3-Year Fixed Annuity Rates

Current 3-Year Fixed Annuity Rates

Case Study: Buying a 3-Year Fixed Annuity

Ron is 64 years old and plans to retire at 67. With just a few years to go, he is looking for ways to add a final boost to his retirement savings.

Given his age, he isn’t interested in high-risk options or any investment that could negatively affect his principal.

He decides to focus on a 3-year fixed annuity. This product will pay out when he retires, giving him a simple and relatively short-term way to add to his savings.

He purchases the annuity with $100,000 at a guaranteed rate of 6%, which will remain the same each year. Three years later, the value of his annuity is nearly $120,000.

Additionally, the annuity was tax-deferred, allowing Ron to take advantage of the lower tax bracket when he enters retirement.

3-Year Fixed Annuities vs. Other Term Products

The primary advantage of purchasing a short-term fixed annuity is the ability to increase your retirement savings quickly with little risk.

But a fixed annuity isn’t the only product or investment to accomplish this goal.

3-Year Fixed Annuity vs. 3-Year CD

Certificates of deposit, which are typically available through banks and credit unions, can work similarly as a short-term annuity.

With a CD, you deposit money into a locked savings account for a specific period — 3 years in this case — and earn interest on it in return.

However, fixed annuities have features that make them more of a retirement-specific product. For example, a 3-year fixed annuity is generally tax-deferred, allowing you to take advantage of the lower tax bracket you may end up in after retirement.

Annuities are also more customizable, allowing you to modify the product to your liking.

On the flip side, CDs may be safer than fixed annuities since they are FDIC-insured. This is something that would likely only come into play if you purchased an annuity from a provider that was struggling financially or whose stability was at risk. 

Many clients come to us asking about the safety and reliability of insurance carriers offering fixed annuities. While annuities are typically state-insured up to $250,000, it’s important to research the financial rating and history of the company before making a decision.

John Stevenson, CFFOwner and Advisor at Stevenson Retirement Solutions

John Stevenson, a Certified Financial Fiduciary®️, specializes in securing retirements with tax-free accounts. With a focus on guaranteed retirement, he’s ensured none of his clients suffer from market fluctuations. As a renowned educator and podcast host, John empowers thousands weekly, sharing his expertise in minimizing taxes and protecting against financial downturns.

Zero-Coupon Bonds

Another low-risk retirement savings vehicle is a zero-coupon bond. Unlike bonds that earn interest, a zero-coupon bond essentially earns you money by being purchased at a discount rate and then redeemed for its full value after a set amount of time.  

Zero-Coupon Bond	3-Year Fixed Annuity
Long-term	Short-term
Liquid	Mostly illiquid
Low risk	Low risk

A zero-coupon bond can be a solid choice over a short-term fixed annuity if you are farther away from retirement. These bonds often take a decade or more to mature.

Both options are generally low risk.

How We Get Our Rates Data

Annuity.org supplies fixed annuity rates through Cannex — an independent company that provides access to a database of updated annuity products.

We synchronize and update our rates information several times each week using the newest Cannex data to help ensure you have access to the most recent interest rates available.

Annuity.org features regularly updated rates for fixed annuities from one- to 10-year terms. In addition, we list the carrier that offers the rate and its respective AM Best financial strength rating.