A general overview of savings and investment possibilities is outlined below. When making any major financial decisions, it’s wise to consult a qualified financial advisor or tax professional for more complete information, and for advice tailored to your specific situation.

• A savings account is a good place to store emergency funds and money for very short-term financial goals. Funds are readily accessible and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) generally insures savings accounts up to $100,000 per depositor. The main drawback is low return. The interest rate paid on a savings account is often  less than the rate of inflation, so your money may not grow as fast as the rising price of goods and services, making savings accounts inadequate to meet long-term goals.
• Money market accounts are generally offered through banks or mutual funds companies. They pay fixed rates of return that are usually higher than regular savings accounts, but still allow easy access, often via a checking account. Typically, a minimum deposit is required, and often you have to pay a fee if the balance falls below that minimum. These accounts are considered lower-risk. 

An investment in a Money Market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the underlying money market fund that the sub-account invests in seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a Money Market fund.

• Certificates of deposit (CDs), generally offered through banks, allow you to earn higher interest than ordinary savings accounts with relatively low risk and are especially useful for shorter term investing. The money you put in—the principal— is guaranteed to earn a fixed rate of interest for a set length of time. You can put money into a CD for just a few months or for several years. If you withdraw the money early, however, it may be subject to a penalty. CDs are generally FDIC insured up to $100,000.
• Stocks or equities represent partial ownership of a company in the form of shares. If the company performs well in the future, the value of your stock is likely to increase. Some stocks also pay investors a portion of their earnings in the form of a dividend. However, dividends are not guaranteed. The factors that make up dividends are sensitive to economic and business conditions, which are likely to change from year to year, causing dividends to fluctuate up or down accordingly. When buying stocks, you take all the risk, so the value of your investment may decline. It’s wise to consult a financial advisor or broker before investing in stocks.
• Bonds, a broad and varied investment category, are generally loans to corporations or governments. You buy bonds at a fixed (or variable) rate of interest for a fixed period of time. Interest can be paid periodically during the life of the debt or at maturity, depending upon the type of bond. At the end of that time, the issuer promises to repay the amount of the bond. The amount and type of risk you take in buying bonds depends on the type of bond: government, corporate, municipal, or high-yield (commonly known as junk bonds); the “coupon” or interest rate paid; and the length of maturity. Although there are no penalties for selling a bond before the end of its term, the value of the bond is subject to changes in the current interest rate. If interest rates have risen since you bought your bond and you sell before maturity, you may receive less than you paid for it.
• Mutual funds. Under the direction of a professional money manager, a mutual fund pools money from many investors to buy a number of stocks and/or bonds. This diversity of investments can help better manage overall risk. Money market mutual funds are invested in money market instruments (e.g., CDs) instead of in stocks or bonds. Neither the profits nor the principal of any mutual fund is guaranteed, and investments in mutual funds can lose value. In addition, you will pay annual fees, management fees, and perhaps a sales commission—called a load—on the money you invest.

Mutual funds are sold by a prospectus, which is available from your registered representative. Please carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and other information about any mutual fund investment please obtain a prospectus and read it carefully before you invest. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with changes in market conditions such that shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed. Diversification cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses.

• Annuities are financial contracts between you and an insurance company. You invest money now and the company pays you an income at a later time. In general, assets held in an annuity grow income tax deferred and you won't pay income taxes on those gains until you begin to withdraw money. There are two types of annuities which may be either immediate or deferred.

The two types of annuities are fixed and variable. With a fixed annuity, you can expect a guaranteed rate of return for a specified time. With variable annuities, the return on your investment will depend, in part, on the underlying funding options you choose. Variable annuities have the potential for greater return than fixed annuities, coupled with higher risk.

Variable annuities are offered by prospectus only, which is available from your registered representative. You should carefully consider the product’s features, risks, charges, and expenses, and the investment objectives, risks, and policies of the underlying portfolios, as well as other information about the underlying funding choices. This and other information is available in the prospectus, which you should read carefully before investing. Product availability and features may vary by state. All product guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

The amount allocated to the variable investment options of your account balance are subject to market fluctuations so that, when withdrawn or annuitized it may be worth more or less than its original value.

When you invest in an annuity, you will need to decide how you want the proceeds paid to you. An immediate annuity, after one lump-sum payment, will begin payments to you immediately or within a short time afterward. With a deferred annuity, you will receive payments at a later date. In general, withdrawals prior to age 59 1⁄2 are subject to a 10 percent premature distribution penalty, in addition to ordinary income tax.