VARIABLE ANNUITY QUOTE

Market Growth Potential for Long-Term Retirement Savings

A variable annuity lets you choose from investment options to grow your retirement savings and add guaranteed income when you need it.

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What Is a Variable Annuity?

A variable annuity helps you build retirement savings through investments that can grow over time. Your returns depend on how the market performs, which means your account value can go up or down. Earnings grow tax-deferred, allowing your savings to compound faster until you take income. Key benefits include:

Growth Potential

Your money is invested in market-based options, offering higher long-term growth potential than fixed or indexed annuities.

Investment Flexibility

Choose from a range of subaccounts, such as stock, bond, or balanced funds, to match your goals and comfort with risk.

Tax-Deferred Growth

Earnings grow without yearly income taxes, helping your balance build faster over time.

Guaranteed Income Options

When you’re ready, you can turn your balance into guaranteed income for life or a set time. Some contracts also offer optional riders that add lifetime income guarantees.

Beneficiary Protection

Many contracts include features that let remaining value go to loved ones if you pass away before or during income payments.

Optional Protection Features

Some variable annuities offer riders that add income or death benefit protection for an extra cost. Availability varies by contract.

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How A Variable Annuity Contract Works

A variable annuity lets you invest for long-term, tax-deferred growth with optional protection features. Your account value fluctuates with market performance, and riders can provide income or death benefit guarantees for an added cost.

Fund the Annuity: Most start with a single payment, though some allow additional contributions. You decide how to allocate your funds across investment options.
Choose Investment Options: Select from a range of subaccounts like stock, bond, or balanced funds. Your growth depends on market performance.
Insurer Manages the Contract: The insurance company holds your contract, tracks investments, and applies any selected guarantees or riders.
Value Changes Over Time: Your account value rises or falls with the market.
Access To Funds: Designed for long-term savings, many allow up to 10% annual withdrawals without penalty; larger withdrawals may trigger fees or taxes.
Convert To Payments Later: You can later turn your balance into guaranteed payments for life or for a set period.¹
Provide for Loved Ones: If you pass away before or during income payments, your annuity’s remaining value, or selected death benefit, passes to your beneficiaries.

Want a deeper dive? Read our full guide: What are the Different Types of Annuities?

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Is a Variable Annuity Right for You?

A variable annuity helps you grow retirement savings through long-term investing and tax-deferred earnings. It’s designed for people who are comfortable with some market risk in exchange for higher growth potential and the flexibility to add protection features if desired.

Below are examples of who might benefit from a variable annuity:

Growth-Focused Investor

Wants to invest for higher returns over time and can handle short-term ups and downs in the market.

Retirement Planner

Seeks market growth before retirement and guaranteed income options for later years.

Tax-Efficient Investor

Prefers to let investment earnings grow tax-deferred, helping savings compound faster.

401(k) Companion

Uses a variable annuity alongside a 401(k) or IRA to add more growth potential and lifetime income options.

Protection Seeker

Wants market participation with the option to add riders that protect income or provide a death benefit.

Legacy Planner

Wants to ensure any remaining value — or enhanced death benefit, if chosen — can be passed to loved ones.

A variable annuity is built for long-term investing and income flexibility. While your value can rise or fall with the market, it offers the potential for higher growth than other types of annuities.

Not sure if a variable annuity is right for you? Explore all types of growth annuities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growth Annuities

A variable annuity is a retirement product that invests in market-based funds. Your account value rises or falls with market performance, while earnings grow tax-deferred until you withdraw.

Pros include tax-deferred growth, investment flexibility, and optional income riders for lifetime income. Cons include market risk, higher fees than some products, and surrender charges for early withdrawals. Evaluate these factors based on your goals, time horizon, and comfort with risk.

Common costs include mortality and expense (M&E) charges, fund expenses, rider fees, and possible transaction costs. There may also be surrender charges if you withdraw more than the free amount during the surrender period. Always review a full fee summary before purchasing.

Surrender charges apply if you take out more than the penalty-free amount during the surrender period. These charges typically decline each year until they end. Be sure to understand your schedule before funding the contract.

Yes. Your earnings grow tax-deferred, meaning you won’t pay taxes until you withdraw. Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and early withdrawals before age 59½ may incur taxes and a 10% federal penalty.

You can choose among diversified subaccounts such as stock, bond, and balanced funds. You can change or rebalance your selections over time to align with your goals and risk tolerance.

A variable annuity typically includes a death benefit that pays your beneficiary if you pass away while the contract is active. Some contracts offer enhanced death benefits for an added cost. Review how investment losses or withdrawals may affect this amount.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

¹ Payment of benefits under the annuity contract is the obligation of, and is guaranteed by, the issuing company. Guarantees are based upon the claims paying ability of the issuer. Products are backed by the full financial strength of the issuing company.

Annuities are issued by Integrity Life Insurance Company and Western-Southern Life Assurance Company, both in Cincinnati, Ohio. Securities offered through W&S Brokerage Services, Inc., member FINRA / SIPC. All companies are members of the Western & Southern Financial Group.

An annuity is a long-term financial vehicle designed for retirement. An insurance company accepts premiums and provides future income or a lump-sum amount to the contract owner by contractual agreement.

Earnings and pre-tax payments are subject to income tax at withdrawal. Withdrawals may be subject to charges. Withdrawals from an annuity are subject to ordinary income tax, and, if taken before age 59 ½ may be subject to 10% IRS penalty.

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