Group annuities glossary

A comparison of the present value of one series of payments to another, taking into account specific mortality and interest assumptions, such as benefit options that are considered to provide the same overall value to the participant.

Periodic payments made to a retired participant or another payee, payable under the provisions of the group annuity contract.

The effective date for the first retirement benefit payment. Also known as retirement benefit commencement date or benefit commencement date.

A subgroup of participants under a group annuity contract. 

A person named by the participant to receive any benefits due upon the participant’s death.

The effective date for the first retirement benefit payment. Also known as annuity commencement date or retirement benefit commencement date.

A form of retirement benefit defined by the group annuity contract that a participant is eligible to receive. Examples include lifetime only payments or a continuation of a certain percentage of the benefit to a spouse or contingent annuitant due after the participant’s death.

Retirement benefit amount payable to a participant as defined by the group annuity contract.

An estimation of benefits to be provided to a participant that outlines the benefit options available to that individual under the terms of the group annuity contract. Also known as a quote.

The election of a single, lump-sum payment in lieu of a recurring monthly benefit, if allowed under the group annuity contract.

Provides retirement benefit payments for the lifetime of the participant. If the participant dies before the designated period of time, payments will continue for the remainder of that period to the designated beneficiary. For example, if a 5 year certain and continuous option is selected and the participant dies after receiving payments for 3 years and 11 months, the remaining 1 year and 1 month of payments will be paid to the beneficiary. If the participant dies after receiving 5 years of payments, nothing further will be due to the beneficiary.

The individual designated by the participant to have retirement benefits continue to be paid to upon death. This individual's life expectancy is used in the calculation of the participant’s benefit amount.

Provides lifetime annuity payments to the participant and then continues a defined percentage of the payments to the contingent annuitant, if still living, upon the participant’s death. For example, if a participant receiving a benefit of $100 per month elected a 75% contingent annuitant option, their contingent annuitant will receive $75 per month for the remainder of their life upon the death of the participant. Defined percentage of payments or contingent annuitant options typically include 100%, 75%, 66 2/3%, or 50%.

The entity or employer to which a group annuity contract is issued by John Hancock. This is usually the trust for the pension plan or the corporation, union, or government entity sponsoring the benefit plan.

An annual increase of a retirement benefit payment if provided for by the group annuity contract. For example, a $100 monthly retirement benefit with a 3% COLA would subsequently pay $103 per month after the first year, $106.09 per month after the second year, and so forth.

A unique identification number assigned by John Hancock to identify the participant or payee.

A retirement plan offered by an employer that provides for the payment of retirement benefits to eligible employees.

A participant under a group annuity contract who has not started receiving retirement benefit payments. 

A provision under a group annuity contract allowing participants to retire at an age earlier than the normal retirement date, usually with a reduced benefit payment amount.

Earliest date or age at which a participant may retire, usually with a reduced retirement benefit payment amount. For example, some group annuity contracts may offer a reduced benefit for eligible participants at age 55. This is an additional option in lieu of the full retirement benefit, which is typically offered at age 65.

Distribution of a retirement benefit payment sent electronically to a financial institution account. Participants have the option to receive payments via EFT or a mailed paper check.

The sum of employee contributions plus interest credited at a rate defined in the group annuity contract.

Funds contributed toward the retirement benefit by the participant.

Legislation enacted in 1974 that changed the private employee benefits system. Among other things, ERISA established reporting and fiduciary requirements, rules for participation, vesting and funding, guarantees for certain pension benefits, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to oversee plan terminations.

Percentage used to determine the taxable and nontaxable portions of each retirement benefit payment.

Provides lifetime payments to the participant, with a provision for a death benefit, payable to the designated beneficiaries. The amount of the death benefit will be equal to the excess, if any, of the amount defined in the group annuity contract less all benefit payments made to the participant.

A contract that has been purchased by an employer, known as a contract holder, from John Hancock to fund tax-qualified retirement benefits for a specified group of employees referred to as participants. The group annuity contract defines the benefit payment options and amounts that the contract holder has purchased for each participant.

The agency of the U.S. government charged with the enforcement of the Internal Revenue Code.

Provides lifetime annuity payments to the participant and a survivor, usually a spouse. Upon the death of the participant, payments will continue to the surviving person based on the election made by the participant at retirement. Amounts are selected as a percentage of the participant’s benefit amount, such as 100%, 75%, 66 2/3%, or 50%. Upon the death of the survivor, no further benefits are due.

A provision under a group annuity contract allowing the participant to retire at an age later than the normal retirement date, sometimes with an actuarially increased benefit amount.

Latest date or age that benefit payments may start for a participant, taking into consideration the terms of the group annuity contract and the applicable required minimum distribution (RMD) date limits under federal tax law.

The payment of a participant’s benefit as a one-time, single-sum payment, if allowed under the group annuity contract.

A lump-sum amount that represents the current value of periodic payment amounts due to the participant in the future.

The default form of retirement benefit that is payable if the participant does not choose another form of benefit. Although specific to each group annuity contract, it is usually a life benefit with no death benefit for an unmarried participant and a 50% joint and survivor annuity for a married participant.

The age or date at which a participant is eligible to retire and receive their full benefit payment amount. For most group annuity contracts this is the first of the month after the participant turns age 65.

The benefit purchased for a participant by the contract holder as of the normal retirement age.

The person listed as being entitled to a retirement benefit under a group annuity contract.

Provides for the payment of retirement benefits to the participant for a specific time period, such as 5, 10, or 15 years. If the participant dies before the period ends, the payments will continue to be paid to the designated beneficiary for the remainder of the period. Payments to the participant or beneficiary will stop at the end of the designated period.

Ongoing retirement benefit payments that are usually issued to participants on the first of every month and continue for their lifetime or until the designated time period ends.

Person to whom the retirement benefits are being paid. Usually this is the participant who was employed by the contract holder. Upon the participant’s death, this may become the spouse, beneficiary, or contingent annuitant.

Authority granted to an individual to act on behalf of a participant or payee as designated in a legal document that provides written consent and meets other qualifications.

Generally, a court order that creates or recognizes the existence of an alternate payee’s right to all or a portion of a participant’s qualified retirement benefit. QDROs are usually issued in connection with divorce or custody proceedings and comply with certain requirements under the Internal Revenue Code.

An estimation of benefits provided to a participant that outlines the benefit options available to them under the terms of the group annuity contract. 

The amount a participant must begin receiving as a retirement benefit usually no later than April 1 of the year following the year they reach age 70 1/2, and before December 31 for each subsequent year.

The effective date for the first retirement benefit payment. Also known as annuity benefit commencement date or benefit commencement date.

The transfer of assets from a tax-qualified retirement plan to an individual retirement plan or other tax-qualified plan without incurring any tax liability. The amount, frequency, and timing of tax-free rollovers are restricted under tax law.

A list of covered participants under a group annuity contract.

Provides lifetime benefit payments to the participant with no payments due to anyone after death.

Takes future estimated Social Security benefits into account when calculating periodic annuity payments so that participants receive consistent payment amounts before and after collecting Social Security benefits.

A document provided to a participant by John Hancock that defines the retirement benefit options and amounts they are eligible to receive under the group annuity contract.

An annuity payable during the participant’s lifetime but that does not continue beyond a specified period or after the participant’s death, whichever is earlier.