### Question
What does variable contract mean?


### Answer
**Variable contract** has the following meaning in *26 U.S.C. § 817*:

> a contract—



(1) which provides for the allocation of all or part of the amounts received under the contract to an account which, pursuant to State law or regulation, is segregated from the general asset accounts of the company,



(2) which—



(A) provides for the payment of annuities,



(B) is a life insurance contract, or



(C) provides for funding of insurance on retired lives as described in section 807(c)(6), and


  


(3) under which—



(A) in the case of an annuity contract, the amounts paid in, or the amount paid out, reflect the investment return and the market value of the segregated asset account,



(B) in the case of a life insurance contract, the amount of the death benefit (or the period of coverage) is adjusted on the basis of the investment return and the market value of the segregated asset account, or



(C) in the case of funds held under a contract described in paragraph (2)(C), the amounts paid in, or the amounts paid out, reflect the investment return and the market value of the segregated asset account

#### Citation:
  - *26 U.S.C. § 817*
  - Heading: **Subtitle A-Income Taxes > CHAPTER 1-NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES > Subchapter L-Insurance Companies > PART I-LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES > Subpart E-Definitions and Special Rules**

