Series 6 Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Exam Prep Resource

A qualified annuity contract or retirement plan is typically funded with pre-tax funds. This means that contributions made to these financial instruments can reduce taxable income in the year they are made. For instance, individuals can deposit funds into a retirement account such as a 401(k) or a traditional IRA before taxes are applied, allowing for tax-deferred growth on the investments within the account until withdrawal.

When the funds are eventually withdrawn, usually during retirement, they are taxed as ordinary income at that time. This pre-tax funding approach is beneficial for individuals because it can potentially lower their immediate tax burden while allowing their investments to grow tax-deferred over time.

This contrasts with after-tax funds, which have already been subjected to tax before being contributed, meaning that withdrawals do not incur tax but do not benefit from the tax deduction upon contribution. Capital tax funds and deferred tax funds are not typically recognized categories in this context, making pre-tax funds the most accurate and relevant option.