Fixed interest rate annuities provide that the contract earns
interest during the accumulation period at a rate of interest set by the insurance company based upon the performance of the company's general portfolio account.
Fixed index annuities provide that the contract will earn a rate of
return during the accumulation period that is based upon the performance of an external market index such as the S&P 500.
With some deferred annuities,
during the accumulation period you are allowed to withdraw a percentage of the principal and earnings without incurring surrender charges.
This not only means lower taxable income for
you during the accumulation period, but also additional accumulated interest thanks to the power of compounding.
The value built up
during the accumulation period can be distributed in a lump sum payment or income payments during the payout period.
During the accumulation period, a fixed annuity credits a specified rate of interest to the account.