A: An annuity is a contract with an insurance company. In the most basic annuity type, income annuities, you give the ...

Annuities spark plenty of debate between investors and financial advisors. These retirement savings vehicles are insurance products, and, like any other financial instrument, they have advantages and ...

Traditionally, work has provided more than structure and purpose; it has also provided a steady income. As a result, you could count on your regular direct deposit or paper check as a reliable source ...

Fixed indexed annuities tie their performance to a stock market index. They offer principal protection and steady income in retirement. Fixed indexed annuities typically limit the returns you can earn ...

A variable annuity is an insurance contract that invests in market-based subaccounts and grows tax-deferred. It may offer features like lifetime income guarantees or death benefits. These features ...

If you’re nearing or already in retirement, the recent market volatility might be giving you pause. With economic uncertainty, rising inflation and stock market fluctuations, protecting your ...

Sometimes, it’s better to have a low guaranteed return than it is to take a big risk that might pay off (or might not). That’s the approach more people are taking amid tariffs and geopolitical ...

Like any other financial vehicle, annuities have their pros and cons. But they vary greatly. Different types work differently and accomplish different goals. Some are quite complex; some are ...

While most Americans are feeling the pinch caused by ongoing economic uncertainties, perhaps no group feels its impact as strongly as seniors, especially those on a fixed budget. Despite easing ...

Annuities promise money for life, but that guarantee may come at a steep cost. MarketWatch's Andrea Coombes talks with two financial planners about the good, the bad and the ugly of annuity products.