Variable annuities

Last updated March 16, 2026

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Retirement isn’t the end. It’s the beginning.

The day you stop working is a brand new stage in life. Ideally, a long and happy one. But to live this new beginning to the fullest, you’ll need a reliable source of income. Sure enough, our research shows that having a guaranteed source of income in retirement is a top financial concern for 48% of working Americans.¹

In a well-rounded retirement plan, you’ll want a mix of savings and investment options. If you’ve been exploring retirement strategies, you may have asked yourself: what is an annuity and how does it work? A variable annuity allows you to accumulate tax-deferred savings and then receive regular payments during retirement, either for the rest of your life or for a specific time period.

Why choose to invest in variable annuities?

Tax-deferred growth. Gains earned during the life of your variable annuity grow tax-deferred. This means that you don’t pay taxes until the gains are withdrawn. By the time you start receiving annuity payments in retirement, you could be in a lower tax bracket.
Beneficiary protection. A variable annuity offers various options that can help to give your beneficiaries a form of financial protection (typically referred to as a death benefit) in the event that you die during the accumulation period before you have begun to receive payments.

Consult with a financial professional to explore how variable annuities can help to provide flexibility and security to your retirement plan. A financial professional can help to build a plan that fits your goals so that you can make the most of your retirement.

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Prospectuses

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Guardian Variable Products Trust

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¹ Facing Financial Fragility, Guardian, 2024

Insurance products are offered through a licensed/registered bank or broker/dealer (financial institution), but underwritten by insurance companies. All guarantees mentioned on this site are guarantees of the insurance company and not guarantees of the financial institution.

The information provided herein is not written or intended as tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding any federal tax penalties. This information supports the promotion and marketing of this annuity.

Current tax law is subject to interpretation and legislative change. Tax results and the appropriateness of any product for any specific taxpayer may vary depending on the particular set of facts and circumstances. Entities or persons distributing this information are not authorized to give tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to seek specific advice from their personal tax or legal counsel.

Variable Annuities are long-term investment vehicles that involve certain risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. The investment return and principal value may fluctuate so that the investment, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Withdrawals of taxable amounts will be subject to ordinary income tax and possible mandatory federal income tax withholding. If taken prior to age 59½, a 10% IRS penalty may also apply. Withdrawals affect the variable annuity’s death benefit, cash surrender value and any optional benefits and may also be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.

There is no additional tax deferral benefit for annuity contracts purchased in an IRA or other tax-qualified plan, since these are already afforded tax-deferred status. Thus, an annuity should only be purchased in an IRA or qualified plan if you value some of the other features of the annuity and are willing to incur any additional costs associated with the annuity to receive such benefits.

Annuity guarantees are backed exclusively by the strength and claims-paying ability of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. (GIAC).

Contract provisions and investment options vary by state.

Annuities are issued by The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. (GIAC), a Delaware corporation. Individual variable annuities are distributed by Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian). PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Guardian, GIAC, and PAS are located at 10 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001.

PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian and a member FINRA, SIPC

Not a Deposit | Not FDIC or NCUA Insured | May Lose Value | No Bank or Credit Union Guarantee

This material is intended for general public use. By providing this material, Guardian is not undertaking to provide investment advice for any specific individual or situation, or to otherwise act in a fiduciary capacity. Please contact a financial professional for guidance and information specific to your individual situation.

Retirement isn’t the end. It’s the beginning.

Why choose to invest in variable annuities?

Find a financial professional near you

Learn More About Guardian Annuities, Including Important Information That You Can Read or Download Anytime

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