Annuities For Dummies
Published on 4. January 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-0-470-17889-8 (ISBN)
Description
Why look into annuities? If you're a Baby Boomer with little or no pension and most of your money in low-interest savings accounts, an annuity may be the key to a secure and comfortable retirement. How can you find out whether an annuity is right for you? Read Annuities For Dummies, 3rd Edition. This completely revised and updated, plain-English guide is packed with the latest information on choosing the best annuity for your retirement needs. You'll find out exactly what annuities are, whether they're the right financial vehicle for you, and which of the many annuity options might have your name on it. You'll learn the ins and outs of using annuities to fund your retirement years, figure out whether to stress investments with insurance or insurance with investments, and find out how the right combination of annuities can help you squeeze more income out of your savings that any other financial tool. Discover how to:
Identify the main types of annuities
Weigh the pros and cons of annuities for yourself
Minimize the complexity and cost of your annuity investment
Figure out how much money to commit
Avoid common annuity pitfalls
Create an income you can't outlive
The time to start securing your financial future is now. Annuities For Dummies, 3rd Edition, gives you knowledge, insider tips, and expert advice you need to make your money do its best for you.
Identify the main types of annuities
Weigh the pros and cons of annuities for yourself
Minimize the complexity and cost of your annuity investment
Figure out how much money to commit
Avoid common annuity pitfalls
Create an income you can't outlive
The time to start securing your financial future is now. Annuities For Dummies, 3rd Edition, gives you knowledge, insider tips, and expert advice you need to make your money do its best for you.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
John Wiley & Sons Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 188 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
499 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-470-17889-8 (9780470178898)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Additional editions
Person
Kerry Pechter is the senior editor of Annuity Market News. As a reporter who writes about annuities and the annuity industry full-time and as a former marketing writer who specialized in annuities at The Vanguard Group, he brings both an outsider's and an insider's perspective to the writing of this book.
A financial journalist for many years, Kerry has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and many other national and regional publications. His previous books include two career guides, A Big Splash in a Small Pond: How to Get a Job in a Small Company (Fireside) and An Engineer's Guide to Lifelong Employability (IEEE). He is a graduate of Kenyon College.
A financial journalist for many years, Kerry has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and many other national and regional publications. His previous books include two career guides, A Big Splash in a Small Pond: How to Get a Job in a Small Company (Fireside) and An Engineer's Guide to Lifelong Employability (IEEE). He is a graduate of Kenyon College.
Content
Introduction 1
Part I: Annuities: A Blend of Insurance and Investment 7
Chapter 1: Making Sense of Annuities 9
Chapter 2: Using Annuities to Meet Retirement Challenges 19
Chapter 3: Dissecting an Annuity 29
Chapter 4: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Annuities 41
Chapter 5: Deciding Whether an Annuity Is Right for You 55
Part II: Identifying the Main Types of Annuities 67
Chapter 6: Saving with Fixed Annuities 69
Chapter 7: Experimenting with Index Annuities 87
Chapter 8: Meeting the New Generationof Variable Annuities (VAs) 103
Chapter 9: Financing Your Retirement with an Income Annuity 115
Chapter 10: Aging Gracefully with an ALDA 131
Part III: Making the Most of Your Annuity 145
Chapter 11: Structuring Your Annuity Correctly 147
Chapter 12: Optimizing Your Variable Annuity (VA) Investments 155
Chapter 13: Accessing, Escaping from, or Converting Your Annuity 169
Chapter 14: The Taxing Side of Annuities 179
Part IV: Navigating the Annuity Superstore 191
Chapter 15: Getting Creative with Annuities 193
Chapter 16: Going to Meet the (Sales) Representative 209
Chapter 17: Avoiding Annuity Pitfalls 223
Part V: The Part of Tens 237
Chapter 18: Ten Essential Annuity Expressions 239
Chapter 19: Ten Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Contract 249
Chapter 20: Ten Factors that Determine Longevity 257
Chapter 21: Ten Web Sources for More Annuity Information 267
Appendix A: Key Research Sources 277
Appendix B: Protection from Insurer Default 299
Appendix C: General Rule for Pensions and Annuities 303
Glossary 319
Index 327
Part I: Annuities: A Blend of Insurance and Investment 7
Chapter 1: Making Sense of Annuities 9
Chapter 2: Using Annuities to Meet Retirement Challenges 19
Chapter 3: Dissecting an Annuity 29
Chapter 4: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Annuities 41
Chapter 5: Deciding Whether an Annuity Is Right for You 55
Part II: Identifying the Main Types of Annuities 67
Chapter 6: Saving with Fixed Annuities 69
Chapter 7: Experimenting with Index Annuities 87
Chapter 8: Meeting the New Generationof Variable Annuities (VAs) 103
Chapter 9: Financing Your Retirement with an Income Annuity 115
Chapter 10: Aging Gracefully with an ALDA 131
Part III: Making the Most of Your Annuity 145
Chapter 11: Structuring Your Annuity Correctly 147
Chapter 12: Optimizing Your Variable Annuity (VA) Investments 155
Chapter 13: Accessing, Escaping from, or Converting Your Annuity 169
Chapter 14: The Taxing Side of Annuities 179
Part IV: Navigating the Annuity Superstore 191
Chapter 15: Getting Creative with Annuities 193
Chapter 16: Going to Meet the (Sales) Representative 209
Chapter 17: Avoiding Annuity Pitfalls 223
Part V: The Part of Tens 237
Chapter 18: Ten Essential Annuity Expressions 239
Chapter 19: Ten Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Contract 249
Chapter 20: Ten Factors that Determine Longevity 257
Chapter 21: Ten Web Sources for More Annuity Information 267
Appendix A: Key Research Sources 277
Appendix B: Protection from Insurer Default 299
Appendix C: General Rule for Pensions and Annuities 303
Glossary 319
Index 327