Protecting What You've Built. Preparing for What's Next.

Money inside an annuity generally grows tax-deferred, meaning you do not pay taxes on the growth until you take it out. When you withdraw, the growth is typically taxed as ordinary income. Withdrawing early may also trigger penalties, so it helps to understand the timing before you act.

Your principal in a fixed annuity is generally protected, and a fixed indexed annuity is designed not to lose value from market declines — though the interest credited can be zero in some years. That said, surrender charges and fees can reduce what you receive if you withdraw early, so the contract terms matter.

A surrender period is the early years of a contract when withdrawing more than the allowed amount can trigger a surrender charge. These periods often last several years and the charge usually steps down over time. Knowing the length and the schedule helps you match the annuity to your time horizon.

An income rider is an optional add-on that can guarantee a stream of income, often for life, usually for an extra annual fee. It is separate from the contract's cash value and has its own rules. We help you understand what a rider does and does not promise before you consider adding one.

Any guarantees in an annuity — including income promises — rest on the issuing insurance company's ability to pay claims. That is why it helps to understand the insurer behind the contract, not just the contract's features.

Ask how interest is credited, what caps and participation rates apply, how long the surrender period lasts, what fees and riders cost, and what the guarantees rest on. We help you put those questions to a contract so you can decide with a clear picture.