The Guardian Investor Variable Annuity B Series offered by Guardian Life

Introduction
Type of Product Variable Annuity
Product NameThe Guardian Investor Variable Annuity B Series
Offered byGuardian Life
Company Info

Founded in 1860, The Guardi... read more

Contract and Purchasing
Minimum Premium Payment5000
Maximum Premium Payment1000000
Minimum Additional Premium Payment100
Maximum Age at Start of Contract85
Investments
Ability to Select Asset AllocationYes
Total Number of Investment Options59 [Find annuities with more investment options]
Fixed Account
Minimum Fixed Account Rate Guarantee1 [Find annuities with higher fixed account minimum rate guarantees]
Features and Benefits
Free WithdrawalsYes
Free Withdrawal Limit10
Guaranteed Death BenefitAvailable
Are Telephone Transactions AllowedYes
Fees and Expenses
Minimum Total Fees and Expenses1.67 [Find annuities with lower fees and expenses]
Maximum Total Fees and Expenses3.87 [Find annuities with lower fees and expenses]
Minimum Mortality and Expense Risk Charge "M&E Fee"1.1 [Find annuities with lower mortality and expense fees]
Maximum Mortality and Expense Risk Charge "M&E Fee"1.1 [Find annuities with lower mortality and expense fees]
Administrative Fee35.00 [Find annuities with lower administrative fees]
Contract Maintenance Fee0.2 [Find annuities with lower contract maintenance fees]
Early Withdrawal Charges / Surrender Fees Request Access
Minimum Investment Management Fee0.37 [Find annuities with lower investment management fees]
Maximum Investment Management Fee2.57 [Find annuities with lower investment management fees]
Sales Compensation
Maximum Commissions8 [Find annuities with lower commissions] [Find annuities with higher commissions]
Minimum Commissions3.5
Contact Information
Company OfferingGuardian Life
Company TypeInsurance Company
Phone Number212-598-8000
Websitewww.guardianlife.com
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Reviews and Ratings
Average Review

4/5 from 1 Reviews


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Product Ratings and Reviews

Rating:
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)

Overall, the Guardian Investor variable annuity seems like a pretty standard, solid offering with features and an expense structure that is in-line with industry averages.

What is somewhat confusing is the optional living benefit features that are offered with the VA.

The Guardian offers a handful of flavors of guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB).  The company refers to these various flavors as:

  • Target Now
  • Target Future
  • Target 200
  • Target 250

The Target Now comes with step-ups only and no annual minimum guarantee.  The Target Future has the step-ups and a 7 percent (as of 2012) minimum guarantee.

The Target 200 (which is more expensive than the Target Future) has the 7 percent guarantee and additionally offers a 200 percent cumulative guarantee over 10 years.  Confusing as 7 percent compounded over 10 years is roughly a doubling, so why pay for the cumulative guarantee.

Similarly, the Target 250 offers a 250 percent cumulative guarantee over 15 years for an additional fee.  The thing is, 7 percent compounded over 15 years is 275 percent cumulative.  Why pay extra for a cumulative guarantee that seems irrelevant? 

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