Variable Dollar Annuity

Definition of "Variable dollar annuity"

Irene Poole real estate agent

Written by

Irene Pooleelite badge icon

RE/MAX Select

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.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Coverage available under two forms for actual or attempted robbery of money, securities or other property. Under the First Form the policy covers if the robbery is committed on the premises ...

Frequency of death. ...

Written form which has precisely the same terms as the other property insurance policies covering a particular property. ...

Mutual insurance association that issues insurance to its members on a nonprofit basis. Examples of such associations include fraternal societies, unions, and employee membership groups. ...

Statement showing assets and liabilities of an individual. ...

Act that prohibits employers from discriminating against employees in employee benefit plans, regarding contributions or benefits based on race or gender. ...

Party that shares in the loss under an insurance policy or policies. ...

Detailed descriptive list made available to the survivor (s) of the insured showing: attorney, accountant, insurance agent, and location of important documents such as wills, power of ...

Marine cargo coverage for a single shipment of goods. Also known as special risk insurance and trip cargo insurance. Contrasts with open policy cargo insurance that covers all of a ...

Popular Insurance Questions