Immediate income
Designed to begin contractually defined income relatively soon after a lump-sum purchase.
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Annuities
Explore retirement-income options with clearer tradeoffs
Learn how immediate, fixed, indexed, registered index-linked, and variable annuity structures differ before deciding whether one belongs in your plan.
Income optionsExplore retirement-income options with clearer tradeoffs
Common annuity structures
Different contracts solve different problems
Fixed deferred
Designed to provide a stated interest-crediting approach before future income or withdrawal decisions.
Learn moreFixed index
Uses an index-linked crediting method with contract-specific caps, participation rates, floors, and guarantees.
Learn moreRegistered index-linked
Offers index-linked return potential with contract-defined buffers or floors and meaningful downside risk.
Learn moreVariable
Allocates value among investment options whose returns and principal can fluctuate with the market.
Learn moreWhere annuities may fit
Income certainty can be one part of a broader retirement plan
A retirement-income plan may combine Social Security, pensions, cash reserves, investments, insurance, and contractual income products. The mix should reflect liquidity, time horizon, risk, taxes, fees, and legacy goals.
Review benefits and considerationsBefore buying
Questions worth asking first
How liquid does this money need to be?
Many annuity contracts impose surrender schedules or other withdrawal restrictions, so near-term cash needs matter.
Which guarantees are contractual?
Guarantees depend on the specific contract and the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer, not market performance.
What fees and limitations apply?
Fees, expenses, riders, surrender charges, market-value adjustments, and tax treatment vary materially by contract type.
Personal guidance
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Start a consultationImportant information
Educational content only. Insurance products, underwriting, premiums, contract provisions, exclusions, riders, availability, and guarantees vary by carrier, product, state, and applicant. Guarantees depend on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer. Educational content only. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Guardian Life & Wealth does not represent securities or advisory services as available unless the appropriately registered entity, professionals, agreements, disclosures, and product approvals are in place.