TL;DR: A $100K immediate annuity (SPIA) pays roughly $590-$640/month for a 65-year-old male and $560-$610/month for a 65-year-old female, single-life. At 70, payments rise to $670-$720 male / $640-$690 female. A $100K MYGA paying 5.75% (a June 2026 rate) interest-only yields ~$479/month and preserves the $100K principal. Below: full tables for SPIA single-life, joint-life, period-certain, DIA deferred to 80, and MYGA interest-only.
CD vs MYGA, after tax
Rates used: CD 5.00%, the top nationally available 5-year CD (Bankrate, October 14, 2026); change it to the rate you are offered. MYGA 5.95%, the best A-rated rate we track as of October 13, 2026: Delaware Life Pinnacle Plus 5-year (AM Best A-, negative outlook, 7/31/2026), $100,000 and up, effective October 6, 2026 (Delaware Life rate sheet).
| CD, interest taxed every year | $121,081 |
|---|---|
| MYGA, tax-deferred, before tax | $133,507 |
| MYGA after paying tax on all the interest at withdrawal | $126,136 |
| Tax deferral alone adds about | $674 |
| MYGA ahead of the CD, after tax | $5,055 |
Assumes 22% federal and 0% state income tax, no withdrawals, rates held for the whole term. MYGA interest is taxed as ordinary income when you withdraw it, not as capital gains. Gains taken before age 59 1/2 can owe a 10% IRS penalty, and cashing out early can cost a surrender charge. In an IRA both grow tax-deferred, so the edge there is the rate alone. Bank and credit union deposits are FDIC or NCUA insured up to the limits; a MYGA is backed by the issuing insurer's claims-paying ability and your state's guaranty association up to its limits, not the FDIC. General education, not tax, legal or financial advice.
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | $540-$590 | $510-$560 |
| 62 | $560-$610 | $530-$580 |
| 65 | $590-$640 | $560-$610 |
| 67 | $610-$660 | $580-$630 |
| 70 | $670-$720 | $640-$690 |
| 72 | $700-$750 | $670-$720 |
| 75 | $760-$820 | $710-$770 |
| 78 | $830-$890 | $780-$840 |
| 80 | $880-$950 | $830-$900 |
| 85 | $1,020-$1,110 | $960-$1,040 |
Rates above are pure life-only payouts. Payments stop at death with no residual benefit. These are the highest-paying SPIA structures. Cash-refund and period-certain options pay less; see below.
Cash refund: if the annuitant dies before total payments equal premium, the difference is paid to the beneficiary. Pays slightly less than life-only but provides a residual benefit.
| Age | Male (cash refund) | Female (cash refund) |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | $555-$605 | $530-$580 |
| 70 | $620-$670 | $595-$645 |
| 75 | $700-$760 | $665-$720 |
| 80 | $795-$865 | $760-$825 |
Pays for the greater of: annuitant's lifetime or 10 years. Beneficiary receives remaining period-certain payments if annuitant dies within 10 years.
| Age | Male (10 yr certain) | Female (10 yr certain) |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | $575-$625 | $555-$600 |
| 70 | $640-$690 | $620-$665 |
| 75 | $715-$770 | $685-$735 |
| 80 | $795-$855 | $765-$820 |
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Pays for as long as either spouse is alive. Payment continues at 100% to the survivor.
| Joint ages | Joint 100% survivor |
|---|---|
| 60 / 58 | $465-$510 |
| 65 / 63 | $510-$555 |
| 70 / 68 | $570-$615 |
| 75 / 73 | $650-$700 |
| 80 / 78 | $745-$800 |
Pays full amount while both alive. At first death, drops to 50% for the survivor. Higher starting payment than 100% J&S.
| Joint ages | Both alive | Survivor only |
|---|---|---|
| 65 / 63 | $545-$595 | $272-$298 |
| 70 / 68 | $615-$670 | $307-$335 |
| 75 / 73 | $700-$760 | $350-$380 |
Buy now at 65, payments begin at 80. The carrier earns on your money for 15 years and pays an inflated payout when income starts. Used for longevity insurance.
| Purchase age / start age | Male monthly payout | Female monthly payout |
|---|---|---|
| 65 → 80 | $1,750-$1,950 | $1,620-$1,800 |
| 65 → 85 | $2,650-$2,950 | $2,400-$2,700 |
| 60 → 80 | $2,150-$2,400 | $1,980-$2,200 |
DIA payouts are much higher than SPIAs because the carrier accumulates value during the deferral period and pays out over a shorter expected life span. The trade-off: zero income until the start date. If you die before the start date, beneficiary typically receives a return of premium or nothing depending on rider.
A MYGA pays a fixed interest rate. You can take the interest out monthly without touching principal. Principal stays preserved and matures back to you (or to beneficiary at death). This is fundamentally different from a SPIA: SPIA = principal converted to lifetime income; MYGA = principal preserved, interest paid out.
| MYGA rate | Monthly interest on $100K | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 5.00% | $417 | $5,000 |
| 5.25% | $438 | $5,250 |
| 5.50% | $458 | $5,500 |
| 5.75% | $479 | $5,750 |
| 6.00% | $500 | $6,000 |
The MYGA monthly payment is the interest only. You keep the $100K principal. The SPIA monthly payment is principal + interest combined. You don't get the principal back.
SPIA payouts move with interest rates. A 1% increase in the long Treasury rate adds roughly $40-$60/month to a $100K SPIA payout at age 65. A 1% decrease subtracts the same.
SPIA payouts also reflect carrier mortality assumptions. Older annuitants get more per month because the expected payout period is shorter.
MYGA rates move with intermediate-term bond yields and carrier competitive positioning. Top-of-shelf MYGA rates rotate weekly among the top 5-10 carriers.
Using the male life-only ranges in the table above and an illustrative 5.5% 5-year MYGA (a June 2026 rate; current rates are on the MYGA rates page):
| Path with $200,000 | Monthly income | Income in years 65-69 |
|---|---|---|
| SPIA at 65 | $1,180 to $1,280 | $70,800 to $76,800 |
| 5-year MYGA at 5.5%, then SPIA at 70 | $1,751 to $1,882 (on $261,392) | $0 |
Waiting adds about $570 to $600 a month for life but gives up five years of checks. Break-even lands around 10.5 years after age 70, so roughly age 80 to 81. Waiting also keeps the money accessible during the MYGA term (usually 10% a year free of surrender charges), which a SPIA never does. If you need the income now or have health concerns, buy at 65. If you are healthy and have other income until 70, the MYGA-first path usually pays more.
Decision framework for SPIA timing:
Yes. SPIA payments are locked at the contract date for the lifetime of the contract. Carrier rate changes after you sign don't affect your contract.
Carriers price based on average life expectancy. Females live ~3-4 years longer on average, so the same premium has to last longer, producing a lower monthly payout.
Non-qualified SPIA: each payment has a tax-free 'exclusion ratio' portion (basis return) and a taxable interest portion. IRA-funded SPIA: each payment is fully taxable as ordinary income.
SPIA payouts scale linearly. A $300K SPIA pays exactly 3x what a $100K SPIA pays at the same age and structure. A $1M SPIA pays 10x. Some carriers offer premium bonuses on $250K+ that bump the effective rate slightly.
Minimums vary: $10K is common, $25K is typical for top carriers. Below $50K, your top-of-shelf options narrow significantly.
Typically 2-4 weeks from application to first payment. Funding via 1035 exchange or IRA transfer can add 1-2 weeks. Once issued, payments are monthly on a fixed date.
Depends on need and rate trajectory. If you need the income now, locking is usually right. If you can wait and rates appear to be rising, waiting may be better. Don't try to perfectly time it. Mortality math erodes your patience.
Yes, via an inflation rider. Starting payment drops ~30-35% in exchange for 2-3% annual increases. Only makes sense for very long horizons (25+ years).
Talk to Hans Goldstein, a licensed independent insurance producer.
I'll pull live quotes from 3-5 A-rated carriers based on your exact age and gender and walk you through the trade-offs between SPIA, DIA, MYGA, and joint-life structures. No carrier preference, no product pitch.
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📞 Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer appointed with multiple A-rated carriers
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This article reflects publicly available product materials and approximate rates as of the date stated above. Annuity rates, caps, participation rates, payout factors, crediting methods, and tax rules change frequently. Confirm current figures in the latest carrier disclosure and the contract before you buy. This article is general information for educational purposes; it is not a personalized recommendation, solicitation, or offer of any specific product, nor is it tax or legal advice. Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398) appointed with multiple A-rated carriers across the annuity and long-term care insurance market; specific appointment status with any carrier discussed may vary, and discussion of a carrier is not an endorsement or representation of carrier appointment. No compensation has been received from any carrier in connection with the publication of this article. Always read the actual contract and consult a licensed advisor and a CPA or tax attorney before purchasing any annuity or making rollover decisions. Annuities are long-term contracts with surrender charges; they are not suitable for funds you may need before the end of the surrender period. AM Best ratings, payout factors, and tax treatment are subject to change. References to the TSP, FERS, CSRS, OPM, USPS, Social Security, IRMAA, WEP/GPO, IRC §72, §453, and §1035 reflect rules as of 2026 and are subject to change.
Hans Goldstein is an Enrolled Agent, admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS. General education, not tax or legal advice for your situation.