Greetings, magma1, and welcome. You wrote:

<<I am currently contributing the max to a 403b (mutual funds), a mandatory employer retirement plan (no control on investment, but low annual return), my wifes and my Roth IRAs (currently in non-index growth mutual funds that are underperforming the index funds by about 5%). In addition I have more than 100,000 in a portfolio of individual growth equities and mutual funds (some growth, some bond). I am 5-10 years away from retirement. I have been advised to take some of the bond funds and growth funds in my portfolio and put them in a tax deferred annuity with Fidelity, where my funds are located.

Is this a good idea or would I be better off to (a) put these monies into a combination of an index fund and additional growth stocks or (b)not sell the growth funds becasue I would incur significant long term capital gains now since they have grown appreciably over the years and just continue to invest new monies in growth stocks as I have been doing for the past year?>>

Your question can't be answered other than in general terms without folks knowing one heck of a lot about your personal circumstances. IMHO annuities aren't for everyone. Indeed, unless you have a very low tolerance for risk in the market, desire some assurance of a "guaranteed" income, can let the money sit for 15 to 20 years and/or currently have a very large tax burden that dictates you shelter investment income, then you are far better off putting your money elsewhere. Annuities come loaded with expenses, admin charges and mortality fees that tend to drastically reduce any gains in the investment. They are definitely not the investment of choice within Fooldom. The only person that can decide if an annuity is appropriate in your circumstances is you.

Regards….Pixy