1.   And to judge any variable annuity, you need to consider the whole package -- not the returns on just one fund.

2.   Clearly, teachers considering this variable annuity have a lot of homework ahead of them.

3.   Although variable annuities guarantee a return of principal if things turn sour, they allow customers to invest in mutual funds.

4.   And for the right person, in the right financial circumstances, with the right investment results, variable annuities may turn out to be wise investments.

5.   And analysts said American General, which is also a leader in variable annuities, would dovetail nicely with Sun America.

6.   And no matter how illogical, many conservative investors are simply too scared to invest at all without the insurance features offered by variable annuities.

7.   And though fixed annuities more closely resemble insurance than do variable annuities, fixed annuities too have significant investment features and are functionally similar to debt instruments.

8.   And variable annuities convert what would be capital gains in a mutual fund into ordinary income, which is taxed at higher rates.

9.   Another avenue you might consider to defer the tax liabilities on the taxable savings is a variable annuity program, available through many fund families including Vanguard.

10.   Another drawback is that variable annuities receive less favorable tax treatment than mutual funds when you withdraw your money or pass it along to your heirs.