Renewal Rates and Bailout Provisions

What Is a Renewal Rate?

The renewal rate is the interest rate the insurance company sets at the end of an annuity’s contract term. This rate can be lower than short-term interest rates, depending upon the performance of the funds in the insurer’s portfolio.

For example, if you purchase a fixed index annuity when interest rates are high, the guaranteed interest rate the insurer offers will reflect the current interest rate environment. Because annuities are long-term investments, the insurer will reinvest any earnings from the contract. If rates fall over the course of the contract term, the insurance company will set a new, lower rate based on the assets it currently owns.

Annuities are not usually known for their flexibility. However, exploring options or riders that allow you to pivot when you need to can pay off over a multi-decade retirement plan.

Stephen Kates, CFP®Founder of Clocktower Financial Consulting

Stephen Kates is a Certified Financial Planner™ and personal finance expert specializing in financial planning and education. Stephen has expertise in wealth management, personal finance, investing and retirement planning.

How Do Renewal Rates Work?

When a fixed annuity is issued, the fixed rate is in force for a specified period. After this initial period, the interest rate may be reset to a different rate called the renewal rate. 

Some fixed annuity contracts include bailout provisions. Also known as “bailout clauses,” these are triggered when the contract renewal rate or cap rate falls below a predetermined interest rate.

When the initial period is over, an annuity owner may invoke the bailout provision — if included in the contract — and surrender the annuity without paying surrender charges. One may choose to do this if the renewal rate is too low.

What Is a Bailout Provision?

A bailout provision is an annuity contract provision that allows the annuity owner to surrender the annuity contract without incurring the typical surrender charges when certain conditions are met. Typically, bailout provisions allow the annuity owner to pull their money if rate caps or renewal rates on a fixed annuity fall below a specified level.

If economic conditions force the insurer to reduce your renewal rate to a level that triggers the bailout provision, you will have the option of surrendering your contract.

The Importance of Renewal Rates and Bailout Provisions

As with any contract, you need to understand your annuity contract’s terms and conditions. Since annuities are part of your financial plan, you also need to understand how various factors could affect you in the future.

It’s best to have a plan in place before it’s time to act. When you initially purchase your annuity, it may help to project the effects of various renewal rates on your plan. That way, you’ll already know what you will do if your renewal rate is ever lower than what would be acceptable.

How To Take Advantage of a Bailout Provision

If you decide to surrender your annuity, you will need to consider how you will reinvest your money and adjust your retirement plan.

Talk to your financial advisor about other types of annuities or alternative financial vehicles before you complete a bailout request form. Your advisor will apprise you of any tax implications that may exist and suggest strategies for limiting your tax exposure. For example, the Internal Revenue Code states that “no gain or loss shall be recognized on the exchange of an annuity contract for another annuity contract.” This is known as a 1035 exchange because it is governed by Section 1035(a)(3) of the IRC.

If the annuity contract was originally funded from qualified retirement dollars, the annuity can be surrendered back to an IRA without tax implications. Additionally, annuities can be 1035 exchanged into long-term care policies.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Renewal Rates and Bailout Provisions