An accumulation unit for which the annuitant has annuitized their contract. This is a sub-account of the retiree's total accumulated annuity. These units represent a fixed share of ownership of the insurer's accounts portfolio. When an insured person changes from accumulating wealth to spending their savings, they begin to draw on their saved money to finance their retirement. While saving, the insured party has made periodic payments to their life insurance company to purchase shares of ownership of a very large portfolio managed by the insurer. When the insured wants to start taking money out, they convert their total accumulated savings to start paying them their income. In order to accomplish this, the insured party purchases annuity units with the money that was formerly being saved as accumulation units.
An investment strategy for retirees or near-retirees that entails the purchase of immediate annuities over a period of years to provide guaranteed income while minimizing interest-rate risk. Annuity ladders allow retirees to maintain a portion of their investments in equities and bonds while periodically using a portion to purchase annuities. Purchasing annuities from a variety of insurance companies minimizes the potential for losses if an insurer goes under. When interest rates are low, it doesn't make sense to lock in that interest rate for a long time. Since no one can predict where interest rates will go, purchasing annuities over a period of years allows an investor to minimize the risk of low returns. An annuity ladder can also generate tax-free income by using a Roth IRA conversion strategy.
A type of property which, in its most general definition, can include any asset other than real estate. The distinguishing factor between personal property and real estate is that personal property is movable. That is, the asset is not fixed permanently to one location as with real property such as land or buildings. Examples of personal property include vehicles, furniture, boats, collectibles, etc.Also known as "movable property", "movables" and "chattels". It's tough to have a precise definition for "personal property" as it is very much a legal term. The concept is perhaps best understood with a comparision to real property. Under common law systems it is possible to place a mortgage upon real property. Because the lender has rights to the property it makes the extension of credit relatively safe and easy. After all, it's tough to flee the country with your house. On the other hand, it's tougher for a creditor to secure personal property. While common law systems do allow liens to be placed on personal property (such as vehicles) to protect the rights of creditors, there is obviously much more risk that the debtor simply drives away with the collateral if fleeing the country.
Income from investments, including dividends, interest, royalties and capital gains. There are three main categories of income: active income, passive income and portfolio income. These categories of income are important because losses in passive income generally cannot be offset against active or portfolio income.
A calculation method to determine the amount of eligible withdrawals that an investor can make from their IRA without incurring penalties. The calculation uses life-expectancy data; however, it utilizes different data than is used in the amortization method. Using the annuity factor method, a retirement-account holder would divide the current IRA account balance by an “annuity factor.” The annuity factor is calculated based on average mortality rates (using the mortality table in Appendix B of IRS Revenue Ruling 2002-62) and “reasonable” interest rates – up to 120% of the Mid-Term Applicable Federal Rate. Using the annuity factor method, an investor can ensure that he or she does not lose account value to potentially costly penalties. It can also help an account holder determine how much money he or she may need to raise through other means (such as by securing a loan) in addition to withdrawing money from their retirement savings account to meet their current financial needs. Withdrawing money from a retirement plan should be a careful decision as it gives the account holder less time to recoup value and earn interest on plan assets.
1. The gradual reduction of a tax credit as a taxpayer approaches the income limit to qualify for that credit. 2. The gradual reduction of a taxpayer's eligibility to contribute to a tax-advantaged retirement account as the taxpayer approaches an income limit. 1. For example, the federal Child Tax Credit begins to phase out for married taxpayers filing jointly when their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) reaches $110,000. If their MAGI falls below this number, they can claim the full credit. If it falls above this number, the credit is gradually reduced until the income limit is reached. Above that limit, the taxpayer cannot claim the Child Tax Credit. 2. In 2009, single taxpayers whose MAGI was more than $55,000 could not fully deduct contributions to a traditional IRA from their taxes. This tax credit phased out for MAGI between $55,000 and $65,000, meaning that contributions were only partly deductible. Single taxpayers with MAGI above $65,000 could not deduct their traditional IRA contributions from their taxes at all.
The written agreement between an insurance company and a customer outlining each party's obligations in an annuity coverage agreement. This document will include the specific details of the contract, such as the structure of the annuity (variable or fixed), any penalties for early withdrawal, spousal provisions such as a survivor clause and rate of spousal coverage, and more. Watch: What is An Annuity An annuity contract is one of the three accounts that can exist under a 403(b) plan. These 403(b) annuity contract plans are also known as "tax-sheltered annuities" or "tax-deferred annuities". An annuity contract is beneficial to the individual investor in the sense that it legally binds the insurance company to provide a guaranteed periodic payment to the annuitant once the annuitant reaches retirement and requests commencement of payments. Essentially, it guarantees risk-free retirement income.
Income paid to a taxpayer during the tax year that is not constructively received at the taxpayer's end. Phantom income is not terribly common, but does manifest itself in such investments as limited partnerships, where the earnings are taxed but not received, and zero-coupon bonds, which are issued at a discount and mature at par. The interest payments for zeros are credited to the taxpayer but no check is actually cut for them. The bondholder effectively receives the payments at maturity, when the bond is redeemed at the higher par value. Loan forgiveness is another form of Phantom Income. The creditor essentially "pays" the delinquent borrower the amount of debt forgiven, which is why creditors send Form 1099-C to the borrow showing the amount of "income" that he or she received as forgiven debt. For obvious reasons, Phantom Income is something most taxpayers generally tend to eschew if at all possible. Unfortunately, Phantom Income is unavoidable in some cases.