An annuity can help you protect and grow your retirement savings, giving you more confidence that you’ll have the income you need to do more of what you love in retirement.
What are annuities?
Annuities are a type of financial product with many different options and features. Generally, annuities can help you save for retirement. Certain annuities can offer index-linked growth opportunities as well as some protection against market downturns, and some types of annuities may provide a stream of guaranteed income payments. Guaranteed income payments can be set up to last for either a specific number of years or the rest of your life and can start right away or on a future date.
An annuity is a contract with an insurance company and can generally only be purchased through a financial professional.
What are some common types of annuities?
Finding the right annuity for your financial goals starts by understanding the main types, each of which has specific characteristics and offers some protection, either for the investments or the income being paid. Some common types of annuities include:
- Index-linked annuities that allow you to participate in growth opportunities up to a certain percentage by tracking the performance of one or more market indices, such as the S&P 500® Index, while offering a level of protection for a portion of your portfolio.A
- Variable annuities that provide investment options you may choose from to potentially grow your retirement savings, depending on market performance. These annuities may also offer other features (typically for an additional fee) that can provide benefits like guaranteed income for life.
- Fixed indexed annuities that provide principal protection in down markets while offering the opportunity for growth by tracking the performance of market indices.
- Fixed annuities that provide growth at a guaranteed interest rate with no risk of market loss.
- Income annuities that provide an immediate or future guaranteed stream of income payments.
Why should I consider an annuity?
Annuities can help address common concerns that today’s retirees face, such as:
- Living longer: “Will I run out of money?”
Some annuities may provide guaranteed income that you can’t outlive.
- Unpredictable markets: “What will happen to my savings if there’s market volatility?”
Certain types of annuities can offer a level of protection for a portion of your portfolio.
- Changes to traditional retirement income planning: “Without a pension, how else can I create a steady stream of income?”
Some annuities can help supplement other income sources such as Social Security to help cover everyday expenses in retirement.
- Rising health care expenses: “Do I have enough to cover the cost of care for myself and my family?”
While your specific health care costs may be unpredictable, certain annuities can provide monthly income payments that may help with expenses not otherwise covered by insurance and Medicare.
Brighthouse Financial Annuity Products
Brighthouse Financial can help you meet your financial needs through a variety of annuities, including:
INDEX-LINKED ANNUITY
Shield® Level Annuities
A Shield Level Annuity uses a portion of your retirement assets to participate in market growth opportunities with a level of downside protection other investment products may not provide – all with no annual fees.2
INDEX-LINKED ANNUITY WITH INCOME RIDER
Shield Level Pay Plus® Annuities
Shield Level Pay Plus Annuities are index-linked annuities that offer market growth opportunities coupled with a level of downside protection and, when you’re ready, guaranteed income that lasts for life.3
VARIABLE ANNUITY
Variable Annuities with FlexChoice Access
A variable annuity with the optional FlexChoice Access living benefit rider can help you turn a portion of your retirement savings into guaranteed income for life.3
FIXED INDEXED ANNUITY
Brighthouse SecureKey® Fixed Indexed Annuities
This annuity suite offers 100% protection4 for your purchase payment against market downturns while providing a pathway to grow your money.
SecureAdvantage 6-Year Fixed Index Annuity contracts are no longer available for purchase. For questions on your current SecureAdvantage annuity, contact your Financial Professional or the Brighthouse Service Team at 800-882-1292.
How to Buy a Brighthouse Financial Annuity
Annuity products from Brighthouse Financial can only be purchased through a financial professional. Some questions that can help you begin a conversation with your financial professional are:
- Do I have a diverse balance of income sources that’s right for the retirement I want?
- Will my essential expenses be covered with my current income sources, or could there be a gap I need to address?
- If an annuity is recommended for me, which type would complement my portfolio?
Don’t have a financial professional?
Access our resources on working with a financial professional
Trusted by more than 2 million customers and with over 2 million annuity contracts and life insurance policies in force,* Brighthouse Financial® is one of the largest providers of annuities and life insurance in the U.S.**