How do Fixed Index Annuities Make Money?

By Cathy DeWitt Dunn

With fixed index annuities, your money earns interest based on any positive changes to an external index, such as the S&P 500, over a set period of time. If the index goes up, you receive a portion of the upside. If the index falls, your contract value––including any interest you’ve earned in the past––is not affected.

There are three basic types of crediting methods.

Insurance companies use crediting methods to calculate how much interest your money has earned each year. In most cases, you get to select the method, or combination of methods, that you feel will work best for you. Each year, you can make changes to how your money is allocated per crediting method. This provides you the ability to adjust your annuity portfolio, which, in certain market conditions, may be advantageous.

Annual Point-to-Point.

This crediting method credits your annuity account the interest that is earned on market gains over the course of a 365-day period. You receive all of the index return up to whatever annual cap is specified in your contract. If the stock market goes up 12% and your contract specifies an 8% cap, you would be credited 8% of the market’s upside. If the index goes down over the course of the year, your account value loses nothing. Your principal plus any interest earned prior to that year is 100% protected.

Monthly Point-to-Point.

Monthly point-to-point tracks an index’ monthly percentage return, both positive and negative, subject to a monthly cap. Then, all 12 monthly percentage returns are added up. If the index’ performance is positive, interest earned for the year is calculated using this number. If its performance is negative you will not face a loss; you simply would not register a return for that year.

Monthly Average.

At the end of each month the index value is recorded. Each of the 12 months’ value is added up and divided by 12. This determines the average monthly value for the year. That value is then divided into the start value of the index to determine the annual return. For example, if the market started at 10,000 and the monthly average for the year was 12,000, the annual return would be 8.33%. Depending on the insurance company, there can be a cap or spread, which may limit your participation in any gains. Once again, if the number is negative, your principal plus any interest earned prior to that year is 100% protected against stock market loss.

On the annual contract anniversary, we review each of our clients’ accounts––by phone or face-to-face––and provide recommendations on how best to take advantage of market performance potential.

Annuity product guarantees rely on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer.

For More See:

• Monthly Sum Crediting Method
• Monthly Average Crediting Method
• Point to Point Crediting Method
• How do annuities make money?

Disclosure:  Indexed annuities are insurance contracts that, depending on the contract, may offer a guaranteed annual interest rate and some participation growth, if any, of a stock market index. Such contracts have substantial variation in terms, costs of guarantees and features and may cap participation or returns in significant ways. Any guarantees offered are backed by the financial strength of the insurance company, not an outside entity. Investors are cautioned to carefully review an indexed annuity for its features, costs, risks, and how the variables are calculated. A fixed annuity is intended for retirement or other long-term needs. It is intended for a person who has sufficient cash or other liquid assets for living expenses and other unexpected emergencies, such as medical expenses. A fixed or indexed annuity is not a registered security or stock market investment and does not directly participate in any stock or equity investments or index.