Quick answer
Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company is a Des Moines-based company that acquires and manages older variable annuity and life insurance blocks. If your annuity was first issued by another carrier, Venerable may now be the company holding it. You can manage your contract at venerable.com or in the Venerable mobile app.
Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company is a Des Moines-based insurance holding company that specializes in acquiring and managing legacy variable annuity and life insurance blocks. If your annuity was originally issued by a carrier like Voya or Delaware Life, Venerable may now be the company holding it. The word itself means “deserving of deep respect due to age or wisdom,” and policyholders can manage their contracts at www.venerable.com or through the Venerable mobile app.
What Does Venerable Mean?
Before we dig into the company, let’s clear up the word itself — because understanding it actually helps explain why this particular company chose it as its name.
Venerable Definition in Plain English
Venerable is an adjective that means deserving of great respect, usually because of age, wisdom, long experience, or dignified character. You’d use it to describe something or someone that has stood the test of time. Think: a venerable institution, a venerable tradition, a venerable scholar.
The word comes from the Latin venerabilis, meaning worthy of reverence, which traces back to venerari — to honor or revere.
Is Venerable a Positive Word?
Yes, unambiguously. Calling something venerable is a compliment. It implies maturity, trustworthiness, and earned respect — not just age for its own sake. The difference between “old” and “venerable” is that the latter carries weight and wisdom alongside the years.
Venerable Synonyms and Antonyms
| Synonyms | Antonyms |
|---|---|
| Revered | Disreputable |
| Esteemed | Disrespected |
| Respected | Ignoble |
| Honored | Unworthy |
| Distinguished | Obscure |
| Time-honored | Newfangled |
How to Pronounce Venerable
Say it like this: VEN-er-uh-bul. Four syllables. The emphasis lands on the first syllable. It rhymes loosely with “general” if you swap the first letter.
What Is a Venerable Person?
A venerable person is someone whose age, accomplishments, or character commands genuine respect — not just politeness. In the Catholic Church, “Venerable” is a specific honorific title given to a deceased person who has been recognized as having lived a life of heroic virtue, but hasn’t yet been beatified. In Buddhism, “Venerable” (often abbreviated “Ven.”) is an honorific used for ordained monks and nuns. Outside of religious contexts, you’d use it for anyone widely admired for wisdom and long service.
Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company Overview
Now that you know the word, here’s the company that’s attached to your policy.
Who Owns Venerable Annuities?
Venerable Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company (VIAC). The company was formed in 2018 as a joint venture, with backing from institutional investors including Athene Holding and The Chubb Corporation. Its entire business model is focused on acquiring blocks of variable annuity and life insurance business from other carriers that want to exit or streamline those product lines.
In plain terms: companies like Voya Financial and Delaware Life sold blocks of their older annuity contracts to Venerable. If you were a policyholder with one of those carriers, your contract didn’t change — your benefits, terms, and guarantees stayed the same — but the company now managing it is Venerable.
Venerable Insurance Review: Ratings and Reputation
Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company holds a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) from AM Best, which is a solid mid-tier rating that reflects the company’s ability to meet its policyholder obligations. This is important: it tells you the company can pay out what it owes.
On the reputation side, reviews from policyholders are mixed, which is fairly typical for any company managing acquired blocks of business. Some customers report smooth online access and responsive customer service. Others describe frustration with processing times for withdrawals or form submissions. We’ll cover that more in the annuity reviews section below.
Venerable Life Insurance Products
Venerable doesn’t actively sell new annuity or life insurance products to consumers. It’s not competing for your business at the point of sale. Instead, it manages existing contracts that were issued by other carriers. So if you’re looking for new life insurance coverage, you’d shop elsewhere — but if Venerable is already managing your policy, you’re dealing with them for the life of that contract.
Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company Address and Contact Info
- Headquarters: 7700 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266
- Website: www.venerable.com
- Customer Service Phone: 1-800-848-6331 (standard policyholders)
- Financial Professionals Line: 1-800-545-6605
Venerable Annuities: Products and How They Work
Types of Annuities Venerable Manages
Venerable specializes in variable annuities — contracts where the account value fluctuates based on the performance of underlying investment subaccounts. Many of these contracts also include guaranteed living benefit riders, such as:
- Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) — guarantees you can withdraw a minimum amount annually regardless of market performance
- Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit (GMIB) — guarantees a minimum income stream upon annuitization
- Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefit (GMAB) — guarantees a minimum account value after a specified period
These riders were sold by the original carriers and transferred to Venerable along with the contracts. Your specific rider terms are governed by your original contract documents.
Venerable Annuities Reviews: What Policyholders Say
Policyholders generally report that Venerable honors the terms of their contracts without issue. The main complaints tend to center on:
- Paperwork-heavy processes for withdrawals or beneficiary changes
- Longer-than-expected processing times
- Difficulty reaching a live agent during peak call hours
On the positive side, the online portal and mobile app have received generally favorable feedback for usability, and the company’s financial stability rating provides confidence that guaranteed benefits are secure.
If you’re weighing whether to keep your contract or explore a 1035 exchange to a different carrier, it’s worth comparing current annuity rates to see whether a newer product might serve you better.
Venerable EDI Payments Explained
EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange. In the annuity context, Venerable uses EDI to process electronic payments — particularly for systematic withdrawals or required minimum distributions (RMDs) that are set up on a recurring schedule. If you see “EDI payment” on your bank statement, it simply means Venerable sent that payment electronically. No action is typically required on your part unless the payment amount or schedule is incorrect, in which case contact customer service directly.
Venerable Annuity Login: How to Access Your Account
How to Register at www.venerable.com
If you haven’t set up your online account yet, here’s the quick path:
- Go to www.venerable.com
- Click “Register” or “Create an Account”
- Enter your contract number (found on your policy documents or any correspondence from Venerable)
- Provide your Social Security Number and date of birth for identity verification
- Set up your username, password, and security questions
- Confirm via the email address you register with
Once you’re in, you can view contract details, check account values, update contact information, and initiate certain transactions.
Venerable Annuity Login App Download (Android and iPhone)
Venerable offers a mobile app that mirrors most of the online portal’s features. To download it:
- iPhone (iOS): Search “Venerable Annuity” in the App Store
- Android: Search “Venerable Annuity” in Google Play Store
The app lets you check your account balance, view statements, and contact customer support — useful if you prefer managing things from your phone.
Venerable Annuity Login for Financial Professionals
If you’re a financial advisor or agent managing client contracts held by Venerable, there’s a separate login portal at www.venerable.com designed for financial professionals. You’ll need your firm credentials and may need to complete a one-time registration with your NPN or agent number. The dedicated financial professionals phone line is 1-800-545-6605.
Forgot Your Venerable Annuity Login Password? How to Reset
On the login page at www.venerable.com, click “Forgot Password” and follow the prompts. You’ll need access to the email address associated with your account. If you’re locked out entirely or no longer have access to that email, call customer service at 1-800-848-6331 — they can verify your identity and help you regain access.
Venerable Annuity Customer Service
Venerable Annuity Customer Service Phone Number
The main customer service number for policyholders is 1-800-848-6331.
Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company Phone Number
| Contact Type | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Policyholder Customer Service | 1-800-848-6331 |
| Financial Professionals | 1-800-545-6605 |
| General Corporate | Available via www.venerable.com |
Customer Service Hours and Support Options
Venerable’s customer service phone lines are typically available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Outside of those hours, the online portal and mobile app remain accessible for self-service tasks like checking balances and viewing statements. Written correspondence can also be mailed to their West Des Moines headquarters.
Venerable Annuity Forms
Common Venerable Annuity Forms You May Need
Depending on what you need to do, you may encounter forms for:
- Withdrawal requests (partial or full surrender)
- Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) setup
- Beneficiary designation changes
- Address or contact information updates
- 1035 exchange requests (if transferring to a different carrier)
- Death claim forms (for beneficiaries)
How to Download Venerable Annuity Withdrawal Forms (PDF)
The easiest way to get forms is through the online portal at www.venerable.com after logging in. Navigate to the “Forms & Documents” section of your account dashboard. Most forms are available as downloadable PDFs that you can print, complete, and return.
If you can’t find a specific form online, call 1-800-848-6331 and a customer service rep can mail or email the form to you directly.
Where to Submit Completed Forms
Most completed forms should be mailed to:
Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company PO Box 1547 Des Moines, IA 50306
Some forms may also be accepted via fax. Confirm the submission method with customer service before sending, especially for time-sensitive transactions like withdrawals.
Is a Venerable Annuity Right for You?
Pros of Choosing Venerable
- Financial stability: AM Best A- (Excellent) rating means your guaranteed benefits are well-supported
- Existing guarantees are protected: If your contract came with living benefit riders, those transfer intact — Venerable is obligated to honor them
- Established online access: The portal and app make it relatively simple to monitor your contract
- Institutional backing: The company has serious institutional investors behind it
Things to Consider Before Staying With or Transferring From Venerable
Venerable doesn’t sell new products, so if your current contract no longer fits your retirement income needs, your options are:
- Stay the course: Keep the contract, especially if it has a valuable guaranteed benefit rider that would be expensive or impossible to replicate elsewhere
- Take systematic withdrawals: Use your GMWB or other rider to draw income on the schedule your contract allows
- Initiate a 1035 exchange: Transfer the contract value tax-free to a new annuity that might offer better terms, lower fees, or different income options
Before making any moves, compare current annuity rates — what’s available today may be meaningfully different from what was on the market when your original contract was issued.
How Venerable Compares to Other Annuity Companies
Venerable occupies a unique niche: it’s not competing with companies like Nationwide, Lincoln Financial, or Athene on new business. Its job is specifically to manage legacy blocks. If you’re evaluating your options, the real comparison isn’t Venerable vs. another carrier — it’s whether your current Venerable contract (with its specific guarantees) is worth more to you than what you’d get by moving to a new product.
A fee analysis with a fee-only financial advisor is often the smartest starting point before touching any variable annuity contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of venerable?
Venerable is an adjective meaning deserving of great respect, usually because of age, wisdom, or long-standing dignity. It comes from the Latin venerabilis, meaning worthy of reverence. You’d describe a long-established institution, a wise elder, or a time-honored tradition as venerable. It’s an entirely positive word — think of it as the compliment version of “old.”
What is a venerable person?
A venerable person is someone whose age, accomplishments, or character commands genuine, earned respect. In the Catholic Church, “Venerable” is a formal honorific for a deceased person recognized as having lived a life of heroic virtue — a step on the path toward sainthood. Outside religion, it simply describes anyone widely admired for wisdom, experience, and integrity.
What is a venerable Buddhist?
In Buddhism, “Venerable” (often abbreviated “Ven.”) is an honorific title used to address or refer to ordained monks and nuns. It’s a mark of respect for those who have taken religious vows and are living within a monastic community. You’ll commonly see it in front of a monk’s or nun’s name in Theravada Buddhist traditions.
What are synonyms for venerable?
Common synonyms for venerable include: revered, esteemed, honored, distinguished, respected, august, time-honored, and illustrious. All carry the sense of respect that’s been earned over time rather than simply claimed.
What’s another word for venerable?
The closest single-word substitute is usually revered — it captures both the respect and the sense that it’s been genuinely earned. “Esteemed” and “distinguished” also work depending on context.
Is venerable a positive word?
Yes, completely. Using venerable to describe something or someone is a compliment. It implies that age, wisdom, and experience have combined to create something worthy of deep respect — not just that something is old or outdated.
Why is someone called venerable?
Someone is called venerable because their life, work, or character has earned sustained, deep respect — often over a long period of time. In religious contexts (Catholic and Buddhist), it’s a specific honorific with formal meaning. In everyday use, it simply recognizes that a person’s contributions or character rise well above the ordinary.
Who owns Venerable Annuities?
Venerable Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company (VIAC). The company was formed in 2018 with institutional backing that includes Athene Holding and The Chubb Corporation. Its focus is acquiring and managing legacy variable annuity and life insurance blocks from carriers that have exited those product lines.
How do I log in to my Venerable annuity account?
Go to www.venerable.com and click “Log In.” If you haven’t registered yet, you’ll need your contract number, Social Security Number, and date of birth to create an account. Once registered, you can view contract details, account values, statements, and initiate certain transactions directly from the portal or the mobile app.
What is the Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company phone number?
The main policyholder customer service number is 1-800-848-6331, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Financial professionals should call 1-800-545-6605.
How do I download the Venerable annuity login app?
Search “Venerable Annuity” in either the Apple App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android). Download and install the app, then log in with the same credentials you use on the website. The app supports account balance checks, statement viewing, and customer support contact.
Where can I find Venerable annuity withdrawal forms in PDF?
Log in to your account at www.venerable.com and navigate to the “Forms & Documents” section. Most common forms, including withdrawal request forms, are available as downloadable PDFs. If you can’t find what you need, call 1-800-848-6331 and a representative can provide the correct form by mail or email.