Making the right choice

There are many challenges in meeting long-term retirement goals. The key to reaching your financial goals depends greatly upon how and where you invest your money.

Why consider a variable annuity?
Providing for a secure retirement doesn't just happen overnight, but is the careful result of needs-analysis. A variable annuity is one investment vehicle that can help you meet the challenges of funding retirement with these key benefits for you:

• Building retirement assets—Through unlimited contributions and the power of compounding, your principal and potential earnings can work together to help you reach your retirement goals.

• Tax-deferred accumulation—Allows your principal and interest to grow free from the burden of taxes each year. Taxes are deferred until time of distribution.

• Choice of investment options—Offers choices that range from the very conservative fixed accounts to the very aggressive stock portfolios which can help build your asset allocation. The investment return and principal value in a variable annuity will fluctuate, so that variable units, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

• Guaranteed death benefit options—Protects your beneficiaries from sudden market downturns and gives you greater flexibility to invest for the long term without concern about adverse market fluctuations. This guarantee is based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

• Income payment you cannot outlive—A feature called "annuitization" allows you to customize a payout option that best suits your needs. You may choose to receive income payments for a predetermined number of years or for your lifetime.

Additional features to consider
Many variable annuities offer additional features to help meet your long-term financial needs:

• Dollar-cost averaging
• Automatic portfolio rebalancing
• Tax-free transfers among funds
• Unlimited contributions (non-qualified annuities)
• Conversion feature of back-load units to front-load units (contractual conditions apply)
• Contingent annuitant feature available with non-qualified annuities (allows for contract continuation upon death of the owner/annuitant — see contract or prospectus for explanation)

You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, expenses and charges of the investment company before you invest. Your Northwestern Mutual Investment Services Registered Representative can provide you with a prospectus that will contain the information noted above, and other important information that you should read carefully before you invest or send money.