What is an annuity?

Annuities provide insurance against the risk of outliving your money after you stop working. You get the potential to grow your savings and create guaranteed income for life so you can retire your way.

While they seem to function like an investment (that is, you put your money in and accept the risk of whether it increases or decreases), many are actually insurance contracts. In general, if you follow the rules of the contract, you receive certain guarantees in return.

What can an annuity do for you?

Tax-deferred growth

Annuities help you increase savings because you won't pay taxes on growth until you withdraw money.

Growth potential

An annuity has the potential to grow your money while also helping manage risk of loss.

Manage risk

Annuities provide a level of protection to help manage market risk.

When you might need an annuity

If you're in one or more of these situations, an Athene annuity might be exactly what you need.

  • You're saving for retirement
    If you're already contributing the maximum to other retirement plans, like an IRA or 401(k), an annuity is an attractive retirement planning option that grows tax-deferred.
  • You won't need the money soon
    If you don't anticipate needing money from savings prior to turning 59 ½, then an annuity may be a good option for you.
  • You're worried you might outlive your savings
    Annuities can provide guaranteed income for the rest of your life, whether you live to be 100 or even 120. It could happen.
  • You want to leave a legacy
    With an Athene annuity, you can provide your loved ones with a death benefit in the event of your death.

Different types of annuities

Annuities come in different types to meet different needs. One of the ways they vary is by the amount of potential risk and return.

Immediate annuities have less risk and lower return because they simply convert an amount of money into a guaranteed stream of income.

The annuities with increasing risk and return are generally used to accumulate money over time. Because they don’t provide immediate income, they’re known as deferred annuities.

continuum graph of 5 annuity types where they increase based on their higher risk potential return levels

Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs)

Pursue growth potential without sacrificing security.

With fixed indexed annuities, the interest rate on a portion of your premium is tied, in part, to a published stock market index, giving you the opportunity to benefit from market trends without owning stocks. Your principal is protected from loss due to market downturns. Athene fixed indexed annuities may also include or offer optional riders that can be purchased or automatically attached to the annuity for a charge. Rider features vary by product, and can offer benefits like lifetime income, increased liquidity, or a death benefit option.

Discover Athene FIAs 

Fixed Indexed Annuities


Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs)

Pursue growth opportunities while enjoying a level of protection from market risk.

Registered index-linked annuities provide exposure to a published stock market index along with a level of protection from market loss. While this kind of annuity tracks the movement of an index, it does not directly invest in any stock or equity vehicle. Because you assume some of the risk of loss from market downturns, a registered index-linked annuity may allow for greater growth potential than other Athene annuities.

Discover Athene RILAs 

Registered Index-Linked Annuities


Fixed Annuities

Protect and grow your savings. Plan with confidence.

Fixed annuities provide you with tax-deferred growth at a fixed rate of interest set by Athene for a period of time specified in the annuity contract. They also offer the opportunity to produce a guaranteed stream of retirement income you cannot outlive.

Discover Athene Fixed Annuities 

Multi-Year Guarantee Annuities


Immediate Annuities

Income you can count on.

Immediate annuities make retirement planning easier because they’re predictable. In exchange for a lump sum of money, an immediate annuity pays a guaranteed amount for a specified time period, including as long as you or your spouse live.

Discover Athene Immediate Annuities 

Single Premium Immediate Annuities

An Athene Financial Professional can help find the product that’s right for you. Contact Us 

Related articles

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With today’s retirees living longer, more active lives, making sure you have adequate income for a lengthy retirement is more important than ever.

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How annuities could help your retirement savings better weather stormy markets

Understanding market fluctuations can help you protect your savings

Understanding basic economic trends can help you make more confident financial decisions. Here’s what you should know about the market and creating a sound retirement plan.

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Annuities contain features, exclusions, limitations and availability that may vary by state and/or sales distributor. For a full explanation of an annuity, please refer to the Certificate of Disclosure or Prospectus (as applicable) and contact your financial professional or the company for costs and complete details. This material is a general description intended for general public use. 

Annuity contracts and group annuity contracts are issued by Athene Annuity and Life Company (61689), West Des Moines, IA, and Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company (61492), Wilmington, Delaware, in all states (except New York), and in D.C. and PR. Annuity contracts and group annuity contracts are issued by Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company of New York (68039), Pearl River, NY, in New York state. Payment obligations and guarantees are subject to the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Insurance products may not be available in all states. These companies are not undertaking to provide investment advice for any individual or in any individual situation, and therefore nothing in this should be read as investment advice. This material should not be interpreted as a recommendation by Athene Annuity and Life Company, Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company, Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company of New York, or Athene Securities, LLC. Please reach out to your financial professional if you have any questions about insurance products and their features.

The term “financial professional” is not intended to imply engagement in an advisory business with compensation unrelated to sales. Financial professionals will be paid a commission on the sale of an annuity.

INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: • NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY • NOT A DEPOSIT OR OTHER OBLIGATION OF, OR GUARANTEED BY, THE BANK OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES • SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED

Reinsurance contracts are entered into with Athene Annuity and Life Company (61689), West Des Moines, IA; Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company (61492), Wilmington, Delaware; Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company of New York (68039), Pearl River, NY; Athene Life Re Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda; and Athene Annuity Re Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda. Not all reinsurance products or structures offered are available in all jurisdictions. Reinsurers may not be licensed in all states. All transactions are subject to meeting a reinsurer’s underwriting requirements. Reinsurance products are not protected or guaranteed by state insurance guaranty associations or insolvency funds.