How Annuities Work, and Whether One Is Worth It
How annuities work comes down to two phases and their cost. The honest version: payouts, the 10% penalty before 59½, and the fees that erode returns.

How annuities work comes down to two phases and their cost. The honest version: payouts, the 10% penalty before 59½, and the fees that erode returns.

Is an annuity worth it? The answer is in the fees — near zero on a fixed annuity, over 3% a year on a variable one. Here’s how to decide.