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Stages of Annuity Investments Illinois

A look at the different stages and life cycle of an annuity investment.

Local Companies

A Bn. AMRO Investment Services Inc.
(312) 884-2100
161 N Clark St
Chicago, IL

Alex Paris Asset Mgmt.
(312) 634-6363
161 N Clark St
Chicago, IL

Blue Brokerage Accounts
(312) 938-7118
300 E Randolph St
Chicago, IL

Avalon Benefit Group Inc.
(312) 850-3841
2532 W Warren Blvd
Chicago, IL

Abn Amro
(312) 443-2000
135 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL

Amwins Brokerage
(312) 454-7700
10 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL

Bernardi Securities
(312) 578-8486
105 W Adams St
Chicago, IL

Banc. of America Securities LLC
(312) 828-2345
231 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL

Benjamin & Jerold Brokerage
(312) 341-0816
111 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL

Aig Valic
(312) 214-8870
230 W Monroe St
Chicago, IL

Adapted From: Annuities For Dummies

Technically, every annuity has two phases: accumulation and income. During the accumulation phase, you put money in the annuity account (paying all at once or making a series of payments), and it grows tax-deferred. During retirement, you initiate the income stage by converting it to an irrevocable income stream.

In practice, it usually doesn't work that way. Most people who buy deferred annuities never formally convert them to income; they just take withdrawals during retirement. And a handful of people buy immediate annuities after age 59-1/2 and start receiving income right away.

The purchase stage described below isn't an "official" contract stage. It's added to the beginning of the cycle to articulate the initial steps in acquiring an annuity.

1. The purchase stage (typically starting at age 45 or so):

Meet with a trusted agent/broker/adviser to explain your needs; give her time to research the annuity products available in your state.
Study the various prospectuses or brochures your broker obtains from the wholesaler, broker-dealer, or carrier; choose the best product.
Fill out the contract application; if it's a deferred variable annuity, choose the subaccounts (mutual funds), riders (options), and services you want.
Wait while your application is submitted to the insurance company for approval.
Sign the approved application and provide a check for the purchase premium.

2. The accumulation stage (lasting from purchase until after age 59-1/2):

Manage your subaccounts. If it's a deferred variable annuity, make periodic contributions; if it's a fixed annuity, wait until the term ends and, if you want, roll it into a new contract.
Take withdrawals if necessary, knowing that withdrawals may be subject to a surrender charge, income tax, and a 10-percent federal penalty tax if you are under age 59-1/2.
If you purchased a "guaranteed accumulation benefit," watch to see whether your account value surpasses or falls short of it. If your account balance falls short, you can exercise your option to take the guaranteed amount.

3. The income or distribution stage (starts at age 59-1/2 and lasts indefinitely). Do only one of the following:

Take withdrawals from your contract as needed without converting the assets to a guaranteed irrevocable income stream.
Exercise your guaranteed withdrawal benefit, if you purchased one, to receive a guaranteed income for life while maintaining access to your money.
Convert your annuity assets to a fixed or variable guaranteed income stream for one of the following: life; either of two lives; or a certain period.
Transfer the assets of your deferred fixed or variable annuity to an immediate income annuity and receive guaranteed income for one of the following: life; either of two lives; or a certain period.

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For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.

Featured Local Company

A Bn. AMRO Investment Services Inc.

(312) 884-2100
161 N Clark St
Chicago, IL

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Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History