What Is a Joint and Survivor Annuity?
A Joint and Survivor Annuity provides guaranteed lifetime income for two people (usually spouses). Payments continue for as long as either person is alive. This means your retirement āpaycheckā doesnāt stop if one of you dies.
How It Works (Plain English)
- You fund the annuity (savings, IRA, or 401(k) rollover).
- You choose a survivor benefit (100%, 75%, or 50%).
- When the first spouse passes, the survivor keeps receiving income based on that percentage.
Example: If your joint payout is $3,000/month with a 100% survivor option, the survivor continues at $3,000/month for life. With 50% survivor, it would continue at $1,500/month.
Why Florida Retirees Choose Joint & Survivor
- Longevity protection: One spouse may outlive the other by 10ā20 years.
- Income stability: Helps offset reductions in Social Security or pension after a death.
- Predictability: A steady, guaranteed income stream for both lives.
- Peace of mind: Fewer financial shocks during an already difficult time.
Design Options You Can Customize
- Fixed annuity: Predictable income, no market risk.
- Fixed indexed annuity: Potential for credited growth with downside protection.
- Immediate vs. deferred: Start now or later (e.g., your retirement date).
- Riders: Consider COLA (inflation), return-of-premium, or enhanced benefits (if suitable).
Pros & Cons (Quick Scan)
Pros
- Lifetime income for two lives.
- Reduces sequence-of-returns risk and market anxiety.
- Can coordinate with Social Security and pensions for a durable plan.
Cons
- Less liquidity than traditional brokerage accounts.
- Higher survivor percentage = lower initial payout.
- Product choices and riders vary widely by carrierācompare carefully.
How We Help (Fiduciary & Independent)
At Mintco Financial, weāre independent fiduciary advisors. We compare top-rated carriers, explain the trade-offs in plain English, and design an income strategy that fits your goals, taxes, and risk comfortāwithout sales pressure.
FAQs: Joint & Survivor Annuities in Florida
1) What survivor percentage should we choose?
If both rely on the annuity for essential expenses, many couples opt for 100%. If the survivor will have other stable income, 75% or 50% may be sufficientāand can increase the initial payout. We model both scenarios for you.
2) How does it coordinate with Social Security?
Because one Social Security check often reduces after a death, joint annuity income can help fill that gap. We time your annuity start date and survivor percentage alongside your claiming strategy.
3) Can we add inflation protection?
Some carriers offer cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) or income riders with growth potential. These can reduce initial income but help preserve purchasing powerāworth evaluating.
4) Is this right for everyone?
No. If you need high liquidity, a joint annuity may not fit. It works best as the āincome backboneā alongside cash reserves and flexible investments.
Next step: Letās run side-by-side quotes (100% vs 75% vs 50% survivor), with and without COLA, and compare top carriers so you can decide confidently.