is an RMD an annuity?

[tonyment]

This annuity question about my RMD makes no sense.

[DaveF1006]

This is a confusing question but let me break it down and then you can decide if your RMD is an annuity or not.

An RMD is:

• A mandatory withdrawal from retirement accounts (Traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b), etc.)
• Required once you reach the IRS age threshold
• Taxable as ordinary income

An annuity is:

• A contract (usually with an insurance company but sometimes with government retired employees)
• That pays out income on a schedule of periodic annuity payments
• Sometimes held inside a retirement account, but not the same thing as the RMD itself

My suggestion is, if you aren't sure, answer no to the annuity question and yes only to “Was this an RMD?”