What is an annuity ?

Americans are living longer which means retirement planning is more essential and more challenging than ever before. However, there is a product that guarantees you won’t outlive your savings. Annuities provide protected lifetime income, ensuring peace of mind and financial security in retirement.

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Twitter Chat 2022

ACLI hosted a Twitter chat on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 for Annuity Awareness Month.

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Annuities Explained

An annuity is a long-term agreement (contract) between you and an insurance company. The company agrees to make a series of income payments to you in exchange for a premium (or premiums) that you pay. It allows you to accumulate funds on a tax-deferred basis for later payout in the form of a guaranteed income that you cannot outlive.

What tools can I use when looking to purchase an annuity?

As with any major purchase or financial decision, it’s important to evaluate needs and options carefully. There are consumer protection standards and tools (at the federal and state level) available that provide you simple and practical guidance about annuities.

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NAIC Buyer’s Guides

NAIC.org has a number of consumer publications allowing you to compare options along with other helpful guidance.


Facts and information before you buy

When buying variable annuities, companies are required to provide an SEC-approved prospectus in plain English with fee disclosures.


Simple and streamlined disclosures

Federal regulators have recently adopted improvements to allow disclosures to be concise and reader friendly to improve understanding of the contract’s features, fees and risks.


How am I protected in the purchasing process of an annuity?

Several state and federal standards require consumers’ best interest be reflected in sales recommendations and strictly govern deceptive sales practices. In fact, salespersons have four obligations in putting your interests first and ensure transparency, honesty, and clarity are present in interactions.

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DISCLOSURE

salesperson must disclose, in writing, the material facts relating to the scope and terms of the relationship, and all material conflicts of interest associated with the recommendation.

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COMPLIANCE

salesperson must establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to achieve compliance with Regulation Best Interest.

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CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

material conflicts of interests must be identified, disclosed and mitigated.

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CARE

salesperson must exercise reasonable diligence, care, and skill.


News & Resources

Retirement savers concerned about financial harm under fiduciary-only government regulation (survey)

view the survey

Financial protections shouldn’t limit financial options (white paper)

read the white paper

American Council of Life Insurers' articles related to Annuities (blog)

read the blog