Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities

The Difference Between a MYGA and Fixed Annuity:

The key distinction between a MYGA and deferred fixed annuities is the terms of the guaranteed rate. A MYGA annuity's rate is guaranteed for the full contract term. Deferred Fixed annuities offer a similar (often slightly higher) guaranteed rate, however that rate could change, up or down, sometime after the first year.

Example:

An 8 year, 4% fixed annuity might guarantee this rate for only the first 3 years. An 8 year, 3.8% MYGA annuity guarantees its rate for the full 8 years.

Difference Between a MYGA Annuity and CDs

The MYGA annuity offers many of the same features as a typical CD. Difference number one is that CDs are issued by banks/brokers while MYGA annuities are issued by insurance companies. This means that CDs are insured by the FDIC up to $100,000 for non-retirement accounts. Annuities are not FDIC insured, but are safeguarded by individual state reserves. Annuity coverage varies state-to-state, ranging from $100,000 to $300,000.

A second difference is that MYGA annuities can be rolled over without triggering a tax-event. Using what's known as a 1035 exchange, the MYGA annuity owner can transfer money from one annuity to another without showing an income. This is not possible with CDs, which generate income statements every year.

A third difference is that you can make partial withdrawals from a MYGA annuity. Unlike a CD, a typical MYGA annuity will allow you to withdrawal up to 10% of the initial investment annually. This feature is very desirable because it covers unexpected withdrawal needs. In contrast, liquidating even part of a CD requires you to cash out the whole thing and pay a sizable surrender charge.

Other features of MYGA annuities include the ability to withdraw interest as monthly income and the 10% IRS tax penalty. The first is a positive, the second is a negative. Remember that all annuities are subject to a 10% tax penalty when liquidated prior to the age of 59.5.

Should I Invest in a CD, Fixed Annuity, or MYGA Annuity?

The most important consideration is age. Are you retired or close to retirement? Are you near or over the age of 59.5? If so, annuities will out-perform CDs because of their tax-deferral benefits and more competitive rates. If you're a younger investor, go with CDs to avoid the 10% tax penalty.

As for choosing between fixed and MYGA annuities, there's really little difference. With near identical benefits, go with whichever annuity happens to offer the higher rate. Just keep in mind that fixed annuities don't necessarily guarantee their rate for the full term.