee beneficiaries the return of principal if the annuitant dies and the annuity stock market investments have lost value.
Although annuities have evolved, their primary objective remains the same. That is, being able to lock in a guaranteed payout that cannot be outlived. As people live longer, healthier lives--and the equities markets remain subject to unsettling fluctuations--financial products offering safety, flexibility and guaranteed returns are increasingly appealing to older consumers. However, investors of all ages are drawn to variable annuities whose return is tied to the stock market, but which also offer guaranteed minimum returns not tied to market performance.
Annuities are accessible. Because there are no contribution limits, people can invest as much or as little as they chose in annuities no matter what their income levels. And this money grows on a tax-deferred basis until the accumulated earnings are distributed, usually at retirement.
Moreover, unlike other tax-deferred investments during the distribution phase, annuities’ tax-deferred earnings are not counted in determining a person’s income taxes on Social Security benefits. At the same time, while annuitants cannot outlive their guaranteed benefits, properly structured annuity contracts and beneficiary designations can:
1) avoid probate,
2) protect assets held in trust from mismanagement by a parent of guardians, and
3) continue benefits to the annuitant’s heirs, thus making annuities effective multigenerational planning vehicles.
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