Evolution of Annuities: From Ancient Roots to Modern Solutions

Alan Williams

4 minute read

Let’s face it—’annuity’ isn’t exactly the most exciting word in the financial dictionary, but don’t let that fool you. The history of annuities stretches back thousands of years, and believe it or not, they’ve played a pretty important role in helping people create steady income for life.

Sure, they’ve gotten a bad rap over the years—some of it deserved, some of it not—but if you’ve ever worried about running out of money in retirement (and who hasn’t?), annuities might deserve a second look.

In this article, we’ll take you on a tour through the surprisingly rich history of annuities, bust a few myths, and share what the retirement income planning pros are saying about how these financial tools can work for you.

The Evolution of Annuities: A Historical Timeline

To fully understand how annuities work today, it’s helpful to look at the history of annuities—how they’ve evolved across centuries to become a pillar of retirement income planning.

Ancient Foundations (~2nd Century AD)

In the Roman Empire, the concept of the “annua” allowed citizens to make a lump sum payment in exchange for a lifetime stream of annual income.
The Roman jurist Ulpian developed one of the earliest known life expectancy tables to help price these arrangements.

Middle Ages to Renaissance (13th–16th Centuries)

Religious institutions begin offering lifetime income arrangements.
Monarchs use annuities to raise funds, often without regard for the age of the annuitant.
In the 17th century, the tontine emerged, pooling money from investors with income distributed to survivors.

Early U.S. Adoption (18th–19th Centuries)

~1720 – 1759: The Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania created a fund to support retired ministers and their families.
1812: The Pennsylvania Company for Insurance on Lives and Granting Annuities began offering annuities to the public.
1875: First corporate pension plan was established in the United States by the American Express Company.

The 20th Century Boom

1929: Annuities gained popularity after the stock market crashed—when Americans began to view them as safe, reliable alternatives to volatile equity markets.
1935: The Social Security Act of 1935 institutionalized the idea of guaranteed lifetime income.
1950s – 1970s: Insurance companies began offering deferred and immediate annuities to meet growing retirement income needs.
1952: The first variable annuity, now known as the CREF Stock Account, was introduced by the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA).
1986: The Tax Reform Act passes, creating significant tax advantages for retirement products. This in turn accelerated development of diverse annuity offerings.

Early 21st Century Innovation

1990s: Traditional pensions began to disappear in favor of defined contribution plans like 401(k)s, creating a growing need for personal income solutions like annuities.
1990s – 2000s: These years saw the emergence of fixed indexed annuities, which offered market-linked returns with downside protection.
2006: Annuities with long-term care (LTC) riders became possible due to the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA).
2019: The SECURE Act of 2019 made it easier for 401(k) plans to include annuity options.
2020s: Have brought more flexible and personalized annuity products, designed to fit a wider range of retirement strategies.
2024: U.S. annuity sales were reported at $432.4 billion according to LIMRA—a reflection of growing consumer demand for reliable income solutions.

What Do Retirement Experts Say About Annuities?

Ernst & Young Insight

EY studies show that integrating products like deferred income annuities and life insurance with traditional investments can enhance retirement outcomes.

Annuities represent a critical tool in managing retirement uncertainty. As longevity increases and traditional pension plans decline, these financial instruments offer a unique solution for guaranteed income streams.

– Retirement Strategy Report, Ernst & Young

BlackRock’s Perspective

BlackRock’s recent initiatives reflect a shift toward pension-style income solutions through annuities within target-date funds.

The evolution of annuities reflects a broader shift in retirement planning. We’re seeing a move from one-size-fits-all approaches to highly customized, technology-driven solutions that address individual risk profiles.

– BlackRock Retirement Research Team

Center for Retirement Research at Boston College

The center’s work supports annuities as a reliable mechanism to guard against longevity risk and income insecurity.

While annuities are not a magic solution, they play an increasingly important role in comprehensive retirement strategies. The key is understanding their strengths and limitations within a broader financial plan.

– Dr. Alicia Munnell, Director of Center for Retirement Research

Tony Robbins’ Take

Robbins emphasizes the power of mortality credits—a benefit unique to annuities that can significantly enhance retirement income security.

Immediate annuities beat out every other potential vehicle for providing guaranteed lifetime income for one reason: mortality credits.

– Tony Robbins, Money: Master the Game

Olivia Mitchell’s Viewpoint

Mitchell underscores how deferred annuities can boost retirement security by enhancing income consistency and optimizing benefit strategies.

Including deferred income annuities in retirement plans can lead to more income stability, better use of Social Security, and improved financial well-being.

– Olivia Mitchell, Executive Director, Pension Research Council, The Wharton School

Common Misconceptions and Criticisms

Despite annuities’ long history, many misconceptions still persist. From concerns over fees to misunderstandings about access and returns, these myths can prevent people from exploring their full potential.

Misconception #1: Annuities Are Too Expensive

Many people believe annuities come with exorbitant fees that eat into their retirement savings. While some annuities can have high fees, the market has evolved:

Modern annuities offer more transparent pricing
Many annuities have ZERO fees
Competition has driven down costs
Different types of annuities have varying fee structures

Misconception #2: They’re Too Complex

The variety of annuity types and riders can be confusing, but with proper guidance, individuals can choose the right product for their needs:

Modern annuities come with clearer, more straightforward explanations
Online tools and calculators help simplify decision-making
Financial advisors can break down complex terms
Complexity is comparable to other financial products like mortgages and 401(k)s

Misconception #3: You Lose All Your Money If You Die Early

A persistent fear is that if you pass away shortly after purchasing an annuity, the insurance company keeps all your money. Reality is more nuanced:

Many annuities offer death benefit riders
Some products allow beneficiaries to receive remaining funds
Certain annuities can be structured to protect your initial investment

Misconception #4: I Can Do Better With the Market

Annuities aren’t meant to beat the market—they’re designed to provide security, consistency, and income you can’t outlive. The trade-off is guaranteed income versus market speculation:

Guaranteed income provides peace of mind
Protects against market volatility
Complements, rather than competes with, market investments

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The Role of Annuities in Today’s Retirement Landscape

Annuities have changed dramatically in recent years. Once seen as rigid or outdated, they’re now more flexible, transparent, and tailored to meet diverse retirement goals.

Solving the Longevity Problem – People are living longer, and that means retirement income must stretch further. Annuities provide a guaranteed income stream for life, helping to address longevity risk.
Filling the Pension Gap – As traditional pensions decline, annuities offer a way to create your own pension-like income from retirement savings.
Portfolio Stability – Fixed and indexed annuities can act as a volatility buffer, providing income without the ups and downs of the market.

Conclusion

Simply put, annuities have evolved—and continue to do so. Once seen as inflexible and limited, they’re now a sophisticated asset best utilized with expert guidance. Backed by top financial institutions and cutting-edge research, today’s annuities are more accessible, transparent, and customizable than ever before.

If you’re planning for retirement, now is the perfect time to take a fresh look at this time-tested tool—and see how it can support your broader retirement planning strategy.