In this column we'll discuss using variable annuities inside retirement plans (qualified deferred variable annuities).
The traditional definition qualifies a variable Z as an instrumental (relative to the pair (X, Y)) if (i) Z is independent of all variables (including error terms) that have an influence on Y that is not mediated by X and (ii) Z is not independent of X (Pearl 2000, p. 247).
A chi-square test of homogeneity with a p- value less than 0.15 qualifies a variable as a probable effect measure modifier [ 11].
Finally, the qualifying variables were entered into the multivariable model and finally selected by stepwise-selection method.
The bottom line is that you're getting no additional tax advantage but, in most cases, you're getting all the downsides of a non-qualified variable annuity that we discussed previously (including the high costs and surrender fees) inside your retirement account.
In our two previous columns here and here we discussed some of the bad features of high-cost deferred variable annuities purchased with after-tax dollars (non-qualified annuities) and a few of the possible situations where a low-cost non-qualified variable annuity might make sense.
These mechanical variables relate ambiguously to the lengths of homogeneous rods and can therefore be qualified as nonspecifying variables.
aSix variables qualified for inclusion in the multivariable model but only four (IL-1α, IP-10, G-CSF, and MIP-1β) variables remained in the final model after the model selection process.
Target variable: SUCCESS (qualified for the first step of the medical exam after 2 years).
The smoking variable was qualified by more than one cigarette per day for at least 1 year.
