A system and method are disclosed for managing messages in a packetized voice environment. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. The VoIP telephone may include an interface for communicatively coupling with a broadband network access device. The VoIP telephone may also include an answering machine module that is capable of initiating the answering of an incoming VoIP call, the playing of a recorded announcement to a calling party, and the saving of a message from the calling party. In some embodiments, the answering machine module may be integral with the VoIP telephone and the saved message may be stored on a local memory.