I was an FA for 28 years, before the advent of fee-based accounts the single highest commission product I could sell was an annuity. I hated them...hard to explain to a client, lots of barriers to accessing your money, internal fees just ridiculous. Just about every one I sold was to replace a current annuity or by client request, I just didn't like doing them. The trailer fees to FA are also high. The only real advantage IMO is downside protection but you have to die to realize that benefit. Ask your guy what he's getting paid (it's in the prospectus) and what his trailer is. If your current managed account is beating the market why not add to it? The market is down, it may keep going lower our it may go up, either way you're getting in about 20% cheaper than you would have last year. Dollar Cost Average if you're nervous.