Taxable distributions from qualified longevity annuity contracts can be deferred until as late as age 85. But how popular will they be, and will they be used for longevity risk protection or as a tax strategy?

Jackson National Life's Elite Access variable annuity zoomed from zero to a $1 billion in quarterly sales in less than two years. Using the craze for 'liquid alts' as a hook, it revived the concept of the "investment-only" VA and sparked the creation of a whole new category.

IAP, a small market research firm, analyzes and compares two giant databases to discover whether a particular ZIP code in the U.S. is saturated with annuity sales, underdeveloped, competitive or uncontested.

Every July, RIJ assesses the VA market. This year, we look at the “investment only” or “IO” VA, the structured VA, and the VAs with novel income options. All address the public’s need for growth and safety without costing a lot or threatening to backfire on the issuer.