Variable Annuity Pros And Cons: A Comprehensive Guide For Savvy Investors (2024)

Did you know that variable annuities can be a double-edged sword in your retirement planning? On one hand, the pros of a variable annuity is they offer enticing tax benefits and a diversified investment portfolio.

On the other, cons of a variable annuity include that they come with a set of fees, surrender charges and are subject to market volatility.

Which is why I thought it would be a good idea to go over some Variable Annuity Pros and Cons. I will share my experience from guiding clients just like you, over my 25+ years as a financial planner.

As someone with practical experience as a financial planner and developing investment strategies, I can assure you that the insights you’ll gain here are both reliable and actionable.

We’ll look into the advantages and disadvantages, explore investment options, subaccount fees, and even touch on the impact of market fluctuations on your annuity investments.

Key Points Of Pros and Cons of Variable Annuities

• Variable Annuities offer a blend of investment growth opportunities and tax deferral advantages, appealing to those aiming for long-term financial growth. However, the inherent market volatility and associated fees underscore the complexity, inviting a deeper exploration to fully understand their impact on retirement planning.
• The allure of tax-deferred growth in variable annuities allows earnings to compound over time without immediate tax implications, making it a strategic choice for long-term investors. Yet, the nuances of taxation upon withdrawal reveal the importance of strategic planning.
• Investment options within variable annuities, resembling mutual funds, offer diversification and customization potential. This aligns with the investor’s ability to tailor their portfolio according to their risk tolerance and financial goals, but it also introduces the challenge of navigating a vast array of choices.
• The death benefit and annuitization options provide a safety net for beneficiaries and a steady income stream in retirement, respectively. However, the added cost of these features and their implications on overall returns necessitate a critical evaluation.

Variable Annuities Definition – What Are Variable Annuities?

As a financial planner advising clients on retirement planning options, I often got questions about variable annuities. These products can be complex, combining aspects of investments and insurance into a tax-deferred vehicle.

So what is the variable annuity definition? A variable annuity serves as an insurance product that allows you to invest to generate retirement income.

An annuity is basically an insurance contract that can provide guaranteed income payments in retirement. With a variable annuity, the money you pay into it gets invested in sub-accounts (essentially mutual fund clones) that you choose. This means the value of your annuity can go up or down over time, depending on how those investments perform.

• Read our recent article to learn all about What Is An Annuity?

The Pro’s – What is The Appeal of Variable Annuities?

Variable annuities are one of the most popular products sold by financial advisors. They offer the potential for high returns, tax-deferred growth, and a death benefit that can provide peace of mind for loved ones.

• As a financial professional, I appreciate that variable annuities can provide solutions for certain planning challenges. For high net worth clients who have already maximized contributions to 401ks and IRAs, variable annuities offer another tax-advantaged growth vehicle.
• They can be useful for those with longer time horizons, such as pre-retirees seeking to mitigate longevity risk. Variable annuities also allow consolidating various investments under one roof, providing convenience.

Especially when you compare them to the pros and cons of fixed annuities.

Advantages of Variable Annuities

Other consumer-friendly features include lifetime income benefits to protect against outliving assets, death benefits to pass on account values to heirs, and flexibility to access funds if needed.

Investment Options

Variable annuities offer a wide range of investment options typically centered around mutual funds, allowing customized portfolios.

Suitability: Best for investors seeking a diversified portfolio.
Benefits: Variable annuities offer a wide array of investment choices within sub-accounts, similar to mutual funds, allowing for a tailored investment strategy.
Insider Insights: As someone who’s seen markets fluctuate over the years, I can’t overstate the value of diversification. It’s like having different boats in various parts of the ocean; when one hits rough waters, the others can keep you afloat.

Potential for Higher Returns

Suitability: Ideal for individuals aiming for growth in their retirement savings.
Benefits: The earnings potential is tied to market performance, offering the chance to outpace inflation and increase purchasing power over time.
Insider Insights: Remember, with greater potential comes increased risk. I’ve witnessed jubilant highs and disheartening lows in the market, so it’s crucial to align this choice with your risk tolerance.

Tax Deferral

For consumers seeking tax-advantaged growth potential, the appeal of variable annuities lies in their ability to provide market-linked returns while allowing assets to grow tax-deferred. Unlike investments in taxable accounts, variable annuities allow interest, dividends, and capital gains to compound without an annual tax bite.

Suitability: Suited for long-term investors focused on maximizing growth.
Benefits: Offers tax-deferred growth, meaning you don’t pay taxes on earnings until you make withdrawals.
Insider Insights: This feature is a powerful tool in the growth arsenal. It’s like planting a tree; given time, even a small seed can grow into a sturdy oak, sheltering your retirement nest egg from immediate tax impacts.

Are you saving enough for retirement? Find out now

Death Benefit

Suitability: For those concerned with legacy planning and providing for heirs.
Benefits: Guarantees a specified amount to beneficiaries, offering peace of mind that your investment won’t be lost regardless of market conditions at the time of passing.
Insider Insights: It’s comforting to know that, should anything unexpected happen, the hard-earned money you’ve set aside won’t diminish due to a market downturn, securing a financial legacy for your loved ones.

Annuitization Options

Suitability: Perfect for individuals planning for consistent retirement income.
Benefits: You can convert your annuity into a series of payments, ensuring a steady income stream during retirement.
Insider Insights: This feature can be a lifesaver, providing predictable income similar to a traditional pension. I’ve helped clients set up their annuities to mimic the reliability of a paycheck, bringing a slice of their working years into retirement.

Rider Add-Ons

Suitability: Investors looking for tailored benefits to meet specific needs.
Benefits: Optional annuity riders can enhance your contract with additional features, such as income guarantees.
Insider Insights: Think of riders as customizing your car with features that suit your lifestyle. Whether it’s added safety or performance enhancements, these options can significantly boost your annuity’s utility, albeit at an extra cost.

Flexibility in Contributions

Suitability: Great for individuals with fluctuating ability to invest.
Benefits: Unlike immediate annuities, variable annuities allow you to make additional contributions over time.
Insider Insights: This flexibility is akin to being able to add ingredients to a recipe as you cook. In good years, you can contribute more, bolstering your future income. It’s a feature I’ve often pointed out to clients who anticipate varying income levels over the years.

However, professionals do need to convey the downsides as well. The benefits of variable annuities come at a steep cost, with average annual expenses upwards of 2.5%.

Such high fees compound over time and can notably reduce returns. There’s also market risk – account values can fluctuate significantly based on underlying investment performance. And variable annuities have intricate guarantees whose protection is conditional.

Cons and Disadvantages of Variable Annuities

But what about the flip side? The cons of variable annuities include the risk of loss of principal if the underlying investments perform poorly.

When advising clients on variable annuities, I focused first on clearly conveying the negatives

• high annual fees compounding over decades can severely reduce returns
• market exposure means account values can fluctuate significantly
• opaque terms around “guarantees” often don’t deliver expected protection.

Unfortunately, not all advisors highlight the cons first. Lured by lucrative commissions, some overly emphasize tax deferral benefits, investment choice, and lifetime income potential while glossing over surrender charges, market risks, and the reality that high fees can potentially undermine returns. This sells clients short.

• SEC: How Fees and Expenses Affect Your Investment Portfolio

Variable Annuities Disadvantages

Market Risk and Complexity

Suitability: For those wary of volatility and intricate financial products.
Benefits: Higher potential returns come with the challenge of navigating complex investment choices and market fluctuations.
Insider Insights: Like embarking on a challenging hike, the view (returns) can be rewarding, but the path (market risk and product complexity) requires careful navigation and preparation.

Fees, Charges, and Surrender Charges

Suitability: Critical for cost-conscious investors and those requiring financial flexibility.
Benefits: Various features and benefits come at a cost, impacting net returns, and early access to funds may incur significant penalties.
Insider Insights: It’s akin to booking a flexible airline ticket; the convenience comes with higher fees, and changing plans last minute (early withdrawals) can be expensive.

Taxation on Withdrawals

Suitability: Pertinent for investors planning early withdrawals or managing tax implications.
Benefits: Tax-deferred growth is advantageous, yet withdrawals can trigger taxes and penalties, especially before retirement age.
Insider Insights: Think of it as a retirement savings account where premature withdrawals not only deplete your nest egg but also come with a tax bite.

Income Guarantees Limitations and Potential for Overconfidence

Suitability: For those counting on guaranteed income and possibly overestimating growth potential.
Benefits: Income guarantees provide security, but with caveats and costs, and the allure of high returns can lead to underestimating risks.
Insider Insights: Offering a safety net with strings attached, these guarantees are like a parachute that might not open as smoothly as expected. Meanwhile, the prospect of high returns can sometimes blind investors to the real risks, much like a mirage in the desert.

So, Are Variable Annuities Good Investments?

Variable annuities exist in a gray area – part investment, part insurance product. Their layered complexity makes suitability dependent on each investor’s personal financial situation and objectives. For some investors, these products can provide useful solutions and benefits; for others, significant drawbacks outweigh any potential value.

On the positive side, variable annuities allow assets to grow tax-deferred and offer access to a diverse range of investment options usually centered around mutual funds. This can facilitate customized portfolios tailored to risk tolerance. Other features like lifetime income streams, death benefits for beneficiaries, and flexibility to withdrawal funds if needed also appeal to many investors.

However, there are tradeoffs. The average annual fees exceed 2.5% – far higher than typical investment costs. These fees compound over time and can notably reduce net returns.

Additionally, unlike fixed annuities, variable annuities carry exposure to market volatility. Account values can fluctuate significantly. Complex “guarantees” also rarely deliver as envisioned once limitations and conditions around them are understood.

As an advisor, I believed the best approach is to objectively outline pros and cons for clients to evaluate based on their unique needs and goals. Variable annuities offer clear benefits provided their risks and expenses are appropriate. Striking the right balance is key. For some investors, but not all, variable annuities may prove suitable.

How To Choose a Variable Annuity?

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a variable annuity:

• Investment options – There are many different investment options available with variable annuities. Make sure you understand the investment options and how they work before selecting one.
• Fees and expenses – Variable annuities have fees and mortality & expenses that can eat into your investment return. Be sure to understand all the fees before investing.
• Death benefit – The death benefit on a variable annuity can be a valuable feature. Make sure you understand how the death benefit works and how it can benefit your beneficiaries.
• Tax implications – Variable annuities have different tax implications than other investment products. Be sure to consult with a tax advisor to understand how a variable annuity can impact your taxes.
• Surrender charges – If you withdraw money from your variable annuity before a certain period of time, you may be subject to surrender charges. Be sure to understand the surrender charges before investing.

SEC: Variable Annuities What You Should Know
SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy

Checklist: Is a Variable Annuity Right for You?

1. Understanding of Variable Annuities
   ✅ Do I fully understand how variable annuities work, including their structure and investment options?
   ✅ Am I aware of the potential for market risk and its impact on my investment?
2. Financial Goals and Retirement Plans
   ✅ Do my long-term financial goals align with the features of a variable annuity?
   ✅ Is generating a steady income stream in retirement one of my key financial objectives?
3. Risk Tolerance
   ✅ Have I assessed my risk tolerance to ensure I’m comfortable with the market exposure inherent in variable annuities?
   ✅ Am I prepared to handle the fluctuations in investment value that come with market volatility?
4. Fees and Expenses
   ✅ Do I understand all the fees associated with variable annuities, including management fees, mortality and expense risk charges, and administrative fees?
   ✅ Have I compared these costs to potential returns to evaluate if the investment is cost-effective?
5. Liquidity Needs
   ✅ Do I have sufficient liquid assets to cover emergencies without needing to access funds from the variable annuity, considering surrender charges?
   ✅ How important is liquidity to me, and can I commit to the long-term nature of a variable annuity?
6. Tax Considerations
   ✅ Am I clear on the tax implications of investing in a variable annuity, including tax-deferred growth and taxation upon withdrawal?
   ✅ Have I considered the impact of potential early withdrawal penalties on my financial situation?
7. Income Guarantees and Additional Riders
   ✅ Do I understand the optional income guarantees and riders available with variable annuities, and their additional costs?
   ✅ Are these additional features necessary for my investment strategy and worth the extra expense?
8. Comparison with Other Retirement Savings Options
   ✅ Have I explored and compared other retirement savings options, such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or mutual funds, to determine the best fit for my portfolio?
   ✅ How does a variable annuity complement or enhance my existing retirement savings plan?

Ideal Candidates for Variable Annuities

Based on my professional experience, variable annuities tend to be most appropriate for a specific client profile. Those who may benefit often have all of these characteristics:

• Long-term investment horizon until retirement (10+ years)
• Existing retirement savings to cover near-term cash flow needs
• Tolerance and capacity to accept market risk
• Anticipate being in a lower tax bracket in retirement
• Seeking tax-deferred growth and lifetime guaranteed income

On the other hand, variable annuities pose more risks for those needing funds in the short term, close to or in retirement, or averse to market volatility.

Conclusion: Navigating the Double-Edged Sword of Variable Annuities

As we wrap up this comprehensive guide on variable annuities, it’s clear that they offer a unique blend of opportunities and challenges. From tax-deferred growth and diversified investment portfolios to surrender charges and market risk, the landscape is complex but navigable.

These key points are not just theoretical; they have real-world implications for your retirement planning and financial security. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting your journey, understanding the nuances of variable annuities can be your stepping stone to making informed financial decisions.

So, what’s the bottom line? Are variable annuities the missing piece in your financial puzzle or a complexity you’d rather avoid?

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Note: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or legal advice. Consult with a professional advisor or accountant for personalized guidance.