MyPivots
Sign In
Home / Dictionary / Variable Annuity

Variable Annuity

A variable annuity is a contract between an insurance company and an investor. The investor agrees to make regular payments to the insurance company, and in return, the insurance company agrees to provide the investor with a series of payments at some point in the future. The amount of the payments will depend on the performance of the underlying investments chosen by the investor.

Variable annuities can be a good investment for investors who are looking for a way to grow their money over time. However, it is important to understand the risks involved before investing in a variable annuity.

One of the biggest risks associated with variable annuities is that the value of the underlying investments can go down as well as up. This means that the investor could end up with less money than they originally invested.

Another risk associated with variable annuities is that the insurance company could go bankrupt. If this happens, the investor could lose all of their money.

Variable annuities can also be expensive. There are typically fees associated with buying and selling the underlying investments, as well as fees for the insurance company's services.

Before investing in a variable annuity, it is important to carefully consider all of the risks involved. If you are not comfortable with the risks, then a variable annuity may not be the right investment for you.

Here are some additional details about variable annuities:

  • Variable annuities are often sold by insurance agents.
  • The insurance company will typically offer a variety of different investment options for the investor to choose from.
  • The investor can choose to make their payments over a period of time, or they can make a lump-sum payment.
  • The insurance company will typically charge a fee for managing the investor's account.
  • The investor will receive a statement from the insurance company each year showing the value of their account.
  • The investor can withdraw money from their account at any time, but there may be fees associated with withdrawals.
  • Variable annuities can be a good investment for investors who are looking for a way to grow their money over time. However, it is important to understand the risks involved before investing in a variable annuity.