Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity
Multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs) offer a tax-deferred guaranteed rate of return for the duration of the product. These simple, short-duration annuities are often used by advisors for fixed income allocations.
The Market for Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities1
In 2021, fixed-rate deferred annuity sales, including multi-year guaranteed annuities, totaled $53.4B, a 2% increase from 2020. Offering significantly higher returns than CDs, multi-year guaranteed annuities have become attractive than traditional short-duration fixed rate products. Accordingly, 2021's sales of fixed-rate deferred annuities were at their highest level since the Great Recession.
DPL's View: Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities
These measures are created within the context of insurance products.
How Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities Work
Similar to certificates of deposit (CDs) or money market funds, multi-year guaranteed annuities offer complete downside protection against market fluctuations by guaranteeing a minimum rate of return for the duration of the investment. However, unlike CDs or money market funds, interest rates are often higher and assets grow tax deferred, allowing the possibility of greater accumulation over the life of the annuity.
Due to the long-term investment design of multi-year guaranteed annuities, most have surrender periods required to deliver the product benefits. This is similar to other types of investments that require a duration and may come with an early withdrawal or liquidity penalty.
Problems with Commissioned Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities
How to Think About Commission-Free Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities
When your client needs:
PRINCIPAL PROTECTION: Multi-year guaranteed annuities are typically used for clients nearing or in retirement, as they protect principal from market downturns, yet provide a minimum guaranteed rate of return.
FIXED INCOME: Multi-year guaranteed annuities provide a consistent stream of income for clients that are looking to de-risk their portfolios from equities.
CASH REPLACEMENT: Multi-year guaranteed annuities can be used instead of cash investments, such as CDs or money market funds, to help generate better returns subject to the terms of the contract.3
Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity
12021 Annuity Sales Highest In 13 Years, LIMRA Reports (2/2022)
2Averages taken from DPL’s offering of fixed annuity 4-year rates vs. Annuity Rate Watch Average 4-year rates as of October 2018.
3Surrender charges, market value adjustments and other contract charges may apply that can reduce the principal.
Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
There are risks, fees and charges associated with fixed annuities.
The purchase of an annuity within a retirement plan that already provides tax deferral under sections of the Internal Revenue Code results in no additional tax benefits. An annuity should be used to fund a qualified plan based upon the annuity’s features other than tax deferral. All annuity features, risks, limitations, and costs should be considered prior to recommending the purchase of an annuity within a tax-qualified retirement plan. In addition to surrender charges, withdrawals are subject to income tax.
Withdrawals prior to age 59 1/2 may also be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty.
Have more questions about our Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity options?
Call us at 888.327.0049 to speak to a DPL Consultant.