Annuity Plan in UAE

Don't you agree that the only thing constant about life is change? Be it the circumstances, behaviour, preferences, situations, requirements, and how can we forget our mood swings? Something or other will always keep changing in your life. Isn't it? And of course, dealing with constant change can be a handful, especially if you just go ahead and wing it in every new situation. Nevertheless, instead of surrendering to the panic during any bolt from the blue situation, what if you can be smart? Having said that, the smartest thing to do here is always be prepared for all unanticipated situations. But, how can you do that? This is where annuity plans come into the picture. So, Annuity plans are a kind of investment plan which aim to help you build a retirement corpus. Undoubtedly, Annuity plans are a great way to make sure that your financial future will be well-protected when you finally retire. Below is everything you need to know about Annuity plans!

What is an Annuity?

Annuity plans are a type of investment plan offered by most insurance companies. Expanding further, you invest a certain sum of money with the insurance company by buying the annuity plan. In return, the insurance company offers you a certain rate of return on your investment. Additionally, the insurance company reinvests the money you spend to buy the annuity plan into other investment ventures to get returns. Annuitants, i.e., you, generally have the freedom to choose the investment venture from the available ones in the company portfolio. Also, note that Annuity plans can be of different types depending on the timeline of returns, level of returns, payout and level of risk they bring in. 

How do Annuity Plans Work?

The working structure of annuity plans is quite simple, actually. In brief, you choose a plan that you want to buy, invest your funds and then wait for the returns. But, we have entailed a comprehensive list of the various steps involved in the working structure of annuity plans:

• Foremost, customers choose the annuity plan they want to buy and send in their investment. You, as a customer, are allowed to either make a lump-sum payment (or investment) for the plan or schedule payments in instalments.
• When you choose your annuity plan, you also have to choose the kind of annuity payout you will like. So, you can choose from options like life income annuity, life annuity with return on purchase, joint annuity, etc. All these types of payout options are explained further in detail. 
• Your payout amount will be determined by the kind of annuity plan you have chosen and the type of payout option. 
• Depending on the kind of annuity you have chosen, the plan will either reinvest your money in some verified venture or start the payout. 
• If you choose a variable annuity or deferred annuity, you will get the option to invest your annuity money in investment ventures available with the insurance company. Also, note that the ventures can only be chosen from the company's portfolio. 
• If your investment yields a return, it will be added to your principal investment amount. The resulting sum will be divided as per monthly, quarterly or yearly payouts.

What are the Different Kinds of Annuity?

• Immediate: As the name suggests, immediate annuity plans start paying you a monthly return immediately after submitting your investment. Since there is no waiting or lock-in period with these plans, the immediate annuity rates of return are no more than minimal. In addition, immediate annuity plans are best suited for people who are approaching their retirement and cannot afford to lock in their money for long. Moreover, this kind of annuity pays a regular sum for as long as you have arranged for it to come. 
• Deferred: This kind of annuity plan is perfect for people who still have a few years before they retire and hence can afford to lock in their investment for a while. Deferred investment plans are divided into two parts – the accumulation phase and the vesting period. The accumulation phase refers to the time when you build up your investment corpus by paying a regular premium. Along with that, the vesting period begins when the plan starts paying you back. However, deferred annuity plans often come with a pre-specified lock-in period, and annuitants are generally not allowed to withdraw their investment during that period. Also, note that early withdrawals often come with a penalty as well. 
• Variable: These annuity plans come with high risk but have equal chances of high return. The money you pay to buy the annuity is invested in several investment options. Additionally, the value of the annuity rises or falls as per the performance of the investment ventures. 
• Periodic: These annuity plans allow you to arrange payment at different intervals. The periodic payments of this kind of annuity plan can generally be scheduled at an interval of 5, 10 and 15 years. A good thing about a periodic annuity is that even if the annuitant meets their demise during the vesting period, the dependents keep receiving the payout in place of the annuitant. 
• Fixed Annuity Plans: This kind of annuity plan offers a fixed amount in payouts for as long as the payout has been arranged. Fixed annuity plans are sort of a preserved choice and only ideal for people who like nothing more or less than a regular income. Moreover, these plans do not pose any risk on the investment and hence gain little to no returns. 
• Equity-Indexed Annuity: An equity-indexed annuity plan is highly dependent on the market forces to generate returns. In addition, the invested money is reinvested in different ventures, a few of which are based on an equity index. The portion invested in ventures based on the equity index carries higher risks; however, the returns may be equally high. Moreover, equity-indexed annuity plans work just like index funds. However, in addition to equity index investment, 90% of the annuity fund is invested in safe ventures with a definite 1-3% return. 

Types of Annuity Payouts

Life Annunisation Payout:

This kind of annunisation payout refers to a life-long stream of income. As the name suggests, this annuity pays out for as long as you stay alive. However, the payment stops after the death of the annuitant. Also, note that the dependents do not get any compensation or return on the principal amount. 

Systematic Withdrawal Payout:

This particular payout option allows you to choose the amount of payment you would like to receive every month. So, you can also choose the number of payments you want over the years. However, you may outlive your payout if you choose systematic withdrawal payout options. 

Lump-Sum Payout:

As the name suggests, this annunisation option provides you with a lump sum payment whenever you want after the lock-in period. However, lump-sum payouts are not recommended for annuity plans. Even though investment gains in the UAE are not taxed, apart from retail investment, withdrawing a lump sum amount is still not a good choice. Only consider it when you need the money for emergency funds or to fulfil an obligation. 

Guaranteed Period Payable Annuity:

Guaranteed period payable annuity plans keep paying until the end of the said period. This means even if the annuitant dies within this period, the plan keeps paying off the dependents. However, the annuitants also have the risk of outliving the annuity payments. 

Life Annuity Payout with Return on Purchase:

This type of payout ensures that you get paid a certain amount every month for as long as you live. Additionally, after your death, your dependents get the principal amount you invested. This kind of payout takes care of you and your family in your absence. 

Joint Life Annuity Payout:

This payout option allows you to keep both you and your spouse under the protection of the annuity plan. When the annuitant meets their demise, the spouse keeps getting the annuity payments. Payments are a bit lower here as compared to the generic life income annuity option since the life expectancy of both partners is taken under consideration. 

Retirement plans and annuity plans are pretty similar in many ways. They both require you to invest, either lump sum or periodically and then offer a payout at maturity. However, there is one key difference between annuity and pension plans. For example, where retirement plans start paying out after you retire, annuity plans can start paying out whenever you like. Moreover, you can set your payout timeline as per your requirement, whether it is 5 years or 15. On the flip side, a pension scheme is a corpus fund to which both employees and employers contribute. It is available for all employed UAE nationals. Also, note that both private and public sector employees are eligible to get a pension after completing 20 years of service and 50 years of age. 

Annuities, pension and retirement plans are often confused as the same thing. While they all give you a chance to build a retirement corpus, differences still exist. Below is a table of comparisons for annuity and retirement plans to help you understand them better:

Advantages of Investing in Annuity Plans

Safeguards Capital: Annuity plans are one of the best ways to safeguard your wealth and earn a little something along with it. And who doesn't like returns? With payout options like return on purchase, you can rest assured that your initial investment amount will be returned in full even if the investment does not make any profit. In a word, your savings and wealth will stay protected, to say the least. 

Lifetime Payouts: Annuity plans promise lifetime payout for the annuitant and their dependents. Several annuity payout options promise a steady flow of income to your dependents after your death, like the joint-life annuity payout or life-income annuity payout with a return on purchase clause. You just need to be smart when choosing your payout option initially. 

The Flexibility of Investment Options: The money you use to buy annuity plans is referred to as your investment. This money is then used by the insurance company to invest in further ventures like equity shares and mutual funds. You, as the annuitant, have the complete freedom of deciding where and how your money is invested further. You can choose the investment ventures from the insurance company's portfolio. 

No Mandatory Withdrawal Period: Since annuity plans are not retirement plans, you do not necessarily have to start receiving payout once you get retired. You can choose to keep the annuity payouts as investments for as long as you like. Basically, you can arrange for a payout as and when you like. 

Death Benefits: Annuity plans do not offer compensation in the name of the death benefit. However, your dependents can still get financial support after your demise if you arrange for it when buying the plan. Life income annuity with return of money payout, joint life payout and guaranteed period payouts – all three payout options for annuity plans ensure that your dependents will either receive the returns or the principal amount of the annuity plan. 

No Cap on Investment Money: Annuity plans do not put a limitation on the level of investment you can put into the plan. Moreover, you can choose to provide any level of investment regardless of your income level. This makes annuity plans more flexible than any other kind of investment plan. 

Who Should Buy Annuity Plans and of Which Type?

Since there are many kinds of annuity plans, you may get a little confused about the kind of plan that would suit you the best. Given below are each type of annuity plan and who should buy them:

Deferred Annuity Plans 

Young investors who still have more than 10-15 years before retiring or/and people who can afford to lock in their investment for a longer duration should buy deferred annuity plans. 

Immediate Annuity Plans

People who are approaching retirement and need an immediate source of income should go for immediate annuity plans. In this type of plan, you make a lump sum investment, and they immediately start paying you a small monthly sum. 

Lump-Sum Annuity Plan 

A lump-sum annuity plan is suitable for people who have a surprise obligation to fill or want to keep the money aside as emergency funds. 

Variable Annuity Plans 

These plans are best suited for people who can afford to take risks with their investments. You can invest the money in a variable annuity in several investment options with varying risk and return rates. It is not very suitable for people who are about to retire or people who are looking for stable return options. 

Periodic Annuity Plans

If you have dependents, periodic annuity plans can be a good choice for you. These plans pay the normal scheduled amounts like annuity plans. In addition to that, you also get periodic payments at the end of the 5th, 10th and 15th years. 

Fixed Annuity Plans 

These plans are ideal for people who want a steadily fixed sum of income for a long time. It is a preserved choice for people who are not ready to take high risks.

Annuity Calculators – How Do They Work?

Annuity calculators assess the payout of an annuity plan concerning the accumulation period. In the annuity calculator, you simply provide information like how long you want to get payouts, when should the payouts start, place of residence, intervals between the income, the principal amount you want to invest, etc. In addition, annuity calculators can be used to get an estimate of the payouts you will get as per your investment capacity, choice of annuity, choice of payout and period of the investment and more. Also, note that annuity calculators are not exactly accurate to the mark, and you only get an estimate, although quite accurate. 

The annuity formula used by most annuity calculators is as follows:
PV = PMT * [1 – [ (1 / 1+r)^n] / r]

Here, 
PV = Present value of the ordinary annuity 
PMT = Present value of each payment 
r = Interest rate
n = Number of periods

Depending on the type of annuity calculator you are using, you can calculate things like average annuity rates and the principal amount you need to invest to get desired returns in a certain period as per your principal and growth rate, etc. 

Annuity Plans FAQs