Annuities & Retirement
A predictable retirement income, on your terms.
A Fixed Index Annuity lets your money participate in market upside with a floor that prevents losses. Move the sliders below to see how an FIA could have compared to other strategies over a real historical period.
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Fixed Index Annuity · 20 years
$778,928
+212% growth · 0% floor every year
- S&P 500 (historical)
- Worst year -37.0% (2008)
- CD
- Flat compound
- 10-yr Treasury
- Flat compound
$1,793,557
+130% vs FIA
$663,324
-15% vs FIA
$547,781
-30% vs FIA
Growth · 2005–2024
Methodology. FIA line: each year credits min(cap, max(0, sp_return)) against actual S&P 500 annual total returns — 0% floor in down years, capped upside in positive years (annual point-to-point cap method). CD and Treasury compound flat at the chosen rates. All lines start from the same premium.
Data. S&P 500 returns are total returns (with dividends reinvested), sourced from Wikipedia / S&P Dow Jones Indices, cross-verified with The Motley Fool (1995–present). Last verified 2026-05-19.
Simplification. Real FIA contracts typically credit against the S&P 500 price index (no dividends), so a real product at the same cap would credit somewhat less than shown here. Illustrative only — your actual FIA contract terms will differ.
What is a Fixed Index Annuity?
A long-term retirement product issued by an insurance company. Your money earns interest based on a market index (like the S&P 500), with a cap on the upside in exchange for a floor — typically 0% — on the downside. A down market year doesn't subtract from your balance.
Who is an FIA usually right for?
Pre-retirees and retirees who want growth potential but can't afford another 2008 or 2022 in their portfolio. FIAs aren't for short-term money — they carry surrender periods, and accessing principal early can trigger charges. Talk to a licensed advisor first.
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