Contact Us Log in Why Allianz What We Offer Get Answers For Professionals Search You are here: Home / What We Offer / Annuities Help diversify your retirement strategy with an annuity Annuities are financial products that guarantee a steady stream of retirement income. They offer tax-deferred growth potential while you’re saving for retirement, and dependable income after you retire – in some cases, income for life. What is an annuity? An annuity is simply a contract between you and an insurance company. You pay the insurance company one or more purchase payments (“premium”). In exchange, you get the benefits the insurance company guarantees through your annuity contract. Accumulation potential Some annuities have the potential to earn interest based on the growth of an external index (we call this “indexed interest”). You can choose one or more external indexes every crediting period (or “allocation options”), depending on your financial goals. Other types of annuities offer growth potential through variable investment options. Tax-deferred growth You don’t have to pay income taxes on the earnings in your contract until you take money out of your annuity. Tax deferral may help the money in your annuity compound over time, for even greater accumulation potential. Level of protection Annuities can help protect the money you place in your contract (the “principal”). Some annuities protect all of your principal from market downturns, while others offer greater potential in exchange for some market risk, including the risk of losing principal.1 Retirement income After a period of time specified by your contract, annuities provide guaranteed retirement income. Some annuities let you choose from a variety of income options – and some even offer the opportunity for income increases in retirement. These options may either be built in to the contract or optional and available for an additional cost.2 Learn the basics of annuities Annuities can help address some common financial concerns, from helping you save for retirement and providing a level of protection for your retirement savings to helping address inflation and longevity. Play Video Why consider an annuity? Annuities are designed to complement other financial products as part of your overall retirement strategy. They offer important features and benefits that can help you accumulate for retirement, supplement your retirement income, and even help diversify your portfolio. (However, remember that diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against loss.) For additional help in considering whether an annuity is right for you, use the tools and guides available from the Alliance for Lifetime Income. RightRight Go to ProtectedIncome.org Frequently asked questions How much should you pay for an annuity? How are annuities taxed? Are there required minimum distributions (RMDs) on annuities? Do annuities tie up your money? What is a market value adjustment? What are some typical criticisms of annuities? Why do insurance companies sell annuities? Which annuity may meet your needs? Allianz offers two types of annuities to address your unique financial needs and retirement goals: fixed index annuities and index variable annuities. Annuities are complex products, and it’s important to understand the balance between their features and factors. A financial professional can help you decide whether an annuity is appropriate for your needs. Fixed index annuities: interest potential with protection Provide potential for indexed interest Protect your principal from market downturns RightRight Learn about Allianz fixed index annuities Index variable annuities: growth potential with some protection Competitive performance potential Offer the opportunity for a level of protection from market downturns RightRight Learn about Allianz index variable annuities 1 A level of protection may be provided by benefits that are either built into the contract or through optional riders at an additional cost. 2 With the purchase of any additional-cost riders, the contract’s value will be reduced by the cost of the rider. This may result in a loss of principal and interest in any year in which the contract does not earn interest in an amount less than the rider charge. Variable investment options are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal. This means investment returns and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that units, upon distribution, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Although an external index may affect the interest credited, you cannot buy, directly participate in, or receive dividend payments from any of them through the insurance product. Withdrawals will reduce the contract value and the value of any protection benefits. Withdrawals taken within the contract withdrawal charge schedule will be subject to a withdrawal charge. All withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken prior to age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal additional tax. Purchasing an annuity within a retirement plan that provides tax deferral under sections of the Internal Revenue Code results in no additional tax benefit. An annuity should be used to fund a qualified plan based upon the annuity’s features other than tax deferral. All annuity features, risks, limitations, and costs should be considered prior to purchasing an annuity within a tax-qualified retirement plan. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing company. Variable annuity guarantees do not apply to the performance of the variable subaccounts, which will fluctuate with market conditions. • Not FDIC insured • May lose value • No bank or credit union guarantee • Not a deposit • Not insured by any federal government agency or NCUA/NCUSIF Products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. Variable annuities are distributed by its affiliate, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, member FINRA, 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297. Product and feature availability may vary by broker/dealer. 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