Fixed annuity vs. CD: Which is right for you?

If you want to keep your retirement savings relatively safe, you have options. Two popular choices for conservative investors include certificates of deposit (CDs) and fixed annuities. Each has unique features, and which one is right for you depends on your circumstances. Looking at a fixed annuity vs. CD side by side can help you figure out which is best for your nest egg.

A fixed annuity is a contract with an insurance company. You add money to it, either in lump sums or through regular contributions. A fixed annuity provides a guaranteed minimum interest rate for the life of the contract and also may pay a current rate that could be higher. In addition, a fixed annuity will offer a variety of guaranteed income options. One option is income payments that last your entire life regardless of how long you live.

Banking institutions typically offer CDs, which pay a fixed interest rate on your savings for a specific length of time. CDs are much simpler than annuities and don't have many features to manage. You choose how long and then deposit money in the account. You usually leave the money in for the entire term. If you withdraw money early, you likely will have an interest penalty. At the end, you can withdraw all the money—your deposit plus the accumulated interest—or reinvest it in a new CD or other products.

Fixed annuities and CDs have similarities, and they might appeal to conservative investors. With either approach, you earn interest on your money, but specific features might lead you to choose one over the other.

Fixed annuities are generally tax-deferred, meaning any earnings inside of the contract are not reported as income each year. Eventually, you will pay taxes on earnings from a fixed annuity, but only when you take money out of the contract. This means you may have some control over exactly when that income hits your tax return. But the interest you earn from CDs is taxable each year even if you leave the principal in the CD.

Note that if you hold a fixed annuity or a CD inside a tax-deferred account like an individual retirement account (IRA), this might not matter because the IRA itself is already tax-deferred, and you typically only pay taxes when you take distributions from IRAs.

Fixed annuities and CDs both usually pay more than checking or savings accounts. But fixed annuities often pay a higher interest rate than a CD. Still, it's wise to compare offerings from different providers and consider various features before you decide which option is best.

Neither fixed annuities nor CDs lose value due to market activity. CDs are typically guaranteed by the FDIC or NCAU (up to certain limits), so you need only verify that your financial institution is insured and that your accounts qualify for full coverage. Fixed annuities are not FDIC or NCUA insured, but often are guaranteed by the issuing insurance company.

CDs and fixed annuities both require some commitment. For keeping your money in these products, you are typically rewarded with a higher rate than you can get from a savings account. But what if things change?

Plan on leaving the deposited funds in the CD until the maturity date (when the term ends). If you withdraw funds early, you may have to pay an interest penalty, which might be several months' worth of interest earnings.

Fixed annuities have surrender periods. A surrender period is a specified amount of years that you have to keep the money in a fixed annuity to avoid a penalty if you withdraw funds from the contract. Your insurance company will disclose these before you add funds to the contract. If you withdraw money during the surrender period, a surrender charge, amounting to a percentage of your withdrawal amount, may apply. However, fixed annuities might allow you to withdraw up to 10% of your balance each year before surrender charges apply. A fixed annuity surrender charge can reduce your principal. A CD penalty typically only reduces your interest, not your principal.

The vast majority of CDs are not exposed to the stock market. Instead, they pay interest at a rate that is usually set for the term of the CD. Likewise, fixed annuities do not have market exposure, so your interest does not depend on market performance.

If you value certain guarantees, a fixed annuity may make sense for you.

• Maximize earnings without risking principal. Fixed annuities may excel in this area. You'll generally earn more than you'd get from a CD, and your risk is relatively low. Although there's no government guarantee, working with an established insurer can help to reduce your risk.
• Tax-deferred earnings. If taxes are an issue, the general tax-deferral aspect of fixed annuities may interest you. In most cases, you can shelter earnings from annual taxation, until you need to withdraw funds.
• Potential for lifetime income. If you choose, you can convert a fixed annuity into a stream of income. The insurance company manages your assets and makes payments, and you are protected for life. That said, if you're in poor health, you may want to arrange for beneficiaries to get assets after your passing. By adding a "period certain," you might ensure that payments continue for a specific number of years.
• Long-term time horizon. You plan to hold the fixed annuity long-term and you do not expect to have to take withdrawals that could be subjected to a surrender charge.

When principal protection is your highest priority—and you're willing to accept a potentially lower interest rate for ease of access to your principal—CDs might be right for you.

• Flexibility. You would like access to your principal at any time, without a charge against the principal, and will accept a potentially lower interest rate for that feature.
• Short-term financial goals. If you know that you'll need your money in 12 to 18 months, a CD may help you earn a bit more than you'd get in a checking or savings account, and you'll receive the principal and interest when your CD matures.
• FDIC and NCAU protection. At FDIC-insured banks or NCUA-insured credit unions, your funds are backed by the U.S. government. This insurance protects your deposited fundseven if the bank or credit union closes its doors while your funds are deposited. However, it's important to ask about the dollar limits of the insurance based on what names are registered on the account as the dollar limits are set for each person owning accounts at the bank—not each account at the bank.
  

Ultimately, you'll need to evaluate the fixed annuity vs. CD pros and cons with your unique financial goals in mind to decide what's best for you. But also consider that you don't need to choose just one. You might want to use CDs for short-term goals alongside a fixed annuity for tax deferral and the lifetime income option.

For help in crafting your financial plan, speak with a Thrivent financial advisor, who can discuss all your available options in more detail. Then, with some education and strategy, you'll be in a good position to decide what's best for your money.