- A fixed annuity is a financial product issued by an insurance company. It minimizes tax liability, while allowing tax-deferred growth of assets.

- At retirement, a fixed annuity can provide a guaranteed income stream for one or more people, in specified amounts, for a specified period or for life.^1,2

- There are basically two types of fixed annuities: a fixed deferred annuity and an immediate fixed annuity.

1. Withdrawals of taxable amounts from annuities are subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken prior to age 59 ½, a 10% IRS tax penalty may apply. Withdrawal charges may also apply.

2. All guarantees (principal lifetime income and interest rates) are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

- You want a financial product with predictable growth and stable performance with no stock market volatility.

- You want a secure retirement income that is not dependent upon circumstances beyond your control.

- You know that Social Security alone might not provide the retirement income you'll need to maintain your standard of living or cover your monthly expenses.

- A variable annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company, under which the insurer agrees to make periodic payments to you, either immediately or at some future date.

- A variable annuity combines features of an investment product, which can provide growth potential and inflation protection, and an insurance contract, which can give you access to certain income, death benefit and wealth protection guarantees. The guarantees are backed by the claims paying ability of the issuer.

- You want to take advantage of the three distinct benefits an annuity offers that other financial vehicles may not: guaranteed death benefit, tax deferral, and guaranteed payments.

- You want the option to receive guaranteed payments for life, even if you live beyond 100.

- You are looking to fill the gap between what you'll need to live comfortably during retirement and what Social Security is likely to pay you.

- A qualified tuition savings plan created by Section 529 of the IRS Code.

- Can be used for education costs at any eligible college, university or graduate school in the U.S.

- Tax-deferred earnings, contribution and investment options; no federal income tax on withdrawals.

- You get tax-deferred growth on earnings while you save and federal tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses in the future.¹

- You may also be able to make five years of gift contributions at once -- up to $55,000 per beneficiary without incurring a federal gift tax, or $110,000 per beneficiary if filing jointly.².

- You, as the Account Holder, maintain control and can make the decisions about how to manage your account.

1. Tax provisions allowing for federal income tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses will expire 12/31/10 unless extended. State laws will vary. If your state offers a plan you may want to consider what, if any, potential state income tax benefits it may offer

2. Donor must elect that the gift be treated as having accrued over a five-year period. If additional gifts are made to the same beneficiary during this five-year period, a federal gift tax may be levied. If donor dies within this five-year period, a pro rata share will be included in the donor's estate for estate tax purposes.

- An employer-sponsored, qualified retirement plan; employees can contribute through payroll deduction

- Contributions are tax-sheltered until withdrawn at retirement¹

- Because there is a limit for annual contributions, the earlier you start, the greater the potential for reaching your retirement goals.

1. Withdrawals of taxable amounts will be subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken prior to age 59 1/2, a 10% IRS tax penalty may apply.

- You want a convenient way to save for retirement that offers potential for long-term investment growth.

- You want an investment that lowers your immediate taxable income and is not taxed until you make withdrawals¹.

- Your employer may offer to make matching contributions to your account under the plan.

- A professionally-managed investment offering diversity and liquidity.

- Pools the money of many individuals in order to invest in hundreds of different securities at once.

- Types: equity funds invest in stocks; income funds in bonds; money market funds in cash investments.

- A professionally-managed investment offering diversity and liquidity.

- You want a liquid investment that can potentially produce a higher return than a CD or savings accounts can.

- You want an investment that can reduce volatility - poor performance of one investment is typically offset by the better performance of the portfolio's other investments.

- You want to invest in specific market sectors, such as technology, health care, or aerospace.

- An annuity provides injury victims or the victim's family with a steady stream of income over time.

- It is awarded to an injury victim or the victim's family through a pre-trial settlement or court order instead of a lump sum payment.

- A similar product for personal injury lawyers provides regular income over time versus a lump sum fee.

- You want settlement payments that are 100% exempt from federal and state income taxes.

- You want guaranteed long-term income without having to figure out an investment strategy

- You want to customize payment frequency or amount to meet your changing financial needs

- SignatureNotes are fixed-rate investments with maturities ranging from one to 30 years.

- Typically, the longer the maturity, the higher the interest rate

- You want a fixed-income portfolio offering regular interest payouts and capital preservation.

- You are looking for an investment option that has a minimum requirement of just $1000.

- You want flexibility, including a wide variety of maturity dates, structures, and payout schedules.

This is not a solicitation of offers to purchase or an offer to sell any securities. An offer to purchase SignatureNotes can only be made by means of a prospectus. You may obtain a copy of an applicable prospectus by visiting www.SignatureNotes.com.