Annuities

Annuities provide protected lifetime income you can’t outlive.

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What is an annuity?

Nationwide annuities are designed to help you grow your retirement income. They’re long-term contracts from an insurance company where you invest your money. In return for your investment, you get income in the form of regular payments.

Types of annuities

There are several types of annuity products available to choose from. Whether you’re looking for income options, legacy planning tools or spousal protection, your financial professional can tailor a plan to meet your specific goals.

Quick annuity comparison chart

Benefit Variable Registered index-linked Fixed Immediate Fixed indexed
Guaranteed income for life for you ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Guaranteed income for life for your spouse ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Cost-of-living adjustments ✔
Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ✔ ✔
Protection against market losses ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Access to your funds, up to a specified limit ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Potential to leave a legacy to heirs ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Benefits of annuities

Provides an alternate way to save

An annuity can help you save additional money for retirement once you've maxed out other tax-favored investments.

Lets you catch up

Annuities can help you catch up on retirement savings when you have less time to save.

Offers growth potential

Annuities offer potential for tax-deferred growth and an income stream for life.

How do annuities work?

An annuity is a long-term investment that is issued by an insurance company and is designed to help protect you from the risk of outliving your income. Through annuitization, your purchase payments (what you contribute) are converted into periodic payments that can last for life.

Nationwide's annuities are flexible, so you can choose one that enables you to:
  • Invest a lump sum or invest over a period of time
  • Start receiving payments immediately or at some later date
  • Select a fixed, variable or indexed rate of return

Investing involves risk, and your investments may lose value. All guarantees and protections are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company, but the guarantees do not apply to any variable accounts, which are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Annuity resources

Tools & calculators

Use our planners, analyzers and calculators to help make investment decisions.

Annuity education

Annuities can be a valuable tool to help you prepare for and live in retirement. Get straight talk about the various features these products offer.

Annuity claims

If you’re the beneficiary of a Nationwide annuity, let us help you get started.

Annuity forms

Get a form for a beneficiary change or to set up or make changes to recurring electronic funds transfers.

More annuity resources

Annuity beneficiary form

Annuity buyer's guides

Related topics & resources

What is an annuity?
Life situations
Planning for long-term care
Working with a professional
More annuity resources
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Read this important information

Variable annuities are sold by prospectus. Both the product and underlying fund prospectuses can be obtained by visiting Nationwide.com/prospectus or by calling 1-800-848-6331. Before investing, carefully read and consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information contained in this and the underlying funds’ prospectuses.

A fixed indexed annuity offers returns based on the changes in a securities index, such as the S&P 500® Composite Stock Price Index. Indexed annuity contracts also offer a specified minimum that the contract value will not fall below, regardless of index performance. After a period of time, the insurance company will make payments to you under the terms of your contract.

A fixed indexed annuity is not a stock market investment and does not directly participate in any stock or equity investment.

Before deciding on an annuity, you should consider your income needs, risk tolerance and investment objectives. Your investment professional can help you decide if annuities are a suitable investment and can help you pick a Nationwide® annuity.

Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of Nationwide Life Insurance Company. They don’t apply to the investment performance or safety of the underlying investment options.