Insurers are scaling back from variable annuities as low interest rates and stock market declines weigh on their profits. As a result, Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (HIG) is now offering to pay some clients to give up retirement products as Chief Executive Officer Liam McGee works to reduce risks tied to stock market declines and free up capita. Holders of some variable annuities, which guarantee payouts, would be offered cash to give up the contracts, McGee said in an interview. The offer will be made to holders representing 45 percent of the Hartford, Connecticut- based company’s net amount at risk on the contracts, he said according to a report at www.bloomberg.com.