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

Provision in an insurance policy that permits an insured to cancel the policy and recoup the excess of the paid premiums above the customary short rate for the expired time. The clause also ...

Coverage against flooding for personal and business property under the National Flood Act of 1968, which encourages participation by private insurers in the program through an industry ...

Amount of the loss absorbed by an insurance company after deducting any reinsurance applicable to the loss, as well as subrogation and ABANDONMENT AND SALVAGE rights. ...

Property and casualty coverage that indemnifies automobile dealers if a dissatisfied customer demands a refund within the period of time allowed under the Uniform Commercial Code. This ...

Cost of doing business, not including pure expectation of loss. ...

independent advisor to insurance companies, corporations, federal, state, and local governments, and labor unions on actuarial matters. These include evaluation of the liabilities of ...

Same as term Assignment Clause: feature in a life insurance policy allowing a policyowner to freely assign (give, sell) a policy to another or institution. For example, in order to secure a ...

Act that prohibits insurance companies, group health plans, and health maintenance organizations from establishing lifetime limits or annual limits on mental health coverage that are lower ...

One of four SEC divisions that administers the procedure through which public companies must disclose all relevant material in order that a potential investor might make an informed ...

Popular Insurance Questions