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WINDSOR, Conn., Dec. 14, 2017—New analysis by LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute finds that half of the money ($84.5 billion) invested in annuities in 2016 was used to purchase products that offer guaranteed income – either immediately or for the future.

“Despite all of the news questioning whether Americans understand annuities, our analysis demonstrates that Americans are purchasing annuities to meet their specific investment objectives in retirement,” said Todd Giesing, director, Annuity Research, LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute. “Since Institute research shows the top financial goal of pre-retirees is to have enough money to last a lifetime, it stands to reason that the majority of the assets invested in annuities are targeted towards creating lifetime income.”

The study, Annuity Buyer Metrics, identified annuity buyers having one of three investment objectives when purchasing an annuity: market accumulation, principal preservation, or creation of guaranteed income.  In addition to those seeking guaranteed income, more than a third of the 2016 annuity premium was invested in annuities that provide principal preservation with growth opportunity, and 15 percent went towards market accumulation products.

Yet, a booming equities market may be shifting buyers’ priorities. In 2016, annuities purchased with an investment goal of principal preservation and growth rose 17 percent, compared to 2015 ($52.1 billion to $58.7).  In contrast, new premium received in guaranteed income for later investment objective declined 16 percent from $89.8 billion in 2015 to $75.3 billion in 2016. 

The study also examines the age of the buyers and what they purchased. Those who bought annuities designed for accumulation tend to be under 61, a time when most Americans are still in the accumulation phase. The study found buyers over age 62 tend to purchase annuities designed to create guaranteed income (chart).

“Given that half of Americans retire between the ages of 61-65, it makes sense that their interests would shift toward creating income to compensate for that lost paycheck,” noted Giesing.

The study found the average premium for the different annuity types remain largely unchanged between 2015 and 2016. The highest initial investment came from buyers of single premium income annuities, who invested $150,000 on average, although the average premiums for all types of guaranteed income annuities are above $116,000.

“Based on these numbers, it is likely that – after investing in a home – annuities are the second largest purchase people make in their lifetime,” Giesing observed.

This study examined the 2016 retail annuity sales of 50 companies, representing $134.7 billion and 1.17 million contracts (80 percent of the market). The industry average buyers’ age is the unweighted average age as reported by companies by number of contracts.

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About LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute 

LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute provides comprehensive, unbiased research and education about all aspects within the retirement industry to improve retirement readiness and promote retirement security. For more information, please visit www.secureretirementinstitute.com.