Lincoln Benefit Life

Lincoln Benefit Life Company is a specialized firm under Allstate Insurance. The company offers a wide range of products and services including annuities. By the end of 2008, the company protected its policy owners with $344.3 billion of life insurance in-force. The company has been in business since 1938. Annuity-based products include fixed annuities, variable annuities, market value adjusted annuities, equity indexed annuities and immediate annuities. Descriptions of these product categories are as follows: 1) Fixed Annuities: Fixed annuities offer a guarantee of principal and interest. Contributions earn a stated interest rate for a specified period of time while earnings grow tax deferred. Fixed annuities are for conservative investors. 2) Variable Annuities: Variable annuities offer single or flexible premiums, a broad range of subaccounts, tax deferral on earnings, and a death benefit. Values change according to the performance of the selected subaccounts. Generally, variable annuities have higher expenses than a fixed annuity. Variable annuities are long term investments designed for retirement purposes and are best suited for investors willing to tolerate risk. 3) Market Value Adjusted Annuities (MVAs): MVAs offer fixed interest rates combined with an interest rate adjustment factor that can cause the actual crediting rates to increase or decrease in response to current market conditions at the time of withdrawal. MVAs are appropriate for individuals who are willing to tolerate minimal risk for a higher initial credited interest rate. 4) Equity Indexed Annuities Equity indexed annuities present interest based on the upward movement of an equity index, but still maintain the minimum guaranteed interest rate feature of a traditional fixed annuity. Equity indexed annuities are for individuals who are moderate risk takers.