EuroCalc

Qu'est-ce que le/la Rente viagère ?

Une rente viagère est un contrat d'assurance dans lequel l'acheteur verse une prime et l'assureur lui garantit en retour des versements périodiques pour une durée fixe ou à vie – instrument typique de revenu de retraite.

Two broad types: immediate annuities (pay-outs start within a year of purchase) and deferred annuities (accumulation phase before pay-out). Subtypes include fixed (guaranteed return), variable (returns tied to underlying investments) and indexed (linked to a market index with caps and floors).

Annuities trade flexibility for longevity protection: you cannot outlive a life annuity, but you also cannot reclaim the principal once annuitised. Best for retirees worried about longevity risk; less attractive when fees are high or interest rates low.

Exemple

A 65-year-old uses CHF 500,000 to buy an immediate life annuity paying CHF 2,400/month for life; total payments depend on how long they live.

Termes liés

Questions fréquentes

Should I buy an annuity?+

Useful for longevity protection; compare carefully with simple bond + equity drawdown plans, factoring in fees.

What happens when I die?+

Depends on the rider. Single-life: payments stop. Joint-life: spouse continues. Period certain: payments continue to heirs for a set time.

Are annuity payments taxable?+

Partially — the portion representing return of principal is tax-free; investment growth is taxable as income.