Few would argue that retirement planning is among the most pressing financial priorities facing today’s consumers. Today, consumers need self-directed options and self-directed ways to accumulate funds for their futures, and safely and efficiently distribute those funds during their retirement. For this purpose, the insurance industry offers a unique vehicle: the variable annuity.

This course provides a thorough orientation to the variable annuity and its application for long-term asset accumulation and income distribution, and it focuses on how these products are designed and how they function as well as their benefits, costs, limitations, and tax treatment. It examines the many investment options and techniques variable annuities offer and explores their application for retirement income distribution. 

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• demonstrate a solid understanding of the variable annuity product
• describe how these products can fulfill the need for asset accumulation and income distribution
• outline the product's features and benefits, as well as its restrictions and limitations
• describe the various investment options and investment strategies that these products offer
• guide clients toward an appropriate allocation of invested premiums
• demonstrate an understanding of the guaranteed living benefits that variable annuities offer
• articulate the tax treatment that applies to these products

Licensed life/health insurance producers; financial planners and advisors