How Long Does an Annuity Last?

Types of Annuities and Payout Periods

When you purchase an annuity, you can choose how long you want the payments to last. Annuity products offer a range of payout options so you can choose the one that’s right for you.

Some annuities provide income for a set number of years, while others guarantee income for your life or you and your spouse’s life. “There is always a trade-off of benefits, of course,” said Eric Moore, a financial planner with Peak Brokerage Services. “But the proliferation in options means there’s something for everyone now.”

The type of annuity you purchase will determine the payout period. When categorized by payout period, the different types of annuities are fixed-period annuities, lifetime annuities, life annuities with period certain and joint and survivor annuities.

Fixed-Period Annuity

A fixed-period annuity, also known as a period certain annuity, guarantees payments for a specified number of years. The payout periods for these annuities typically range from five years to 30 years.

Payments for a fixed-period annuity are calculated based on the premium used to purchase the annuity and the length of the payout period. The annuitant’s age or life expectancy is not factored into payout calculations for fixed-period annuities.

If the annuitant passes away before the annuity’s payout period ends, the annuity’s payments do not end. When purchasing a period certain annuity, you’ll name a beneficiary to receive the remainder of the annuity’s payments should you die before the end of the payout period.

Life Annuity

A life annuity, as the name suggests, lasts for the life of the annuitant. This type of annuity is also called a lifetime annuity or straight life annuity. Life annuities guarantee income for the lifetime of the annuity owner.

Straight life annuities do not provide income for surviving spouses, beneficiaries or additional annuitants. When the annuity owner dies, the payments stop, even if the owner never received the full value of their annuity.

The payout of a lifetime annuity can vary based on several factors. Because the payout is tied to how long the annuitant will live, the annuitant’s life expectancy must be calculated to determine the payout of their annuity.

Life Annuity with Period Certain

Annuity customers who want to guarantee income for life, but don’t want to lose money if they die before the annuity fully pays out can choose a life annuity with period certain. This type of annuity combines the benefits of a fixed-period annuity and a lifetime annuity.

A life annuity with period certain guarantees income payments for the annuity owner’s lifetime, but also allows them to choose a fixed period to guarantee payments within. This way, the annuity owner has guaranteed income they can’t outlive and ensures that they or their heirs will receive the full value of their annuity.

If the annuitant outlives the fixed period specified in their annuity contract, they’ll continue to receive payments for the rest of their life. But if the annuitant passes away before the period ends, their beneficiary will receive the remaining payments until the fixed period runs out.

Joint and Survivor Annuity

Some married couples opt for an annuity that guarantees income for both of their lives. This product, called a joint and survivor annuity, has a primary annuitant and a secondary annuitant. This differs from a period certain annuity, which passes payments onto a beneficiary after the annuitant dies.

With a joint and survivor annuity, the first annuitant receives payments for the rest of their lifetime. After the primary annuitant passes away, the surviving annuitant will continue to receive payments for the remainder of their life. Monthly payments for joint and survivor annuities tend to be smaller amounts than straight life annuities because the payout period is potentially much longer.

Factors That Affect Annuity Payout Periods

For straight life, life with period certain or joint and survivor annuities, payout periods can vary depending on a few factors. The annuitant’s age, gender and health status all factor into their life expectancy and, therefore, how long the payout period is likely to be. Interest rates and inflation can also affect annuity payouts.

Annuitant’s Age, Gender and Health Status

If you have an annuity that guarantees payments for the rest of your life, any factors that impact your life expectancy can also impact your payout period. The older you are when you begin receiving annuity payments, the shorter your payout period is expected to be.

Gender also influences life expectancy, as women live longer on average than men. So, a 65-year-old woman will have a longer expected payout period than a 65-year-old man. This is why annuity payments for women tend to be smaller than payments for men of the same age.

Finally, a person’s health conditions can affect how long their payout period lasts. If you have a medical condition that shortens your life expectancy, you may not get as much out of a lifetime annuity as someone with no medical issues.

Interest Rates and Inflation

Interest rates and inflation do not affect how long you’ll receive payments from your annuity. However, they can impact how much your annuity is worth and how far the payments will continue supplying income for retirement.

Deferred annuities, which undergo an accumulation phase before being converted into income payments, can be affected by interest rate environments. If you’re purchasing a fixed annuity that earns interest according to a locked-in rate, you’ll likely want to shop around and find the highest interest rate possible. The higher the interest rate, the bigger your payout will be when you start getting payments.

Inflation can reduce the purchasing power of an annuity, making your payments worth less in later years than they were at the start of the payout period. Because of this, some annuity purchasers choose an inflation-protected annuity with payouts that adjust to changes in inflation over the annuity’s payout period.