The monthly income figures shown below are based on a $200,000 immediate annuity with lifetime payments. For joint life scenarios, estimates assume both spouses are the same age, and payments continue at the same level until the second spouse passes.
These examples are designed to help you evaluate how a $200,000 annuity could fit into your long-term retirement plan, especially if you’re considering guaranteed income that lasts for life.
Payout projections were generated using Cannex, an independent provider of real-time annuity rate data. This ensures the estimates reflect current market offerings from reputable insurers.
Monthly Payouts for $200,000 Immediate Lifetime Annuity
| Age | Male | Female | Joint Life |
| 60 | $1,633 | $1,458 | $1,345 |
| 65 | $1,633 | $1,574 | $1,430 |
| 70 | $1,835 | $1,747 | $1,555 |
| 75 | $2,151 | $2,006 | $1,734 |
| 80 | $2,641 | $2,425 | $2,023 |
This chart shows how much monthly income a $200,000 immediate annuity can generate based on your age and the type of payout you choose. Payments are assumed to begin right away and continue for life.
- Single life annuities pay as long as the annuitant is alive.
- Joint life annuities continue as long as either spouse (same age assumed) is living.
As you age, monthly income increases because the insurer expects to pay out over a shorter period. Similarly, men tend to receive slightly higher payouts than women due to shorter life expectancy. Joint annuities pay less monthly to reflect the longer combined lifespan of two people.
This breakdown helps you compare options and understand how different payout types affect your monthly income from a $200,000 investment.
Annual Percentage* Payouts for $200,000 Immediate Lifetime Annuity
| Age | Male | Female | Joint Life |
| 60 | 7.84% | 7.00% | 6.46% |
| 65 | 7.84% | 7.56% | 6.86% |
| 70 | 8.81% | 8.39% | 7.46% |
| 75 | 10.32% | 9.63% | 8.32% |
| 80 | 12.68% | 11.64% | 9.71% |
The chart above shows how much annual income a $200,000 annuity could provide, based on your age and whether you choose a single or joint life payout. The payout rate reflects the percentage of your original investment paid back annually, including both interest and principal.
For instance, a 70-year-old female might receive about $20,964 per year — a 8.39% payout rate — or roughly $1,747/month.
These rates make it easier to compare your options when planning guaranteed retirement income.
What a $200,000 Annuity Looks Like for Real Retirees
Knowing how annuities work is one thing — but seeing how real people use them in retirement can make the numbers truly click. With $200,000, there’s flexibility to generate meaningful monthly income that fits a wide range of goals: covering essentials, supplementing Social Security, or creating peace of mind for a spouse.
The following examples show how age, payout choices, and lifestyle needs shape the income people receive from a $200,000 annuity. Whether you’re nearing retirement or already there, these stories can help you picture how an annuity might support your future.
What This Strategy Gives Him:
- A known, locked-in income stream starting in retirement
- Confidence that his heirs will receive value if he passes early
- Protection from market volatility and investment risk in his 60s
This gives me the structure I need — steady income, no surprises, and peace of mind for my family. — Diego
Tony — Converting Savings Into Income He Can Count On
Name: Tony
Age: 70
Looking to Invest: $200,000
- Wants to protect against outliving his savings
- Prefers simple, stable monthly income without market risk
- Comfortable trading legacy benefits for higher income
Monthly payout: $1,835
Tony is 70, recently retired, and wants to make sure he’ll have income for life — regardless of how long he lives or how the markets perform. He decides to allocate $200,000 of his retirement savings into a single premium immediate annuity (SPIA) with a life-only payout.
Why He Chose a Life-Only Annuity:
Tony’s top priority is maximum monthly income, and he doesn’t need to leave this portion of his savings to heirs. By choosing a single-life annuity with no death benefit, he secures a monthly income of $1,835, or $22,020 per year, for the rest of his life.
This type of annuity pays out as long as Tony is alive — but if he passes away early, any unused premium stays with the insurer.
What This Strategy Gives Him:
- Consistent, predictable income
- Protection from longevity risk
- A simple way to supplement Social Security without managing investments
I didn’t want to worry about the market anymore. I just wanted to know my bills would be covered no matter what. – Tony
Bottom Line: Tony’s annuity gives him financial peace of mind by turning part of his savings into a guaranteed, lifetime income stream. It’s a strategy that prioritizes simplicity and personal stability — not legacy.
Tony
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Trudy — Building a Personal Income Stream in Early Retirement
Name: Trudy
Age: 65
Looking to Invest: $200,000
- Wants steady, guaranteed income to start right after retirement
- Prioritizes financial independence over leaving a legacy
- Comfortable starting early, even if the monthly payout is lower
Monthly payout: $1,574
Trudy is retiring at 65 and wants a reliable monthly income to supplement her Social Security. She chooses to invest $200,000 in a single-life immediate annuity, which begins paying out within the first month of purchase.
Why Her Payout Is Lower Than Tony’s:
Trudy’s monthly income is $1,574, or $18,888 per year — lower than Tony’s, even though they purchased the same type of annuity. That’s because Trudy is younger, and women generally live longer, so the insurer expects to make payments for a longer period. This reduces her monthly amount, even though the principal is the same. For comparison, a 65-year-old man might receive $1,633/month from the same $200,000 contract.
What This Strategy Gives Her:
- Guaranteed income that begins as soon as she retires
- A stress-free supplement to other retirement income sources
- A plan built around independence and long-term financial security
I wanted something that would show up in my account every month, no matter what happens in the market — or how long I live. – Trudy
Bottom Line: Trudy’s annuity offers lifelong peace of mind in exchange for a one-time investment. While her monthly payout is lower than a man’s or an older retiree’s, the tradeoff is a long-term income stream supporting her retirement goals.
Helen & Phil — Securing Income That Lasts for Both Spouses
Names: Helen and Phil
Ages: 65 and 65
Looking to invest: $200,000
- Want guaranteed lifetime income for whichever spouse lives longer
- Looking for shared financial security in retirement
- Comfortable accepting lower monthly income in exchange for longevity protection
Monthly payout: $1,430
Helen and Phil are both 65 and planning for a long retirement together. Rather than investing separately, they decide to purchase a joint life immediate annuity, which ensures the income continues as long as either of them is alive.
Why They Chose a Joint Life Payout:
With a joint annuity, Helen and Phil receive a lower monthly income compared to a single-life option, but that’s the tradeoff for lasting protection. Their annuity provides about $1,430 per month, or $17,160 per year, guaranteed for life.
This gives them peace of mind knowing that if one of them passes away, the surviving spouse will continue to receive the same income without interruption.
What This Strategy Gives Them:
- Guaranteed income for the rest of both their lives
- A reliable way to cover expenses without relying solely on Social Security
- A plan that helps them stay financially independent, together or alone
We didn’t want either of us to be left without support. This annuity keeps things steady, no matter what happens. — Helen & Phil
Bottom Line: While joint life annuities offer lower monthly payments, they provide ongoing financial stability for couples who want to protect each other over the long term. Helen and Phil’s strategy prioritizes shared security — and peace of mind.
My clients purchase annuities with income riders for predictable retirement income. These riders allow them to calculate and guarantee their income at the time of purchase, eliminating the risk of market fluctuations. For a recent client with $200K to invest, I ran models and determined that based on his age and investment horizon, he could receive $18K per year for life. He appreciated the certainty of this income, which will also supplement his Social Security and help him meet his financial goals. Plus, he can access a lump sum in future years if needed.
Aamir Chalisa, MBA, LUTCF, MDRT
Today’s Best Fixed Annuity Rates by Term
| Term | Rate | Provider | Product | AM Best Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year | 6.74% | Corebridge Financial | American Pathway Fixed 7 Annuity | A |
| 2 Years | 5.50% | Axonic Insurance Services | Skyline MYGA | A- |
| 3 Years | 6.10% | Wichita National Life Insurance | Security 3 MYGA | B+ |
| 4 Years | 6.05% | Mountain Life Insurance Company | Alpine Horizon | B+ |
| 5 Years | 6.45% | Atlantic Coast Life | Safe Harbor Bonus Guarantee | B+ |
| 6 Years | 6.67% | Atlantic Coast Life | Safe Harbor Bonus Guarantee | B+ |
| 7 Years | 6.90% | Atlantic Coast Life | Safe Harbor Bonus Guarantee | B+ |
| 8 Years | 6.00% | Mountain Life Insurance Company | Secure Summit | B+ |
| 9 Years | 5.40% | Mountain Life Insurance Company | Secure Summit | B+ |
| 10 Years | 7.65% | Atlantic Coast Life | Safe Harbor Bonus Guarantee | B+ |
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Factors Impacting How Much a $200,000 Annuity Pays per Month
As the scenarios above illustrate, many factors can impact the payout of an annuity.
Annuity Payout Factors
- Annuitant’s life expectancy: To figure out how much to pay out each month, annuity issuers must determine how much longer the annuitant is likely to live. The longer you are expected to live, the lower your payout will be, so younger people and women receive lower payments.
- Type of annuity: Immediate annuities are the most straightforward type of annuity, so their payouts are the easiest to estimate. Other types of annuities, such as fixed annuities, fixed index annuities or variable annuities, are more complex. These annuities accumulate value before converting to income, so their payouts are more difficult to predict.
- Payout period: When you purchase an annuity, you can choose how long you want guaranteed payments. A single life annuity will have higher monthly payments than a joint life annuity or a life with period certain annuity.
- Riders: Annuity owners can customize their contracts with riders for an additional cost. Some riders, such as a cost of living adjustment rider or a return of premium rider, may lower payout amounts because they put more risk onto the annuity issuer.
The premium amount used to purchase the annuity generally has the most influence on the payout. The annuitant’s life expectancy as well as the features of the annuity itself also factor into payout calculations.
Editor Norah Layne contributed to this article.
