diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7ddbf09..4ea6ee3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ The following configuration options are accepted:
   directive, if present, otherwise fall back to using `:rtype:`. Use in conjunction with
   [napoleon_use_rtype](https://www.sphinx-doc.org/en/master/usage/extensions/napoleon.html#confval-napoleon_use_rtype)
   to avoid generation of duplicate or redundant return type information.
+- `typehints_rtype_after_returns` (default `False`): Controls behavior when `typehints_document_rtype` and
+  `typehints_use_rtype` are set to True. If `True` insert the `:rtype:` after the `:returns:`. If False
+  insert the `:rtype:` before the `:returns:`.
 - `typehints_defaults` (default: `None`): If `None`, defaults are not added. Otherwise, adds a default annotation:
 
   - `'comma'` adds it after the type, changing Sphinx’ default look to “**param** (_int_, default: `1`) -- text”.
diff --git a/src/sphinx_autodoc_typehints/__init__.py b/src/sphinx_autodoc_typehints/__init__.py
index d2b1b06..23d64fc 100644
--- a/src/sphinx_autodoc_typehints/__init__.py
+++ b/src/sphinx_autodoc_typehints/__init__.py
@@ -778,8 +778,11 @@ def _append_default(
             if lines[next_index]:
                 append_index = next_index
             next_index += 1
-        lines[append_index] += formatted_default
-
+        if append_index >= nlines:
+            # When append_index is greater than nlines, simply append the line to the end of lines
+            lines.append(formatted_default)
+        else:
+            lines[append_index] += formatted_default
     else:  # add to last param doc line
         type_annotation += formatted_default
 
@@ -895,6 +898,9 @@ def _inject_rtype(  # noqa: PLR0913, PLR0917
 
     formatted_annotation = add_type_css_class(format_annotation(type_hints["return"], app.config))
 
+    if app.config.typehints_rtype_after_returns and r.found_return:
+        insert_index += 1
+
     if r.found_param and insert_index < len(lines) and lines[insert_index].strip():
         insert_index -= 1
 
@@ -966,6 +972,7 @@ def setup(app: Sphinx) -> dict[str, bool]:
     app.add_config_value("typehints_fully_qualified", False, "env")  # noqa: FBT003
     app.add_config_value("typehints_document_rtype", True, "env")  # noqa: FBT003
     app.add_config_value("typehints_use_rtype", True, "env")  # noqa: FBT003
+    app.add_config_value("typehints_rtype_after_returns", False, "env")  # noqa: FBT003
     app.add_config_value("typehints_defaults", None, "env")
     app.add_config_value("simplify_optional_unions", True, "env")  # noqa: FBT003
     app.add_config_value("always_use_bars_union", False, "env")  # noqa: FBT003