Annuities Frequently Asked Questions

Annuity balances may be included on brokerage statements if the annuity and the brokerage account have identical ownership/registration. You can make this request by sending a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can get assistance with death claim forms by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

For assistance with a death claim for a Fidelity annuity (or Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81), please call the Fidelity Annuity Inheritor Service team Mon-Fri 9am-5pm ET at (800) 544-4374.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can get assistance by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

For most owners of Fidelity annuities (including Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81), address changes can be made online.

If you are unable to change your address online, please visit the Fidelity Forms and Applications page, Choose Topic: Annuities, and select the ‘Change Name/Address – Annuity’ form for your annuity product.

Please note that if an address is updated, you will be limited to a maximum withdrawal of $30,000 for the following 10 days.

It depends on the annuity product.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can get answers on closed annuities by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

If you have questions regarding a closed Fidelity annuity (or Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81), please send a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

To discuss your options for your maturing annuity, you will need to contact your Fidelity Financial Consultant.

You can find the cost basis for most Fidelity annuities (including Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81) by going to the Balances tab on the Portfolio Summary page, then clicking on your annuity.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can obtain their cost basis by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

To divide an annuity due to divorce or legal separation, Fidelity will need:

1. A copy of the relevant pages of the Divorce Decree already filed in court.
2. A copy of the Property Settlement Agreement.
3. A signed and dated Letter of Instruction that includes the annuity contract number, address & phone number for one or both owners, and the written detailing request how the annuity is to be divided.

You can return the required documents by sending a secure email to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities) or by sending them via mail.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can update beneficiaries by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• The Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

To view and update your Fidelity variable annuity (including Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81) beneficiaries online, visit the Fidelity Beneficiary Summary page and click 'Edit'. You may also make updates in writing by visiting the Fidelity Forms and Applications page, Choose Topic: Annuities, and select the appropriate beneficiary form for your annuity product.

If you have any questions about potential fees send a message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can close out their annuities by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

To close a Fidelity annuity visit the Forms and Applications page, Choose Topic: Annuities, and select the appropriate Withdrawal (One time) Form for your annuity product.

For additional questions or to submit the form, send a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can obtain annuity transaction confirmations by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• The Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

Transaction confirmations for Fidelity Variable annuities (including Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81) can be found on the Fidelity Account Records page. In the Account Records drop down menu, select 'Annuity Transaction Confirmations' and click ""Go"" to display available confirmations.

Each annuity product has different fees. For information regarding the fees on your specific product you may review your contract, or the product prospectus.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can obtain annuity fee information by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

For additional questions about Fidelity annuities (or Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81), please send a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

An Interested Party designation can only receive information about an annuity but will not be able to perform transactions.

To give someone interested party access on your annuity, send a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities) with the full name and contract in question.

Please note that different states and contracts may require different forms.

A Limited Power of Attorney designation includes everything permitted with Interested Party as well as place exchanges within an annuity. 

A Full Power of Attorney designation may give another person the power to act on an annuity owner's behalf on an annuity contract. 

You can find out the requirements for adding any of these designations by sending a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities) with the desired level of authorization.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can obtain their annuity tax form by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

If you are the owner of any other annuity purchased through Fidelity, (including Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81), you can access your annuity tax form(s) online.

Withdrawals from Qualified (pre-tax money) annuities: Qualified contracts are fully taxable when withdrawn and are taxed as ordinary income. Additionally, withdrawals may be subject to the IRS 10% Early Withdrawal Penalty if withdrawn prior to age 59 1/2.

Withdrawals from Non-Qualified (funded with post-tax money) annuities: The taxable portion of a non-qualified contract are the gains and earnings. Gains and earnings must be withdrawn first and are taxed as ordinary income. They may also be subject to the IRS 10% Early Withdrawal Penalty if withdrawn prior to age 59 1/2.

If you have additional questions about taxation on your annuity, please contact your tax advisor.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can obtain their tax withholding information by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

For Fidelity annuities, please review your transaction confirmation on the Account Records page.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can update tax withholding by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

For owners of all other Fidelity annuities, send a secure email to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities) and provide details for what you are looking to change. We will respond with the requirements for your contract.

To place an exchange/trade online please visit the Annuity Exchange page.

If you are unable to enter this online, contact the Annuity Service Center at (800) 634-9361.

The most common reasons an exchange is not able to be placed online are either the annuity is still in the Free Look period, or the annuity is in a channel wide block due to excessive short-term trading.

The Free Look period for your annuity can be found in your contract which was mailed to you when you opened your annuity. You may start to place trades/exchanges in your annuity after the Free Look period has ended.

If you are in a channel wide block you were notified via letter. You may continue to place trades in your annuity using the Exchanges in Writing form. This form must be sent via first class USPS delivery.

If you need help identifying why you are unable to place a trade, contact the Annuity Service Center by calling (800) 634-9361 or sending a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

It depends on the annuity product type.

You can add money to an existing deferred variable annuity by visiting the Transfer Page.

For all other annuity products you will need to consult with your Fidelity Financial Consultant.

You can deposit a check into the following types of annuities: 

• Fidelity Personal Retirement Annuity
• Fidelity Retirement Reserves Annuity

Send the check along with the Additional Purchase-Fidelity Personal Retirement Annuity and Fidelity Retirement Reserves Annuity form to the address listed at the bottom of the form.

To review other deposit options, contact your Fidelity Financial Consultant.

You can view your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for your annuity by visiting the Retirements distribution page.

For non-Fidelity Annuities you can obtain you RMD by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

For Fidelity annuities, please send a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can request a withdrawal by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

You can withdraw money from an existing Fidelity annuity by visiting the Transfer Page.

To request a withdrawal from a Brighthouse contracts (starting with 83) and Met Life contracts (starting with 81), please contact the Annuity Service Center at (800) 634 9361.

Each annuity product has a different annual penalty-free withdrawal amount. For information on your specific product please visit the 'Access to Assets' section on the Fidelity Deferred Fixed Annuities Page or contact the issuing firm.

To transfer your penalty free withdrawal to an IRA for all contracts other than Western & Southern, access the Transfer an Account to Fidelity page to get started. If you need assistance with starting a transfer, please contact your Fidelity Financial Consultant or contact us at (800) 343-3548.

For all other withdrawal options, contact the issuing firm.

Transfers may take 4-6 weeks. Some information can be found on the Status Tracker. Fidelity will monitor your transfer and will notify you when it is complete or if more information is needed.

To start, update, or cancel an annuity Dollar Cost Average program send a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities) with the contract number(s) and the changes you would like to make.

To start, update, or cancel an annuity Automatic Rebalance program send a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities) with the contract number(s) and the changes you would like to make.

Your Automatic Annuity Builder will need to be connected to a bank or brokerage account to send funds to your annuity. For most Fidelity individual annuities, bank or brokerage accounts can be added to your annuity by clicking the 'Link A New Bank Account' Button on the Your Bank Information page.

To start, update, or cancel an Automatic Annuity Builder, visit the Forms and Applications page, Choose Topic: Annuities, and select and complete the ‘Automatic Investments – Annuities’ Form.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can update their withdrawal program by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

For owners of Fidelity annuities (or Brighthouse…) most changes to bank information (adding/modifying/terminating) can be done by clicking the 'Link A New Bank Account' Button on the Your Bank Information page. If you are unable to add your bank information online, please email the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

You can establish, modify, or terminate an annuity Systematic Withdrawal Program (SWP) by visiting the Fidelity Forms and Applications page, Choose Topic: Annuities, and select the proper form for your annuity product. After filling out the form, you can email it back to us through the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

Updating your annuity payment method depends on the annuity product.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can update where annuity payments are sent by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

Most changes to bank information (adding/modifying/terminating) can be done by clicking the 'Link A New Bank Account' Button on the Your Bank Information page. If you are unable to add your bank information online, please email the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

You can establish, modify, or terminate an annuity Systematic Withdrawal Program (SWP) by visiting the Fidelity Forms and Applications page, Choose Topic: Annuities, and select the proper form for your annuity product. After filling out the form, you can email it back to us through the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can replace checks by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

For any other annuity purchased through Fidelity (including Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81), please send a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

You can initiate the transfer of an annuity to Fidelity by contacting your Fidelity Financial Consultant.

Each time an annuity contract is issued, the client is given a period to review and return the contract for a refund, called a Free Look Period. The Free Look Period varies by product and state, but often lasts ten or more calendar days from the date the client received the contract.

The Free Look period for your annuity can be found in your contract which was mailed to you when you opened your contract.

For additional questions about Free Look options, please contact your Fidelity Financial Consultant or send a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

Each time an annuity contract is issued, the client is given a predetermined time to review and return the contract for a refund, called a Free Look Period. The Free Look Period varies by product and state, but often lasts ten or more calendar days from the date the client received the contract. The Free Look period for your annuity can be found in your contract which was mailed to you.

You can initiate a freelook by contacting your Fidelity Financial Consultant or by calling the annuity service center at 800-634-9361 and having them connect you over to an annuity case manager.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can find and request forms by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

For forms related to a Fidelity annuity or Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81, visit the Forms and Applications page, Choose Topic: Annuities, and select the proper form for your annuity product.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can find annuity statements by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

If you are the owner of a Fidelity annuity, you can access your annuity statements online.

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can receive annuity statements by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

If you are the owner of a Fidelity annuity, you can access your annuity statement(s) on the Documents tab of Accounts & Trade.

If you are an Interested Party or a Power of Attorney (POA) on a Fidelity annuity, you may request a statement by sending a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities) and include the contract number(s).

You may have received more than one tax form for the same annuity contract if you:

• Lived in different states or changed your legal address on file for your annuity during the year.
• Had multiple distribution types.
• Made distributions both prior to and after turning 59 1/2

If you have additional questions, you may send a secure email message to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

To transfer your annuity out, Fidelity requires paperwork from the receiving firm. Please reach out to the receiving firm to initiate this request.

If you are the trustee of an annuity and do not see your annuity on the Portfolio Summary page, please send a secure email message including the contract number and name of the trust to the Annuity Service Center (Annuities).

Owners of non-Fidelity annuities can update communication preferences by contacting the issuing firm. For example:

• Brighthouse (except for contracts starting with 83)
• Met Life (except for contracts starting 81)
• Guardian
• Mass Mutual
• Nationwide
• New York Life
• Pacific Life
• Principal
• USAA
• Western & Southern

The Owner of a Fidelity annuity (or Brighthouse contracts starting 83 and Met Life contracts starting 81) can update their preferences on the Fidelity Communication Preferences page.

To view all annuities available through Fidelity, please visit the Fidelity Annuity Products page.

If you would like to discuss the options, please contact your contacting your Fidelity Financial Consultant.

Whether you want increased retirement savings or a guaranteed income, Fidelity makes annuities available for a wide range of financial and life goals.

Annuities may be good for investors...

• Seeking stable, guaranteed lifetime income
• Looking to save more for retirement in a tax-deferred investment vehicle
• Wanting asset protection with the potential for growth

To learn more about our product offerings, and to start a conversation, visit the Annuities page.

Each investor's retirement needs are unique. We recommend having a planning conversation with one of our planners to determine how an annuity may fit into your retirement plans. If an annuity makes sense for you, one of our planners can help you through the purchasing process.

Each investor's retirement needs are unique. We recommend having a planning conversation with one of our planners to determine how an annuity may fit into your retirement plans. If an annuity makes sense for you, one of our planners can help you through the purchasing process.

If you are ready to purchase an annuity or have questions about Fidelity's annuity offerings, you can schedule an appointment with your Fidelity Financial Consultant.