Annuitization Rate

  

Let’s start with the word "annuity." In this form of investment, you pay a lump sum now for the promise of annual payments down the road. So you might give a check to an insurance company for $200,000. For this money, the company agrees to pay you $1,000 a month starting 20 years from now. They will pay this money no matter how long you live (or, sometimes, even longer than you live...See: Annuity Certain).

In making this deal, you give up some potential upside (you aren't going to be able to invest...or spend...that $200,000), but you get security (you know you'll get the $1,000 a month no matter what).

You might guess that the word "annuitization" comes from "annuity." You'd be right! The annuitization rate is just a way of measuring the payout of an annuity. You might think of the annuity payment in terms of the amount you are receiving each month. But remember: an annuity is an investment. You need some way of comparing the amount of money you invest with the benefit you are receiving.

The annuitization rate shows the relationship between the payments you are receiving and the lump sum you initially put in.

In the example we discussed before, you paid $200,000 and were receiving $1,000 a month. Doing a little math, $1,000 a month equates to $12,000 a year. Divide the $12,000 annual payout by the $200,000 you contributed, and the annuitization rate is 6%.

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