What is the difference between a mutual fund and a variable deferred annuity?
Annuities and mutual funds can each play an important part in a financial plan. However, they are different products, designed to meet different needs and time horizons. Both offer professional money management and pooled investment vehicles. Mutual funds may be appropriate for short, intermediate and long-term goals. There are many types of mutual funds, ranging from conservative to aggressive risk levels. Variable deferred annuities are long-term vehicles, designed to help your assets grow and provide a steady stream of income in retirement. Variable annuities offer the following features that are not provided by mutual funds: • Tax-deferred growth. No taxes are due until you take a withdrawal. Unlike a mutual fund, however, any taxable withdrawals from an annuity before age 59½ are generally subject to a federal tax penalty of 10%. Ordinary income taxes also apply to earnings. • Choice of investment portfolios. These stock and bond investment options may be managed by the same portf
