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Vanguard - Important Performance Information About Vanguard Annuity Portfolios

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Important Information About Vanguard Variable Annuity Portfolios

A Vanguard® Variable Annuity can be an appropriate investment choice in certain circumstances. Before you invest in a variable annuity, consider the following:

  • Make sure you've contributed the maximum amount possible to your other retirement vehicles, such as an IRA or a 401(k). These vehicles may offer certain tax advantages over a variable annuity and generally carry lower costs.
  • Consider both your current tax bracket and your expected tax bracket when you plan to take distributions (usually at retirement). In general, the higher your current bracket, the more you'll benefit from the annuity because the benefit of tax deferral may outweigh the higher costs. But keep in mind that earnings from tax-deferred vehicles (including variable annuities) are taxed at ordinary income rates that may be higher than capital gains rates. So you should determine which investment vehicle would offer the most favorable tax treatment for your situation.
  • Set aside money to meet your important financial goals (such as buying a home or paying for college tuition) and to cover emergency expenses for about six months. If you withdraw money from an annuity contract (and most other retirement vehicles) before you reach age 59½, you may be liable for taxes and penalties.

The Vanguard Variable Annuity is a flexible-premium variable annuity issued by Monumental Life Insurance Company, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (NAIC No. 66281), Form No. Series VVAP U 1101 (in Florida, Form No. VVAP U 1101 (FL), in Oregon, Form No. VVAP U 1101 (OR)(R)), and, in New York State only, by Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company, Purchase, New York (NAIC No. 70688), Form No. VVA NY 0208, without agent representation. The Vanguard Group administers the Vanguard Variable Annuity for the issuers. The Vanguard Group's home office and domicile is Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (in California, DBA Vanguard Administrators, Inc., license number 0B91453). The Vanguard Group, Monumental Life Insurance Company, and Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company do not provide tax advice. Investors are encouraged to consult a tax advisor for information on how annuity taxation applies to their individual situation.

The information on our website may be used in conjunction with the offering of Vanguard funds and the Vanguard Variable Annuity only if preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. Prospectuses can be downloaded using the Prospectus & reports link in the top menu of each portfolio profile page, or ask us to mail you one. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.

Expense ratios are displayed on each portfolio's Overview page. For portfolios less than one fiscal year old, the expense ratios are estimated.

Vanguard Variable Annuity performance

Short-term total return information is provided only as a service. The Vanguard Variable Annuity Contract is intended for long-term investment. Historical performance is no guarantee of future returns, particularly when reviewing short-term performance. Price, yield, and return on an actual investment will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your units, make an exchange, or take a full or partial withdrawal from the contract. Average annual returns include changes in unit value and reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains, reduced by daily mortality and expense risk charges and administrative expense charges.

Since-inception returns for less than one year are not annualized.

Index performance is provided as a benchmark but is not illustrative of any particular investment. An investment cannot be made in an index.

Vanguard Variable Annuity Money Market Portfolio

An investment in the Money Market Portfolio is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the portfolio seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the portfolio.

The yield quotation for the Money Market Portfolio more closely reflects the current earnings of this portfolio than it does its total return quotation.

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