Short Takes: Retirees 'Cannot Outlive'Hartford Life Annuity

Hartford Life Inc. has announced a new variable annuity product that it says will generate regular income for retirees.

Like other annuities, the Director Immediate Variable Annuity is tied to mutual fund securities, but it also offers regular payouts based on the performance of the funds an investor chooses.

"This is the product of the future," said David Potter, a spokesman for Hartford Life Inc., Simsbury, Conn. "The product is designed to provide people with an income they cannot outlive," and which will not erode due to inflation.

Mr. Potter said that since the fund is tied to securities rather than fixed-income bonds, the returns are likely to be higher.

A portion of the income payments are considered principal, and are therefore not taxable, the company said.

Hartford will sell the product through wire houses, independent broker- dealers, and banks.

-Jeremy Quittner

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