Many people are confused about annuities and just aren't sure what they are and who they can benefit. There are also some people who think an annuity is something just for your retirement, and whilst this is true, you'll find that an annuity can actually be used in a number of ways.
Annuities are widely used for retirement, in fact, state and federal regulations look favorably upon annuities that are used for retirement. If you're thinking about your retirement and you've considered an annuity, you'd be wise to talk to a professional and find out whether the federal regulations can actually help you with an annuity. Nevertheless, an annuity could benefit you even if you're not planning on your retirement.
First and foremost would be a structured settlement. You would typically be given this kind of annuity if you were to win a lawsuit. Those people who have won a large lawsuit normally have to deal with huge medical bills. In such a situation, the judge will consult with your lawyer and also an accountant and they will look to find the best annuity for you, given your personal circumstances.
Another situation where an annuity could benefit you is a lottery win! A smaller win of several thousand could end up offering you some fantastic benefits if you were to put the winnings into annuities. There have been many lottery winners who have fallen into troubled times because of poor planning. Besides lottery winners, people can often receive large sums of money quickly through an inheritance. Again, investing some of this money into an annuity could offer you many long term benefits.
When you examine the various annuities that are available to you, you will more than likely come across a gift annuity. With a gift annuity, you give a lump sum to a particular charity and over the course of time they will pay you the interest on that sum. However, you'll find that the interest paid to you will be less than a typical annuity and you will not have the option of cashing in your annuity.
An annuity is a curious creature, but if you're careful, they can bring you many benefits. Always make sure that you speak with a professional in addition to the individual who's trying to sell you the annuity!
