Annuities are one of the most popular investment products available today. One reason annuities are attractive is that they can accumulate value over time.

By providing potential growth that is tax deferred, an annuity's investment earnings can accumulate and compound untouched by federal, state, or local income taxes until you begin making withdrawals, which is usually after retirement. Keep in mind that withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and if made before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% additional tax. There are different types of annuities, and they can be classified in a number of ways. For example, fixed annuities guarantee a certain rate of return for some specified period of time.

Variable annuities offer a choice of underlying investment options. These may include fixed accounts, which can help protect principal from market risk, and variable investment accounts in stock and bond portfolios. The value of a variable annuity is not guaranteed and will vary according to the performance of the investments in the underlying investment options.

Together, tax deferral and investment options make annuities potentially attractive to people who are investing to supplement future retirement benefits and to retirees who want greater control over their income and the flexibility to continue deferring taxes on investment earnings. 

What are annuities?

Annuities are essentially contracts in which payments are made to an issuing insurance company that agrees to pay out an income or a lump sum amount at a later date. Until the 1970s, most annuities were sold through insurance companies and offered only a fixed amount to be paid out. Annuities today are sold through banks and insurance companies and are much more flexible. They may include both fixed accounts and potentially higher-returning variable investment options.

Money is accumulated in an annuity through contributions and investment earnings.

You should fully investigate the insurance company's stability and financial strength through an independent agency, such as Moody's, or Standard & Poor's, before committing to a contract.

Deferring current taxes may help build value

The power of tax-deferred growth can be substantial compared with a comparable taxable investment. Compared with other tax-deferred accounts, such as IRAs or 401(k)s, you may have greater control over the income generated from your annuity. The same 10% federal tax penalty that applies to early withdrawals from retirement accounts also applies to annuity withdrawals made before age 59½. Early withdrawals are also taxed as ordinary income. In some instances you may be able to defer making withdrawals until several years past retirement. (Check your policy for details.) 

Help maximize the value of your annuity

Fees charged for annuities are similar to those on other investments, but with additional expenses of insuring the total value of premiums paid, and in many cases, the value of the principal. In choosing an annuity, you may want to compare both annual expenses and insurance charges as well as sales charges. Many annuities collect a surrender charge if the contract is canceled prematurely. But if you plan to use your annuity as a long-term investment, you'll likely be more concerned with front-end sales loads and annual contract charges than surrender fees.

Choose an annuity that offers a variety of investment options

Many experts suggest that individuals in their 30s or 40s concentrate their long-term investments in stocks, which provide the greatest potential for long-term capital appreciation over time. Of course, these investments also carry higher risk. You might also want to diversify your investments to help reduce investment risk. As your lifestyle changes or your financial needs change, you will want the flexibility to rearrange your investments to keep in step with your situation. Look for annuities with no-fee exchanges and a variety of investment options.

Dollar cost averaging could boost long-term return potential

That is, by investing the same amount at regular intervals, you essentially buy more when prices are low and less when prices are high. This may help manage some of the normal fluctuations of the stock markets over the years. Dollar cost averaging does not assure a profit or protect against a loss in declining markets. Because such a strategy involves periodic investments, you should consider your financial ability and willingness to continue purchases through periods of low price levels.

Increase the potential return on aggressive investments

Even though the maximum federal capital gains tax rate is well below the top income tax rates, you may still benefit by deferring current taxes on your long-term capital gains until you make withdrawals.

Enjoy the benefits of asset allocation

Spreading your money among different types of investments has been shown to lower your investment risk. Annuities offer opportunities to diversify among fixed account and variable investments, thereby helping you manage your risk while still allowing you to potentially benefit from higher returns.

Use annuities to pass money along to heirs quickly

Annuities can offer a number of advantages in estate planning. For example, if you designate family members as beneficiaries to the annuity, your loved ones will (in most cases) receive the insurance benefit directly, without having to wait for your estate to be settled. If your spouse is named beneficiary, he or she may even be able to keep the annuity in place and continue tax deferral on any investment earnings if you die prior to annuitization.

Choose fixed or variable investment options

With little risk to principal, fixed annuities offer a stated rate of return for a specified period of time. Variable annuities include a variety of investments that may offer higher potential for return with a higher risk to principal due to market fluctuation.

Variable investment choices can include:

• Equity fund account – common stocks
• Fixed-income fund account – bonds, preferred stocks
• Balanced fund account – stocks and bonds
• Money market fund* account – bonds and notes
• Fixed-rate account – no risk to principal; bonds and notes

  *Not FDIC Insured

Building your nest egg: cost vs. benefits

An annuity can be an excellent investment vehicle if you are able to forego use of the money for several years. Annuities also offer unlimited contributions, and seek the protection of principal on fixed accounts and the potential to earn higher rates of return on your investments in variable accounts. Annuities may also entail higher fees and expenses than some other investment vehicles, in part due to the insurance feature annuities provide.

Annuities today are flexible investment vehicles that can be used to help meet a variety of financial needs. If you have been investing in other types of investments, a variable annuity might be the next logical step for a portion of your personal retirement savings plan. Whatever your financial plans for the future, an annuity can help you build a nest egg that will be ready when you are.

Your financial professional can provide more information and help you determine if there's an annuity that's appropriate for your portfolio.

[For V.A.s include Variable investment options within variable annuities are subjected to fluctuation in value and market risk, including the possibility of loss of principal.]

Annuity policies have limitations and a charge for withdrawals in the policy's early years. For cost and complete details, contact your Equitable Advisors financial professional.

Variable annuities are long-term, tax-deferred investment vehicles designed for retirement purposes and contain both an investment and insurance component. They are sold only by prospectus. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuer and do not apply to a variable annuity's separate account or its underlying investments. The investment returns and principal value of the available subaccount portfolios will fluctuate so that the value of an investor's unit, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original value. Withdrawals made prior to age 59½ may be subject to a 10% additional federal tax. Surrender charges may apply. Gains from tax-deferred investments are taxable as ordinary income upon withdrawal.

Not FDIC/NCUA Insured -- May Lose Value -- Not Bank/CU Guaranteed -- Not a Deposit -- Not Insured by Any Federal Agency.

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