No.  Not agreed.

You don't know what you don't know.

There are 3 main considerations with ALL investments that must be considered together:  Risk, Return and Cost.

Just because something is CHEAPER doesn't make it BETTER.  What are the risks?  Is it cheaper because the company ratings are BBB?  Have the best funds only gotten 15% last year?

My best values are the ones I recommend to my INDIVIDUAL clients.

[quote=newnew]the best long term value is the A-Share VA,
avail only at Jones. m&E only .85. Agreed? If not, details
please.[/quote]



Pretty much any VA from Fidelity/Vanguard would beat that.

Are you a fan of these?

well, there's accumulation and then there's distribution. I am not a VA fan except for the client needing the VA distribution (income) lifetime guarantees. When I say they need them, I mean that without the income guarantees they would have no equity exposure at all due to fear. So these are preferable to an all CD income portfolio i.e. they will not accept any more risk than that offered by these VA's, but it at least beats the CD/bond.

Also, to answer the point on money managers in the VA, these A-share VA's have many options: Fidelity, Franklin, American, etc

also the company ratings are a non-issue: AIG, Hartford, Metlife, etc. The point is that here is a case where Jones actually does have a different product than others have: a VA where you can USE YOUR CURRENT  FUNDS AS PART OF THE ROA. No other B/D will do it as the commissions are lower (no CDSC’s, less upfront at a 100k A-share breakpoint).

There are a LOT of great Variable Annuities out there. All have their own uniqueness to their product. So depending on what your client is looking for, your choice may fluctuate. For example, Transamerica VA has a rider that allows LTC to kick in, if your client should have one of those LTC moments and would need extra cash. Prudential has a daily ratch for the 1st 10 years (for those older then 50 yrs old - I think its over 50), along with many other features. Lincoln Financial has a great VA that lowers taxes for those looking for distribution of their VA (but once you start withdrawing out of it, then you better stay with them, or else you will have to realize taxes on all the withdrawls - see your Lincoln rep about this).