By Ngozi Onyeakusi—AIICO Insurance Plc has reiterated its commitment to providing a robust
annuity service that meets customers’ expectations as well as drives
the growth of insurance in the country.

The managing director/CEO, AIICO Insurance Plc, Mr. Babatunde Fajemirokun, 

made the disclosure yesterday at the 3rd Edition of AIICO Annual Media Training 
organised for members of the National
Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO), in Lagos.

Fajemirokun, who was represented at the occasion by the Head,
Strategic Marketing and Communications, Mr. Segun Olalandu, said AIICO
Insurance is doing everything possible to deepen annuity business in
order to take advantage of its inherent opportunities.

The AIICO Insurance boss, who described annuity business as a game changer 

for everybody, noted that, the insurer is committed to a robust and effective annuity
service.

He noted that a lot still need to be done to deepen the business in
Nigeria, adding that ‘we are not there yet, but step by step, we will
get there.’

While emphasising the importance of the collaboration between AIICO
Insurance and NAIPCO, he said: ‘’our partnership with you as
journalists, especially in respect of today’s training on Annuity is
an indication of our commitment to the growth of this business.’’

He said AIICO has strategically repositioned the Annuity department for
effectiveness and growth.

While thanking NAIPCO members for their supports so far, he charged
them to make good use of the training to enrich their knowledge on
annuity, share their experiences ‘so that when you are reporting on
the subject matter, you will be able to tell the stories accurately.’

Speaking on the theme of the training, which is, ‘Understanding Annuity Business,’

 Senior Manager, Business Development, AIICO Insurance, Mr. Victor Owotorose, 

stressed the importance and benefits of annuity to the clients and the growth of
insurance industry.

Annuities, he stressed, are insurance contracts that promise to pay you

regular income immediately or in the future.

According to him, a deferred annuity has an accumulation phase
followed by a disbursement (annuitisation) phase; while  an immediate annuity
converts a lump sum into cash flows from day one.

Owotorose said, annuity can be bought  with either a lump sum or a
series of payments contributed over time, adding that, annuities come
in three main varieties—fixed, variable, and indexed—each with its own
level of risk and payout potentials.

The income receive from an annuity, he said, is typically taxed at
regular income tax rates which are usually lower unlike when calculated 

with long-term capital gains rates.


Owotorose defined annuity as a contract between “you and an insurance
company in which you make a lump-sum payment or series of payments
and, in return, receive regular disbursements, beginning either
immediately or at some point in the future. The goal of an annuity is to provide

 a steady stream of income, typically during retirement.

‘’Many aspects of an annuity can be tailored to the specific needs of
the buyer. In addition to choosing between a lump-sum payment or a
series of payments to the insurer, you can choose when you want to
annuitize your contributions—that is, start receiving payments. An
annuity that begins paying out immediately is referred to as an
immediate annuity, while one that starts at a predetermined date in
the future is called a deferred annuity.”

‘’The duration of the disbursements can also vary. You can choose to
receive payments for a specific period of time, such as 25 years, or
for the rest of your life. Of course, securing a lifetime of payments
can lower the amount of each check, but it helps ensure that you don’t
outlive your assets, which is one of the main selling points of
annuities.

‘’Annuities come in three main varieties: Fixed, variable, and
indexed. Each type has its own level of risk and payout potential. For
any of these, it is often structured as a deferred annuity,’’ he
explained.

Earlier in his opening remarks, NAIPCO Chairman, Mr. Chuks Udo

Okonta, thanked AIICO for the continued sponsorship of the training
which he said is the third in its series.

Chuks, who is also the publisher of Inspenonline, said, NAIPCO members
will maximise the knowledge gained at the training to enrich the
content of their reports and articles.