Annuities aren’t one-size-fits-all — and neither are their price tags. The minimum contribution you’ll need depends on the type of annuity and the terms set by your provider. Some start in the thousands, while others cost much more.

If you’re concerned about upfront costs, keep reading. We’ll break down different types of annuities and their minimum annuity contribution costs to help you find one that fits your budget and long-term savings goals.

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What’s the minimum contribution for an annuity?

There isn’t a universal initial annuity contribution amount — most providers set a minimum deposit amount based on the type of annuity and their asset management strategies. Some providers allow annuitants to deposit as little as $1,000, while other institutions require as much as $100,000 to kick-start the account.

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Minimum contribution by annuity type

One of the most common questions for new annuitants is, “How much money do you need to start an annuity?" The annuity structure often determines the type of annuitant it will appeal to, which partially dictates the minimum annuity contribution amount.

The following overview of annuity types shows how widely this initial lump sum can vary.

Fixed annuities

A fixed annuity guarantees a set interest rate over a designated time. This type of annuity usually has a relatively small initial minimum contribution amount of $5,000–10,000. Fixed annuities are low-risk and offer predictable returns, making them ideal for conservative annuitants seeking stable returns.

With a fixed annuity, you might choose a 10-year $50,000 annuity offering a 4% fixed return. With compounding interest, if you don’t withdraw funds before the maturity date, the annuity will reach a cash value of $74,010.

Variable annuities

Variable annuities allow annuitants to choose from sub-accounts, such as bonds or mutual funds. Unlike fixed annuities, variable annuities fluctuate with market performance. Because of the inherent risk, annuity companies often require higher minimum annuity contributions.

The minimum contribution for a variable annuity starts at around $5,000, but some providers want as much as $25,000 at the outset. With a variable annuity, you can allocate your contributions across stock and bond funds, giving you flexibility — but also exposing your annuity’s cash value to market fluctuations based on the performance of your chosen holdings.

Indexed annuities

An indexed annuity is tied to a market index like the S&P 500^®. Many indexed annuities have capped rates and downside protection, which partially protect annuitants from market volatility.

The minimum contribution for indexed annuities ranges from $1,000 to $50,000. Consider a $50,000 annuity contribution in an indexed product that caps returns at 10% with a 0% floor. This means that you’ll earn 0–10% returns on any given year while in the annuity, regardless of how the market performs.

Fixed indexed annuities, on the other hand, lock in the interest rate, similar to fixed annuities.

Deferred annuities

Deferred annuities have a low minimum contribution — often as low as $2,500. Taxes are deferred until you withdraw funds, which usually occurs after retirement. And deferred accounts often let annuitants make flexible payments over time instead of requiring a significant lump sum minimum contribution.

Immediate annuities

An immediate annuity is quite unique — you deposit a large lump sum payment and begin receiving disbursements immediately. Because of this structure, most providers require a minimum annuity contribution of $25,000–100,000, making an immediate annuity more appealing to an annuitant seeking a steady income stream as they enter retirement.

Flexible premium vs. single premium annuities

Single premium annuities require one upfront payment to fund the contract. This structure applies to immediate annuities and single premium deferred annuities (SPDAs), where you invest a large amount (often $25,000–$100,000) and either start receiving income right away or let it grow tax-deferred.

Flexible premium annuities allow you to contribute smaller amounts over time, making them more accessible to younger investors or those still accumulating savings. Minimum initial contributions typically start around $2,500–$5,000, with the option to add funds periodically.

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Factors that influence annuity contribution amounts

Your upfront contribution will partly dictate the amount your annuity will eventually pay out, but several other factors will determine the cash value of the annuity at its maturity date. When planning your investment strategy, consider the following.

Desired payout amount

The amount of money you need to start an annuity depends on your desired payout. With all other factors being equal, if annuitant A places twice as much in the same annuity as annuitant B, annuitant A’s interest earnings will be worth twice as much as it matures.

Also, consider other variables that affect your payouts, like the account’s interest rate, the maturity date, and whether or not you can make additional deposits.

With flexible-premium annuities, you can contribute more funds over time. And you can also choose tax-deferred contracts so you don’t pay taxes until you receive payouts. Single-premium annuities, on the other hand, only allow the initial contribution. To generate more wealth, you’ll have to purchase a new annuity.

Age and life expectancy

Your age also affects what your initial contribution should be to result in the payouts you hope for. A relatively young person wanting to purchase an annuity may opt for a longer term since they’re further away from retirement. And they might make a larger initial contribution or select a flexible-premium annuity to build it slowly over time.

In contrast, an older person might have a relatively smaller planning window, especially when nearing retirement age.

Costs and fees

Traditional annuities often come with fees and charges. Before you purchase an annuity, ensure you know the fees and penalties associated with your contract. Here are some to watch out for:

‍Administrative fees: Fees to cover administrative costs aren’t uncommon. Administrative fees may be fixed or a percentage of the annuity's cash value.

Investment management fees: Variable annuities often charge investment management fees to cover the additional work in managing annuity sub-accounts.

Sales commissions: Sales commissions are upfront fees deducted to compensate the agent.

Surrender charges: These fees penalize annuitants for withdrawing funds before the maturity date. Surrender fees are usually about 10% of the annuity's cash value.

Additional annuity riders: Some annuities offer optional riders that guarantee lifetime withdrawal benefits or death benefits. Providers add these to the annuity's initial price.

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This communication is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be interpreted as, individualized investment, legal, or tax advice.