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Insurance companies issue annuities, a form of investment that is generally offered via Insurance brokers. Once an investor pays into the annuity, the annuity earns interest for a set period of time. With fixed annuities, the capital invested is guaranteed. They are a safe, popular and tax-deferred way to increase your wealth.

A fixed annuity can be funded with one large payment, or with a series of payments over time. Returns on traditional fixed annuities do not rely on increases in the stock market or other equity investments and funds are guaranteed to grow. There is a stable interest return and future cash flow from the annuity to the investor.

Annuities can be structured in a number of ways; varying accumulation period, length of income payments and other factors. Investors get the security of a fixed income when they choose a "fixed annuity" option. Issuing insurance companies guarantee a minimum interest rate for a set period of time with a fixed annuity option. Most of the companies also pay a minimum benefit. Since the payout is fixed over a period of time, investors are aware of the expected income over the payout period.

There are options for how fixed annuities are paid out. With immediate payment annuities, the investor makes a lump sum premium deposit and immediately receives fixed monthly returns. This is a good way for an individual to turn a lump sum into a retirement income stream.

Deferred annuities can be a useful tool to add to a retirement portfolio. The investor can choose to deposit a lump sum into the account where it will accumulate interest over time, or make periodic payments into it. After a set amount of time, the returns are paid out. This is a form of fixed annuity.New retirees sometimes neglect to calculate their income requirements after leaving a regular paycheck. An income annuity may be the perfect solution.