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

Annuities are insurance policies that are popularly used by retirees for retirement income. While many investors purchase annuities with a lump sum of money, others contribute to their annuities over ...

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

This article is part one in a series of articles, explaining the basic product features of several types of annuities. This first piece in the series focuses on traditional fixed deferred annuities.

Although annuity sales are still seeing record highs, investor interest may eventually shift away from fixed-rate deferred annuities and towards other annuities products that have more growth ...

A recent WSJ article recommended that annuities be a default option in retirement plans. The author responds to readers’ ...

Annuities are a way to secure a steady income stream in retirement. But like many investments — including bonds, savings accounts and certificates of deposit — certain types of annuities are impacted ...

Immediate fixed annuities and deferred fixed annuities are finding a growing market in the wake of the financial market meltdown. It’s no wonder. Their guaranteed payout rates are more than 8 percent ...

Hauptman says Investors considering annuities should know the ones that are simpler, with fewer rules and provisions, such as fixed-rate deferred income annuities, are generally a better deal. The ...