Annuity investments grow tax-deferred until income payments begin or the owner makes a withdrawal. Annuity growth is dependent upon the interest rate being paid during the deferred period.

Annuity contracts offer a wide variety of premium and benefit payment schedules and investment options. An annuity can be purchased for a single payment or a series of periodic payments. Benefits can be scheduled to begin immediately or deferred until a specific future date. Benefits can last for a specific period of time or the lifetime of one or two individuals.

Fixed-income annuities are invested in the insurer's general investment account.  They are legally protected, should the insurer become insolvent.

Variable Annuities
This type of policy provides cash values that vary with the performance of an underlying portfolio of investments. You can choose to allocate your premiums among a variety of investments which offer varying degrees of risk and reward - stocks, bonds, combinations of both, or accounts that provide for guarantees of interest and principal. You will receive a prospectus in conjunction with the sale of a variable product.

The cash value of a variable life policy is not guaranteed, and the policyholder bears that risk. However, by choosing among the available fund options, the policyholder can create an asset allocation that meets his or her objectives and risk tolerance. Good investment performance will lead to higher cash values and death benefits. On the other hand, poor investment performance will lead to reduced cash values and possibly the loss of a policyholder's original investment. Some policies guarantee that the value cannot fall below a minimum level.