Group Annuity Contract Features

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Charges

There are many types and amounts of charges. Companies may refer to these charges by different names. Some annuities are "front loaded," which means that most of the costs to the company are charged to you in the beginning. Some are "back loaded," which means that most of these costs are charged to you later on. Others spread their charges evenly throughout the life of the annuity. Some charges will be fixed by the contract while some may be changed by the company from time to time.

Before buying an annuity you should know all of the charges that you will pay and when you will pay them. Also, you should understand how these charges might affect the actual amount of money that will accumulate from your premium payments. A typical contract might contain one or more of the following types of charges:

• Percentage of Premium Charge. This charge, often called a "load," is deducted from each premium before any interest is added. The percentage may reduce after the contract has been in force for a certain number of years or after the total premiums paid have reached a certain level.
• Contract Fee. This is a flat dollar amount charged either once at the time of issue, or charged once each year.
• Transaction Fee. This is a fixed charge per premium payment or other transaction.
• Surrender Charge. This charge is usually a percentage of the value of the contract or of premiums paid. The percentage may be reduced or eliminated after the contract has been in force for a certain number of years. Sometimes the charge is a reduction in the interest rate credited. Sometimes the charge is eliminated if the interest rate declared by the company falls below a certain level.

Interest

The interest rate used to accumulate contract values may never be less than the guaranteed rate stated in the contract. In practice, the interest rate actually used by a company, usually referred to as the "current" rate, is often higher. The company may change the current rate from time to time, but it cannot be lower than the guaranteed rate. Companies differ substantially in their methods of determining the current rate.

Surrender Rights

Most annuities allow you to surrender your contract if income payments have not yet started. Upon surrender, the contract terminates. The surrender value is equal to your contract value less the surrender charge, if any. This amount could be less than you paid in.

Many annuities also provide that you may withdraw a portion of your contract value, under certain conditions, without terminating the contract. A charge may be deducted from the amount withdrawn. This charge is usually a percentage of either the accumulated value of the contract, the premiums paid or the portion withdrawn.

There may be certain tax penalties for early surrenders. Be sure you understand any tax implications before surrendering an annuity contract.

Benefits

Annuity contracts provide a number of benefits. While the annuity income benefit is the primary one, other benefits are also important. Some of the more important ones are described below:

Annuity Income Benefit

Income payments are usually made monthly, although other frequencies are available. The amount of the annuity payments is based on both the value of the contract and the contract's "benefit rate" when the first payment is made. The benefit rate depends on your age, sex, and the specific features of the annuity you chose.

Annuity contracts contain a table of guaranteed benefit rates. Most companies periodically develop "current" benefit rates as well. These rates are subject to change by the company at any time. When annuity payments begin, the company will determine the amount of each payment according to the current benefit rates then in effect. If the guaranteed benefit rates would provide higher income payments, those rates will be used. Once payments begin, they are unaffected by any future benefit rate changes.

The most commonly available annuity income benefits are:

• Straight Life. The annuity is paid as long as you are alive. There are no further payments to anyone after your death.
• Life With Period Certain. The annuity is paid as long as you are alive. If you die before the end of the period referred to as the "certain period," the annuity will be paid to your beneficiary for the rest of that period. Typical certain periods are 10 or 20 years.
• Joint and Survivor. The annuity is paid as long as either you or another named annuitant is still alive. In some variations, the annuity is decreased after the first death. A period certain may also be available with this form.

Death Benefit

Most contracts provide that, if you die before the annuity payments start, the contract value will be paid to your beneficiary. Some contracts provide that the death benefit will be the total premiums paid if that amount is greater than the value of the contract at death.

Waiver of Premium Benefit

Some companies offer a benefit which will pay premiums for you if you become disabled. A charge is made for this benefit.

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