Medicare Supplements

United American has been a prominent Medicare Supplement insurance provider since Medicare began in 1966. Additionally, we’ve been a long-standing participant in the task forces working on Medicare Supplement insurance policy recommendations for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Insurance Products

When you become a United American policyholder, you gain freedom of choice. Our products allow you to keep your choice of trusted doctors and hospitals. 

Group Insurance

United American Insurance Company has been a market leader in providing insurance to employer and union group sponsors for 25 years.

Careers

United American has been underwriting life and health insurance since 1947. Thousands of independent agents/agencies have found success selling our life, health, and Medicare Supplement policies.

Resources

One of the many things United American is well-known for is our superior customer service. When it comes to your health, we believe education, service, and support are vital. With our experience and stability, we’re the Company that does what it says it will do.

File A Claim

Because of our 50+ years of experience in providing life, supplemental health and Medicare Supplement insurance, United American offers superior customer service to both our agents and customers.  Never stress about your claim status with our online claim tracker. Need more help? Let one of our licensed agents assist you.

Contact

At United American, we only provide knowledgeable and licensed agents to service you. Say goodbye to wasted hours spent on hold and bid good riddance to talking to artificial intelligence. Hear a live voice or get one-on-one time with one of our licensed agents today.

Using Annuities for Retirement

Using Annuities for Retirement

It’s no secret pension plans are getting harder to come by. As a result, many Americans who are nearing retirement are turning to annuities to supplement their income streams. Though the common thought of annuities define them as investments, the financial services industry thinks of them more as contracts. With any contract, there is much to consider before solidifying your obligations.

What is an annuity?

An annuity is a contract from an insurance company that helps you obtain certain financial goals such as protection, retirement income, legacy planning, or long-term care costs. Annuities are professionally referred to as contracts because they provide guaranteed income for an agreed timeframe, whereas investments normally do not have the same certainty.

The word “annuity” is so broad that one could consider a social security benefit an annuity. For a concise definition, you make payments on annuities for a set amount of time before the annuities start paying you.

How do annuities work?

One of the most attractive features of an annuity is the consumer control. You choose what you want the money to do and when you want it to start doing it. There are two phases of annuities:

Accumulation Phase

This is when you pay the annuity. Premiums can either come in the form of a lump-sum payment, or a series of payments. Regardless of how you’re paying the annuity, if you’re paying a premium, you’re in the accumulation phase.

Payout Phase

Once you’ve met the total on your premium payments and the time you set on your contract has arrived, you have entered the payout phase. This is when you stop paying the annuity and the annuity starts paying you. However, some annuities can be paid out while you are still contributing to it.

If you have a lifetime annuity, streams are based on your life expectancy. Therefore, if you start receiving income younger, your life expectancy is longer, or your payout period is long, your annuity payments will be small and vice versa.

Why do people buy annuities? 

Annuities are mainly popular for those close to, or in, retirement as they help stream income. Annuities provide:
  • Frequent payments for a set amount of time such as the rest of your life or your spouse’s life.
  • Death benefits to your beneficiary should you die before you start receiving your payments.
  • Tax-deferred growth on the income and investments gained from your annuity until you take out the money.

What type of annuities are there?

Annuities is a broad term that can apply to many different income streams, but the most common types of annuities may fall under three categories:

  • Fixed annuities are regulated by the state insurance commissioners and they are purchased with a fixed interest rate and fixed amount of periodic payments.

  • Variable annuities allow you to invest your payments into different options such as mutual funds. The payment varies depending on the rate of return and expenses.

  • Indexed annuities can be considered hybrids, with a combination of securities and insurance products. A return is credited to you based on stock market index. This type of annuity is also regulated by the state insurance commissioners.

With a complex product such as an annuity, it’s vital to understand the role it plays as well as the fine print such as payment schedules, amounts, beneficiaries, and fees. As with any major insurance purchase, it’s encouraged to consult a licensed insurance professional before signing any policies.