Tennessee Life Producer Practice Exam

If an annuity is terminated before the income payment period begins, what will the owner receive?

1. The market value of the annuity

2. The original investment amount

3. The current contract surrender value

4. A penalty fee

The correct answer is: The current contract surrender value

When an annuity is terminated before the income payment period begins, the owner is entitled to receive the current contract surrender value. This value reflects the amount that the insurance company would pay if the contract were surrendered at that moment. The surrender value typically considers not just the original investment but also any accumulated earnings as well as any applicable surrender charges, which may reduce the total value available to the owner. In this context, the other options do not accurately represent what the owner would receive. The market value of the annuity might be relevant in other scenarios but does not apply directly to this situation. The original investment amount does not account for changes due to earnings or fees that may have occurred over time. A penalty fee, while relevant in discussions of early withdrawal from certain financial products, is not a sum that would be provided to the annuity owner; instead, it may be a charge deducted from their account or surrender value. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the specific value designated for termination of the annuity prior to the income payment phase.