BY GREG DEPERSIO Updated Feb 27, 2019
Annuities can sound enticing when pitched by a salesperson who, not coincidentally, makes huge commissions selling them. To be certain, this unique investment product offers legitimate benefits. Its growth is tax-deferred, and annuities can confer peace of mind by providing a reliable income stream for life. That said, the disadvantages of annuities are numerous, with a large contingency of financial advisors concurring that the negatives outweigh the positives for this investment vehicle.
Tax Disadvantages
It is true you do not pay taxes on an annuity during its growth phase. The money you earn during this period is tax-deferred. However, when you start taking distributions, not only are you taxed, but the rate is higher than for many investments. Annuity gains are taxed as ordinary income, not as long-term capital gains. This is especially bad news for wealthy investors in the top tax bracket, which, as of 2019, is 37%. By contrast, the gain from investments that receive capital gains treatment is taxed at a much lower 15% to 20%.
Penalties for Early Withdrawal
If you withdraw from your annuity before reaching 59.5 years of age, be prepared to pay a hefty penalty. Taking distributions before reaching this milestone generally costs you 10% or more. Since annuities are not known as particularly aggressive investment vehicles, the penalty for early withdrawal stands a good chance of wiping out all your gains and more.
High Commissions
The reason life insurance agents pump annuities up to their clients is simple. The commissions from an annuity sale are massive. Furthermore, the money salespeople receive for selling this product does not appear out of thin air. Hidden costs to you, the investor, ultimately provide for the agent’s commission check. In fact, one of the reasons annuities have such exorbitant early withdrawal charges is the money helps enable commissions on this product to remain so high.
