Variable Dollar Annuity
Definition of "Variable dollar annuity"
Annuity in which premium payments are used to purchase accumulation units, their number depending on the value of each unit. The value of a unit is determined by the value of the portfolio of stocks in which the insurance company invests the premiums. At the time of the payment of benefits to the annuitant, the accumulation units are converted to a monthly fixed number of units. The variable element is the dollar value of each unit. For example, assume that the annuitant pays a monthly premium of $100. If the accumulation unit value during one month is $50, two units are purchased. In another month, if the value of the accumulation unit is $25, four units are purchased. In a third month, the value of the unit is $10, resulting in the purchase of 10 units. This allows the market use of the investment strategy of dollar cost averaging. Accumulation units are credited to the annuitant's account, a procedure that is similar to purchasing shares in a mutual fund.
When income benefits are scheduled to begin, total accumulation units are converted to assume 100 income benefit units per month. The value of the income unit will vary according to the company's stock investments; in one month the annuitant's income might be $1000, in another month $500, in another month $1200. Changes in the investment experience by the insurance company are passed on to the annuitant, but the company absorbs fluctuations in expenses and mortality experience.
Popular Insurance Terms
Employer's obligation to fund a pension plan for the time period when employees were qualified to participate but the plan was not yet established. For example, a pension plan is ...
Coverage for the insured in the event that the insured's negligent acts and/or omissions result in losses in connection with the use, ownership, or maintenance of aircraft. Liability ...
Search, attraction, interview, and employment of insurance agents. This is a primary function of the general agent (GA) or agency manager. ...
Type of premium plan under which the employer (if noncontributory plan) or the employer and employee (if contributory plan) make level annual premium payments to fund the future retirement ...
Coverage for an employer in the event of dishonesty of any employee. ...
Call on a prospective insurance buyer without a prior appointment. Many salespeople find this exercise the most threatening in their career development. Some observers attribute the ...
A form of assessment insurance for which a regular premium is charged. In addition to paying the regular stipulated premium, an insured and other members of a mutual assessment company may ...
Plan providing benefits that are adjusted according to variations in a specified index of prices. For example, some pension plans adjust retirement benefits yearly according to the rise in ...
Combination of coverages from property, liability, health, and life insurance into a single insurance policy from one insurance company. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.