'Tis The Season For ... Annuities!

Guest Author: Bill Folkerts, CPCU, CIC
Auto-Owners Insurance Company

With a name like Auto-Owners Insurance, it may seem odd to understand that this Fortune 500 company writes a significant amount of life insurance products, including annuities. Auto-Owners Insurance has been the corporate name since it's origin in 1916 (that's right, we are celebrating our 90th anniversary!) when we began writing solely Auto Insurance coverage to individuals and families. This financially sound carrier has developed into a solid P&C (Property and Casualty) insurance company that writes personal lines and commercial lines accounts. On the Life side of the house, our motto is Safe. Sound. Secure. Our belief is based upon fixed rather than variable investment options which provides greater stability and less risk in an ever-changing marketplace.

One of the greatest wonders of the world is compound interest. Save early - Save often. Using an Auto-Owners annuity and guaranteeing lifetime income provides flexibility and income tax advantages. What a tremendous benefit! Annuitization can guarantee an income that cannot be outlived. And, because of the exclusion ratio, which is a combination of interest and principle, annuitization also helps spread tax on interest over time.

Be careful when comparing Certificates of Deposit to an Annuity. That's like comparing an apple to an orange. Which fruit tastes better to you? Let's find out. CDs typically use APY (Annual Percentage Yield). Auto-Owners uses APR (Annual Percentage Rate). APY, on the surface, seems to offer the better interest rates. But let's take a closer look. If you studied each illustration side by side, you would recognize that the difference is compound interest. Our analysis unveiled that a 3.8% APR equals a 4.1% APY over a five year time period. Over a ten year time period, we calculate a 3.8% APR equals a 4.52% APY. So, it's important to understand the difference between interest rate (APR) and interest yield (APY).

* Tax Planning: Auto-Owners offers tax deferral of interest earnings with their annuities. CDs come with a 1099 ... interest is taxable as ordinary income each year.

* Liquidity: Annuities offer partial withdrawals permissible without penalty. CDs have significant penalty for early withdrawal.

* Guaranteed lifetime income: flexible settlement options are available with annuities which a CD does not offer.

* Estate Planning: Annuities are not subject to probate. CDs are subject to probate.

Is your retirement nest egg Safe. Sound. Secure.?
Safe: Is your current retirement plan free of administrative fees, loads, and management fees?
Sound Tax Planning: Are your accounts taking advantage of possible tax deductible contributions? Secure Retirement Planning: Are your retirement funds with a company rated among the top 2 to 3% of all insurers by the leading independent rating organization?

You, too, can accumulate wealth and enjoy financial security while taking advantage of substantial multi-policy discounts by insuring your Auto and Home with Auto-Owners Insurance. Did you know that we offer a 5% discount on your personal lines account for policyholders who also have a deferred annuity at a minimum balance of $2,000 or more? Our current interest rate starts at 4% and is guaranteed at a 3% rate. For example, let's say you pay $2,400 per year for your auto and home insurance. A 5% discount would save you $120 per year on your personal lines premium. At our current interest rate of 4%, your first year return on your investment would be $80. In total, that is a $200 return ($80 plus $120 P&C savings). Where else can you receive a Safe. Sound. Secure. return on your money for 10%, as illustrated in this example?

Auto-Owners has earned the reputation as The "No Problem" People because we deliver on the promises we make. We will not gamble with your financial well being. Dedicated to the Independent Agency System, Auto-Owners products are brought to you through caring, knowledgeable professionals, who live and work right in your community ... solid individuals like Jeff Luken, CPCU. Please contact Jeff or one of his qualified staff today should you be interested in learning more about Auto-Owners and Annuities!