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Life & Health Insurance Annuities and Retirement Plans Flashcards

7 cards from real Life & Health Insurance Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What is the IRS penalty for taking a distribution from a qualified retirement plan before age 59½, absent an exception?

    Answer: 10%

    The IRS imposes a 10% early withdrawal penalty on distributions from qualified plans before age 59½, in addition to ordinary income tax.

  2. Which type of annuity credits interest based on the performance of an external market index, with a floor protecting against loss?

    Answer: Indexed annuity

    Fixed indexed annuities link credited interest to an external index like the S&P 500 while guaranteeing the principal will not decline due to index losses.

  3. What is the required beginning date for taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from a traditional IRA under current law?

    Answer: April 1 of the year following the year the owner turns 73

    Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, RMDs must begin by April 1 of the year following the year the IRA owner turns 73.

  4. A deferred annuity in its accumulation phase is best described as:

    Answer: Building up value before income payments begin

    During the accumulation phase of a deferred annuity, premium payments and earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis before income payments commence.

  5. Which retirement plan type allows employees to make pre-tax salary deferral contributions and is commonly offered by private sector employers?

    Answer: 401(k)

    The 401(k) plan is the most common employer-sponsored retirement plan in the private sector, allowing employees to defer pre-tax salary into the plan.

  6. What does the exclusion ratio determine in a non-qualified annuity?

    Answer: The portion of each annuity payment that is tax-free return of basis

    The exclusion ratio identifies what percentage of each annuity payment represents a tax-free return of the owner's after-tax investment (cost basis).

  7. An annuity owner dies during the accumulation phase. Which provision ensures the beneficiary receives at least the total premiums paid?

    Answer: Minimum death benefit guarantee

    Most deferred annuities include a minimum death benefit guarantee ensuring the beneficiary receives at least the total premiums paid, even if the account value is lower.