An income rider is a contract add-on, typically to annuities, that guarantees access to withdrawals or annuitized income using a benefit base and defined payout factors. Common forms include guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB) that provide lifetime income without full annuitization and guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIB) that lock in annuity payouts at future dates. Riders have fees, allocation requirements, and rules that reduce the base for excess withdrawals. They are designed to hedge longevity and sequence-of-returns risk while preserving a measure of asset control and beneficiary value.

Clients add income riders to FIAs for lifetime withdrawal rights. Advisors explain base growth, step-ups, withdrawal percentages, and the impact of excess withdrawals. Reviews keep allocations within rider rules and income on track.