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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.¹

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.

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Accumulation potential

Some annuities have the potential to earn interest or credits based on the growth of an external index (we call this “indexed interest”). You can choose from one or more external indexes and crediting methods, depending on your financial goals. Other types of annuities offer growth potential through variable investment options.
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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.
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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.²
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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.

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.

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Frequently asked questions

Which annuity may meet your needs?

Allianz offers two types of annuities to help address your unique financial needs and retirement goals: fixed index annuities (FIAs) and registered index-linked annuities (RILAs). 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.

1 Income for life is subject to following the terms of your contract.

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 or credits in any year in which the contract does not earn interest or credits in an amount less than the rider charge. 


As with any investment vehicle, RILAs are subject to risk – including possible loss of principal. Investment returns and principal will fluctuate with market conditions so that contract values, upon distribution, may be worth more or less than the original cost.

Withdrawals will reduce the contract value and the value of any potential 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. Registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) are distributed by its affiliate, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, member FINRA, 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297. 800.542.5427 www.allianzlife.com

This content does not apply in the state of New York.

Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer.