Annuities can build security into your portfolio with either fixed or variable annuities. Years ago annuities were the mainstay for “widows and orphans” because of their safety and security. They were singularly used to provide guaranteed income for those who needed it. Times have changed and so have annuities! Today they are used in portfolios for many different things including safety, guaranteed income and taxed deferred growth. Variable annuities especially can offer market returns that are sheltered from current taxation while they grow. Many of the leading issuers of variable annuities currently offer guaranteed returns over a 10 year period. Like our consideration for variable life companies we do our due diligence on the variable annuity companies we offer to our clients.