hand using letter cubes to spell out annuity (Photo: Shutterstock)

In 1952, The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) sold the first variable annuity (VA) developed by Harvard Ph.D. economist William Greenough to Brown University President Henry M. Wriston. Since then, over a million education employees have invested in VAs through the TIAA College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF). The original VA was seen as a creative solution to the retirement income puzzle.

The variable annuity concept as originally envisioned is remarkably simple. The initial purpose of the VA was to provide a higher income to retirees than fixed annuities, for the trade-off of removing the stronger guarantees that fixed annuities provide.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical BenefitsPRO.com information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com

Already have an account?

 

BenefitsPRO

Join BenefitsPRO

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to navigate the shifting employee benefits industry. Join BenefitsPRO.com now!

  • Unlimited access to BenefitsPRO.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on BenefitsPRO.com and ALM events.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join BenefitsPRO

Copyright © 2023 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.