Should I be invested in a variable annuity?

My fiance's "financial advisor" put her into a tax sheltered annuity because she had no idea about how to invest. The more I read up about them they sound like a terrible, commission producing scheme. My fiance is 27 years old with a steady income. I recommended an IRA with diversified mutual funds. Does anybody have trustworthy input? And can she get out of the annuity and roll her contributions into another option? Thanks for your help...