Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Dr. Melody Bell is a personal finance expert, entrepreneur, educator, and researcher. Melody ...

After you retire, your income will mainly come from savings and Social Security. However, annuities provide an additional steady income stream to help you enjoy your golden years with greater ...

An annuity is an insurance contract you purchase to receive payments for a specific period, such as 30 years, or for the rest of your life. By applying a mathematical formula consisting of variables ...

Because annuities offer advantages like regular lifetime payments, premium protection, tax-deferred growth, unlimited contributions, and various investment options, they should be a part of your ...

Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed. Investopedia / Hilary Allison The present ...

An annuity is a financial product that provides a stream of income over a set period. Annuities are often used in retirement planning as a way to generate income from a lump sum investment.

Generally, annuities are financial contracts that provide the purchaser with a guaranteed income stream. Regular payments or a lump sum are both ways to invest in annuities. In return, the institution ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bob Carlson researches all facets of retirement finances. Combining annuities with IRAs or 401(k)s can be powerful. Annuities ...