Q: What differentiates your FIA from the competition?

First, it has a fairly diverse set of index options [S&P 500, MSCI EAFE, Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index, and Bloomberg Commodity Index]. Advisors can mix and match indexes, with a point-to-point crediting strategy. Second, there are multiple crediting periods, from one-, three- and five-year terms, offering more upside potential. It's an accumulation-focused product with downside protection. Not a lot of bells and whistles. ... We did not add any riders [but] we will probably do that at some point.

Q: What do you say to those who charge that annuities have sometimes been promoted or marketed inappropriately, even deceptively?

Well, annuities are intrinsically complex, which does increase the risk of misunderstanding. The optionality that exists in many contracts is probably a hard thing for advisors to fully convey to clients. We wind up having very lengthy prospectuses. But we as an industry can improve on articulating what these products do and don't do.

Q: Do you think annuities fit well with the idea of fiduciary responsibility?

They certainly can. Annuities are not the answer for everybody, but they can play an important role in helping many people secure retirement income, which is important. And they can do so in full compliance with good fiduciary standards.

Q: Any other misconceptions you'd like to straighten out?

There are many misconceptions. For instance, one you hear a lot is that annuities don't pay out if the annuitant dies young. People may not understand the components that can provide death benefits and guaranteed payouts to beneficiaries. Also misunderstood is the flexibility of many annuities, and the ability to get access to the money that's put in.

Q: Finally, what are Prudential Annuities' future plans?

We're working to expand our annuity solutions so we're sure to have the right product for the right client. We'll also be extending our distribution reach, making these solutions more accessible to more advisors. But we're also focused on looking beyond the annuities business, to design offerings that bring the full strength of Prudential to bear.