Retirement Income Review: GLWB/GMWB (CBS Money Watch)

Several companies have started offering guaranteed minimum lifetime withdrawal benefits. Prudential has a GLWB offered in 401(k) plans and Vanguard’s variable annuity with a GLWB rider is available in IRAs and regular investment accounts. Clients will say they’re too good to be true because retirement savings grow when the stock market is doing well and won’t decrease if the market crashes. The market protection is made possible by guaranteeing the income base on the product never falls below the value of the accumulated contributions. Experts say the most cost-effective GLWB products are those that charge around 1% of the benefit value each year for the guarantee.