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ETFs

Distributing Ladder ETFs: A New Tool for Cash Flow Management

A Comparison of Term Annuities and Distributing Ladder ETFs

 

For clients who need predictable income over a defined period, annuities have long been the default answer. Their appeal is practical. A term annuity removes the burden of ongoing portfolio management and gives clients certainty about where their cash flow will come from, regardless of what markets do in the interim.

 

Product innovation has shifted the calculus. Distributing ladder ETFs hold diversified portfolios of bonds with sequenced maturities, each generating distributions at regular intervals over a defined time horizon. The ETF structure brings daily liquidity, low minimums, and transparent pricing, all built on the core mechanic of bond-backed income potential.

 

The comparison below examines both approaches across the dimensions advisors may weigh when designing income plans for clients.

 

 TERM ANNUITYNORTHERN TRUST DISTRIBUTING LADDER ETFs
RETURN OF CAPITAL & INCOMETerm annuities have contractually obligated payout schedules inclusive of original capital plus accumulated interest.Distributing Ladder ETFs are designed to return capital from maturing bonds annually, with yield from bonds distributed monthly.
LIQUIDITYSurrender charges may apply for withdrawals, contract termination. Liquidity options vary by contract, and may include withdrawal provisions and annuitization options.Exchange-traded. Investors exit at prevailing market price.
FEES & COSTSUpfront commission and layered contract fees.Modest and fully observable expense ratio.* No upfront commission or surrender charges.**
TRANSPARENCYNo daily pricing. Structure varies by contract.Daily NAV published. Holdings are observable. Performance and risk contribution can be tracked in real time.
MATURITY / END OF TERMGenerally remain invested until withdrawals, annuitization, or other contract options are elected by investor.Have a defined end date, with proceeds from maturing bonds distributed to shareholders over the life of the ETF, with no further distributions beyond the fund's terminal year.
DEATH BENEFITMay include a death benefit feature that provides beneficiaries with a contract value, subject to the terms of the annuity.Do not offer an insurance-based death benefit. Beneficiaries receive the market value of inherited ETF shares.
PORTFOLIO INTEGRATIONSit outside the investment portfolio as an insurance wrapper, potentially obscuring duration exposure and complicating holistic planning.Live within the fixed income allocation with a visible yield, duration, and coupon.
PRODUCT OBJECTIVEProvide a stream of income payments for a specified period.Seek to provide periodic distributions consisting of income and/or principal through a specified terminal year.
INVESTMENT RISKSPayout certainty dependent on the financial strength of a single insurance carrier. Some A-rated carriers offer negligible default rates.Exposure spread across hundreds of issues. Portfolio values may be positively or negatively impacted by market risk and interest rate risk.

 

Individual bonds carry an obligation to fully return principal to investors at maturity, however ETFs have no such obligation. The net asset value of the ETFs will decline over time as payments are made to shareholders.

 

Northern Trust Asset Management offers both tax-exempt municipal bond and inflation-linked TIPS Distributing Ladder ETFs, allowing advisors to tailor allocations to clients’ specific tax situations and inflation sensitivity.

 

  Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETFs

  Northern Trust Inflation-Linked Distributing Ladder ETFs

  MUNA   2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF

  MUNJ   2031 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF

  MUNB   2035 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF

  MUNF   2036 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF

  MUNC   2045 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF

  MUNG   2046 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF

  MUND   2055 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF

  MUNH   2056 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF

  TIPA  2030 Inflation-Linked Distributing Ladder ETF

  TIPE  2031 Inflation-Linked Distributing Ladder ETF

  TIPB  2035 Inflation-Linked Distributing Ladder ETF

  TIPF  2036 Inflation-Linked Distributing Ladder ETF

  TIPC  2045 Inflation-Linked Distributing Ladder ETF

  TIPG  2046 Inflation-Linked Distributing Ladder ETF

  TIPD  2055 Inflation-Linked Distributing Ladder ETF

  TIPH  2056 Inflation-Linked Distributing Ladder ETF

Low Fee: 18 BPS*

Low Fee: 10 BPS*

 

*18 basis points (BPS, or 0.18%) and 10 basis points (BPS, 0.10%) refers to both net and gross expense ratios. Interest on municipals is exempt from federal income tax but may be subject to state and local tax. This information is general in nature and should not be construed as tax advice.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All securities investing and trading activities risk the loss of capital. Each portfolio is subject to substantial risks including market risks, strategy risks, advisor risk, and risks with respect to its investment in other structures. There can be no assurance that any portfolio investment objectives will be achieved, or that any investment will achieve profits or avoid incurring substantial losses. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee returns or eliminate risk in any market environment. Risk controls and models do not promise any level of performance or guarantee against loss of principal. Any discussion of risk management is intended to describe NTAM’s efforts to monitor and manage risk but does not imply low risk.

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.


Forward-looking statements and assumptions are NTAM’s current estimates or expectations of future events or future results based upon proprietary research and should not be construed as an estimate or promise of results that a portfolio may achieve. Actual results could differ materially from the results indicated by this information.


Before investing, carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information are in the prospectus and a summary prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by visiting etfs.ntam.northerntrust.com Read the prospectus carefully before you invest. 


Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, distributor. Northern Funds Distributors, LLC is not affiliated with Northern Trust.


All investments are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal amount invested. Investments do not typically grow at an even rate of return and may experience negative growth. As with any type of portfolio structuring, attempting to reduce risk and increase return could, at certain times, unintentionally reduce returns.


Annuities are subject to terms, conditions, benefits, and costs not outlined here. All annuity payments are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuer.


Unlike annuity income, income from ETFs is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. Investors may receive less than the amount invested.


As with any fund, it is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, any other government agency, or The Northern Trust Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or any other bank.


ETFs are subject to additional risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds, including the risks that the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a premium or discount to its net asset value, an active secondary trading market may not develop or be maintained, or trading may be halted by the exchange in which they trade, which may impact an ETF’s ability to sell its shares. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the ETF. 


Credit (or Default) Risk
is the risk that the inability or unwillingness of an issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or a counterparty to a repurchase or other transaction, to meet its principal or interest payments or other financial obligations in a timely manner will adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments and its returns. Fluctuation of Yield and Principal Payment Risk is the risk that the Fund, unlike a direct investment in a bond that has a level coupon payment and a fixed payment at maturity, will make distributions of income that vary over time. Unlike a direct investment in bonds, the breakdown of returns between Fund distributions are not predictable at the time of your investment. Fund Termination Risk is the risk that, unlike an investment in a traditional investment company with perpetual existence, the Fund is designed to liquidate in the terminal year and thus a shareholder of the Fund will not receive distributions from the Fund beyond the terminal year. Liquidity Risk is the risk that certain securities may be less liquid than others, which may make them difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like, and the Fund may have to lower the price, sell other securities instead or forgo an investment opportunity, adversely affecting the value of the Fund’s investments and its returns. Municipal Investments Risk is the risk that the value of a municipal security generally depends on the financial and credit status of the issuer. Constitutional amendments, legislative enactments, executive orders, administrative regulations, voter initiatives, and the issuer’s regional economic conditions may affect a municipal security’s value, interest payments, repayment of principal and the Fund’s ability to sell the security. Non-Diversification Risk is the risk that a non-diversified fund may invest a larger portion of its assets in securities issued by or representing a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, a Fund may be more susceptible to the risks associated with these particular issuers, or to a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting these issuers. Municipal Market Volatility Risk is the risk that the Fund may be adversely affected by volatility in the municipal market. The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative, political or public health changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities. Return of Capital/Distribution Risk is the risk that the Fund’s distributions will involve a return of capital, which, although not generally taxable, may lower a shareholder’s basis in the Fund’s shares, thus potentially subjecting the shareholder to future tax consequences in connection with the sale of Fund shares, even if sold at a loss to the shareholder’s original investment. Small Fund Risk is the risk that the Fund will not grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case it may liquidate prior to the anticipated liquidation date in the terminal year, thus impacting the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Inflation-Indexed Securities Risk is the risk that the value of inflation protected securities, such as TIPS, generally will fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates, generally decreasing when real interest rates rise and increasing when real interest rates fall. In addition, interest payments on inflation-protected securities will generally vary up or down along with the rate of inflation.


© 2026 Northern Trust Corporation. Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A.


NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE