Vanguard Annuity Access

Vanguard announced the creation of a new annuity service, termed Vanguard Annuity Access, on October 13, 2010. The service is made available through a collaboration with Income Solutions an affiliate of Hueler Investment Services, Inc. The service gives Vanguard account holders access to institutional pricing for both fixed deferred annuities and  fixed immediate annuities.

How to access
Vanguard clients with online account access can go directly to Income Solutions to see rates. (You'll need to be logged on to Vanguard.com.) Here is a step by step guide:

Step 1: Log in to your Vanguard account.

Step 2: Navigate through Vanguard's site: "What We Offer" > "Annuities" > Annuities for Income > "Income Solutions"

Step 3: A new window appears telling you that you are leaving Vanguard.com and going to Income Solutions.

Step 4: After a few seconds, you are in the Income Solutions website.

Step 5: Click "Login/Register"

Step 6: Click "Create New User"

Step 7: Create your Income Solutions account with User Name, Password, etc.

Step 8: Upon logged in with your Income Solutions account, you are able to obtain quotes by clicking the "Annuity Quotes" tab.

Features of the service
The Vanguard website provides the following summary of service features:
 * Access to interest rates (for deferred fixed annuities) and payment rates (for immediate fixed annuities) that are usually only available to institutional investors.
 * One can compare interest rates on deferred annuities from well-known insurance companies, with a variety of payment terms. One can compare payouts on immediate annuities from well-known insurance companies that offer a wide array of payment options. Inflation adjustments, and variable payments if desired, are also available.
 * Transparent costs. One will pay a one-time transaction fee of 2% based on the annuity purchase amount. Transaction fees are common in the industry and are typically built into an annuity quote. Both the payment amounts quoted through Vanguard Annuity Access for fixed income annuities and the interest rates provided for fixed deferred annuities are presented net of all fees and costs, including the 2% transaction fee.
 * No commissioned salesman is involved in the transaction. Quotes are free of charge.

Fixed deferred annuity

 * Fixed Annuities, Vanguard
 * A new way to get fixed annuities through Vanguard (October 13, 2010)
 * Fixed deferred annuities through Vanguard Annuity Access

Fixed immediate income annuity

 * Income Annuities, Vanguard
 * Income that can last a lifetime
 * New Vanguard/"Income Solutions" income annuity program, forum discussion