Annuities as a strategic part of your retirement plan

Why consider annuities?

An annuity is a contract with an insurance company designed to help you grow your retirement savings or convert them into a reliable income stream. At Raymond James, we believe annuities can be a powerful tool in achieving your long-term financial goals.

Whether you're looking to:

• Create a guaranteed income you can’t outlive
• Grow your savings on a tax-deferred basis
• Protect your principal from market volatility
• Leave a lasting legacy for your loved ones

Annuities can be customized to fit your unique retirement strategy. With the right guidance, they can provide both security and flexibility as you plan for the future.

Key benefits of annuities

Guaranteed income

Annuities can provide a steady stream of income for life or a set period, helping you manage longevity risk.

Tax-deferred growth

Earnings within an annuity grow tax-deferred, which can enhance your long-term growth potential – especially if you've maxed out other retirement accounts.

Market protection

Certain annuities offer downside protection, shielding your savings from market losses while still allowing for growth.

Legacy planning

Annuities can offer guaranteed death benefits, ensuring your beneficiaries receive a minimum value regardless of market performance.

Types of annuities we offer

At Raymond James, we offer a range of annuity solutions to meet your unique retirement goals:

Fixed annuities

• Provide a guaranteed interest rate for a set period
• Offer stability and predictable returns
• Best for conservative investors seeking principal protection

Fixed indexed annuities

• Returns tied to a market index (e.g., S&P 500) with no direct market exposure
• Full downside protection with capped upside
• May include income or death benefit riders

Registered indexed linked annuities (RILAs)

• Returns tied to a market index (e.g., S&P 500) with no direct market exposure
• Partial downside protection with greater cap upside than fixed indexed
• May be ideal for those seeking balance between growth and risk mitigation

Variable annuities

• Invest in professionally managed subaccounts tied to market performance
• Potential for higher growth with optional income and protection riders
• Suitable for long-term investors comfortable with market risk

Income annuities

• Convert a portion of your savings into guaranteed income
• Options for immediate or deferred payouts
• Can cover your lifetime or a specific period, including joint options for spouses

Choosing the right annuity for you

Selecting the right annuity depends on your:

• Retirement income needs
• Risk tolerance
• Time horizon
• Legacy goals

Next steps

1. Define your retirement goals
2. Explore the types of annuities available through the Understanding Annuities brochure
3. Talk to your Raymond James advisor

Important considerations

• Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company
• Annuities may involve fees, surrender charges and tax implications
• Withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty
• Variable annuities and RILAs are subject to market risk and investment loss
• Fixed indexed annuities are not registered with the SEC and are not regulated by FINRA

Fixed annuities are long-term, tax-deferred insurance contracts designed for retirement. They allow you to create a fixed stream of income through a process called annuitization and also provide a fixed rate of return based on the terms of the contract. Fixed annuities have limitations. If you decide to take your money out early, you may face fees called surrender charges. Plus, if you're not yet 59 1/2, you may also have to pay an additional 10% tax penalty on top of ordinary income taxes. You should also know that fixed annuities contain guarantees and protections that are subject to the issuing insurance company's ability to pay for them.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks and charges and expenses of variable annuities carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about variable annuities and their underlying funds and are available from your Raymond James financial advisor and should be read carefully before investing.

Variable annuities are long-term investment alternatives designed for retirement purposes. Withdrawals of taxable amounts are subject to income tax, and if taken prior to age 59 1/2, a 10% federal tax penalty may apply. Early withdrawals may be subject to withdrawal charges. Partial withdrawals may also reduce benefits available under the contract as well as the amount available upon a full surrender. An investment in the securities underlying variable annuities involves investment risk, including possible loss of principal. Your contract, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the total amount invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The purchase of a variable annuity is not required for, and is not a term of, the provision of any banking service or activity. Variable annuities are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency and are not a deposit of, guaranteed by, endorsed by or an obligation of any federal banking institution.

Not FDIC or NCUA/NCUSIF insured • No bank or credit union guarantee • May lose value

Information on this page is provided courtesy of AIG SunAmerica, one of the nation’s largest annuity providers. Raymond James is not affiliated with AIG SunAmerica.

Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. For advice concerning the tax treatment of variable annuities and for complete, up-to-date details on tax law, consult a qualified tax advisor. For additional information and the variable annuity prospectus(es) of your choice, please contact your financial advisor or use the convenient Office Locator to find our office(s) nearest you.