An equity-indexed annuity allows you to benefit from potential gains when the stock market is up, but also prevents you from being penalized when it's down.

So even if the stock market were to decline in value, your contract value can never decline. In addition, like all fixed annuities, you're protected by a lifetime guaranteed minimum interest rate.

The power of tax deferral

Due to the power of tax-deferred growth, your money has the potential to grow faster than it would in a taxable alternative. If you began with a lump sum of $10,000 at the age of 30, your value in a taxable plan would equal $93,942 (assuming an 8% return) by age 70. That same plan tax-deferred would grow to $217,245.

This graph is hypothetical and does not represent an issued contract The example assumes a $10,000 single investment, a real rate of return of 8% and a 28% tax rate. Returns may be reduced by applicable insurance charges (including management and administrative fees, mortality and expense charges, and withdrawal charges.) Withdrawals of tax-deferred accumulations may be subject to deferred sales charges and are subject to ordinary income tax. If withdrawals are made by the owner who is less than 59 1/2 years old, the accumulations withdrawn may incur a 10% IRS penalty.