With the turbulent times we have been experiencing in the markets, more people are considering annuities to ensure a certain income in their retirement years. It might not suit everybody to put some of their funds into annuities, and there is always the question of how much do you invest in them. There is no clear-cut answer, and you’ll need to weigh your personal circumstances to see how annuities can fit into your retirement plans.

One reason that you will find different reactions to the idea of an annuity is they come in several shapes and sizes, and offer different guarantees. You will probably need expert assistance in figuring out what works best for you. There are two main types of annuity: an immediate annuity and a deferred annuity, and you would buy them for different reasons.