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
Cost computation form that assumes retirement and commencement of annuity payments on the first day of the month nearest the birthday when a retiree reaches normal retirement age. Most ...
Health insurance contract sold to an individual to provide coverage for medical expenses. Contrast with group health insurance. ...
The space created between the total death benefit and the cash value of a universal life insurance policy. An automatic increase in the death benefit results when the cash value approaches ...
Clause in an insurance policy that describes the administration and submission of claims procedure. ...
Rates used by a property and casualty insurance company that are different from that suggested by a rating bureau. An insurance company may use deviated rates because it feels they are more ...
Insurance company that is organized under the state laws by which the company is licensed and that is called a domestic insurer. Also, this insurance company may be chartered and licensed ...
Wording in life insurance policies to determine the order of deaths when the insured and the beneficiary die in the same accident. For example, if the insured is deemed to have died first, ...
Obligation of the insured to report losses from a covered peril to the insurance company or its representative as soon after its occurrence as possible. ...
Settlement choice under a life insurance policy whereby a beneficiary may elect to have the death proceeds paid in the form of a joint and survivor annuity. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.