Abstract: Annuities are provided that specify breakpoint ranges for Mortality & Expense (M&E) rates. These breakpoint ranges may be associated with a premium payment amount and/or aggregate premium payment amount. This payment amount may fall within one of the breakpoint ranges associated with a particular M&E rate, which may be considered the maximum M&E rate for the life of the annuity. However, if a committed amount was utilized in determining the M&E rate, then the maximum M&E rate may be revised if the committed amount in the statement of intention has not been met or has been exceeded. Additionally, subsequent premium payment amounts and/or aggregate payment amounts, when accumulated with the previous premium payment amounts and/or aggregate payment amounts, may fall within another breakpoint range with a lower M&E rate. This lower M&E rate may apply to either the previous premium payment amounts or only to the subsequent premium payment amounts.

Abstract: A variable annuity or other investment vehicle may be offered that invests in a single public mutual fund to allow an investor to be taxed on a non-deferred capital gains basis as opposed to a tax-deferred income basis. Additionally or alternatively, an insurance policy may be wrapped around, or otherwise associated with, the variable annuity or other investment vehicle.