what is a qualifying annuity 
a qualifying annuity is similar to any other annuity except the irs has approved it for use within a qualified retirement plan or individual retirement account ira these annuities can be fixed indexed or variable depending upon the plan sponsor s investment objectives according to employee retirement income security act erisa guidelines contributions made into a qualifying annuity are tax deductible unless the plan or annuity has a roth feature 1 2 