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 ...

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 ...

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

When planning for retirement, one of the biggest decisions you'll face is how to generate consistent, tax-efficient income.

From time to time — not often enough for me — financial products come out that actually fill a need. I'll discuss a couple today, and more in future columns. While I find these products newsworthy, ...

One of the biggest decisions anyone has to make for retirement is where to invest money. If you ask 10 different financial advisors, there is a 100% chance you’ll get 10 different answers. This is ...

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 ...

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 ...

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.