Although annuities are long-term investments, you may also access your money without annuitizing your policy through lump sum, partial or systematic payments. With a non-qualified deferred annuity, you choose how long you’d like the money to grow before taking money out. There are no limits to how long you defer taxes and no requirement to withdraw the money at a particular time. What’s the difference between “non-qualified” and “qualified” deferred fixed annuities? A non-qualified deferred annuity is funded with after-tax dollars (like CDs or Money Market funds). A qualified deferred annuity is funded with pre-tax dollars (like an IRA contribution or a 401k/403b/457 rollover). Make sure to ask your annuity specialist which plan is best for you before you choose your annuity.