What is a variable annuity?

A variable annuity is designed to help grow savings, on a tax-deferred basis1, for long term goals like retirement.
The unique advantage of a variable annuity over the other types of annuities is the ability to invest your money in a way that takes advantage of the stock market for uncapped growth potential while simultaneously allowing for diversification2. That means you can invest your annuity in a way that reflects your retirement goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.
What variable annuities offer

Tax advantages and uncapped growth potential2

Income Options

Death Benefit
Is a variable annuity right for you?

Variable annuities are best for those who:
- Have a longer investment time horizon.
- Want to benefit from potential stock market growth and are willing to accept market risk.
- Want to diversify their assets and move value in the contract among different investment options within the annuity without incurring current income taxes on any earnings.
- Are looking for the potential to hedge their retirement assets against inflation.
- Desire a guaranteed lifetime income, either through an optional withdrawal benefit rider or annuitization.
How do variable annuities work?
You purchase an annuity with a portion of your investable assets. This is called the purchase payment.
Your money has the potential to grow over time based on the investment options you and your financial professional chose within the annuity.
At some point in the future, you can choose to receive lifetime income through a guaranteed withdrawal benefit rider or annuitization.
Calculate your retirement income gap
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
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- Step 5
Will I have enough guaranteed income in retirement?
Understand what your expenses may be in retirement and calculate the gap between those expenses and your guaranteed income.
Quick Start
- Enter your information in the calculator. If you have a partner, they can complete the calculator and together you can get a more complete picture of retirement.
- To complete the calculator even faster, get your current monthly expenses ready and any pension or other expected retirement income.
- Our calculation is just an estimate, not a guarantee. So even if you have an income gap, don’t worry. We’re here to help you find ways to close the gap and plan for the retirement you want.
A flexible premium deferred variable annuity.
MassMutual EnvisionSM
A flexible premium deferred variable annuity.
MassMutual EnvisionSMEnvision your retirement
MassMutual Envision offers uncapped growth potential2 to help you keep up with inflation as you accumulate assets for retirement. Adding on an income guaranteed feature provides guaranteed income that you can never outlive.
Product Highlights
MassMutual EnvisionSM
Minimum initial purchase payment
- $10,000
Investment options
- 50+ professionally managed funds
- 12 major asset classes
Withdrawals
- A "free withdrawal" amount can be withdrawn without a surrender charge each contract year2
More information
For full product details, please view the MassMutual Envision brochure.
Envision brochure (PDF)Income guarantee features - optional
MassMutual RetirePaySM
MassMutual RetireCoreSM
MassMutual RetireCore Stacking
MassMutual Envision offers three optional income guarantee features available for an additional cost, designed to provide guaranteed income for life.
More information
For full rider details, please view the MassMutual RetirePay brochure.
RetirePay brochure (PDF) RetireCore brochure (PDF)RetireCore Stacking brochure (PDF)
Investments
Harnessing the power of the market
View the MassMutual Envision investment guide to understand your options and fees.
MassMutual Envision investment guide (PDF)Morningstar fund information
Product and fund prospectuses
Strong partnerships
The investment options available to you in MassMutual Envision are the result of the strong partnerships that MassMutual enjoys with both world-class multinational brand-name investment managers as well as asset class specialists int their respective fields.
$35 trillion3 in total assets under management
The Fidelity Investments Logo is a registered service mark of FMR LLC. Used with permission.

Getting started is easier than you think
Learn more about variable annuities
Why MassMutual
Since
1851
we’ve been helping people secure their financial future and protect the ones they love
Nearly
$1.1T
of life insurance protection in force as of 12/31/25
Delivered
$10.3B
insurance and annuity benefits paid to policyowners and other customers in 2025
1 Tax deferral is automatically provided by tax-qualified retirement plans, including IRAs. There is no additional tax-deferral benefit provided when an annuity contract is used to fund a tax-qualified retirement plan or an IRA. Investors should only consider buying this contract in conjunction with a tax-qualified retirement plan or an IRA for the annuity’s insurance features such as lifetime income payments.
2 Some types of annuities limit the potential you can earn. They allow some growth, but only up to a limit, often known as a “cap rate.” A variable annuity is different in that there is no limit to your earnings in accordance with the performance of the underlying investments- they are “uncapped”. When you elect Income Guarantee Features, your investment allocations are restricted so you may not experience the full risk or return potential of the market.
3 This figure is an estimate for all subadvisors shown, sourced as of 12/31/2025. Actual amount may vary.
This material does not constitute a recommendation to engage in or refrain from a particular course of action.
The information provided is not written or intended as specific tax or legal advice. MassMutual and its subsidiaries, employees and representatives are not authorized to give tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel.
Before purchasing MassMutual Envision, you should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the variable annuity. For this and other information, obtain the MassMutual Envision prospectus (or summary prospectus, if available) from your registered representative. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. You may also obtain the prospectuses (or summary prospectuses, if available) for the annuity’s underlying investment choices from your registered representative or online at www.MassMutual.com/envision.
This product and/or certain features and investment options may not be available in all states or firms.
MassMutual Envision (Contract Form FPVDA21 and ICC21-FPVDA in certain states, including North Carolina) is a flexible premium deferred variable annuity contract issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Springfield, MA 01111-0001.
Variable annuities offered through registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC, Springfield, MA 01111-0001 or a broker-dealer that has a selling agreement with MML Strategic Distributors, LLC, Springfield, MA 01111-0001.
Principal Underwriters: MML Investors Services, LLC (MMLIS), Member SIPC®, and MML Strategic Distributors, LLC (MSD), are both Members FINRA and subsidiaries of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Springfield, MA 01111-0001.
NOT A BANK OR CREDIT UNION DEPOSIT OR OBLIGATION • NOT FDIC OR NCUA INSURED • MAY LOSE VALUE. NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY • NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK OR CREDIT UNION
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