Variable Annuities
With funds invested in sub-accounts tied to the market, you’ll have the opportunity to accumulate money – tax deferred. When you retire, you could turn that money into an income stream.
A variable annuity is a financial product that has sub-accounts tied to the market. The performance of those investments will determine the amount of your retirement income payments.
Higher gains will likely translate into higher payouts, while lower gains—or losses—will likely result in smaller payouts. Variable annuities may be less predictable than fixed annuities, but they have the potential to deliver greater financial performance.
Because they are typically long-term growth platforms, they are classified as:
Deferred
Your retirement income payments will begin in the future, usually when you retire.
Higher gains will likely translate into higher payouts, while lower gains—or losses—will likely result in smaller payouts. Variable annuities may be less predictable than fixed annuities, but they have the potential to deliver greater financial performance.
Because they are typically long-term growth platforms, they are classified as:
Deferred
Your retirement income payments will begin in the future, usually when you retire.
Variable annuity features
Investment growth potential
Variable annuities let you choose from a variety of investment options within your contract. Your investment performance is based on market performance.
Tax-deferred growth
Just like a 401(k) or traditional IRA, a variable annuity’s earnings are tax-deferred. That means they aren’t taxed while you’re contributing to it, and that may result in higher growth.
Retirement income
Like other annuities, a variable annuity could provide ongoing income payments during retirement.
Standard death benefit
Most variable annuities also offer a standard death benefit that’s paid to your beneficiaries if you pass away before your payouts begin.
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Variable annuity FAQs
Variable annuities offer a stream of retirement income and tax-deferred investment growth potential based on market performance.
How does a variable annuity work?
Since variable annuities include investments tied to the stock market, they provide opportunities to earn higher returns than fixed annuities. For this reason, however, there’s also a risk of lower returns or financial loss.
Variable annuities offer tax-deferred growth. While paying in, you don’t owe taxes on your earnings. But when you take withdrawals later, you pay income tax on that money.
Learn more about how variable annuities work
Variable annuities offer tax-deferred growth. While paying in, you don’t owe taxes on your earnings. But when you take withdrawals later, you pay income tax on that money.
Who should consider a variable annuity?
That depends on many factors, including your age, financial goals, retirement plans, the amount of risk you’re comfortable taking on, and how long you expect to live.
Let’s say you’re 15 years from retirement. You have some money saved up and have invested in a 401(k), an IRA, or both. But you’re not sure they’ll provide enough money to support you through your retirement years.
If you would like to keep building your retirement portfolio, a variable annuity might be worth considering. You’ll get to choose from a variety of investment options within your contract to make sure they fit with your financial goals and objectives. And knowing you have a guaranteed income stream might make you feel more confident about your overall retirement strategy.
Let’s say you’re 15 years from retirement. You have some money saved up and have invested in a 401(k), an IRA, or both. But you’re not sure they’ll provide enough money to support you through your retirement years.
If you would like to keep building your retirement portfolio, a variable annuity might be worth considering. You’ll get to choose from a variety of investment options within your contract to make sure they fit with your financial goals and objectives. And knowing you have a guaranteed income stream might make you feel more confident about your overall retirement strategy.
How can you use a variable annuity?
You can use a variable annuity to enhance your retirement strategy. If you have a lump sum of money available—or can fit a new recurring premium payment into your budget—you could put that money into a variable annuity.
Based on how your other retirement savings vehicles are invested, you could choose how much risk to take on. Investing more aggressively could potentially yield higher returns but might increase your risk of loss. Conversely, investing more conservatively might limit your potential loss, but it could generate lower earnings.
Based on how your other retirement savings vehicles are invested, you could choose how much risk to take on. Investing more aggressively could potentially yield higher returns but might increase your risk of loss. Conversely, investing more conservatively might limit your potential loss, but it could generate lower earnings.
What are the risks of a variable annuity?
Variable annuities involve investment risks just like other investment vehicles. If the investments you selected for your variable annuity perform poorly, you could lose money.
There is also a liquidity risk. A surrender charge may apply if you withdraw money before a certain number of years have elapsed. Variable annuities also have additional charges from some optional benefits and features.
There is also a liquidity risk. A surrender charge may apply if you withdraw money before a certain number of years have elapsed. Variable annuities also have additional charges from some optional benefits and features.
Want to learn more about your retirement options?
Our financial advisors can offer personalized guidance to help create a financial strategy that’s right for you.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The prospectus and summary prospectuses of the variable annuity contract and underlying investment options contain information on investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses, which investors should read carefully and consider before investing. Available at Thrivent.com.
Holding an annuity inside a tax-qualified plan does not provide any additional tax benefits.
Guarantees based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuer.
Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.
Holding an annuity inside a tax-qualified plan does not provide any additional tax benefits.
Guarantees based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuer.
Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.
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