Difference Between Annuity vs Lump Sum
Annuity vs Lump Sum is different payout structures from either investments, compensations or other forms of fund flows. For an investor, annuities are a form of payment where a regular and a relatively similar amount is made to the annuity scheme holders. There is a contract that governs the payment timings and amounts along with the nature of flows (inflows/outflows). The payment may or may not be inclusive of the interest that is accumulated on the outstanding amount throughout the life of the contract.
For Example, a person A might make a one-time investment of $1000 in company X which decides to either pay him $100 straight as inflows for the next 12 months or it might give out a fixed amount of $90 plus interest portion based on the amount outstanding. The interest amount will, therefore, vary throughout the life of the contract.
Lump-sum, on the other hand, is a structure where the entire amount of the contract is paid all at once at the end of a predetermined duration. For example- there could be an insurance policy entered by person B in company Y which pays the entire amount of the contract at the end of 15 years.
Head to Head Comparison between Annuity vs Lump Sum
Below are the top 7 differences between Annuity vs Lump Sum:
Key Differences Between Annuity vs Lump Sum
Let us discuss some of the major differences between Annuity vs Lump Sum:
- Nature: Annuity consists of regular payments over a period of time whereas the flow of a lump sum is at a designated singular point of time
- Taxation: The returns from annuities are spread across periods and hence amenable to taxation over several years. This does not pose a high burden on the recipient however the burden does not waive over periods. With lump-sum there is a tax burden in one particular year, this burden will be higher compared to annuities but it will be a onetime affair
- Investor type: Annuities are more suited for newly earning or young investors. There is not a lot that needs to be put in initially and it is because of the limited amount flowing in this puts a control on the rash decision making. Annuities suit risk-averse and low savings individuals who have just started out. Lump-sum, on the other hand, would warrant a substantial amount put in. It is useful to take high investing and business decisions and is more suited for experienced investors. The lump-sum is useful for risk-taking individuals who have a substantial amount of savings to put into use.
Annuity vs Lump Sum Comparison of Table
Let us discuss the topmost differences between Annuity vs Lump Sum:
| Features | Annuities | Lump sum |
| Basic | Annuity payments are spread across a period of time, with a specified payment attached at intermittent durations. | The lump sum is an arrangement where the payout of the contract takes places at a single point |
| Choice | Annuities are generally preferred by investors who either want a regular stream of payments (inflows) or have small but regular savings periodically to invest in a particular fund (outflows). These investors are generally risk-averse in nature. | The investors who generally opt for lump sum scheme either as an inflow or outflow are generally more risk accepting and are willing to have the money held and come back to them after a certain point of time. These investors generally are not in short of money at the present. |
| Outlook | The outlook of the investors interested in annuities is generally short term in nature. They are also willing to devote time and energy on a regular basis to take care of the investments | The outlook of the investors in the lump sum payment scheme is long term in nature. They usually get returns after a duration of time. Also, they generally do not want to be involved in the day to day working of the financial flows |
| Types | There are two basic types of annuities: – Deferred The money is invested for a period of time and there is a break before you starting receiving the money. This type of annuity accumulates money before it starts to payout. – Immediate With this form of annuity, you start to receive immediately after you make your first investment. There is no gap before you start receiving returns on your investment. Even in the above, the annuity can either be fixed or variable depending on the kind of product it is associated with. E.g. – equity-indexed annuities. |
There is generally no types associated with a lump sum. It is just one payment made after a specified point of time with no other flows preceding or succeeding the said payment |
| Advantages | The annuities enable regular returns or regular savings. If one has to put in a regular amount of payments in a particular investment, he is bound to make financial choices that will enable savings for this scheme | The investor is at a choice of investing the received amount in a business or personal goal. For example, he might invest the amount received in a house property |
| Disadvantages | There is a restriction on what the investor can do with the money at his disposal. Usually, the amount involved is too less to take a substantial business or investment decision. | With the lump sum received in a particular year, there will be a high tax burden associated with the amount received. |
| Example | Annuities are generally associated with insurance contracts, where a specified sum is to be paid at regular payments. | Lump sums are usually associated with pension accounts where a sum is received after a mandated period of time. |
Conclusion
Given the nature of both the annuities and the lump sum payment flows, the choice of the investor depends on his financial goals, life expectancy and the earmarked returns associated with the plans. That said, there is a formula to calculate the present value of the annuities as below:
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Present value = {Annuity per period [(1+interest per period) ^number of periods -1]}/interest per period (1 + interest per period) ^number of periods
This can be compared with the lump sum payment directly (if received now) or the present value of the lump sum payment (if received after a point of time). Whichever flow yields a greater amount can be chosen.
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