Investments: Sales are plummeting as the controversial retirement accounts face increasing complaints and scrutiny.

Only a few types of investors ought to consider them. Everyone else would do better with 401(k)s and other plans.

Sometimes, you want the security of regularly scheduled payments for a specified period or the rest of your life.

A consumer activist suggests an independent review for annuity sales to the elderly

Q: Is a variable annuity a reasonable investment for a tax-deferred plan such as a 401(k), 403(b) or an IRA? I work for a very large company that offers variable annuities as an investment option. It seems the fees of these variable annuities are double those charged by mutual funds. If a variable annuity is not a good deal on a non-tax-deferred investment, then I would assume that it is also not a good deal in a tax-deferred plan. Am I right?