Hedge effectiveness is examined under a hypothetical life annuity portfolio subject to longevity risk. The paper presents various hedging features exhibited by a longevity swap and a cap based on different assumptions underlying the market price of longevity risk, the term to maturity of hedging instruments, as well as the size of the underlying annuity portfolio. The results are demonstrated to have important implications for the optimal use of longevity hedging instruments with linear and nonlinear payout structures.