A variable annuity is not appropriate for an investor who needs liquidity of their funds. Persons with a limited amount of time or money would be better to invest in an investment vehicle where their money can be more easily accessed without the surrender charges, fees, and taxes that could be assessed when withdrawing money too soon.

Monies invested in a variable annuity should remain for a sufficient holding period of 10-years or longer, prior to distribution. Variable annuities are subject to market risks which causes their value to fluctuate.

One of the tax advantages of variable annuities is that tax-deferred compounding enables the investor's money to grow faster than it would in a taxable vehicle.

Upon distribution, an after-tax variable annuity is treated as ordinary income, whereas, after-tax mutual funds may be subject to capital gains tax treatment. Also, when funds are withdrawn before age 59 1/2, a 10% tax penalty may apply.

For those investors who are investing for retirement, who may be in a higher tax bracket now than they will be at retirement, a variable annuity may make sense to enable them to defer taxes now and pay at the lower tax bracket later.

Income and current tax rates need to be taken into consideration prior to the purchase of a variable annuity to evaluate the tax impact. The effect of tax rates must be viewed in relation to the length of time an investor intends to hold the investment.

There are risks associated with investing in variable annuities, including potential loss of principal value.

How Variable Annuities and Mutual Funds Compare	Variable Annuities	Mutual Funds
Various vehicles to meet different investment objectives The average variable annuity has 15 sub-accounts and multiple money managers.	YES	YES
Provides professional management	YES	YES
Is regulated by the Securities Exchange Commission	YES	YES
A potential for a long-term hedge against inflation	YES	YES
Exposes the individual-to-market risk	YES	YES
Provides a guaranteed minimum death benefit If the value of the annuity at the time of death is less that the invested capital, the insurance company will refund the difference, sometimes with interest.	YES	NO
Various pay-out options, which includes the ability to receive lifetime income When the retiring investor annuitizes, the money invested in the variable annuity is systematically returned as a guaranteed income stream that enjoys a preferential tax treatment-unlike taking a lump-sum distribution.	YES	NO
Tax-deferred compounding of assets	YES	NO
Tax-free transferability from fund to fund or sub-account to sub-account Many variable annuities automatically rebalance a portfolio or dollar-cost average into certain funds according to the investor's specifications. Unlike transfers among mutual funds, transfers among variable annuity sub-accounts are not taxable.	YES	NO
Has available a fixed account with a guaranteed return The fixed account option behaves like a guaranteed interest contract (or GIC) by offering a guaranteed fixed rate of return for a certain period of time.	YES	NO
Avoids probate when passed onto a beneficiary	YES	NO
10% early withdrawal penalty before age 59 ½	YES	NO

Should an after-tax variable annuity be the right choice for you, MEA Financial Services, Inc. through Paradigm Equities, Inc. has a selection of products available designed to fit most any need.

DISCLOSURES: Variable annuities are subject to market risk which may cause value to fluctuate including loss of principal for variable accounts.

For product information, including charges and expenses, contact us toll free at: 1-800-292-1950, and request a free prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing or sending money.