Learn what annuities are, how fixed, variable, indexed, immediate, and deferred annuities work, and how they can help provide steady retirement income.

A deferred annuity is a long-term investment that grows tax-deferred and provides income in retirement. Interest earnings accumulate without immediate taxes, allowing savings to grow. Taxes are paid ...

A deferred annuity is a long-term contract with an insurance company that provides future income–often for life–in exchange for premium payments, with options like fixed, variable, and indexed types ...

When planning for retirement, annuities often enter the conversation as a way to secure a steady income stream. Look under the hood of an annuity, though, and you’ll find many moving parts, often with ...

Brittany Brown is a full-time copywriter writing covering real estate and personal finance topics like budgeting, investing, credit cards, and more. She is currently working to become an accredited ...

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. These rules act as practical guidelines, and understanding them before ...

In the world of small businesses, annuities often fly under the radar. That’s right, those are the things you might associate with your grandparents’ retirement plans. As a business owner, however, ...

Retirement planning in your mid-50s puts you in an interesting position. You're likely earning well and your career is established, but you're also starting to see the finish line on the horizon. It's ...

Laurie Sepulveda is a MarketWatch Guides team senior writer who specializes in writing about insurance, investing, personal loans, home equity loans, mortgages and banking. She lives in North Carolina ...