An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company.  Annuities are often chosen as a way to create retirement income, but they can also be used to pass on a legacy to your heirs.  Benefits of an annuity can include:

• Tax-deferred growth
• Guaranteed income for life or a set period of time
• Professionally managed investment choices
• Protection for your beneficiaries

Fixed Annuities:

Fixed annuities are retirement contracts built on protection and guaranteed returns, including a guaranteed minimum interest rate.  Fixed annuities offer guaranteed retirement income for a set period of time or for your lifetime. They also provide guaranteed return of your initial investment and death benefit protection in the event you die prior to receiving income payments.

General features of fixed annuities include:

• Guaranteed minimum interest rates
• Tax-deferred earnings
• Income options that guarantee a cash flow
• Deferred or immediate options let you control distribution timing

Fixed annuities come in the following options:

• Immediate fixed annuities can help when you´re ready to exchange a lump sum for an income stream that will begin within the year. You can choose a guaranteed income option that meets your retirement needs, either for life and/or for a set period of time.
• Deferred fixed annuities can help you earn tax-deferred interest and lock in a future stream of retirement income. People in, or near, retirement often choose them to build income without exposure to stock market volatility.  You choose when the time is right to begin the income stream (generally after a year), and select the guaranteed income option that meets your retirement needs, either for life and/or for a set period of time.

Variable Annuities:

A variable annuity is a flexible retirement-planning and legacy-creation vehicle, which allows your investment the growth potential of the market and provides a range of payout options.  The variable annuity is designed for investors who have a long-term time horizon that seek tax-deferred growth and the optional benefits.

Variable annuities offer a range of investment choices through sub-accounts that include stocks, bonds, alternative investments (or a blend of the three) and fixed account options. The withdrawals you eventually make from your variable annuity contract will be based on the value of the underlying choices you select.

In addition to investment choices, variable annuities typically provide optional benefits for an additional charge.  These can include: guaranteed minimum income even if markets decline, the ability to increase your retirement income by potentially locking in market gains, and enhanced death benefits for beneficiary protection.

Benefits can include:                                                      A Good Choice if:

Earnings are taxable as ordinary income when distributed and, if withdrawn before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty.  Variable annuities involve fees, investment risks and may lose value.

Before investing, investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the variable annuity and its underlying investment options. The current contract prospectus and underlying fund prospectuses, which are contained in the same document, provide this and other important information. Please contact your representative or the Company to obtain the prospectuses. Please read the prospectuses carefully before investing or sending money.