Lacking in Investment Options

Rating: 
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)

I would actually give this product 3.5 rather than 4 stars.

Yes the expenses are low.

Yes low expenses are super important--especially when it comes to variable annuties and all the layers upon layers of fees that can come with them.

Yes TIAA-CREF is a superb company with a strong history of supporting financial services consumers.

My problem with the product and the reason for 3.5 stars is that it does not have enough investment options.

There are only 40 or so options available.

Some variable annuity products on the market have 100-200 different investment options.  This is important for financial advisors who have customers that expect them to create asset allocation plans for them.

More investment options = better product and 5 stars in my book.