Investing & retirement resources
What is a variable annuity?
See how a variable annuity works
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Its tax-deferred status allows you to benefit from compounded growth.
Unlike their fixed counterparts, variable annuities give you a chance for long-term capital growth through investment in subaccounts.
Choose from different levels of risks and potential growth. You can also, on some accounts, exchange between subaccounts without fees or tax consequences.
Get income you can't outlive through annuitization, at no additional cost. Or you can opt to purchase a rider, for an additional cost, that guarantees income for a single person or to cover your spouse when a joint option is selected.
You can pass assets to beneficiaries and avoid costly probate. Optional riders can also enhance what your beneficiaries may receive.
Most variable annuities offer a spousal protection feature to the surviving spouse upon the death of a spouse.
Only certain carriers can offer this same benefit on IRA contracts.
Like mutual funds, if the underlying investments chosen for the annuity subaccounts decline, the annuity's contract value also declines.
Taking out money early can trigger charges.
Fees may be higher when compared with investments like mutual funds. However, higher fees support the guarantees offered by the product.
Whether you’re concerned about income for retirement, legacy planning or spousal protection, annuities can be tailored to meet your specific goals. Download our annuity guide for all the details.
When evaluating the purchase of a variable annuity, you should be aware that variable annuities are long-term investment vehicles designed for retirement purposes and will fluctuate in value; annuities have limitations; and, investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal.
A variable annuity is a contract you buy from an insurance company. It's designed to help accumulate assets to provide income for retirement. It will fluctuate in value based on the performance of the underlying investment options. You should also know that all guarantees and protections of a variable annuity are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. They don't apply to the investment performance or safety of the underlying investment options. Underlying subaccounts are only available as investment options in variable insurance contracts issued by life insurance companies. They are not offered directly to the general public.
You may be charged a penalty if you take your money out early, if you're not yet 59½ (additional 10% tax penalty), or both. Variable annuities have fees and charges that include mortality and expense, administrative fees, contract fees, and the expense of the underlying investment options.