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What tax treatment feature does an annuity provide?

  1. Liquidation of principal and interest

  2. Favorable tax treatment

  3. Liquidation of estate

  4. Annual withdrawals without penalties

The correct answer is: Favorable tax treatment

An annuity provides favorable tax treatment primarily because the growth of the investment within the annuity is tax-deferred. This means that as your money grows over time, you do not pay taxes on the earnings until you begin to withdraw funds. This deferral allows your investment to compound without the impact of taxes eating into your gains each year, which can significantly enhance long-term growth potential. This tax advantage can be particularly beneficial for individuals who anticipate being in a lower tax bracket during retirement, as they may pay less in taxes when they eventually withdraw the funds compared to if they had paid taxes on the earnings annually while the money was still invested. Overall, this characteristic of annuities is a key reason why they are often chosen as a retirement savings tool.