How much of an income edge could retirees get from annuities?

How much of an income edge could retirees get from annuities?
With 'new North Star' metric, TIAA urges new retirees to rethink 4 percent rule and incorporate a lifetime income strategy.
MAY 13, 2024

TIAA, a provider of lifetime income solutions, has introduced a new metric designed to illustrate the potential income boost new retirees could achieve from incorporating an annuity strategy into their financial planning compared to just following the 4% rule.

The TIAA Annuity Paycheck Advantage measures the difference between a standard 4-percent withdrawal strategy and a strategy that involves allocating one-third of retirement savings to a TIAA Traditional annuity, while withdrawing 4 percent of the remaining balance.

As the company’s math goes, if a 67-year-old new retiree in 2024 were to allocate a third of their savings to lifetime income with a 10-year guarantee period through its TIAA Traditional annuity and withdraw 4 percent of the remaining balance, they could see a 32-percent increase in their first-year retirement income compared to relying solely on the 4-percent rule.

“First-year retirees can think of the TIAA Annuity Paycheck Advantage as a new 'North Star' that can help them achieve a higher guaranteed payout potential and greater certainty around how much to safely spend in retirement,” Kourtney Gibson, chief institutional client officer at TIAA said in a statement.

The conventional 4-percent rule suggests retirees withdraw 4 percent of their savings at most in the first year of retirement. However, Colbert Narcisse, TIAA's chief product officer, stated that incorporating an annuity alongside a 4-percent withdrawal strategy has historically put retirees in a better financial position.

“We can show that a retiree who has opted to annuitize, alongside a 4-percent withdrawal, has historically been in a better financial position than the person who simply pulled money out of their accounts each year,” he said.

“In addition to enhancing income, TIAA Traditional offers the opportunity for interest above guaranteed minimums while saving and income above guaranteed minimums while retired,” Narcisse said. He added that contributing earlier and longer to the annuity can lead to even higher income.

TIAA plans to update its Annuity Paycheck Advantage metric annually to reflect current information on the impact of lifetime income on Americans’ financial security.

The 4-percent rule is a starting point and isn’t right for everyone,” said Benny Goodman, vice president with the TIAA Institute. “We believe in a more tailored and holistic approach to financial planning and have seen that including some annuitization offers more diversification, with additional safety and security, all while maximizing their total retirement income,” he said.

Latest News

Employees tapping retirement funds amid financial strain, led by Gen Zs
Employees tapping retirement funds amid financial strain, led by Gen Zs

Report highlights lack of options for those faced with emergency expenses.

LPL Financial on target to retain 90% of Commonwealth financial advisors, Wolfe Research analyst says
LPL Financial on target to retain 90% of Commonwealth financial advisors, Wolfe Research analyst says

However, Raymond James has had success recruiting Commonwealth advisors.

Culture x capital: A new frontier for RIAs & UHNW clients
Culture x capital: A new frontier for RIAs & UHNW clients

In a saturated market of PE secondaries and repackaged alts, cultural assets stand out as an underutilized, experiential, and increasingly monetizable class of wealth.

Elon Musk's DOGE compromised critical Social Security data, whistleblower claims
Elon Musk's DOGE compromised critical Social Security data, whistleblower claims

A complaint by the Social Security Administration's chief data officer alleges numbers, names, and other sensitive information were handled in a way that creates "enormous vulnerabilities."

Hedge funds win review of SEC’s short sale disclosure rule
Hedge funds win review of SEC’s short sale disclosure rule

The New Orleans-based 5th Circuit has sided the industry groups arguing the commission's short-selling rules exceeded its authority.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.