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PLANNING TO BUY AN ANNUITY PLAN? UNDERSTAND THE BEST AGE TO BUY ONE

INTRODUCTION

The term ‘annuity’ refers to a fixed quantity of amount paid out towards the consumer every year in exchange for a lump-sum payment, generally for the duration of the purchaser’s life. Annuities are usually priced based on product characteristics, lifespan, and interest rates. In India, an annuity is often referred to as ‘delayed annuities,’ or annuities acquired at the expiration of a pension plan or NPS program. However, there are quick annuities that start paying out instantly after purchase.

An annuity policy is one that pays you monthly payments for a certain duration in exchange for the amount you pay in premiums. Your premium payment will be made in one single sum or in instalments at a predetermined frequency. The insurance firm agrees to pay you annuities promptly or at a later date. These annuity schemes are retirement programs that allow you to get monthly income distributions so that you may maintain your previous lifestyle once you retire.

Fixed and variable annuities are the major type of annuity meaning. Fixed schemes have an interest rate that is guaranteed. Variable plans put your amounts in other assets; thus, their interest rate is determined by the market’s performance.

FINANCIAL GOALS AND HAZARDS

An annuity’s primary goal is to get more income in retirement. An annuity can be acquired at any time, including after you retire. It can be designed to give both steady and transient revenue, with or without insurance coverage. Within annuities, there are numerous solutions that fulfil the unique needs of persons wanting a guaranteed revenue source in retirement.

ASSET AND INFLATIONARY SAFEGUARDS

The annuity meaning is to pay-out, which is defined and secured according to the provisions of the insurance throughout the duration of the annuity. An annuity does not provide inflation protection since the pay-out is set and does not correspond to the inflation-adjusted affordability. On the other hand, certain annuity versions offer growing annuity pay-outs that seek to meet inflation.

BENEFIT IN TAXATION 

Contributions to a fixed annuity plan during the accumulation period are tax-deductible by Section 80CCC, with a ceiling of Rs 1.5 lakh per fiscal year. Moreover, up to one-third of the sum can be taken tax-free at the time of vesting by Section 10(10A), with the remainder paid out as an annuity, which is recognised as income and taxed suitably.

HOW OR WHEN TO PURCHASE

After measuring, the cost of annuity required, review the various alternatives and complete the relevant proposal form. You will have to give the required information:

  • Date of birth and identification, such as an Aadhaar card, passport, driving license, PAN, or voter ID card
  • If you want to include an insurance policy with your annuity, you must provide a medical examination certificate.
  • Specifics about the nominee
  • Details about the bank account to which the annuity pay-out will be sent

CONCLUSION

Annuity meaning is to price based on product characteristics, lifespan, and interest rates. In India, annuities are frequently referred to as ‘delayed annuities.’ Annuities can be purchased after a pension plan, or NPS program expires. An annuity can be arranged to provide both regular and variable income, with or without insurance coverage. Because the pay-out is fixed, an annuity does not provide inflation protection. However, certain annuity types provide rising annuity pay-outs that attempt to keep up with inflation.