Variable Annuities

A variable annuity gives you a rate of return that changes based on how the selected underlying investments options perform.

With a variable annuity, you can invest in one product with multiple underlying investment options and direct money into variable subaccounts investment options based on how much risk you want to take. Investing involves market risk and your investment return, principal value and periodic payments will fluctuate over time, and you could end up with more or less than the amount you invested.

Variable annuity features

• Tax-deferred growth potential in the accumulation phase (Earnings are taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn and there may be a 10% federal tax penalty on withdrawals before age 59½. Naturally, if you take an early withdrawal, your death benefit and the cash value of the annuity contract will be reduced.)
• Death benefits for your beneficiaries
• Tax-free/penalty-free transfers among underlying investment options
• A variety of payout options, including systematic withdrawals and annuitization (If you decide to take your money out early, you may face fees called surrender charges.) 

Read this important information

An annuity is a long-term, tax-deferred investment designed for retirement that will fluctuate in value. It allows you to create a fixed or variable stream of income through a process called annuitization and also provides a variable rate of return based on the performance of the underlying investments. They are not intended to replace emergency funds or to fund short-term savings goal.

You should also know that an annuity contains guarantees and protections that are subject to the issuing insurance company’s ability to pay for them. But these guarantees don’t apply to any variable accounts that are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of your principal.

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company and it’s sold by prospectus. While it may take some time, you should read these documents. They describe risk factors, fees and charges that may apply to you.  Variable annuities have fees and charges that include mortality and expense, administrative fees, contract fees, and the expense of the underlying investment options. 

Before purchasing a variable annuity, you should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the annuity and its underlying investment options. The product prospectus and underlying fund prospectus contain this and other important information. Click on any of the product links below to obtain a product prospectus. Underlying fund prospectuses can be obtained from your investment professional or by contacting Nationwide. Read the prospectus carefully before you make a purchase.

For additional details about variable annuities, read the 5-minute guide to variable annuities (PDF).

Deferred variable annuity products

• The Best of America Achiever Annuity^®
• The Best of America^®America's FUTURE Annuity^®II
• The Best of America All American Gold Annuity^®
• The Best of America Future Venue Annuity^®
• The Best of America Choice Venue Annuity^® II
• The Best of America Elite Venue Annuity^®
• The Best of America Exclusive Venue Annuity^®
• America's marketFLEX^® II Annuity
• The Best of America^® IV
• The Best of America^®V
• The Best of America^® Successor^SM
• The Soloist^SM

Product features and availability vary by state.

Immediate variable annuity products

• The Best of America^® America's INCOME Annuity^®

Product features and availability vary by state.

Next steps

Be sure to talk to your investment professional about how a variable annuity may fit into your individual retirement plan.

Neither the company nor its representatives give legal or tax advice.  Please consult your attorney or tax advisor for answers to specific questions.

Investment products offered are not FDIC-insured, may lose value, have no bank guarantee.

Annuities issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company or Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio.

NFW-1510AO