Enjoy a Lifetime of Benefits

What is an annuity? An annuity is a long-term retirement investment vehicle, issued by a life insurance company, designed to help you accumulate funds and provide a steady stream of retirement income.

What types of annuities are there? There are basically two types of annuities – fixed annuities and variable annuities. Your financial advisor can help you determine which type of annuity might be right for you, based on your financial goals, objectives and risk tolerance.

Variable annuities are insurance products that are complex, long-term investment vehicles that are subject to market risk, including the potential loss of principal invested.

• Fixed — Count on a positive return with fixed annuities that offer a guaranteed interest rate plus safety of your principal. Fixed annuities offer:

• Guaranteed rate of interest — The insurance company guarantees a minimum rate of interest that you will receive, based on the annuity you purchase.
• Security — Your beneficiaries are guaranteed to receive back at least the principal that you paid into the annuity adjusted for any withdrawals.
• Flexible income options — Choose from a lump-sum payment, or equal payments over a period you select, including the rest of your life.

All guarantees are based upon the continued claims-paying ability of the issuing company, and do not apply to the performance of the separate accounts.

• Variable — Enjoy growth potential and choose from a variety of features and benefits designed to help you achieve your retirement savings and income goals. Returns are based on the performance of your investment selections which will fluctuate in value.

• Growth potential — The value of a variable annuity fluctuates, based on the performance of the underlying investment options. Select from a range of investment options ranging from conservative to aggressive and/or allocate a portion of your money to a fixed account.*
• Diversification — Choose from a variety of investment options spanning a wide array of asset classes. Enjoy tax-free transfers from one investment option to another.
• Flexible income options — You can choose a fixed income stream or variable. A variable income stream is one in which your payments vary and is based on the performance of the underlying investment options. Choose from a lump-sum payment or equal payments over a period you select, including the rest of your life. Withdrawals taken before age 59 1/2 may incur an IRS 10% early withdrawal penalty.

All guarantees are based on the continued claims paying ability of the issuing company and do not apply to the performance of the variable subaccounts, which will vary with market conditions.

• In addition to a fixed or variable annuity, you can also choose an "Immediate annuity". With an immediate annuity, you convert a lump sum of money to an income stream that meets your retirement needs. You can determine how often you receive your payments (monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually) and determine how long they will last (payments for a specific period of time or payments for the rest of your life).