What Is a Variable Annuity?
A variable annuity is an insurance contract that combines investment options with certain insurance features. Unlike traditional fixed annuities, the contract value generally rises or falls based on the performance of the investment options selected by the owner.
How a variable annuity works
Money placed into a variable annuity can generally be allocated among investment options offered through the contract.
These investment options commonly invest through underlying portfolios holding securities such as stocks and bonds.
The value of the annuity changes according to the performance of those investments, reduced by applicable contract and investment expenses.
The owner may also have access to insurance features such as death benefits, annuitization options or optional lifetime-income benefits, depending on the contract.
Variable annuities can gain — and lose — value
This is one of the biggest differences between a traditional fixed annuity and a variable annuity.
A variable annuity generally places investment performance risk on the contract owner.
If the selected investments perform well, contract value may increase.
If those investments decline, contract value can decline as well.
Important distinction
The word “annuity” does not automatically mean that principal is protected from market losses.
Traditional fixed annuities, fixed indexed annuities, registered index-linked annuities and variable annuities have substantially different risk structures.
Investment options
Variable annuity contracts generally offer a menu of investment options.
Depending on the contract, these may provide exposure to:
- U.S. stocks
- International stocks
- Bonds
- Balanced portfolios
- Asset-allocation strategies
- Money-market or fixed-account alternatives
- Other specialized investment strategies
Investment choices and expenses vary by contract.
Each investment option can have its own objectives, risks and expenses, which should be reviewed in the applicable prospectus.
Variable annuity fees
Variable annuities can contain several layers of explicit fees and expenses.
Mortality & Expense Charges
Often called M&E charges, these contract expenses compensate the insurer for certain insurance and contractual risks.
Administrative Expenses
Contracts may charge administrative or recordkeeping expenses.
Underlying Investment Expenses
The underlying investment options generally have their own operating expenses, which reduce investment returns.
Optional Benefit Charges
Optional lifetime-income benefits, enhanced death benefits and other riders may carry additional charges.
Surrender Charges
Withdrawals above permitted amounts during the surrender period may trigger a surrender charge.
Learn more in the Annuity Fees & Costs Guide .
Tax-deferred growth
Earnings inside a nonqualified variable annuity generally grow tax deferred until taxable amounts are distributed.
Transfers among investment options inside the contract generally do not create current federal income tax simply because the allocation changes.
However, taxable earnings distributed from a nonqualified annuity generally receive ordinary-income tax treatment rather than long-term capital-gains treatment.
Tax laws are complex and individual circumstances vary.
Read: How Are Annuities Taxed?
A variable annuity inside an IRA
This is an important issue.
An IRA or other qualified retirement account already provides tax-deferred treatment.
Placing a variable annuity inside an IRA does not create another layer of federal tax deferral.
Therefore, the annuity should be evaluated based on other characteristics that may be useful to the investor, such as insurance guarantees, lifetime-income benefits, death benefits or other contractual features.
Surrender periods and liquidity
Variable annuities are generally long-term financial products.
Many contracts contain surrender periods lasting several years.
If more than the contract's permitted withdrawal amount is taken during the applicable surrender period, a surrender charge may apply.
Contract terms differ substantially.
An investor who expects to need significant near-term liquidity should carefully evaluate those restrictions before purchasing the contract.
Death benefits
Variable annuities generally include some form of death-benefit provision, although terms differ by product.
Optional enhanced death-benefit features may also be available for additional cost.
Investors should understand exactly what the benefit guarantees, how the benefit is calculated, whether withdrawals reduce the benefit and what charges apply.
Lifetime-income features
Some variable annuities offer optional benefits designed to provide contractual lifetime income.
Depending on the contract, these benefits may continue providing qualifying income even if the contract's investment value is substantially reduced or depleted.
Benefit bases used to calculate income are generally not the same thing as cash surrender value.
Income guarantees, withdrawal percentages, age requirements, investment restrictions and rider charges vary significantly among products.
Variable annuity vs. RILA
| Feature | Variable Annuity | Registered Index-Linked Annuity |
|---|---|---|
| Return mechanism | Based primarily on selected investment options | Generally based on index-linked crediting strategies |
| Market losses | Investor generally bears investment losses from selected options | Contract may provide a defined buffer or floor, but losses can still occur |
| Upside | Generally reflects performance of selected investments, net of fees | Often subject to caps, participation rates or other crediting terms |
| Investment menu | Generally offers multiple investment options | Generally offers index-linked strategy choices |
| Fees | May include multiple explicit ongoing expenses | Fee structure varies considerably by product and strategy |
Learn more about Registered Index-Linked Annuities .
Variable annuity vs. managed account
| Consideration | Variable Annuity | Managed Account |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Insurance contract with investment options | Investment account owning securities |
| Tax deferral | Nonqualified earnings generally grow tax deferred | Depends on account type |
| Market risk | Investment value can fluctuate and decline | Investment value can fluctuate and decline |
| Insurance guarantees | May provide contractual death or income benefits | Ordinary investment accounts generally do not provide insurer-backed investment guarantees |
| Liquidity | May be restricted by surrender provisions | Generally more liquid, depending on investments held |
| Taxes on gains | Taxable distributed gain generally taxed as ordinary income | Certain investments may qualify for capital-gains treatment |
Read the full comparison: Annuities vs. Managed Accounts .
Potential advantages of variable annuities
- Tax-deferred growth in nonqualified contracts
- Ability to change investment allocations within the contract without triggering current federal tax solely from the reallocation
- Potential long-term market participation
- Potential lifetime-income features
- Death-benefit features
- Ability to combine investments and insurance features in one contract
Potential disadvantages and risks
- Account value can decline with investment performance
- Multiple layers of fees may apply
- Surrender periods can limit liquidity
- Optional riders can increase total expenses
- Products can be complex
- Taxable gains generally receive ordinary-income treatment
- Tax deferral may provide no additional tax benefit inside an IRA
- Insurance guarantees depend on the issuing insurer
Who might consider a variable annuity?
Depending on individual circumstances, a variable annuity may be considered by someone seeking a combination of:
- Long-term investment exposure
- Tax-deferred accumulation
- Potential lifetime-income features
- Selected insurance guarantees
- Death-benefit features
A variable annuity may be less appropriate for an investor who prioritizes low cost, short-term liquidity, simplicity or unrestricted access to money.
Variable annuities for firefighters and first responders
Firefighters and other public-sector retirees may already have significant retirement resources, including:
- Pension income
- DROP proceeds
- Governmental 457(b) assets
- IRAs
- Roth accounts
- Taxable investment accounts
- Social Security
Because a pension may already provide a substantial lifetime-income floor, the need for additional guaranteed income should be evaluated within the retiree's complete financial picture.
The investor should also consider liquidity, market exposure, costs, taxes and existing sources of retirement income before selecting an annuity structure.
Frequently asked questions
Can a variable annuity lose money?
Yes. Contract value generally changes with the investment options selected, and losses can occur.
Do variable annuities have fees?
Yes. Variable annuities may include mortality and expense charges, administrative expenses, underlying investment expenses, surrender charges and optional benefit charges.
Are variable annuity gains taxed as capital gains?
Taxable gain distributed from a nonqualified annuity generally receives ordinary-income tax treatment rather than long-term capital-gains treatment.
Should someone buy a variable annuity just for tax deferral inside an IRA?
An IRA already provides tax deferral, so the annuity does not provide an additional federal tax-deferral advantage. Other contractual benefits would need to justify its use.
This material is provided solely for general educational and informational purposes and is not intended as individualized investment, insurance, tax or legal advice.
Variable annuities are long-term investment and insurance products. Contract features, investment options, surrender provisions, fees, expenses, guarantees and optional benefits vary substantially among products.
Variable annuities involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal.
Insurance guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Investors should review the applicable prospectus and contract documents before making an investment decision.