Form 485APOS FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2025
Registration No. 333-267180
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM N-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Post-Effective Amendment No. 3
FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Name of Insurance Company)
801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600, Des Moines IA 50309
(Address of Insurance Companys Principal Executive Offices)
(866) 846-4660
(Insurance Companys Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Christopher Blunt
Marek Olearnik, Esq.
c/o Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company
801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600, Des Moines IA 50309
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Stephen E. Roth, Esq.
Partner
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
700 Sixth Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 383-0100
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
| ☐ | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| ☐ | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| ☐ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
| ☒ | on March 28, 2025 pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of rule 485 under the Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act). |
Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:
| ☐ | New Registrant (as applicable, a Registered Separate Account or Insurance Company that has not filed a Securities Act registration statement or amendment thereto within 3 years preceding this filing) |
| ☐ | Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act)) |
| ☐ | If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act |
| ☒ | Insurance Company relying on Rule 12h-7 under the Exchange Act |
| ☐ | Smaller reporting company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act |
Table of Contents
F&G CONFIDENCE BUILDER
Individual Single Premium Deferred Index-Linked Annuity Contract
Issued By:
FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Prospectus Dated: May 1, 2025
This prospectus provides information you should know before you purchase the F&G Confidence Builder Contract (the Contract). The prospectus describes the Contract between the Owner (you) and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company (F&G, the Company, us, we or our). The Contract is a single premium deferred index-linked annuity contract with a minimum Premium Payment of $25,000 that is designed to help you invest on a tax-deferred basis and meet long-term financial goals. The Company does not allow additional Premium Payments after the initial Premium Payment. Certain words and phrases used and capitalized throughout the prospectus are defined in the section titled Defined Terms.
Please read this prospectus before investing and keep it for future reference.
Under the Contract, you may allocate your Premium to the Fixed Interest Strategy, which guarantees principal and a rate of interest for a 1-year crediting period, and one or more of the Index-Linked Interest Strategies that are available under the Contract. Each Index-Linked Interest Strategy has an applicable Crediting Method and is tied to a market index. At the end of a defined time period (a Crediting Period), we will credit to your Contract an amount of interest (which may be positive, negative, or equal to zero) based on the Index performance and Crediting Method of the Indexed-Linked Strategy in which you invested. For additional information about each Index-Linked Interest Strategy and the Fixed Interest Strategy, please see Appendix A: Investment Options Available Under the Contract.
Each Crediting Method includes a Buffer, which provides limited protection against a negative Index Change for a Crediting Period or, for an Annual Lock Crediting Method, for each Contract Year during a Crediting Period. When you invest in an Indexed-Linked Interest Strategy, if there is negative Index performance for the Crediting Period, or, for an Annual Lock Crediting Method, for each Contract Year during a Crediting Period, you risk any losses that exceed the amount of the Buffer. At the end of a Crediting Period, you could lose up to 90% of your investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Buffer of 10%, and up 80% of your investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategies with a Buffer of 20%. If you select an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method, on the Crediting Date, at the end of a Crediting Period you could lose significantly more due to compounding annual losses. We reserve the right to stop offering all but one Index-Linked Interest Strategy (the S&P 500® Index with a 1-Year Crediting Period, Buffer of 10% and a Cap Rate).
Each Crediting Method has either has a Cap Rate, which is the maximum percentage change that can be credited under an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period; a Performance Trigger Rate, which is the percentage that will be credited if the Index Change is positive or equal to zero for a Crediting Period; or a Participation Rate, which is a percentage by which any positive Index Change is multiplied to determine the Adjusted Index Change for a Crediting Period. The Cap Rate, the Performance Trigger Rate or the Participation Rate may limit the amount that will be credited to your Contract, and you may earn less than the Index return during the Crediting Period. We may change Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates for each Crediting Period, subject to the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate of 2% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a one-year Crediting Period; 6% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a three-year Crediting Period; 3% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period where the Index is Hindsight 20/20; 12% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period with any other Index; and 2% for each year of an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period; and the Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rate of 0.50% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a one-year Crediting Period; and the Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate of 5%.
Any interest credited to your Contract, as well as our obligations under the Contract, either as a result of investing in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy or the Fixed Interest Strategy, are subject to our financial strength and claims-paying ability.
The Contract is a complex investment and involves risks, including potential loss of principal. You should speak with a financial professional about the Contracts features, benefits, risks, and fees, and whether the Contract is appropriate for you based upon your financial situation and objectives.
The Contract is not a short-term investment and is not appropriate for an investor who needs ready access to cash. Withdrawals could result in surrender charges, negative contract adjustments, taxes and tax penalties. Before the end of a Crediting Period for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, if you take a surrender or any withdrawal (including systematic withdrawals and required minimum distributions), or if you annuitize, or if the death benefit is paid, the transaction will be based on the Strategy Interim Value of your investment in that Index-Linked Interest Strategy, which is calculated by using a formula that takes into account the value of a specific set of hypothetical derivatives and changes in interest rates that impact the value of the fixed income assets supporting your Contract. Also, if you take a withdrawal or surrender from your Contract at the end of a Crediting Period during the first six Contract Years, your withdrawal or surrender will be subject to an adjustment for changes in interest rates that impact the value of the fixed income assets supporting your Contract (an Asset Adjustment). A withdrawal during a Crediting Period, or, during the first six Contract Years, on the Crediting Date will reduce your Account Value on a proportionate, rather than a dollar-for-dollar, basis. Under extreme conditions, you could lose up to 100% of your investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy if you remove funds before the Crediting Date or on the Crediting Date prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary.
The Contract does not provide tax deferral benefits, beyond those already provided under the Internal Revenue Code, for a Contract purchased as a Qualified Contract, such as an Individual Retirement Annuity (IRA). Amounts withdrawn from the Contract prior to age 59 1/2 may also be subject to taxes and a 10% federal penalty. Investors should consult with their tax advisor for more information.
You may cancel the Contract without charge within 30 days after you receive it. If you cancel your Contract during this period, we will issue a refund including all charges that may have been deducted from your Contract and you will not be subject to a surrender charge, although we may apply a Contract Adjustment. Your states law will determine the amount you will receive.
The Contracts are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Board, or any other government agency.
Additional information about certain investment products, including index-linked annuity contracts, has been prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commissions staff and is available at Investor.gov.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Table of Contents
| Page | ||||
| 1 | ||||
| 6 | ||||
| IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ABOUT THE CONTRACT |
10 | |||
| 15 | ||||
| 16 | ||||
| Market Risk and Risk of Loss in Index-Linked Interest Strategies |
16 | |||
| 16 | ||||
| 17 | ||||
| 17 | ||||
| 25 | ||||
| 25 | ||||
| 25 | ||||
| 26 | ||||
| 27 | ||||
| 27 | ||||
| 27 | ||||
| 27 | ||||
| 28 | ||||
| 28 | ||||
| 29 | ||||
| 29 | ||||
| 29 | ||||
| 31 | ||||
| 31 | ||||
| 31 | ||||
| 31 | ||||
| ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES |
33 | |||
| 33 | ||||
| New, Removed or Replaced Indices and Index-Linked Strategies |
37 | |||
| 38 | ||||
| 40 | ||||
| 40 | ||||
| 40 | ||||
| 41 | ||||
| 41 | ||||
| 42 | ||||
| 43 | ||||
| 43 | ||||
| 44 | ||||
| 45 | ||||
| 48 | ||||
| 50 | ||||
| 50 | ||||
| Automatic Transfer from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy to the Fixed Interest Strategy |
50 | |||
| 51 | ||||
| 51 | ||||
Table of Contents
| Page | ||||
| 51 | ||||
| 51 | ||||
| 52 | ||||
| 54 | ||||
| 54 | ||||
| 54 | ||||
| 55 | ||||
| 57 | ||||
| 57 | ||||
| 57 | ||||
| 58 | ||||
| 59 | ||||
| 59 | ||||
| 59 | ||||
| 61 | ||||
| 63 | ||||
| 63 | ||||
| 64 | ||||
| 64 | ||||
| 64 | ||||
| 65 | ||||
| 66 | ||||
| 73 | ||||
| 73 | ||||
| 73 | ||||
| 73 | ||||
| 73 | ||||
| 74 | ||||
| 74 | ||||
| 75 | ||||
| 75 | ||||
| 75 | ||||
| 75 | ||||
| A-1 | ||||
| B-1 | ||||
| C-1 | ||||
| D-1 | ||||
Table of Contents
We have used simple, clear language as much as possible in this prospectus. However, by the very nature of the Contracts certain technical words or terms are unavoidable. We have identified the following as some of these words or terms.
| Account Value | The total amount attributable to your Contract during the Accumulation Phase at any given time. Your Account Value is the sum of your Strategy Account Values and your Fixed Interest Strategy Value at any given time. Your Account Value may not necessarily equal your Cash Surrender Value. | |
| Accumulation Phase | The period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the Maturity Date. | |
| Adjusted Index Change | The net change percentage in the Index Value of an Index from the start of a Crediting Period to the end of the Crediting Period, after any applicable adjustment for the Crediting Method applicable to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy. The Adjusted Index Change for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy represents the rate at which we credit interest at the end of a Crediting Period. The Adjusted Index Change may be positive, negative, or equal to zero. | |
| Annuitant | The natural person(s) on whose life (or lives) annuity payments under the Contract are based. | |
| Asset Adjustment | An adjustment to your Strategy Base Value used to determine the Strategy Interim Value based on the Bloomberg US Aggregate Yield to Worst Index to account for changes in interest rates that impact the value of the fixed income assets supporting your Contract since the Contracts Effective Date. On a Crediting Date prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, your Strategy Account Value also includes the Asset Adjustment. | |
| Beneficiary | The person or entity designated by the Owner to receive any Contract benefits upon the Owners death during the Accumulation Phase. | |
| Business Day | Any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for regular trading. A Business Day ends at the same time that regular trading on the NYSE closes (typically, 4:00 PM Eastern Time). | |
| Buffer | A Buffer protects against a negative Index Change until the protection level has been exceeded. The Buffer represents the maximum negative Index Change that will not result in a negative Adjusted Index Change for a given Crediting Period. If the Index Change for the Crediting Period is negative, and the negative Index Change is within the Buffer, then the Index-Linked Interest credited to the Strategy Account Value is zero. If the negative Index Change exceeds the Buffer, then negative Index-Linked Interest is credited to the extent that the Index Change extends beyond the Buffer. The Buffer provides limited protection against negative Index-Linked Interest being credited to your Contract for a Crediting Period. For example, if the Buffer is 20% and the Index Change for the Crediting Period is negative 35%, negative Index-Linked Interest of 15% would be credited to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy. | |
| Cap Rate | An element of certain Crediting Methods. The Cap Rate represents the maximum Adjusted Index Change that can be credited under an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period. It limits the potential positive Index-Linked Interest that may be credited for a Crediting Period. Each Index-Linked Interest Strategy that is subject to a Cap Rate has its own Cap Rate. | |
| Cash Surrender Value | The amount that you will receive if you surrender your Contract (i.e., take a full withdrawal) during the Accumulation Phase. The Cash Surrender Value equals your Account Value minus any surrender charge. | |
1
Table of Contents
| Code | Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. | |
| Commuted Value | The commuted value of remaining guaranteed annuity payments is determined by discounting the remaining guaranteed annuity payments at an annually compounded interest rate which is one percent more than the rate we use to determine those payments. The commuted value will always be less than the sum of the remaining guaranteed annuity payments. The commuted value is calculated as of the date a lump sum payment will be made. | |
| Contract | The F&G Confidence Builder Contract, which is a single premium deferred index-linked annuity contract between F&G and you, as the Owner. | |
| Contract Adjustment | An Asset Adjustment and/or Equity Adjustment used to determine your Strategy Interim Value for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy. | |
| Contract Anniversary | The annual anniversary of the Effective Date of your Contract. | |
| Contract Year | The 12-month period starting on the Effective Date and each anniversary of your Effective Date while the Contract remains in force. | |
| Crediting Date | The last day of a Crediting Period. | |
| Crediting Method | The Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or the Participation Rate; the Buffer; and the calculating methodology (Point to Point or Annual Lock) that determines the applicable Index-Linked Interest credited for a Strategy at the end of a Crediting Period. A Point to Point methodology measures the net performance of the applicable Index between the beginning of the first day of a Crediting Period and Crediting Date, while an Annual Lock methodology measures the net performance of the applicable Index each Contract Year during the Crediting Period. | |
| Crediting Period | The investment period over which performance of an Index is measured to determine the amount of Index-Linked Interest credited for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, or, for the Fixed Interest Strategy, the one-year period over which interest is credited at a specified declared rate. A Crediting Period is designated for each Index-Linked Interest Strategy and may be one, three, or six years. You may only reallocate your Strategy Account Value or Fixed Interest Strategy Value among the Fixed Interest Strategy and/or one or more Index-Linked Interest Strategies at the end of a Crediting Period. You may not reallocate your Strategy Account Value or Fixed Interest Strategy Value until the end of a Crediting Period. | |
| Effective Date | The date when the Contract is issued and the Premium is allocated to the Fixed Interest Strategy and/or one or more of the Index-Linked Interest Strategies for the initial Crediting Period. | |
| Equity Adjustment | An adjustment to your Strategy Base Value used to determine the Strategy Interim Value based on the value of a specific set of hypothetical derivatives. | |
| F&G (or the Company, we, us, or our) | Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company. | |
| Fixed Interest Strategy | The Investment Option under the Contract that provides for guaranteed interest, and is subject to a guaranteed minimum interest rate. The Fixed Interest Strategy is part of the Separate Account. | |
| Fixed Interest Strategy Value | The amount of your Account Value allocated to the Fixed Interest Strategy at any given time. | |
| General Account | The account that holds all of F&Gs assets, including all assets held in the Separate Account. | |
2
Table of Contents
| Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate | The Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate is 2% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a one-year Crediting Period; 6% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a three-year Crediting Period; 3% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period where the Index is Hindsight 20/20; 12% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period with any other Index; and 2% for each year of an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period. | |
| Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rate | The Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rate is 0.50% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a one-year Crediting Period. | |
| Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate | The Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate is 5% for any point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Participation Rate. | |
| Income Phase | The period beginning on the Maturity Date during which we make annuity payments to the Payee(s). | |
| Income Phase Death Benefit Recipient | The person entitled during the Income Phase to any payments to be made under an annuity option after the death of the Annuitant(s). The Income Phase Death Benefit Recipient is the first person(s) living on the date of such death in the following order: (i) Owner(s) or a surviving joint Owner; (ii) the Beneficiary(ies); or (iii) the estate of the last owner to die. | |
| Index | The market index used to determine the Index Change for a Strategy. Each Index is comprised of or defined by certain securities or by a combination of certain securities and other instruments. | |
| Index Change | The net change percentage in the Index Value of an Index from the start of a Crediting Period to the end of the Crediting Period, before any applicable adjustment for the Crediting Method applicable to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy. If the start or end of a Crediting Period is not on a Business Day, we will use the Index Value on the next Business Day to calculate the Index Change. | |
| Index Value | The closing value of an Index on any Business Day. If an Index Value is not published for a Business Day, we will use the closing Index Value from the next Business Day. | |
| Index-Linked Interest Strategy | An Investment Option under the Contract that provides for credited interest (either positive, negative, or equal to zero) based on the performance of a particular Index and the applicable Crediting Method. | |
| Index-Linked Interest | The dollar amount of interest credited under an Index-Linked Interest Strategy at the end of a Crediting Period. Index-Linked Interest can be positive, negative or equal to zero. | |
| Investment Options | The Index-Linked Interest Strategies and the Fixed Interest Strategy. | |
| IRS | The Internal Revenue Service. | |
| Maturity Date | The date the Income Phase begins. The Maturity Date is the Contract Anniversary on or first following the Annuitants (or oldest Annuitants if a Joint Annuitant is named) 100th birthday. You may change the Maturity Date to an earlier date following the first Contract Anniversary. | |
| Owner | The person(s) or legal entity entitled to exercise all rights and privileges under the Contract. Any reference to Owner in this prospectus includes any joint Owner. References to you in this prospectus refer to the Owner or a prospective Owner. In the case of a Qualified Contract, the Owner must be a natural person and joint Owners are not allowed. | |
3
Table of Contents
| Participation Rate | An element of certain Crediting Methods. The Participation Rate, which can be more than, less than or equal to 100%, is a percentage specific to certain Index-Linked Interest Strategies by which the positive Index Change is multiplied to determine the Adjusted Index Change for a Crediting Period. Each Index-Linked Interest Strategy that is subject to a Participation Rate has its own Participation Rate. | |
| Payee | The person(s) or entity (or entities) designated by you to receive annuity payments during the Income Phase. You are the Payee unless you designate another person or entity as the Payee. | |
| Performance Trigger Rate | The Performance Trigger Rate is the percentage that will be credited if the Index Change is positive or equal to zero for a Crediting Period. For an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Performance Trigger Rate, if the Index Change is equal to zero or greater for a Crediting Period, the Adjusted Index Change will be equal to the Performance Trigger Rate for that Crediting Period. The Performance Trigger Rate limits the potential positive Index-Linked Interest that will be credited for a Crediting Period if the Index Change exceeds the Performance Trigger Rate. Each Index-Linked Interest Strategy that is subject to a Performance Trigger Rate has its own Performance Trigger Rate. | |
| Premium | The single premium paid to us under the Contract, less any applicable taxes due at the time the payment is made. | |
| Qualified/Non-Qualified Contract | A Qualified Contract is purchased as part of an individual retirement plan or an employer-sponsored plan. Currently, we offer two types of Qualified Contracts: (1) a traditional IRA, and (2) a Roth IRA. The Contract is not available for purchase by qualified retirement plans, as a section 403(b) contract, or in the form of a Simplified Employee Pension or SIMPLE Retirement Account. A Non-Qualified Contract is a Contract that is not a Qualified Contract. | |
| Rollover Contribution | A transfer of eligible funds between a qualified retirement plan and a traditional or Roth IRA that takes one of these forms: (1) direct transfer funds are paid directly from one qualified retirement plan or IRA to another; (2) trustee-to-trustee transferfunds held in a traditional IRA are transferred directly to another traditional IRA or funds held in a Roth IRA are transferred directly to another Roth IRA; or (3) a 60-Day Rolloverfunds held in a qualified retirement plan or IRA are distributed directly to you and within 60 days you deposit all or a portion of them in an IRA or qualified retirement plan. You should consult with your tax advisor about the applicable requirements for making a rollover contribution and about what funds are eligible for such a transfer. | |
| Separate Account | F&Gs Separate Account ILA-1. We hold certain investments supporting the assets allocated to the Index-Linked Interest Strategies and the Fixed Interest Strategy in F&G Separate Account ILA-1, which we established under the laws of Iowa. Separate Account ILA-1 is a non-insulated separate account. Assets in Separate Account ILA-1 are part of F&Gs General Account, are chargeable with the claims of any of our contract owners as well as our creditors and are subject to the liabilities arising from any of our other business. Separate Account ILA-1 is not registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. | |
| Strategy Account Value | During a Crediting Period, you have a Strategy Account Value for each Index-Linked Interest Strategy in which you invest. On the Effective Date, your Strategy Account Value equals the Premium you allocate the Index-Linked Interest Strategy. On each Business Day other than the Effective Date or a Crediting Date during the first six Contract Years, your Strategy Account Value equals your Strategy Interim Value. On a Crediting Date during the first six Contract Years, your Strategy Account Value includes the Asset Adjustment. Your Strategy Account Value is the amount available for withdrawals, surrenders, annuitization and death benefits. | |
4
Table of Contents
| Strategy Base Value | For each Index-Linked Interest Strategy in which you invest, your Strategy Base Value is an amount used to calculate (i) your Strategy Account Value on the first Business Day of the Crediting Period; (ii) your Strategy Interim Value on each other Business Day; and (iii) your Index-Linked Interest credited on the last Business Day of the Crediting Period. Your Strategy Base Value is not a cash value under the Contract. Your Strategy Base Value will be adjusted for any withdrawals you make during the Crediting Period. | |
| Strategy Interim Value | For each Index-Linked Interest Strategy in which you invest, your Strategy Account Value equals your Strategy Interim Value on any Business Day except for the Effective Date and a Crediting Date. The Strategy Interim Value is calculated by using a formula that takes into account the Equity Adjustment and the Asset Adjustment to your Strategy Base Value. | |
| Surrender Charge Period | The first six Contract Years. | |
5
Table of Contents
This summary provides a brief overview of the F&G Confidence Builder Contract. You should carefully read the entire prospectus before you decide whether to purchase the Contract. The Contract may not be currently available in all states, may vary in your state, or may not be available from all selling firms or from all financial professionals.
What is the purpose of the Contract? The Contract is designed to help you invest on a tax-deferred basis and meet your long-term financial goals, such as funding your retirement. During the Accumulation Phase, you can access your funds by taking withdrawals of your Account Value (which may be subject to a surrender charge of up to 7% and other adjustments based on Strategy Interim Values and Asset Adjustments). During the Income Phase, we pay guaranteed income in the form of annuity payments. The Contract also will pay a death benefit to your Beneficiaries in the event of death of the Owner or the Annuitant during the Accumulation Phase. All payments under the Contract are subject to the terms and conditions described in this prospectus. You should not buy the Contract as a short-term investment, if you plan on taking withdrawals before the end of the Surrender Charge Period (which is the first six Contract Years), or if you anticipate taking significant withdrawals from your Strategy Account Values. You should understand that while the Contract provides some protection against loss, you can lose money under the Contract. It is possible to lose your entire principal investment and previously credited Index-Linked Interest You should not buy the Contract if you are not willing to assume the risks associated with the Contract.
The Contract may be purchased as either qualified or non-qualified under the Internal Revenue Code. A Non-Qualified Contract will provide you with certain tax deferral features under the Code. If you purchase a Qualified Contract, the Contract will not provide you tax deferral benefits in addition to those already provided by your IRA or Roth IRA, and you should only buy the Contract for its other features.
What are the phases of the Contract?
Accumulation (Savings) Phase
During the accumulation phase, you can allocate your Contract Value to one or more of the available Index-Linked Interest Strategies and/or the Fixed Interest Strategy.
Index-Linked Interest Strategies. Each Index-Linked Interest Strategy credits Index-Linked Interest (either positive, negative, or equal to zero) at the end of a Crediting Period based, in part, on the performance of a particular Index. You could lose a significant amount of money if the Index declines in value.
We limit the negative Index Change used in calculating the Index Linked Interest on the Crediting Date by applying a Buffer to absorb negative Index Change up to the amount of the Buffer. For example, if the Index-Linked Interest Strategy has a Buffer of 10%, if the Index Return is -25%, the crediting rate would be -15% (the amount that the Index Change exceeds the Buffer) on the Crediting Date, meaning that your Strategy Account Value will show a 15% decrease from your Strategy Base Value. For Index-Linked Interest Strategies with an Annual Lock Crediting Method, the Buffer will absorb negative Index Change up to the amount of the Buffer each Contract Year during the Crediting Period. We reserve the right to stop offering all but one Index-Linked Interest Strategy (the S&P 500® Index with a 1-Year Crediting Period, Buffer of 10% and a Cap Rate).
If the Index Change is positive or zero, we determine whether it must be adjusted for the Cap Rate, the Performance Trigger Rate, or the Participation Rate, which may limit the positive return used to determine the Adjusted Index Change, as follows:
| | If the Crediting Method for the Index-Linked Interest Strategy includes a Cap Rate, the Cap Rate is the maximum positive Adjusted Index Change for a given Crediting Period. For example, if the Index |
| Change is 12% and the Cap Rate is 8%, the crediting rate would be 8% (the lesser of the Index Change |
6
Table of Contents
| and the Cap Rate) on the Crediting Date, meaning that your Strategy Account Value will show an 8% increase from your Strategy Base Value. For Index-Linked Interest Strategies with an Annual Lock Crediting Method, we limit the annual performance to the lesser of the Index Change or the Cap Rate each Contract Year during the Crediting Period. We will not establish an Cap Rate below the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate of 2% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a one-year Crediting Period; 6% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a three-year Crediting Period; 3% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period where the Index is Hindsight 20/20; 12% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period with any other Index; and 2% for each year of an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period. |
| | If the Crediting Method for the Index-Linked Interest Strategy includes a Performance Trigger Rate, if the Index Change is at least zero, the Adjusted Index Change is the Performance Trigger Rate for a given Crediting Period. For example, if the Index Change is 8% and the Performance Trigger Rate is 5%, the crediting rate would be 5% on the Crediting Date, meaning that your Strategy Account Value will show a 5% increase from your Strategy Base Value. We will not establish an Index Trigger Rate below the Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rate of 0.50% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a one-year Crediting Period. |
| | If the Crediting Method for the Index-Linked Interest Strategy includes a Participation Rate, the Participation Rate is a percentage by which the positive Index Change is multiplied to determine the Adjusted Index Change for a given Crediting Period. For example, if the Index Change is 12% and the Participation Rate is 80%, the crediting rate would be 9.6% (the Index Change multiplied by 80%) on the Crediting Date, meaning that your Strategy Account Value will show a 9.6% increase from your Strategy Base Value. We will not establish a Participation Rate below the Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate of 5%. |
Fixed Interest Strategy. The Fixed Interest Strategy credits interest during each Crediting Period based on a guaranteed rate set by us. The guaranteed minimum interest rate (for the Fixed Interest Strategy) will never be less than 0.15%.
Additional information about each Index-Linked Interest Strategy and the Fixed Interest Strategy is provided in Appendix A: Investment Options Available Under the Contract.
Annuity (Income) Phase
If your Contract enters the Income Phase, we will make annuity payments to the Payee(s) based on the annuity option that you select. Each annuity option is based on the life of at least one Annuitant. The value of the annuity payments that we make will depends in part on your Cash Surrender Value on the Maturity Date. As of the Maturity Date, the only payments that we will make under the Contract are annuity payments (or a lump sum payment). It will not be possible to take withdrawals and the death benefit will not be payable upon death. Once your Contract enters the Income Phase, you cannot switch back to the Accumulation Phase.
The annuity option that you select will determine, among other things, the amount of your annuity payments and their frequency. Annuity payments will start at the end of the first payment period that begins on the Maturity Date. You may select from three annuity options under the Contract. The available annuity options are:
| | Income for Fixed Period; |
| | Life Income with Guaranteed Period; or |
| | Joint and Survivor Income with Guaranteed Period. |
7
Table of Contents
What are the Features of the Contract?
The Contract provides for the accumulation of retirement savings and income. The Contract offers death benefit protection and offers various payout options.
Access to Your Money
You may take withdrawals from your Contract at any time during the Accumulation Phase. However, if you take a partial withdrawal or surrender your Contract (i.e., a full withdrawal), your withdrawal may be subject to a surrender charge, and withdrawals from your Strategy Account Values during a Crediting period will be based on respective Strategy Interim Values. Surrenders and withdrawals on a Crediting Date during the first six Contract Years will be based on Strategy Account Values that includes an Asset Adjustment. Repetitive withdrawals (a form of systematic partial withdrawals) are also available during the Accumulation Phase. If you are under age 59½, amounts you withdraw from the Contract may also be subject to a 10% additional federal tax.
When you take a withdrawal from your Fixed Interest Strategy, your Fixed Interest Strategy Value is reduced by the dollar amount of the withdrawal, including any applicable surrender charges. When you take a withdrawal from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, the applicable Strategy Account Value is reduced in the same manner. However, if you take a withdrawal from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, the withdrawal will also cause a proportional reduction (perhaps significant reduction) to your Strategy Base Value. A reduction in your Strategy Base Value negatively impacts your Strategy Account Value because the Strategy Base Value is what is used to calculate the Index-Linked Interest to be credited at the end of the Crediting Period. Overall, withdrawals may result in a loss of principal and previously-credited interest due to adjustments and charges that may be imposed even if Index Performance has been positive.
Death Benefits
If you die during the Accumulation Phase, your Contract provides for a death benefit equal to the greater of:
| (a) | Your Account Value (subject to Strategy Interim Values during a Crediting Period or including the Asset Adjustment on a Crediting Date during the first six Contract Years); or |
| (b) | Your Premium, reduced proportionately by the percentage reduction in the Account Value for each partial withdrawal, including any surrender charge deduction. |
The death benefit is not payable during the Income Phase and will terminate without value as of the Maturity Date.
What Contract Adjustments May Apply to Transactions in the Contract?
On each Business Day other than the Effective Date or a Crediting Date, if you surrender your Contract, take a withdrawal (including systematic withdrawals and required minimum distributions), annuitize or if a death benefit is paid, your Strategy Account Value equals your Strategy Interim Value. Your Strategy Interim Value on a given Business Day is intended to reflect the value of your investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy on that particular day. Changes to your Strategy Interim Value are not directly tied to the performance of the relevant Index (although Index performance impacts your Strategy Interim Value). Instead, your Strategy Interim Value for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy is calculated on any day other than a Crediting Date using a formula that takes into account (i) an Equity Adjustment to your Strategy Base Value based on the value of a specific set of hypothetical derivatives; and (ii) an Asset Adjustment to your Strategy Base Value based on the Bloomberg US Aggregate Yield to Worst Index to account for changes in interest rates that impact the value of the fixed income assets supporting your Contract.
On a Crediting Date prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, your Strategy Account Value will include the Asset Adjustment. Accordingly, if you surrender your Contract, take a withdrawal, annuitize or if a death benefit is
8
Table of Contents
paid on a Crediting Date prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, those transactions will be based on the Strategy Account Value including the Asset Adjustment, and your Strategy Base Value for the following Crediting Period will be adjusted proportionally.
You could lose a significant amount of money due to Contract Adjustments (Equity Adjustments and Asset Adjustments) if amounts are removed from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy prior to the Crediting Date. You could also lose a significant amount of money due to Asset Adjustments if amounts are removed from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy on a Crediting Date prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary. Your Strategy Account Value may be less than the amount invested and may be less than the amount you would receive had you held the investment in the Index-Linked Interest Strategy until a Crediting Date on or after the sixth Contract Anniversary.
9
Table of Contents
IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ABOUT THE CONTRACT
|
FEES, EXPENSES, AND ADJUSTMENTS |
Location in Prospectus | |||
| Are There Charges or Adjustments for Early Withdrawals? | Yes. If you surrender your Contract or withdraw money from the Contract for up to 6 years following the Contracts Effective Date, you will be assessed a surrender charge of up to 7% of Account Value withdrawn. For example, if you make a withdrawal in the first year, you could pay a withdrawal charge of up to $7,000 on a $100,000 investment. This loss will be greater if there is a negative Contract Adjustment, taxes, or tax penalties.
There is a Contract Adjustment for amounts removed from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy before the Crediting Date, or, prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, on a Crediting Date, which could be negative. You could lose up to 100% of your Strategy Base Value due to the Contract Adjustment in extreme situations. For example, if you allocate $100,000 to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 3-year Crediting Period and later withdraw the entire amount before the 3 years have elapsed, you could lose up to $100,000 of your investment. This loss will be greater (but never more than 100%) if you also have to pay a surrender charge, taxes and tax penalties. If you surrender your Contract, take a withdrawal, annuitize or if a death benefit is paid from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy on any date prior to the Crediting Date, or, prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, on a Crediting Date, your Contract Value in the Index-Linked Interest Strategy will be subject to the Contract Adjustment.
|
FEE TABLE
FEES, CHARGES AND ADJUSTMENTS SURRENDER CHARGES
FEES, CHARGES AND ADJUSTMENTS CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES STRATEGY ACCOUNT VALUE | ||
| Are There Transaction Charges?
|
No. There are no charges for transactions other than surrender charges and Contract Adjustments. | Not applicable | ||
| Are There Ongoing Fees and Expenses? | No. However, there is an implicit ongoing fee on the Index-Linked Interest Strategies to the extent that your participation in Index gains is limited by each Index-Linked Interest Strategys Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate. This means that your returns may be lower than Index returns. In return for accepting this limit on Index gains, you will receive some protection from Index losses.
|
Not applicable | ||
|
RISKS |
Location in Prospectus | |||
| Is There a Risk of Loss from Poor Performance? | Yes. You could lose money by investing in the Contract. If you invest in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, at the end of a Crediting Period, under extreme circumstances, you could lose up to 90% of your investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 10% Buffer and up to 80% | PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT - MARKET RISK AND RISK OF LOSS IN | ||
10
Table of Contents
| of your investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 20% Buffer. If you select an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method, the Buffer Percentage applies each Contract Year during the Crediting Period, and at the end of a Crediting Period you could lose significantly more due to compounding annual losses. We reserve the right to stop offering all but one Index-Linked Interest Strategy (the S&P 500® Index with a 1-Year Crediting Period, Buffer of 10% and a Cap Rate).
|
INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES | |||
| Is this a Short-Term Investment? | No. The Contract is not a short-term investment and is not appropriate for an investor who needs ready access to cash because the Contract is designed to provide for the accumulation of retirement savings and income on a long-term basis. As such, you should not use the Contract as a short-term investment or savings vehicle. A surrender charge may apply in certain circumstances and any withdrawals may also be subject to federal and state income taxes and tax penalties. If you surrender your Contract, take a withdrawal, annuitize or if a death benefit is paid from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy on any date prior to the Crediting Date, or, prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, on a Crediting Date, your Contract Value in the Index-Linked Interest Strategy will be subject to the Contract Adjustment. Strategy Account Value in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy will be reallocated on the Crediting Date according to your instructions. If you have not provided us with instructions, your investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy or the Fixed Income Strategy will automatically be invested in the same Index-Linked Interest Strategy or the Fixed Income Strategy for the next Crediting Period. If the same Index-Linked Interest Strategy is not available, we will instead transfer your Strategy Account Value to the Fixed Interest Strategy.
|
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT - EARLY WITHDRAWAL AND LIQUIDITY RISK | ||
| What Are the Risks Associated with the Investment Options? | An investment in the Contract is subject to the risk of poor investment performance and can vary depending on the performance of the Indices for the Index-Linked Interest Strategies under the Contract. Each Investment Option, including the Fixed Interest Strategy, will have its own unique risks. You should review the Investment Options before making an investment decision.
For investments in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate may limit positive Index performance (e.g., limited upside). For example:
If the Index-Linked Interest Strategy has a Cap Rate, if the Index Change is 12% and the Cap Rate is 8%, the Adjusted Index Change would be 8% on the Crediting Date. In the case of an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method, the Cap Rate will apply to the performance of the Index each Contract Year during the Crediting Period; |
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT- INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGY RISK and - FIXED INTEREST STRATEGY RISK | ||
11
Table of Contents
| If the Index-Linked Interest Strategy has a Performance Trigger Rate, if the Index Change is equal to or greater than zero and the Index Trigger Rate is 5%, the Adjusted Index Change would be 5% on the Crediting Date; and
If the Index-Linked Interest Strategy has a Participation Rate, if the Index Change is 12% and the Participation Rate is 80%, the Adjusted Index Change would be 9.6% on the Crediting Date.
This may result in you earning less than the Index Change.
For investments in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, the Buffer will limit negative returns on a Crediting Date (e.g., limited protection in the case of market decline). For example:
If the Index Change is -25% and the Buffer is 10%, the Adjusted Index Change would be -15% (the amount that the Index Change exceeds the Buffer) on the Crediting Date. In the case of an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method, the Buffer will apply to the performance of the Index each Contract Year during the Crediting Period.
Each Index is a price return index, not a total return index, and therefore does not reflect dividends paid on the securities composing the Index. This will reduce the Index Change and will cause the Index to underperform a direct investment in the securities composing the Index.
|
||||
| What Are the Risks Related to the Insurance Company? | An investment in the Contract is subject to the risks related to the Company. The Company is solely responsible to the Contract owner for the Account Value and the guaranteed benefits. The general obligations including the Fixed Interest Strategy and Index-Linked Interest Strategies under the Contract are supported by our general account and are subject to our claims paying ability. An owner should look solely to our financial strength for our claims-paying ability. More information about the Company, including our financial strength ratings, may be obtained at [https://www.fglife.com/about].
|
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT - OUR FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND CLAIMS-PAYING ABILITY | ||
|
RESTRICTIONS |
Location in Prospectus | |||
| Are There Restrictions on the Investment Options? | Yes. You cannot transfer out of an Index-Linked Interest Strategy to another Investment Option prior to the Crediting Date. If you do not want to remain invested in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy until Crediting Date, your only options are to make withdrawals out of the Index-Linked Interest Strategy or surrender the Contract. The amount you would receive would be subject to Contract Adjustments, and may be subject to surrender charges, taxes and tax penalties. |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES | ||
12
Table of Contents
| At least 30 days prior to the end of a Crediting Period, we will send written notice with instructions for how you can obtain the Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates that we have established by that time for the next Crediting Period. We can change the Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates for each Crediting Period, subject to the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate, the Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rate and the Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate, respectively. There is no guarantee that any particular Index-Linked Interest Strategy will be available for the entire time that you own your Contract. We may add or remove an Index or an Index-Linked Interest Strategy during the time that you own the Contract. Therefore, an Index-Linked Interest Strategy may not be available for you to invest your Strategy Account Value after a Crediting Date. We reserve the right to stop offering all but one Index-Linked Interest Strategy (the S&P 500® Index with a 1-Year Crediting Period, Buffer Rate of 10% and a Cap). We have the right to substitute an alternative index prior to the Crediting Date if the Index is discontinued, if there is a substantial change in the calculation of the Index, if the fees to use an Index substantially increase, or if hedging instruments become difficult to acquire or the cost of hedging becomes excessive. If we substitute an index for an existing Index-Linked Interest Strategy during a Crediting Period, we will not change the Buffer and the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate for the Crediting Period. We would select a new Index that is similar to the old Index based on factors such as asset class, Index composition, strategy or methodology inherent to the Index and Index liquidity. |
||||
| Are There Any Restrictions on Contract Benefits? | Yes.
Withdrawals will reduce the death benefit, perhaps by more than the amount withdrawn.
The death benefit is not payable during the Income Phase and will terminate without value as of the Maturity Date.
The waiver of surrender charges for impairment, nursing home confinement and terminal illness are not available until after the first Contract Anniversary.
|
BENEFITS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACT DEATH BENEFIT FEES, CHARGES AND ADJUSTMENTS | ||
|
TAXES |
Location in Prospectus | |||
| What are the Contracts Tax Implications? | You should consult with a tax professional to determine the tax implications of an investment in, and payments received under, the Contract. There is no additional tax benefit to you if the Contract is purchased through a tax-qualified plan or individual retirement account (IRA). Withdrawals will be subject to ordinary income tax and may be subject to tax penalties. Generally, you are not taxed until you make a withdrawal from the Contract. | TAXES | ||
13
Table of Contents
|
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST |
Location in Prospectus | |||
| How are Investment Professionals Compensated? | Some financial professionals may receive compensation for selling the Contract to you, both in the form of commissions or in the form of contribution-based compensation. Financial professionals may also receive additional compensation for enhanced marketing opportunities and other services (commonly referred to as marketing allowances). This conflict of interest may influence the financial professional to recommend this Contract over another investment.
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - DISTRIBUTION | ||
| Should I Exchange My Contract? | Some financial professionals may have a financial incentive to offer a new contract in place of the one you already own. You should only exchange your Contract if you determine, after comparing the features, fees, and risks of both contracts, that it is preferable to purchase the new contract rather than continue to own your existing Contract. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - DISTRIBUTION | ||
14
Table of Contents
The following tables describe the fees, expenses, and adjustments that you will pay when buying, owning, and surrendering or making Withdrawals from an Investment Option or from the Contract. Please refer to your contract specifications page for information about the specific fees you will pay each year based on the options you have elected.
The first table describes fees and expenses that you will pay at the time that you buy the Contract, surrender or make Withdrawals from an Investment Option or from the Contract, or transfer Contract Value between Investment Options. Charges designed to approximate certain taxes that may be imposed on us, such as premium taxes in your state, may also apply.
| Transaction Expenses |
| |||
| Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of purchase payments) |
None | |||
| Surrender Charge (as a percentage of the amount withdrawn)(1) |
7.00% | |||
| Transfer Fee |
None | |||
| (1) | The charge percentage is deducted upon a withdrawal of amounts in excess of the free withdrawal amount. The free withdrawal amount during the first Contract Year is 10% of your Premium payment. The free withdrawal amount for each of the following five Contract Years is 10% of your Account Value on the immediately preceding Contract Anniversary. Important exceptions and limitations may eliminate or reduce this charge. For a complete description of charges, please see FEES, CHARGES AND ADJUSTMENTS SURRENDER CHARGES in the prospectus. |
The next table describes the adjustments, in addition to any transaction expenses, that apply if all or a portion of the Contract Value is removed from an Investment Option or from the Contract before the expiration of a specified period.
| Adjustments | ||
| Maximum Potential Loss Due to Contract Adjustments |
100% | |
| (1) | We apply Contract Adjustments to determine your Strategy Interim Value for your Index-Linked Interest Strategies if you surrender your Contract, take a withdrawal, annuitize or if a death benefit is paid from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy prior to the Crediting Date or, prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, on a Crediting Date. The actual amount of the Strategy Interim Value calculation is determined using a formula that takes into account (i) an Equity Adjustment to your Strategy Base Value based on the value of a specific set of hypothetical derivatives; and (ii) an Asset Adjustment to your Strategy Base Value based on the Bloomberg US Aggregate Yield to Worst Index to account for changes in interest rates that impact the value of the fixed income assets supporting your Contract. If you surrender your Contract, take a withdrawal, annuitize or if a death benefit is paid from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy prior to the Crediting Date, the Buffer will not apply. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES STRATEGY ACCOUNT VALUE for more information. |
15
Table of Contents
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT
The risks identified below are the principal risks of investing in the Contract. The Contract may be subject to additional risks other than those identified and described in this prospectus. You should carefully consider the following factors, in addition to the matters set forth elsewhere in this prospectus, prior to purchasing the Contract.
MARKET RISK AND RISK OF LOSS IN INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES
An investment in this Contract is subject to the risk of poor investment performance of the Index-Linked Interest Strategies to which you have allocated Account Value. You can lose money by investing in this Contract, including loss of principal and/or prior earnings. While limited protection from losses is provided under your Contract through a Buffer, you bear some level of the risk of decline in your Account Value resulting from the performance of the Index-Linked Interest Strategies and the risk of losses may be significant. Under extreme circumstances, at the end of a Crediting Period, you could lose up to 90% of your investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 10% Buffer and up to 80% of your investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 20% Buffer. If you select an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method, the Buffer Percentage applies each Contract Year during the Crediting Period, and at the end of a Crediting Period you could lose significantly more due to compounding annual losses. We reserve the right to stop offering all but one Index-Linked Interest Strategy (the S&P 500® Index with a 1-Year Crediting Period, Buffer of 10% and a Cap Rate). If you take a Withdrawal from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy prior to the Crediting Date, it will be based on the Strategy Interim Value and the Buffer will not apply. See Early Withdrawal and Liquidity Risk, below.
An investment in the Contract is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
EARLY WITHDRAWAL AND LIQUIDITY RISK
The Contract is intended to be a long-term investment that you may use to help save for retirement. The Contract is not suitable as a short-term investment. If you take withdrawals from your Contract during the Surrender Charge Period, surrender charges and Contract Adjustments may apply. In addition, if you make withdrawals from the Contract before you attain age 591⁄2, the amounts you withdraw may also be subject to a 10% additional federal tax. This Contract may not be appropriate for you if you expect to take withdrawals that will be subject to surrender charges, Contract Adjustments or additional federal taxes.
You can transfer Account Value among the Index-Linked Interest Strategies and the Fixed Interest Strategy only at the end of a Crediting Period, which may be as long as six years. This restricts your ability to react to changes in market conditions during Crediting Period. You should consider whether the inability to reallocate Account Value during a Crediting Period meets your financial needs. We must receive your transfer request at least two Business Days prior to the end of a Crediting Period. If we do not receive a transfer request, no transfers will occur and your then existing allocation will remain in place for the next Crediting Period. This will occur even if the Index, Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate associated with the Index-Linked Interest Strategy has changed since you last selected the Index-Linked Interest Strategy. Under such circumstances, the Index-Linked Interest Strategy may no longer be appropriate for your investment goals. If you fail to transfer Strategy Account Value at the beginning of a Crediting Period and do not wish to remain invested in a particular Index-Linked Interest Strategy for the remainder of the Crediting Period, your only option will be to surrender the related Strategy Account Value.
Surrendering all or withdrawing a portion of your Account Value may cause you to incur surrender charges, negative Contract Adjustments based on the Strategy Interim Value of the Index-Linked Interest Strategy, and negative tax consequences. If you withdraw Account Value allocated to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy prior to the end of a Crediting Period (including through a repetitive withdrawal) or, during the first six Contract
16
Table of Contents
Years, on a Crediting Date, the withdrawal will cause a reduction to your Strategy Base Value. If you take a withdrawal from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy prior to a Crediting Date or on a Crediting Date prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, in extreme circumstances, you could lose up to 100% of the amount withdrawn due to negative Contract Adjustments (i.e., a complete loss of your Premium and any prior earnings).
When you take such a withdrawal, your Strategy Base Value will be immediately reduced in a proportion equal to the reduction in your Strategy Account Value. A proportional reduction could be larger than the dollar amount of your withdrawal. Reductions to your Strategy Base Value will negatively impact your Strategy Account Value for the remainder of the Crediting Period and may result in a lower amount of Index-Linked Interest being credited, if any, at the end of the Crediting Period.
Once your Strategy Base Value is reduced due to a withdrawal, there is no way under the Contract to increase your Strategy Base Value during the remainder of the Crediting Period. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIESImpact of Withdrawals from Index-Linked Interest Strategies for additional information about how withdrawals affect your Strategy Account Values.
Withdrawals could significantly reduce the minimum death benefit by an amount greater than the value withdrawn, because your Premium will be reduced in proportion to reductions in your Account Value.
See Interim Value Risk below for information on how early withdrawal risks relate to our Interim Value calculation.
We may defer payments made under this Contract for up to six months if the applicable insurance regulatory authority approves such deferral.
RISK OF LOSS RELATED TO SURRENDER CHARGES
There is a risk of loss of principal and previously-credited Index-Linked Interest if you take a withdrawal from your Contract or surrender it during the first six Contract Years when we will deduct a surrender charge. This risk exists even if you are invested in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Index that is performing positively as of the date of your withdrawal.
INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGY RISK
An investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy is not an investment in the Index or in the securities tracked by the Index. Your investment in the Index-Linked Interest Strategies is subject to the risk of poor performance and can vary depending on the performance of the underlying Indices. Each Index-Linked Interest Strategy will have its own unique risks, and you should review the available Index-Linked Interest Strategies carefully before making an investment decision. When you invest in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, you will be exposed to certain risks, including the following:
Index Risk
If you allocate money to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period, the value of your investment will depend in part on the performance of the applicable Index or Indexes. The performance of an Index is based on changes in the values of the securities or other instruments that comprise or define the Index. The securities and instruments comprising or defining the Indexes are subject to a variety of investment risks, many of which are complicated and interrelated. These risks may affect capital markets generally, specific market segments, or specific issuers. The performance of the Indexes may fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Negative Index performance may cause you to lose money on your investment in the Contract. The historical performance of an Index or an Index-Linked Interest Strategy does not guarantee future results. It is impossible to predict whether an Index will perform positively or negatively over the course of a Crediting Period.
17
Table of Contents
While it is not possible to invest directly in an Index, if you choose to allocate amounts to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, you are indirectly exposed to the investment risks associated with the applicable Index. Because each Index is comprised or defined by a collection of securities, each Index is largely exposed to market risk and issuer risk.
You may earn less than the positive return of an Index due to the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate applicable to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, because any positive return of the Index is subject to a maximum in the form of the Cap Rate or Performance Trigger Rate, and a Participation Rate may be below 100%. Your returns may be lower than those earned by a shareholder of a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to track the same Index.
Market risk is the risk that market fluctuations may cause the value of a security to fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Issuer risk is the risk that the value of an issuers securities may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer, as opposed to the market generally.
Provided below is a summary of other important investment risks to which the Indexes are exposed. For more information on the Indexes, see ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIESIndexes.
| | S&P 500® Index. The S&P 500® Index is comprised of equity securities issued by large-capitalization U.S. companies. In general, large-capitalization companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, and may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies. |
| | Russell 2000® Index. The Russell 2000® Index is comprised of equity securities of small-capitalization U.S. companies. In general, the securities of small-capitalization companies may be more volatile and may involve more risk than the securities of larger companies. Small-capitalization companies are more likely to fail than larger companies. |
| |
Nasdaq-100® Index. The Nasdaq-100® Index is comprised of equity securities of the largest U.S. and non-U.S. companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, including companies across all major industry groups except financial companies. In general, large-capitalization companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges and may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies. To the extent that the Nasdaq-100® Index is comprised of securities issued by companies in a particular sector, those securities may not perform as well as the securities of companies in other sectors or the market as a whole. Also, any securities issued by non-U.S. companies (including related depositary receipts) are subject to the risks related to investments in foreign markets (e.g., increased volatility; changing currency exchange rates; and greater political, regulatory, and economic uncertainty). |
| | MSCI EAFE Index. The MSCI EAFE Index is an equity index that captures large and mid-cap representation across developed markets around the world. The securities comprising the MSCI EAFE Price Return Index are subject to the risks related to investments in foreign markets (e.g. increased price volatility; changing currency exchange rates; and greater political, regulatory, and economic uncertainty). In general, foreign markets may be less liquid, more volatile, and subject to less government supervision than domestic markets. |
| | Hindsight 20/20 Index-Linked Interest Strategy. The Index-Linked Interest Strategy is linked to the performance of the BofA MP Growth Index, the BofA MP Balanced Index or the BofA Defensive Index (together, the BofA MP Indices). The Company determines the performance of the Hindsight 20/20 Index-Linked Interest Strategy based on whichever of the BofA MP Indices has performed best during the applicable Crediting Period. |
Each of the BofA MP Indices follows a rules-based methodology designed to provide exposure to four markets: U.S. large-capitalization companies, U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. high yield corporate bonds, and
18
Table of Contents
gold. To provide such exposure, each BofA MP Index is comprised of four ETFs providing exposure to those four markets, respectively: SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY); iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF); iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG); and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). The target weightings for the ETFs differ among the BofA MP Indices based on their respective growth, balanced, and defensive methodologies. Notwithstanding the names of the BofA MP Indices, there is no assurance that any of their methodologies will achieve growth, balance, or defensiveness, enhance performance or reduce risk. Moreover, the Indices may underperform a direct investment in the underlying ETFs.
Risks relating to the BofA MP Indices
| | The BofA MP Indices may not be successful or outperform any alternative strategy. Each BofA MP Index follow a rules-based strategy that operates on the basis of pre-determined rules. No assurance can be given that the strategy will be successful or that any BofA MP Index will outperform any alternative strategy that might be employed. Each BofA MP Index strategy may have objectives, features and/or constituents that are similar to those of other indices or for which other underlying components may be better suited to achieve the stated objective. Each BofA MP Index operates independently and does not necessarily enhance, modify or seek to outperform any other BofA MP Index. Each BofA MP Index is not itself an investment or instrument and does not give any person any entitlement to, or ownership interest in, any underlying asset referenced (directly or indirectly) by such index. |
| | Limited Operating History. The BofA MP Indices were established on February 7, 2023, and therefore each has a limited operating history. Past performance should not be considered indicative of future performance. No assurance, representation or warranty is given with respect to the future performance of any BofA MP Index or that it will achieve its objective. |
| | Interactions between underlying ETFs. Changes in the values of the underlying ETFs may not result in a comparable change in the value of each BofA MP Index. Because the underlying ETF weights are set at each rebalancing date in accordance with the pre-determined allocation for the applicable strategy, movements in the value of the underlying ETF will not affect each Index equally. Also, although the weights are rebalanced on a quarterly basis, in between rebalancings the value of each underlying ETF may fluctuate significantly and as a result the weights will vary. Performance of the underlying ETFs may become highly correlated from time to time, including periods in which there is a substantial decline in the assets represented by one or more underlying ETFs. High correlation between underlying ETFs during periods of negative returns could have a materially adverse effect on the performance of each BofA MP Index. Price movements between the underlying ETFs may not correlate with each other. At a time when the value of an underlying ETF increases, the value of other underlying ETFs may not increase as much or may decline. Therefore, increases in the values of some of the underlying ETFs may be moderated, or more than offset, by lesser increases or declines in the values of other Underlying ETFs. |
When you select a Hindsight 20/20 Index-Linked Interest Strategy for investment, you are exposed to the investment risks of the four ETFs that comprise the BofA MP Indexes, such as the following:
Primary Market Exposures
| | Equity Risk. Equity securities (e.g., common stocks) are subject to changes in value. The values of equity securities may be volatile and can be influenced by a number of factors, such as changes in (or perceived changes in) general capital markets, specific market segments, or specific issuers, and factors such as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates, perceived trends in securities prices, war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious disease or other public health issues. |
| | Fixed Income Risk. Fixed income instruments (e.g., bonds) are subject to investment risks such as interest rate risk (i.e., negative fluctuations in market value due to changes in interest rates) and credit risk (i.e., the risk of default by the obligors). The market price of a fixed income instrument can be |
19
Table of Contents
| volatile and influenced by a number of factors, particularly its duration, yield as compared to current market interest rates, and the actual or perceived credit quality of the issuer. |
| | Commodity Related Risk. The price of gold has fluctuated widely over the past several years. Several factors may affect the price of gold, including global gold supply and demand; global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations; investors expectations with respect to the rate of inflation; interest rates; investment and trading activities of hedge funds and commodity funds; and other economic variables. The possibility of large-scale distress sales of gold in times of crisis may have a negative impact on the price of gold. There is a risk that some or all of the gold bars held by the Custodian or any subcustodian on behalf of the GLD ETF could be lost, damaged or stolen and the value of the GLD ETF could diminish materially. |
| | Government Bond Risk. The prices of government bonds are significantly influenced by the creditworthiness of the governments that issue them. Any decline or perceived decline in a governments creditworthiness, as a result of a credit rating downgrade or otherwise, may cause the prices of that governments bonds to fall, perhaps significantly, and may cause increased volatility in local or global credit markets. In recent years, U.S. rating agencies have downgraded the creditworthiness and/or assigned negative outlooks to the U.S. and may do so again in the future. |
| | High Yield Securities Risk. Securities that are rated below investment-grade (commonly referred to as junk bonds, which may include those bonds rated below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch, or below Baa3 by Moodys), or are unrated, may be deemed speculative, may involve greater levels of risk than higher-rated securities of similar maturity and may be more likely to default. |
| | Large-Capitalization Company Risk. In general, large-capitalization companies may be less able than smaller-capitalization companies to adapt to changing market conditions. Large-capitalization companies may be more mature and subject to more limited growth potential compared with smaller-capitalization companies. During different market cycles, the performance of large-capitalization companies has trailed the overall performance of the broader securities markets. |
Additional ETF Investment Risks
| | Concentration Risk. An ETF may be susceptible to an increased risk of loss, including losses due to adverse events that affect the ETFs investments more than the market as a whole, to the extent that the ETFs investments are concentrated in the securities and/or other assets of a particular issuer or issuers, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector, market segment or asset class. The ETF may be more adversely affected by the underperformance of those securities and/or other assets, may experience increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political, sustainability-related or regulatory occurrences affecting those securities and/or other assets than a fund that does not concentrate its investments. |
| | Issuer Business and Credit Risks. The performance of the ETF depends on the performance of individual securities to which the ETF has exposure. The ETF may be adversely affected if an issuer of underlying securities held by the ETF is unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due. Any issuer of these securities may perform poorly, causing the value of its securities to decline. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, changes in technology, expiration of patent protection, disruptions in supply, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, credit deterioration of the issuer or other factors. Changes to the financial condition or credit rating of an issuer of those securities may cause the value of the securities to decline. An issuer may also be subject to risks associated with the countries, states and regions in which the issuer resides, invests, sells products, or otherwise conducts operations. |
| | Market Trading Risks. Each ETF faces numerous market trading risks, including the potential lack of an active market for fund shares, losses from trading in secondary markets, periods of high volatility, and disruptions in the creation/redemption process. Any of these factors, among others, may lead to an ETFs shares trading at a premium or discount to net asset value. |
20
Table of Contents
| | Passive Strategy/Index Risk. The ETFs are not actively managed. Rather, they each attempt to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities, or, in the case of GLD, the value of a commodity. This differs from an actively managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index. As a result, the ETFs will hold constituent securities of the respective indices they track regardless of the current or projected performance of a specific security or a particular industry or market sector, and in the case of GLD, the ETF will invest solely in gold. Maintaining investments in securities regardless of market conditions or the performance of individual securities could cause the ETFs returns to be lower than if they employed an active strategy. |
| | Tracking Risk. While the ETFs are intended to track the performance of their respective indexes as closely as possible (i.e., to achieve a high degree of correlation with the index), their returns may not match or achieve a high degree of correlation with the return of the indices due to expenses and transaction costs incurred in adjusting their portfolios. In addition, it is possible that an ETF may not always fully replicate the performance of the index due to the unavailability of certain securities in the secondary market or due to other extraordinary circumstances (e.g., if trading in a security has been halted). The HYG ETF uses a representative sampling indexing strategy and does not fully replicate its underlying index and may hold securities not included in its underlying index. As a result, the ETF is subject to the risk that the HYGs investment strategy, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results. |
In addition, because the performance of each of the BofA MP Indices is reduced by the provider of the Index by a negative adjustment to the performance of three of the four underlying ETFs (SPY, IEF, and HYG), the performance of the BofA MP Indices will underperform the performance of the ETFs which comprise the BofA MP Indices. In each case, the underlying ETFs daily performance is reduced by an annualized percentage. The annualized reduction for SPY, IEF, and HYG is 2.0%, 1.0%, and 5.0%, respectively. This negative adjustment is intended to approximate the dividend yield in respect of each ETF based on average dividends over the history of the indices that the ETFs seek to track so that the BofA MP Indices approximate the price return of the indexes tracked by each underlying ETF. While these negative performance adjustments are not charges under your Contract, they reduce the performance of each BofA MP Index and may therefore negatively impact the performance of your Contract if you choose to invest in the Hindsight 20/20 Index-Linked Interest Strategy.
The S&P 500® Index, The Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100® Index and the MSCI EAFE Index are price return indexes, not total return indexes, meaning the Index Change does not include any dividends or other distributions paid by the component companies. As discussed above, the performance of the BofA MP Indices is reduced by a negative adjustment to the performance of three of the four underlying total return ETFs to approximate returns without dividends or distributions paid by the component companies, in other words, the price return. This will reduce each Indexs Index performance and will cause the Index to underperform a direct investment in the companies included in the Index. The Indexes that include non-U.S. companies use exchange rate methodologies that may impact an Indexs performance. These considerations may negatively impact the performance of your Index-Linked Interest Strategies.
Point to Point Index Change Calculation Risk
We calculate the Index Change by comparing the value of the Index between two specific points in time, the beginning of the first day of the Crediting Period and the Crediting Date, which means the performance of the Index may be negative or flat even if the Index performed positively for some or most of the time periods between those two specific points in time. This is true even for Index-Linked Interest Strategies with Crediting Periods that are multiple years in length.
Limiting Positive Index Change Risk
If you choose to allocate amounts to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Cap Rate or a Performance Trigger Rate, the highest possible Adjusted Index Change that you may achieve is limited by the Cap Rate or
21
Table of Contents
Performance Trigger Rate. The Cap Rate or Performance Trigger Rate therefore limits the positive Index-Linked Interest, if any, that may be credited to your Contract for a given Crediting Period. Cap Rates do not guarantee a certain amount of Index-Linked Interest. The Adjusted Index Change for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy may be less than the positive return of the Index. This is because any positive return of the Index is subject to a maximum in the form of a Cap Rate or Performance Trigger Rate. Cap Rates and Performance Trigger Rates for Index-Linked Interest Strategies with Crediting Periods of longer than one year are for the entire Crediting Period and are not annualized except for Index-Linked Interest Strategies with an Annual Lock Crediting Method.
If you choose to allocate amounts to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Participation Rate, the Participation Rate may limit your participation in a positive Index Change. The Participation Rate for a new Crediting Period may be higher, lower or the same as the previous Crediting Period. A lower Participation Rate will reduce the amount of positive Index Change that is reflected in the Indexed-Linked Interest at the end of the Crediting Period. You risk the possibility, subject to the Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate, that the Participation Rate declared for a new Crediting Period may limit your Index-Linked Interest Strategy returns. The Participation Rate applies for the entire Crediting Period, even when the Crediting Period is longer than one year. For example, if you invest in a six-year Crediting Period with a Participation Rate, regardless of how the Index performs over the course of that six year period, the Participation Rate will not be adjusted. The Participation Rate is applied to the Index Change for the entire Crediting Period, not on an annual basis.
We set the Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates in our discretion. You bear the risk that we will not set the Cap Rates higher than the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate, that we will not set the Performance Trigger Rates higher than the Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rate or that we will not set the Participation Rates higher than the Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate.
The Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates for the initial Crediting Period will be disclosed to you at the time you apply for a Contract and will be no lower for 30 days thereafter. If your Contract is issued after that 30 day period, the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate for any Index-Linked Interest Strategy to which you have allocated Premium will be based on our then-current rates, which you will not know until the Effective Date of your Contract. If those rates are lower on the Effective Date of your Contract than at the time of your application and you are dissatisfied with those rates, you may cancel your Contract within 30 days and have the amount of your Premium, or your Account Value (based on your Strategy Interim Values), if greater, returned to you without any surrender charges. There may be tax consequences when you cancel your Contract. Please consult with your tax advisor.
Changes to the Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rate, if any, occur at the beginning of the next Crediting Period. We will send written notice at least 30 days prior to each Crediting Period instructing you how to obtain the Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates that we have established by that time for the next Crediting Period. You do not have the right to reject any new Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates or Participation Rates for the next Crediting Period. If you do not like a new Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate for a particular Index-Linked Interest Strategy, at the end of the current Crediting Period, you may transfer your Strategy Account Value to another Index-Linked Interest Strategy or to the Fixed Interest Strategy without charge. If you are invested in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy during a Crediting Period and do not submit a transfer request to us at least two Business Days prior to the end of the Crediting Period, we will continue your investment in that Index-Linked Interest Strategy for another Crediting Period. If we are not offering the same Index-Linked Interest Strategy for another Crediting Period and you fail to instruct us how to reallocate that portion of your Account Value at the end of the Crediting Period, we will automatically transfer the entire amount of your Account Value allocated to that Index-Linked Interest Strategy to the Fixed Interest Strategy at the end of the Crediting Period. Once invested for a new Crediting Period, that portion of your Account Value and any interest earned thereon will remain in the Index-Linked Interest Strategy or Fixed Interest Strategy to which you were automatically allocated for the entire new Crediting Period under terms that may be less favorable than under the prior Index-Linked Interest Strategy.
22
Table of Contents
If you do not want to invest in any Investment Option under the Contract, your only option will be to surrender your Contract. Surrendering your Contract may cause you to incur surrender charges and may have negative tax consequences. If you surrender your Contract during a Crediting period, your payment will be based on the Strategy Interim Values of the Index-Linked Interest Strategies in which you are invested. If you surrender your Contract on a Crediting Date during the first six Contract Years, your payment will be based on Strategy Account Values that include the Asset Adjustment.
Possibility of Losses Despite Limits on Negative Index Change Risk
When you allocate money to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, you are not investing in the associated Index, or in any securities or other instruments included in that Index. If you allocate money to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, Index fluctuations may cause the Index Change to be negative even after the application of the Buffer. This would reduce your Strategy Account Value. Any portion of your Account Value allocated to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy will benefit from the protection afforded under the Buffer only for that Crediting Period. Buffers for Index-Linked Interest Strategies with Crediting Periods of longer than one year are for the entire Crediting Period and are not annualized except for Index-Linked Interest Strategies with an Annual Lock Crediting Method.
You assume the risk that you will incur a loss and that the amount of the loss will be significant. The Buffer protects you against losses only on a Crediting Date, and only up to the percentage stated, and you will bear any loss in excess of the Buffer. For example, if you invest in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 10% Buffer, you may lose up to 90% of your investment and if you invest in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 20% Buffer, you may lose up to 80% of your investment. If you select an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method, you could lose more than 90% of your investment in the case of an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Buffer of 10% or more than 80% of your investment in the case of an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Buffer of 20%. You also bear the risk that sustained negative Index Change may result in zero or negative Index-Linked Interest being credited to your Strategy Account Value over multiple Crediting Period. If an Index-Linked Interest Strategy is credited with negative Index-Linked Interest for multiple Crediting Periods, the cumulative loss may exceed the stated limit of the Buffer for any single Crediting Period. The Buffer for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy will not change while we continue to offer that Index-Linked Interest Strategy.
If you choose to allocate amounts to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy, Index-Linked Interest will not be credited to your Account Value until the end of the Crediting Period. This means that amounts withdrawn prior to the end of a Crediting Period will not be credited with Index-Linked Interest. This includes Account Value applied to pay a death benefit or to an annuity payout option. Your Strategy Interim Value is the amount available for withdrawals, surrenders, annuitization and death benefits on any day other than the end of a Crediting Period. You should consider the risk that the Strategy Interim Value could be less than your original investment (including previously credited interest) even when the applicable Index is performing positively. You could lose up to your entire Strategy Account Value in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy due to use of the Strategy Interim Value.
If you take a withdrawal from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method prior to the end of the Crediting Period, your withdrawal will be based on the Strategy Interim Value on the date of the withdrawal, and not the gains or losses locked in for the completed Contract Years during the Crediting Period. An Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method is not appropriate for investors who intend to take withdrawals during the Crediting Period.
We determine the Strategy Interim Value by applying a formula which is not directly tied to the actual performance of the applicable Index. Instead, on each Business Day, we calculate the Strategy Interim Value by applying adjustments to your Strategy Base Value. The adjustments are comprised of two components: (1) an
23
Table of Contents
Equity Adjustment based on the value of a specific set of hypothetical derivatives; and (2) an Asset Adjustment that tracks changes in interest rates based on the Bloomberg US Aggregate Yield to Worst Index. The Asset Adjustment accounts for changes in interest rates that impact the value of the fixed income assets supporting your Contract. This means that even if the Index Change is positive, it is possible that the Strategy Interim Value may not have increased. Additionally, on any Crediting Date prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, your Strategy Interim Value will be determined by applying an Asset Adjustment to the Strategy Base Value (after we credit Index-Linked Interest, if any, for the Crediting Period that ends on that Crediting Date. The Equity Adjustment and the Asset Adjustment are intended to protect us when you make a withdrawal from your Contract. These values provide us with protection from the trading risk that we will have to incur and/or reflect changes in the Strategy Account Value of each Index-Linked Interest Strategy throughout the Crediting Period, including on the Crediting Date. You bear the investment risk of taking such withdrawals.
On any day, if you wish to obtain your Strategy Interim Value, you may contact our Home Office. Your Strategy Interim Value is calculated at the end of each Business Day and may be more or less than the value quoted.
Risk that We May Eliminate or Substitute an Index
There is no guarantee that any particular index underlying an Index-Linked Interest Strategy will be available for the entire duration that you own your Contract. We may replace an Index if it is discontinued, if there is a substantial change in the calculation of the Index, if the fees to use an Index substantially increase, or if hedging instruments become difficult to acquire or the cost of hedging becomes excessive. If we substitute an Index, the performance of the new Index may differ from the original Index. This may negatively affect the Index-Linked Interest that you earn during that Crediting Period, and you may earn less Index-Linked Interest than if we continued to use the original Index for the entire Crediting Period. We may replace an Index at any time during a Crediting Period, however, we will notify you in writing 30 days prior to replacing an Index. If we replace an Index, this does not cause a change in the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate, Participation Rate or Buffer. You will have no right to reject the replacement of an Index, and you will not be permitted to transfer Strategy Account Values until the end of a Crediting Period even if we replace the Index during the Crediting Period. The new Index and the replaced Index (which you may have previously chosen) will likely not be identical with respect to their component securities or other instruments, although we will select a new Index that is similar to the old Index based on factors such as asset class, Index composition, strategy or methodology inherent to the Index and Index liquidity. We will not substitute any Index until the new Index has received any necessary regulatory approvals. At the end of the Crediting Period, you may transfer your Strategy Account Value to another Index-Linked Interest Strategy or to the Fixed Interest Strategy without charge. If you do not want to remain invested in the relevant Index-Linked Interest Strategy for the remainder of the Crediting Period, your only option will be to withdraw the related Strategy Account Value, which may cause you to incur surrender charges, the use of Strategy Interim Values to determine certain values under your Contract, and negative tax consequences.
You should evaluate whether our ability to make the changes described above, and your ability to react to such changes, are appropriate based on your investment goals. When such changes occur, you should also evaluate whether those changes are appropriate based on your investment goals and, if not, you should evaluate your options under the Contract, which may be limited and may have negative consequences associated with them, as described in this section.
Risk that We May Eliminate an Index-Linked Interest Strategy
There is no guarantee that any particular Index-Linked Interest Strategy will be available for the entire duration that you own your Contract. We may add or remove an Index or an Index-Linked Interest Strategy during the time that you own the Contract. We will not add any Index or Index-Linked Interest Strategy until the new Index or Index-Linked Interest Strategy has received any necessary regulatory approval. Any addition, substitution, or removal of an Index-Linked Interest Strategy or Index will be communicated to you in writing. If we add or remove an Index (as opposed to replacing an Index), the changes will not be effective for your Contract until the
24
Table of Contents
start of the next Crediting Period. Adding, replacing or removing an Index does not cause a change in the Buffer for the applicable Index-Linked Interest Strategy. Any new Index-Linked Interest Strategy will have a new Cap Rate of at least the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate of at least the Guaranteed Minimum Trigger Rate or Participation Rate of at least the Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate, and a Buffer of at least 10%.
We reserve the right to stop offering all but one of the Index-Linked Interest Strategies offered under this Contract. If we stop offering these strategies, you will be limited to investing in one Index-Linked Interest Strategy (the S&P 500® Index with a 1-Year Crediting Period, Buffer Rate of 10% and a Cap). At that time, you may choose to surrender your Contract, but you may be subject to surrender charges, asset adjustment charges, taxes, and tax penalties, and if you purchase another retirement vehicle, it may have different features, fees, and risks than this Contract.
You should evaluate whether our ability to make the changes described above, and your ability to react to such changes, are appropriate based on your investment goals. When such changes occur, you should also evaluate whether those changes are appropriate based on your investment goals and, if not, you should evaluate your options under the Contract, which may be limited and may have negative consequences associated with them, as described in this section.
The effective annual interest rate for any Crediting Period will never be lower than 0.15%. The effective annual interest rate represents the rate of daily compounded interest over a 12-month period. You bear the risk that we will never declare an interest rate for the Fixed Interest Strategy higher than the guaranteed minimum interest rate. See INVESTMENT OPTIONS - Fixed Interest Strategy for additional details.
OUR FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND CLAIMS-PAYING ABILITY
Our General Account assets support the guarantees under the Contract and are subject to the claims of our creditors. As such, the guarantees under the Contract are subject to our financial strength and claims-paying ability. There is a risk that we may default on those guarantees. The assets in the Separate Account are also subject to our creditors. You should consider our financial strength and claims-paying ability in meeting the guarantees under the Contract.
CYBER SECURITY AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY RISKS
We rely heavily on interconnected computer systems and digital data to conduct our annuity business activities. Because our annuity business is highly dependent upon the effective operation of our computer systems and those of our business partners, our business is potentially vulnerable to disruptions from utility outages and other problems, and susceptible to operational and information security risks resulting from information systems failure (hardware and software malfunctions) and cyber-attacks. These risks include, among other things, the theft, misuse, corruption and destruction of data maintained online or digitally, and unauthorized release of confidential customer information. For instance, cyber-attacks may: interfere with our processing of Contract transactions, including the processing of orders from our website; cause the release and possible destruction of confidential customer or business information; impede order processing; subject us and/or our service providers and intermediaries to regulatory fines and financial losses; and/or cause reputational damage. There may be an increased risk of cyberattacks during periods of geo-political or military conflict (such as Russias invasion of Ukraine and the resulting response by the United States and other countries).
Cyber security risks may also affect the Indexes. Breaches in cyber security may cause an Indexs performance to be incorrectly calculated, which could affect the calculation of values under the Contract. We are not responsible for the calculation of any Index. Breaches in cyber security may also negatively affect the value of the securities or other instruments that comprise or define the Indexes.
25
Table of Contents
We are also exposed to natural and man-made disasters and catastrophes, such as (but not limited to) storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, public health crises, geo-political disputes, military actions, malicious acts and terrorist acts, any of which could adversely affect our ability to conduct business. A natural or man-made disaster or catastrophe, including a pandemic (such as COVID-19), could affect the ability or willingness of our employees or the employees of our service providers to perform their job responsibilities and could result in the closure of one or more of our offices, or interruptions in mail delivery, telephone communications, or other electronic communications.
Although we use reasonable procedures, including recording all telephone instructions and requiring certain personal identification information to prevent unauthorized account access, we cannot assure you that telephone or Internet activity will be completely secure or free of delays or malfunctions. If we permit telephone or Internet transfers, you choose to make transfers by telephone or Internet, you are assuming the risk of loss that may occur despite our reasonable efforts to verify identity. We are not responsible for the negligence or wrongful acts of third parties.
ABOUT THE COMPANY AND HOW TO CONTACT US
Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company is an Iowa stock life insurance company. We offer annuities, life insurance products, pension risk transfer solutions and funding agreements and are licensed to do business in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and all states except New York.
Our obligations under the Contract (including the Index-Linked Interest Strategies, Fixed Interest Strategy, death benefits, income payments and other benefits available under the Contract) are obligations of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company and are subject to the Companys financial strength and claims-paying ability. Certain assets supporting the Index-Linked Interest Strategies are held in an uninsulated Separate Account, which, like the assets held in the Companys General Account, are subject to the claims of the Companys creditors. The Company is obligated to pay all amounts promised to investors under the Contracts.
We rely on the exemption from the reporting requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), provided by Rule 12h-7 under the 1934 Act with respect to registered non-variable insurance contracts (such as the Contract) that we issue.
F&Gs principal place of business is located at 801 Grand Ave., Suite 2600, Des Moines, IA 50309.
If you need more information, or you wish to submit a request, you should contact us at the following:
Service Center: For all written communications, general correspondence and other transactional requests, please contact us at:
F&G Service Center
P.O. Box 81497
Lincoln, NE 68501-1497
For Overnight Mail: F&G Service Center
777 Research Drive
Lincoln, NE 68521
We will not deem correspondence, including transactional requests including applications and Premium payments to be received by us until picked up at our Service Center.
Customer Service by Phone: 1-888-513-8797
Online Service: www.fglife.com
26
Table of Contents
This prospectus describes the Contract, which is an agreement between F&G and you, the Owner. The Contract is designed to help you invest on a tax-deferred basis and meet long-term financial goals, such as funding your retirement. Under the Contract we promise to pay an income in the form of annuity payments, beginning on the Maturity Date. A death benefit may also become payable upon your death. All payments under the Contract are subject to the terms and conditions in the Contract, which are described in this prospectus.
During the Accumulation Phase, you may access your money under the Contract by taking withdrawals of your Account Value. Withdrawals may be subject to surrender charges and withdrawals from your Strategy Account Values during a Crediting Period will be based on respective Strategy Interim Values. Withdrawals on a Crediting Date during the first six Contract Years will be based on Strategy Account Values that include the Asset Adjustment. During the Income Phase, we will pay guaranteed income in the form of annuity payments. The Contract also has a death benefit that may become payable during the Accumulation Phase. The death benefit is not payable during the Income Phase.
The Contract is available as a Non-Qualified Contract, which will provide you with certain tax deferral features under the Code. The Contract is also available as a Qualified Contract. If you purchase the Contract as a Qualified Contract, the Contract will not provide you tax deferral benefits in addition to those already provided by your IRA or Roth IRA.
This prospectus describes the material rights and obligations under the Contract. Certain provisions of the Contract may be different from the general description in this prospectus due to variations required by state law. For example, state law may require different right to examine provisions, and may impose different issue age limitations. The state in which your Contract is issued also governs whether or not certain options, or charges are available or will vary under your Contract. Please see Appendix B for a listing of material state variations. Any state variations will be included in your Contract or in riders or endorsements attached to your Contract. The Contract is not available in New York, Puerto Rico or any state in which we are licensed that has not approved the Contract for issuance.
You, as the Owner, may exercise all ownership rights under the Contract. The Contract must be issued prior to the Owner attaining age 81 (the maximum issue age).
Joint Owners: A Non-Qualified Contract can be owned by joint Owners. Each joint Owner has equal ownership rights and must exercise those rights jointly, unless both Owners direct us otherwise in writing. Only two Owners are allowed per Contract. If the Contract is owned by joint Owners, the signatures of both Owners are needed to exercise rights under the Contract, unless we are directed otherwise by both joint Owners in writing. An Owner who is a non-natural person (e.g., a corporation or trust) may not name a joint Owner.
You initially name the Annuitant and any joint Annuitant on your Contract application. This designation may be changed at any time prior to the Maturity Date by sending us a signed and dated written request. However, if the Contract is owned by a non-natural person (e.g., a corporation or trust), the Annuitant(s) may not be changed. Unless you specify otherwise, a change in Annuitant is effective as of the date you signed the notice of change. However, we are not responsible for any legitimate actions that we take under the Contract (including payments) prior to receiving the notice.
If you designate someone else as Annuitant, that person must not be older than the maximum issue age on the Contract Date.
27
Table of Contents
Only two Annuitants are allowed per Contract. Each Annuitant must be no older than the maximum issue age as of the Contract Date.
The Beneficiary is the person(s) or entity (or entities) that you designate to receive any death benefit paid under the Contract during the Accumulation Phase, as described in the section titled Death Benefit. You initially name the Beneficiary (or Beneficiaries) on your Contract application and you may change a Beneficiary at any time by sending us a signed and dated written request. If you have designated a Beneficiary as irrevocable, the Beneficiary must consent in writing to any change. A new Beneficiary designation revokes any prior designation and is effective when signed by you. We are not responsible for the validity of any Beneficiary designation or for any legitimate actions we may take under the Contract (including payments) prior to receiving a request to change a Beneficiary. After your death, the Beneficiary has the right to receive any death benefit payable under the Contract or to change the Payee for remaining annuity payments. Beneficiaries should notify us of your death as promptly as possible.
To the extent allowed by state law, we reserve the right to refuse our consent to any assignment at any time on a nondiscriminatory basis if the assignment would violate or result in noncompliance with any applicable state or federal law or regulation. You may request to assign or transfer your rights under the Contract by sending us a signed and dated request. We will not be bound by an assignment until we acknowledge it. If you assign your benefits, the death benefit amount may be adjusted. See the section titled Death Benefit.
Unless you specify otherwise, an assignment or transfer is effective as of the date you signed the notice of change. However, we are not responsible for any legitimate actions (including payments) that we take under the Contract prior to receiving the notice. We are not responsible for the validity of any assignment or transfer. To the extent allowed by law, payments under the Contract are not subject to legal process for the claims of creditors.
A Qualified Contract may not be assigned except as permitted by the Code.
28
Table of Contents
If you are younger than age 81, you may purchase the Contract by completing an application and submitting a minimum Premium payment of $25,000 through an authorized producer. Only one Premium payment is allowed under the Contract. For IRAs and Roth IRAs, because the minimum Premium payment we accept exceeds the annual contribution limits for IRAs and Roth IRAs, your Premium payment must include a Rollover Contribution.
We will not deem correspondence, including transactional inquiries including applications and Premium payments to be received by us until picked up at our Service Center address.
We reserve the right not to accept third-party checks. In some circumstances and at our discretion, we may accept third-party checks that are from a rollover or transfer from other financial institutions.
We reserve the right to refuse any Premium payment that exceeds $1.5 million and any Premium payment that, when aggregated with previous Premium payments made under other contracts issued by us, exceeds $1.5 million. Additionally, we reserve the right to refuse any Premium payment that does not meet our minimum Premium payment requirements, is not in good order, or is otherwise contrary to law for F&G to accept. In addition, we reserve the right to refuse any application. If we refuse your application, we will return your Premium payment to you.
Your application will not be considered to be in good order and your Contract will not be issued until your Premium payments from all sources have been received by us. The Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates for the initial Crediting Period will be disclosed to you at the time you apply for a Contract and will be no lower for 30 days thereafter. If your Contract is issued after that 30 day period, if the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate for any Index-Linked Interest Strategy to which you have allocated Premium is lower on the Effective Date of your Contract than it was at the time of your application, you may cancel your contract within 30 days and have the amount of your Premium, or your Account Value (which will be the Strategy Interim Value) if greater, returned to you without any surrender charges. See Right to Examine, below.
ALLOCATING YOUR PREMIUM PAYMENT
You tell us how to apply your Premium payment by specifying in the Contract application your desired allocation (by percentage) among the Fixed Interest Strategy and the available Index-Linked Interest Strategies. Your Premium payment will be allocated according to your instructions on the Contracts Effective Date.
You may cancel the Contract without charge by returning it to us or to your F&G registered representative within 30 days after you receive your Contract. If you cancel your Contract during this period, we will issue a refund including all charges that may have been deducted from your Contract and you will not be subject to a surrender charge. Your states law will determine the amount you will receive. This amount will either be:
| (a) | Your Account Value on the Business Day we receive your request, which may be more or less than your original Premium payment and will be determined based on Strategy Interim Values; |
| (b) | The amount of your Premium payment; or |
| (c) | The greater of (a) or (b). |
If you are canceling your Contract because the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate for any Index-Linked Interest Strategy to which you have allocated Premium has changed between the time of your application and the Effective Date of your Contract, the amount you will receive is determined in accordance with (c).
29
Table of Contents
If we are required to return the amount of your Premium payment or the greater of (a) or (b) above, F&G will be subject to the investment risk if you cancel your Contract during the right to examine period.
The amount of your refund may depend on if your Contract is a replacement of another insurance or annuity contract. If your Contract is an IRA or Roth IRA and you cancel within the first 7 days, you will receive the greater of (a) or (b) above. After the first 7 days, your states law will determine the amount you will receive as described above.
For a state-by-state description of material variations of this Contract, including the right to examine period, see Appendix B. Unless otherwise stated in Appendix B, the amount you will receive upon exercise of your right to cancel during the right to examine period will be your Account Value on the Business Day we receive your request.
30
Table of Contents
The Contract provides that you must allocate your Premium payment among the available Investment Options on the Effective Date for the initial Crediting Period. You may reallocate your Account Value in any Investment Option among the available Investment Options for subsequent Crediting Periods following the end of a Crediting Period by providing new allocation instructions to us, as discussed under the section titled Transfers. You may not reallocate your Account Value in the Fixed Interest Strategy or any Index-Linked Interest Strategy until the end of the Crediting Period applicable to the Fixed Interest Strategy or the Index-Linked Interest Strategy.
Currently, the Investment Options offered under the Contract are the Fixed Interest Strategy and the Index-Linked Interest Strategies. The Fixed Interest Strategy credits compound interest at a guaranteed rate. Each Index-Linked Interest Strategy credits interest determined by the performance of a particular Index and the applicable Crediting Method. The Index-Linked Interest credited at the end of a Crediting Period for any Index-Linked Interest Strategy may be positive, negative, or equal to zero.
Each Crediting Period for the Fixed Interest Strategy is one year. The Crediting Period for an Indexed-Linked Interest Strategy may be one, three or six years. The initial Crediting Period begins on your Contracts Effective Date. Each subsequent Crediting Period begins at the end of the prior Crediting Period. If any beginning/ending date of a Crediting Period is not a Business Day, the beginning/ending date will be the next Business Day.
The Fixed Interest Strategy credits compound interest based on rates that are set and guaranteed by us. Any portion of your Account Value allocated to the Fixed Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period will be credited with the interest rate established for that Crediting Period, which will apply for the entire Crediting Period. Once a Crediting Period is over, we will declare a new interest rate for the next Crediting Period.
Information regarding the features of the Fixed Interest Strategy, including (i) its name, (ii) its Crediting Period, and (iii) its minimum guaranteed interest rate, is available in an appendix to the prospectus. See APPENDIX AINVESTMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACT.
The interest rate for the Fixed Interest Strategy for the initial Crediting Period will be set forth in your Contract. Prior to the beginning of each subsequent Crediting Period, we will send written notice at least 30 days prior to the Crediting Period indicating how you may obtain the interest rate for the Fixed Interest Strategy for the next Crediting Period.
The effective annual interest rate for any Crediting Period will never be lower than the minimum interest rate allowed by state law, which will never be less than 0.15%. The effective annual interest rate represents the rate of daily compounded interest over a 12-month period. You bear the risk that we will never declare an interest rate for the Fixed Interest Strategy higher than the guaranteed minimum interest rate.
Payments from the Fixed Interest Strategy are also subject to minimum amounts required by state law. These minimum amounts only apply upon annuitization from the Fixed Interest Strategy, payment of a death benefit upon death of the Owner, or a full withdrawal from the Fixed Interest Strategy. We guarantee that if one of these events occurs, then the proceeds from the Fixed Interest Strategy (the amount applied to annuity payments or paid for a full withdrawal or death benefit) will be at least equal to the minimums required by state law. If necessary to meet this minimum, charges will be waived.
INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES
Each Index-Linked Interest Strategy credits positive or negative Index-Linked Interest at the end of each Crediting Period based, in part, by the performance of a particular Index or Indices and the applicable Crediting
31
Table of Contents
Method. An investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy is not an investment in the Index or in any Index Fund. You could lose a significant amount of money if the Index declines in value, or due to Contract Adjustments if amounts are removed from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy prior to the end of its Crediting Period or, prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, on any Crediting Date. Each Crediting Method measures the net performance of the applicable Index between the beginning of the first day of a Crediting Period and Crediting Date (i.e., Point to Point) or each Contract Year during the Crediting Period (i.e., Annual Lock) subject to either the Cap Rate, the Performance Trigger Rate or the Participation Rate, and the Buffer. Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates, Participation Rates and Buffers apply to an entire Crediting Period for Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategies and apply to each Contract Year in a Crediting Period for Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategies.
Information regarding the features of each currently offered Index-Linked Interest Strategy, including (i) its name, (ii) a brief statement describing the assets that the Index seeks to track, (iii) its Crediting Period, (iv) its Index Crediting Methodology; (v) its current limit on Index loss, and (vi) its minimum limit on Index gain, is available in an appendix to the prospectus. See APPENDIX AINVESTMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACT.
32
Table of Contents
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES
Currently, each Index-Linked Interest Strategy credits interest based on the performance of one of the following Indexes, each covering different asset classes.
S&P 500® Index (SPX). Widely regarded as the best gauge of the U.S. stock market, this world-renowned index tracks the performance of 500 large companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy.
Russell 2000® Index (RTY). The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. It is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index and includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership.
Nasdaq-100 Index® (NDX). The Nasdaq-100 Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization. The Index reflects companies across major industry groups including computer hardware and software, telecommunications, retail/wholesale trade and biotechnology.
MSCI EAFE Index (MXEA). MSCI EAFE Index is an equity index that captures large and mid-cap representation across 21 developed markets around the world, including Europe, Australasia and the Far East, excluding the United States and Canada. The Index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each of the 21 countries.
Hindsight 20/20 Index-Linked Investment Strategy. The Company determines the performance of the Hindsight 20/20 Index-Linked Interest Strategy based on the best performance for the applicable period among three Bank of America MP Indices (the BofA MP Indices): the BofA MP Growth Index, the BofA MP Balanced Index and the BofA Defensive Index (together, the BofA MP Indices).
The Bank of America MP Indices (the BofA MP Indices) are designed to provide exposure to four markets: U.S. large-capitalization companies, U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. high yield corporate bonds, and the price of gold, as reflected by the underlying exchange traded funds (ETFs) set out below. Target weightings for each of the underlying components in the indexes differ based on the strategy of the respective index: growth, balanced, and defensive. For each Index, the U.S. Large Cap equity component is represented by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY); the high-yield U.S. corporate bond component is represented by iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG); the US government bond component is represented by iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF)); and the gold component is represented by SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD), with different target weights based on the applicable methodology (growth, balanced, or defensive), as follows:
| BofA MP Indices |
Index Bloomberg |
Underlying ETF Target Weights | ||||||||||||||||
| SPY | GLD | HYG | IEF | |||||||||||||||
|
BofA MP Growth Index |
BOFAMPGR | 75 | % | 5 | % | 15 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||
|
BofA MP Balanced Index |
BOFAMPBA | 60 | % | 10 | % | 20 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||
|
BofA MP Defensive Index |
BOFAMPDE | 40 | % | 20 | % | 20 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||
Each Index automatically rebalances allocations on a quarterly basis to the target weightings on the last index calculation day in the month of March, June, September and December. Each of the BofA MP Indices is a proprietary index, sponsored and calculated by Merrill Lynch International. Merrill Lynch International is not affiliated with the Company and has no obligations under the Contract.
In order to track the price return of the indexes underlying the underlying ETFs, the performance of each of the BofA MP Indices is reduced by the provider of the Index by a negative adjustment to the performance of three of
33
Table of Contents
the four underlying ETFs that is intended to approximate the dividend yield in respect of each of the applicable underlying ETFs based on historical averages and trends from April 12, 2007 (the base date of the BofA MP Indices) through year end of 2021. In each case, the daily performance of SPY, IEF, and HYG is reduced by an annualized percentage of 2.0%, 1.0%, and 5.0%, respectively.
Because the negative adjustment is fixed while actual dividends paid vary over time, the performance of the BofA MP Indices will differ from the performance of comparable price return indexes. For any underlying ETF where the actual dividend paid is less than the annual adjustment amount, such underlying ETF will underperform and will therefore have a negative impact on the performance of the BofA MP Indices. Conversely, for any underlying ETF where the actual dividend paid exceeds the annual adjustment amount, that underlying ETF will outperform and therefore, should have a positive impact on the performance of the BofA MP Indices.
Underlying ETFs
The following is a brief description of each of the underlying ETFs.
| | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) |
The SPY seeks to provide investment results that, before expenses, generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500® Index.
| | iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF) |
IEF seeks to track the investment results of the ICE® U.S. Treasury 7-10 Year Bond Index, which measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to seven years and less than ten years.
| | SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) |
The investment objective of GLD is to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less GLDs expenses.
| | iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) |
The HYG seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx® USD Liquid High Yield Index (the IBOXHY), which is a rules-based index consisting of liquid U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds for sale in the United States, which is designed to provide a broad representation of the U.S. dollar-denominated high yield liquid corporate bond market.
Following the occurrence of certain events with respect to an underlying ETF, the affected ETF may be replaced by a substitute component. These events generally include events that could materially interfere with the ability of market participants to transact in, or events that could materially change the underlying economic exposure of, positions with respect to any ETF. The substitution of an ETF may affect the performance of each BofA MP Index, and therefore, the return on your investment in the Hindsight 20/20 Indexed-Linked Interest Strategy.
The bar charts shown below provide each Indexs annual returns for the last 10 calendar years (or for the life of the Index if less than 10 years), as well as the Index returns after applying a hypothetical 5% Cap Rate and a hypothetical 10% Buffer. The chart illustrates the variability of the returns from year to year and shows how hypothetical limits on Index gains and losses may affect these returns. Past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
34
Table of Contents
The performance below is NOT the performance of any Index-Linked Interest Strategy. Your performance under the Contract will differ, perhaps significantly. The performance below may reflect a different return calculation, time period, and limit on Index gains and losses than the Index-Linked Interest Strategy, and does not reflect Contract fees and charges, including surrender charges and Contract Adjustments, which reduce performance.
| 1 | This Index is a price return index, not a total return index, and therefore does not reflect the dividends paid on the securities composing the Index, which will reduce the Index return and may cause the Index to underperform a direct investment in the securities composing the Index. |
| 1 | This Index is a price return index, not a total return index, and therefore does not reflect the dividends paid on the securities composing the Index, which will reduce the Index return and may cause the Index to underperform a direct investment in the securities composing the Index. |
35
Table of Contents
| 1 | This Index is a price return index, not a total return index, and therefore does not reflect the dividends paid on the securities composing the Index, which will reduce the Index return and may cause the Index to underperform a direct investment in the securities composing the Index. |
| 1 | This Index is a price return index, not a total return index, and therefore does not reflect the dividends paid on the securities composing the Index, which will reduce the Index return and may cause the Index to underperform a direct investment in the securities composing the Index. |
36
Table of Contents
| 1 | The BofA MP Indices commenced operations in mid-2023. Hindsight 20/20 Annual Return After Applying 5% Cap and - 10 Buffer is based on the best performance for the applicable year among the three BofA MP Indices. The Hindsight 20/20 Strategy is only available with a 6-year point to point Crediting Period and actual returns will be based on the best performance for the full Crediting Period among the three BofA MP Indices. The performance of the BofA MP Indices is reduced by a negative adjustment to the performance of three of the four underlying total return ETFs to approximate returns without dividends or distributions paid by the component companies, in other words, the price return. This will reduce each Indexs Index performance and will cause the Index to underperform a direct investment in the companies included in the Index. [NOTE: 2024 performance to be added by post-effective amendment.] |
NEW, REMOVED OR REPLACED INDICES AND INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES
We reserve the right to add, remove or replace any Index-Linked Interest Strategy or Index in the future, subject to any necessary regulatory approvals. If we replace an Index, this will not cause a change in the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate, Participation Rate or Buffer for the current Crediting Period. Adding, replacing or removing an Index does not cause a change in the Buffer because those elements do not change while we continue to offer that Index-Linked Interest Strategy. Any new Index-Linked Interest Strategies based on the performance of a newly added Index will have a new Buffer and Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate, provided that a Cap Rate will never be lower than the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate, a Performance Trigger Rate will never be lower than the Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rate, a Participation Rate will never be lower than the Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate and the Buffer will never be lower than 10%. Changes to the Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates or Participation Rates, if any, occur at the start of the next Crediting Period. If we add or remove an Index (as opposed to replacing an Index with another Index), the changes will not be effective for your Contract until the start of the next Crediting Period.
We may remove or replace an Index if it is discontinued, the Index is no longer available to us, if the fees to use an Index substantially increase, or if the Indexs calculation changes substantially. Additionally, we may replace an Index if hedging instruments become difficult to acquire or the cost of hedging becomes excessive. We may do so at the end of a Crediting Period or during a Crediting Period. We will notify you in writing at least 30 days before we replace an Index.
If we replace an Index, we will select a new Index that is similar to the old Index. In making this evaluation, we will look at factors such as asset class, Index composition, strategy or methodology inherent to the Index and
37
Table of Contents
Index liquidity. If we replace an Index during a Crediting Period, we will calculate the Index Change using the old Index as of the replacement date. After the replacement date, we will calculate the Index Change using the new Index, but with a modified starting Crediting Period value for the new Index. The modified starting Crediting Period value for the new Index on the replacement date will reflect the Index Change for the old Index from the start of the Crediting Period to the replacement date.
Example. This example shows how we would calculate the Index Change during a Crediting Period during which an Index was replaced.
Index Change on replacement date for old Index
| Old Index Value at beginning of Crediting period |
100 | |
| Old Index Value on replacement date |
103 | |
| Index Change for old Index on replacement date |
(103 /100) - 1 = 3% |
This 3% Index Change on the replacement date is then used to calculate the modified beginning of Crediting Period Index Value for the new index.
Modified starting Crediting Period Index Value for new index
| Index Change for old Index on replacement date |
3% | |
| Index Value for new index on replacement date |
1000 | |
| Modified starting Crediting Period Index Value for new index |
1000 /(100% + 3%) = 970.87 |
The Index Change calculation for that Crediting Period is then based on the change between the modified starting Crediting Period Index Value for the new index, and the end of Crediting Period Index Value for the new index.
Additional Index information, including disclaimers, may be found in Appendix C. The investment risks associated with the Indexes are discussed under the section titled Index Risk.
When you allocate Account Value to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period, your investment in the Index-Linked Interest Strategy is represented by a Strategy Account Value. Your Strategy Account Value reflects the portion of your Account Value attributable to that Index-Linked Interest Strategy at any given time. If you allocate Account Value to multiple Index-Linked Interest Strategies for a Crediting Period, you will have a separate Strategy Account Value for each Index-Linked Interest Strategy in which you are invested. Your Strategy Account Value is the amount available for withdrawals, surrenders, annuitization and death benefits.
Your Strategy Account Value for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy will be calculated at the close of each Business Day of the Crediting Period as follows:
| | On the Effective Date, your Strategy Account Value will equal your Strategy Base Value for that Index-Linked Interest Strategy. |
| | On each Business Day other than a Crediting Date, your Strategy Account Value on a given Business Day will equal your Strategy Interim Value. We calculate your Strategy Interim Value at the close of each such Business Day by applying an Equity Adjustment and an Asset Adjustment to your Strategy Base Value. These values are intended to protect us when you make a withdrawal from your Contract. These values provide us with protection from the trading risk that we will have to incur and/or reflect |
38
Table of Contents
| changes in the Strategy Account Value of each Index-Linked Interest Strategy throughout the Crediting Period, including on the Crediting Date. |
| | The Equity Adjustment, which may be positive, negative or zero, reflects changes in the value of a hypothetical portfolio of derivative instruments that are used to hedge market risks allowing us to support the Index-Linked Interest associated with each Index-Linked Interest Strategy. The value of these instruments can be affected by factors such as Index performance, volatility, and interest rates. Each Business Day, we calculate the Equity Adjustment by comparing the fair value on that day of the hypothetical portfolio of derivative instruments with the unamortized initial cost of those derivatives, less the cost of unwinding the derivative positions. On a Crediting Date, the Equity Adjustment is equal to zero. |
| | The Asset Adjustment, which may be positive, negative or zero, is to account for changes in market interest rates that impact the value of a hypothetical portfolio of fixed income assets supporting your Contract. The value of these instruments can be affected by market interest rates and the time remaining to the sixth Contract Anniversary. Each Business Day, we calculate the Asset Adjustment by comparing the value of the Bloomberg US Aggregate Yield-to-Worst Index on the Effective Date with the value of the Bloomberg US Aggregate Yield-to-Worst Index at the end of that day. We do not apply an Asset Adjustment on or after the sixth Contract Anniversary. |
See the Statement of Additional Information for additional details of how the Equity Adjustment, the Asset Adjustment and your Strategy Interim Values are calculated.
| | On the Crediting Date of a Crediting Period, your Strategy Base Value will be increased or decreased by the amount of Index-Linked Interest credited to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy, which may be positive, negative, or equal to zero. This may also be expressed through the following formula: Strategy Base Value x (1 + Adjusted Index Change). Prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, if you surrender your Contract, take a withdrawal, annuitize or if a death benefit is paid on the Crediting Date, the Strategy Account Value for purposes of the transaction will be determined by applying an Asset Adjustment to the Strategy Base Value (after we credit Index-Linked Interest, if any, for the Crediting Period that ends on that Crediting Date). The Asset Adjustment is applied only during the Surrender Charge Period. If you surrender your Contract, take a withdrawal, annuitize or if a death benefit is paid on a Crediting Date on or after the sixth Contract Anniversary, your Strategy Account Value will not be subject to any adjustment. |
Example. Assume that you allocate $50,000 to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy on the Effective Date with a 5% Cap Rate. On the first Business Day of the Crediting Period, your Strategy Base Value is $50,000. Your Strategy Account Value will increase and decrease according to changes in your Strategy Interim Value while you continue to have Account Value allocated to the Strategy, but you will only be impacted by the Strategy Interim Value if you take a withdrawal, surrender your contract, annuitize or we if we pay a death benefit during a Crediting Period. For instance, if at the close of the tenth Business Day the applicable Asset Adjustment results a positive adjustment of $1,500 and the applicable Equity Adjustment results in a negative adjustment of $1,000, then your Strategy Interim Value will equal $50,500 (i.e., $50,000 + $1,500 -$1,000), so your Strategy Account Value at that time will be $50,500. Then, if at the close of the eleventh Business Day the applicable Asset Adjustment results a positive adjustment of $1,000 and the applicable Equity Adjustment results in a negative adjustment of $3,000, then your Strategy Interim Value will equal $48,000 (i.e., $50,000 + $1,000 -$3000), so your Strategy Account Value at that time will be $48,000. On the Crediting Date, assuming an Adjusted Index Change of 5%, your Strategy Base Value at the close of the Crediting Date will be credited with $2,500 of Index-Linked Interest (i.e., 5% of $50,000) and your new Strategy Base Value will be $52,500 (i.e., $50,000 +$2,500). If you take a withdrawal, surrender your contract, annuitize or we if we pay a death benefit on a Crediting Date during the first six Contract Years, your Strategy Account Value for purposes of calculating the transaction will include the Asset Adjustment. In this case, your Strategy Account Value (after application of Index-Linked Interest to the Strategy Base Value) will be $52,500 and if the Asset Adjustment results in a negative adjustment of $3,500, your Strategy Account Value for purposes of calculating the transaction will be $49,000 (i.e., $52,500 $3,500 = $49,000).
39
Table of Contents
For each Index-Linked Interest Strategy to which you allocate Account Value, on the Crediting Date, we will credit your Strategy Base Value with Index-Linked Interest. Index-Linked Interest may be positive, negative, or equal to zero.
| | If the Index-Linked Interest is positive, your Strategy Base Value will increase by a dollar amount equal to the positive Index-Linked Interest. |
| | If the Index-Linked Interest is negative, your Strategy Base Value will decrease by a dollar amount equal to the negative Index-Linked Interest. |
| | If the Index-Linked Interest is equal to zero, no interest will be credited and your Strategy Base Value will not change. |
If you allocate Account Value to more than one Index-Linked Interest Strategy, the Index-Linked Indexed Strategies in which you invest will credit separate Index-Linked Interest on their respective Crediting Dates. Even if you receive positive Index-Linked Interest for one or more Index-Linked Interest Strategies for a Crediting Period, your overall gain for that Crediting Period will be reduced by any negative Index-Linked Interest you receive for any other Index-Linked Interest Strategies for that Crediting Period, and the negative Index-Linked Interest may cause you to incur an overall loss during that Crediting Period.
To determine the Index-Linked Interest credited to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy at the end of a Crediting Period, we calculate the Adjusted Index Change for that Index-Linked Interest Strategy. We calculate the Adjusted Index Change by applying the applicable Crediting Method. The Contract provides for four Crediting Methods: (1) Point to Point Cap Rate with Buffer; (2) Point to Point Performance Trigger Rate with Buffer; (3) Point to Point Participation Rate with Buffer; and (4) Annual Lock Cap Rate with Buffer.
Each Crediting Method includes the following elements:
| | The Crediting Period; |
| | The Index Change (either Point to Point, from the beginning of the first day of the Crediting Period to the Crediting Date, or Annual Lock for each Contract Year in the Crediting Period); |
| | Either the Cap Rate, the Performance Trigger Rate or the Participation Rate (applied from the beginning of the first day of the Crediting Period to the Crediting Date for Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategies, or for each Contract Year in the Crediting Period for Annual Lock index-Linked Interest Strategies); and |
| | The Buffer (applied from the beginning of the first day of the Crediting Period to the Crediting Date for Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategies, or for each Contract Year in the Crediting Period for Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategies). |
Each of these elements and each of the Crediting Methods is explained below, along with examples of how the Adjusted Index Change is determined for each Crediting Method in the case of both positive and negative Index Changes.
Crediting Period. The Crediting Period for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy is either one, three or six years. Crediting Periods begin on your Contracts Anniversary Date. Amounts must remain in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy until the end of its Crediting Period to be credited with Index-Linked Interest, and to avoid a possible Contract Adjustment in addition to potential surrender charges and tax consequences. A Contract Adjustment will apply if you take a surrender or any withdrawal (including systematic withdrawals and required minimum distributions), or if you annuitize, or if the death benefit is paid during a Crediting Period, or,
40
Table of Contents
during the first six Contract Years, on a Crediting Date. See STRATEGY ACCOUNT VALUE earlier in this section for more information.
Index Change. To calculate the Adjusted Index Change, we first calculate the Index Change. The Index Change for a Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategy is the net change percentage in the Index Value from the beginning of the first day of a Crediting Period to the Crediting Date, before any applicable adjustment for either the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate and the Buffer. The Index Change for an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy is determined from the start of each Contract Year to the end of each Contract Year in a Crediting Period, before any applicable adjustment for the Cap Rate and the Buffer.
Example: Assume that you allocate Account Value to a Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategy using the S&P 500® Index and between the beginning of the first day of the Crediting Period and the Crediting Date, the value of the securities comprising the S&P 500® increases by 5%. The Index Change for that Index-Linked Interest Strategy would be 5%. If instead the S&P 500® decreased by 5%, the Index Change for the Index-Linked Interest Strategy would be -5%.
After the Index Change is calculated, we next calculate the Adjusted Index Change. The Adjusted Index Change reflects any applicable adjustments for either the Cap Rate, the Performance Trigger Rate or the Participation Rate, which may limit Index Gains if the Index Change is positive or equal to zero and the Buffer, which will limit Index losses if the Index Change is negative. Index-Linked Interest will be credited to the Strategy Base Value at a rate equal to the Adjusted Index Change.
Limit on Index Losses. The Buffer for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy represents the amount of negative Index Change that may occur before you are credited with a negative Index-Linked Interest for a Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategy or a negative Adjusted Index Change applies for a Contract Year in a Crediting Period for an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy.
Each Index-Linked Interest Strategy will specify the Buffer for that strategy. Depending on which Index-Linked Interest Strategy you select, the Buffer will provide protection from a negative Index Change of up to 10% or up to 20%. We set the Buffer for each Index-Linked Interest Strategy at our sole discretion. We consider various factors in determining the Buffer, including the cost of our risk management techniques, sales commissions, administrative expenses, regulatory and tax requirements, general economic trends and competitive factors.
Before selecting an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for investment, you should consider in consultation with your financial professional the limits on Index losses that may be appropriate for you based on your risk tolerance, investment horizon and financial goals. Generally, assuming the same Index and Crediting Period length, an Index-Linked Interest Strategy that provides more protection from Index losses will tend to have less potential for Index gains. Conversely, assuming the same Index and Crediting Period length, an Index-Linked Interest Strategy that provides less protection from Index losses will generally tend to have more potential for Index gains.
The following examples illustrate how we calculate and credit interest calculated under an Index-Linked Interest Strategy when the Index Return is negative assuming hypothetical Index Changes and hypothetical limits on Index losses. The examples assume no Withdrawals.
Example 1: Assume that you allocate Account Value to a Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Crediting Method that includes a Buffer of 10% and, at the end of the Crediting Period, the Index Change is -8%. In this case, to calculate the Adjusted Index Change, we would compare the Buffer of 10% to the Index Change of -8%. Because the negative Index Change (-8%) does not exceed the Buffer of 10%, the Adjusted Index Change would be 0%. As a result, we would not credit any Index-Linked Interest to your Strategy Base Value because the Adjusted Index Change equaled 0%. In this example, the Buffer provided complete downside protection by preventing you from being credited with negative Index-Linked Interest.
41
Table of Contents
Example 2: Assume that you allocate Account Value to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Crediting Method that includes a Buffer of 10% and, at the end of the Crediting Period, the Index Change is -15%. In this case, to calculate the Adjusted Index Change, we would compare the Buffer of 10% to the Index Change of -15%. Because the negative Index Change (-15%) exceeds the Buffer of 10%, the Adjusted Index Change would be -5% (i.e., -15% reduced by the Buffer of 10%). As a result, we would credit Index-Linked Interest to your Strategy Base Value based on an Adjusted Index Change of -5%. In this example, the Buffer provided downside protection because it did limit your loss from -15% to -5%, but it did not provide complete downside protection.
See ANNUAL LOCK INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES for examples for an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy.
The Buffer for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy will not change while we continue to offer that Index-Linked Interest Strategy. However, we reserve the right to add and remove Index-Linked Interest Strategies as available Investment Options. As such, the limits on Index loss offered under the Contract may change from one Crediting Period to the next, provided that we will always offer an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with the protection of at least a 10% Buffer. The Buffer provides only limited protection from downside risk. You should understand that the Buffer does not provide absolute protection against negative Index-Linked Interest. You may lose money.
Limits on Index Gains: We will limit positive Index Change used in calculating the Adjusted Index Change through the Cap Rate or Performance Trigger Rate, as follows:
Cap Rate. If the Crediting Method for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy includes a Cap Rate, the Cap Rate represents the maximum positive Adjusted Index Change for a given Crediting Period for a Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategy or for a Contract Year during a Crediting Period for an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy. We set the Cap Rate for each Index-Linked Interest Strategy prior to the beginning of a Crediting Period, and the Cap Rate may vary between Index-Linked Interest Strategies. A Cap Rate for a Crediting Period may be higher or lower than the Cap Rates for previous or future Crediting Period. In no event will a Cap Rate be lower than the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate of 2% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a one-year Crediting Period; 6% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a three-year Crediting Period; 3% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period where the Index is Hindsight 20/20; 12% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period with any other Index; and 2% for each year of an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period.
The following examples illustrate how we calculate and credit interest at the end of a Crediting Period under an Index-Linked Interest Strategy that utilizes a Cap Rate when the Index Return is positive assuming hypothetical Index Returns and hypothetical Cap Rates. The examples assume no Withdrawals.
Example 1: Assume that you allocate Account Value to a Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period with a Cap Rate of 6%. Also assume that at the end of the Crediting Period, the Index Change is 5%. In this case, to calculate the Adjusted Index Change, we would compare the Cap Rate of 6% to the Index Change of 5%. Because the Index Change (5%) is less than the Cap Rate (6%), the Adjusted Index Change would be 5%. As a result, we would credit Index-Linked Interest to your Strategy Base Value at the Adjusted Index Change of 5%. In this example, the Cap Rate did not limit your potential gain.
Example 2: Assume that you allocate Account Value to a Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period with a Cap Rate of 6%. Also assume that at the end of the Crediting Period, the Index Change is 12%. In this case, to calculate the Adjusted Index Change, we would compare the Cap Rate of 6% to the Index Change of 12%. Because the Index Change (12%) is higher than the Cap Rate (6%), the Adjusted Index Change would be 6%. As a result, we would credit Index-Linked Interest to your Strategy Base Value at the Adjusted Index Change of 6%. In this example, the Cap Rate limited your potential gain.
42
Table of Contents
See ANNUAL LOCK INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES for examples for an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy. The Cap Rates do not guarantee a certain amount of Index-Linked Interest. The Cap Rates benefit us because they limit the amount of positive Index-Linked Interest that we may be obligated to credit for any Crediting Period. We set the Cap Rates at our discretion. You bear the risk that we will not set the Cap Rates higher than the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate.
Performance Trigger Rate. If the Crediting Method for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy includes a Performance Trigger Rate, the Performance Trigger Rate represents the positive Adjusted Index Change for a given Crediting Period if the Index Change for the Crediting Period is zero or greater. We set the Performance Trigger Rate for each Index-Linked Interest Strategy prior to the beginning of a Crediting Period, and the Performance Trigger Rate may vary between Index-Linked Interest Strategies. A Performance Trigger Rate for a Crediting Period may be higher or lower than the Performance Trigger Rates for previous or future Crediting Periods. In no event will a Performance Trigger Rate be lower than the Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rate of 0.5% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a one-year Crediting Period.
The following examples illustrate how we calculate and credit interest at the end of a Crediting Period under an Index-Linked Interest Strategy that utilizes a Performance Trigger Rate when the Index Return is zero or positive assuming hypothetical Index Changes and hypothetical Performance Trigger Rates. The examples assume no Withdrawals.
Example 1: Assume that you allocate Account Value to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period with a Performance Trigger Rate of 6%. Also assume that at the end of the Crediting Period, the Index Change is 3%. Because the Index Change is zero or greater (3%), the Adjusted Index Change will equal the Performance Trigger Rate (6%). As a result, we would credit Index-Linked Interest to your Strategy Base Value at the Adjusted Index Change of 6%. In this example, the Performance Trigger Rate was greater than the Index Change.
Example 2: Assume that you allocate Account Value to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period with a Performance Trigger Rate of 6%. Also assume that at the end of the Crediting Period, the Index Change is 10%. Because the Index Change is zero or greater (10%), the Adjusted Index Change will equal the Performance Trigger Rate (6%). As a result, we would credit Index-Linked Interest to your Strategy Base Value at the Adjusted Index Change of 6%. In this example, the Performance Trigger Rate limited your potential gain.
The Performance Trigger Rates do not guarantee a certain amount of Index-Linked Interest unless the applicable Index Change is zero or greater. The Performance Trigger Rates benefit us because they limit the amount of positive Index-Linked Interest that we may be obligated to credit for any Crediting Period. We set the Performance Trigger Rates at our discretion. You bear the risk that we will not set the Performance Trigger Rates higher than the Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rate.
Participation Rate. The Participation Rate represents the percentage of any positive Index Change that will be used to calculate the Adjusted Index Change for a given Crediting Period. The Participation Rate is a percentage, which can be more, less or equal to 100%. The positive Index Change is multiplied by the Participation Rate to determine the Index-Linked Interest that would be credited for a given Crediting Period for a point-to-point Index-Linked Interest Strategy. We will not apply a Participation Rate if the Index Change is less than zero.
| | If the Participation Rate is greater than 100%, it will increase your upside potential when there is a positive Index Change. For example, if your Participation Rate is 120%, we will multiply any positive Index Change by 120%. |
| | If the Participation Rate is less than 100%, it will decrease your upside potential when there is a positive Index Change. For example, if your Participation Rate is 90%, we will apply only 90% of the positive Index Change. |
| | If the Participation Rate is equal to 100%, it will neither increase nor decrease your upside potential. If your Participation Rate is 100%, we will apply the amount of the positive Index Change. |
43
Table of Contents
In no event will a Participation Rate be lower than the Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate of 5%.
The following examples illustrate how we calculate and credit interest at the end of a Crediting Period under an Index-Linked Interest Strategy that utilizes a Participation Rate when the Index Return is positive assuming hypothetical Index Changes and hypothetical Participation Rates. The examples assume no Withdrawals.
Example 1: Assume that you allocate Account Value to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period with a Participation Rate of 120%. Also assume that at the end of the Crediting Period, the Index Change is 30%. As a result, we would multiply the Index Change of 30% by the Participation Rate of 120% to determine the Adjusted Index Change of 36%. As a result, we would credit Index-Linked Interest to your Strategy Base Value at the Adjusted Index Change of 36%. In this example, the Participation Rate increased your potential gain.
Example 2: Assume that you allocate Account Value to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period with a Participation Rate of 90%. Also assume that at the end of the Crediting Period, the Index Change is 30%. As a result, we would multiply the Index Change of 30% by the Participation Rate of 90% to determine the Adjusted Index Change of 27%. As a result, we would credit Index-Linked Interest to your Strategy Base Value at the Adjusted Index Change of 27%. In this example, the Participation Rate decreased your potential gain.
Example 3: Assume that you allocate Account Value to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for a Crediting Period with a Participation Rate of 100%. Also assume that at the end of the Crediting Period, the Index Change is 30%. As a result, we would multiply the Index Change of 30% by the Participation Rate of 100% to determine the Adjusted Index Change of 30%. As a result, we would credit Index-Linked Interest to your Strategy Base Value at the Adjusted Index Change of 30%. In this example, the Participation Rate did not impact your potential gain.
The Participation Rates do not guarantee a certain amount of Index-Linked Interest will be credited. The Participation Rates benefit us because they may limit the amount of positive Index Change that we may be obligated to credit for any Crediting Period. We set the Participation Rates at our discretion. You bear the risk that we will not set the Participation Rates higher than the Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate.
Determination of Crediting Rates. The Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates for your initial Crediting Periods will be set forth in your Contract, will be disclosed to you at the time you apply for a Contract and will be no lower for 30 days thereafter. If your Contract is issued after that 30 day period, the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate or Participation Rate for any Index-Linked Interest Strategy to which you have allocated Premium will be based on our then-current rates, which will be set forth in your Contract, and you will not know them until the Effective Date of your Contract. If those rates are lower on the Effective Date of your Contract than at the time of your application and you are dissatisfied with those rates, you may cancel your Contract within 30 days and have the amount of your Premium, or your Account Value (based on Strategy Interim Values), if greater, returned to you without any surrender charges. Prior to the beginning of each subsequent Crediting Period, we will mail to you a 30-day advance written notice indicating how you may obtain the Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates that we have established by that time for the next Crediting Period. Information about current Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates can be found at [INSERT URL] and is incorporated in this prospectus by reference.
We determine Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates for each new Crediting Period at our discretion, subject to the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rates, Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rates and Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rates. We consider a number of factors when declaring Cap Rates, Performance Trigger Rates and Participation Rates. Generally, we seek to manage our risk associated with our obligations, in part, by trading call and put options and other derivative instruments on the available Indices. The costs of these instruments impact the rates we declare, and those costs can be impacted by market conditions and forces. We also consider sales commissions, administrative expenses, regulatory and tax requirements, general economic trends and competitive factors. You bear the risk that we may declare lower Cap Rates, Performance
44
Table of Contents
Trigger Rates or Participation Rates for future Crediting Periods, and that such rates could be as low as the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rates, Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rates or Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate for that Index-Linked Interest Strategy. Rates offered for new Crediting Periods may be different from those offered to new investors or offered to you at Contract issuance.
Before selecting an Index-Linked Interest Strategy for investment, you should consider in consultation with your financial professional the limits on Index gains that may be appropriate for you based on your risk tolerance, investment horizon and financial goals. Generally, assuming the same Index and Crediting Period length, an Index-Linked Interest Strategy that provides less potential for Index gains will tend to have more protection from Index losses. Conversely, assuming the same Index and Crediting Period length, an Index-Linked Interest Strategy that provides more potential for Index gains will generally tend to have less protection from Index losses.
See Appendix D for additional examples of each Crediting Method.
ANNUAL LOCK INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES. The Annual Lock Crediting Method is a multi-year Index-Linked Interest Strategy that applies the Buffer and Cap separately for each Contract Year during the Crediting Period. If the Crediting Method for an Index-Linked Interest Strategy has an Annual Lock, the Adjusted Index Change will be calculated in the same manner as for a Point to Point Index-Linked Interest Strategy, except it will be calculated on each Contract Anniversary. However, no Index Interest Credit will be credited to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy until the Crediting Date at the end of the Crediting Period.
If you take a withdrawal from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method prior to the end of the Crediting Period, your withdrawal will be based on the Strategy Interim Value on the date of the withdrawal, and not the gains or losses locked in for the completed Contract Years during the Crediting Period. An Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method is not appropriate for investors who intend to take withdrawals during the Crediting Period. Please see the example below, which illustrates the risk of taking withdrawals from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock Crediting Method.
The Adjusted Index Change for the full Crediting Period will equal the cumulative result of each successive Adjusted Index Change for each Contract Year during the Crediting Period. On the first Contract Anniversary during the Crediting Period, the performance equals the Adjusted Index Change for that Contract Year multiplied by the Strategy Base Value for the Index-Linked Interest Strategy. This performance amount is added to or deducted from the amount of the Strategy Base Value to form the Annual Lock Amount. The Annual Lock Amount is used to calculate the performance for the next Contract Year during the Crediting Period. On each Contract Anniversary during the Crediting Period thereafter, the return for the year is equal to the Adjusted Index change for that Contract Year multiplied by the Annual Lock Amount. This amount is credited to or deducted from the Annual Lock Amount, which becomes the new Annual Lock Amount for the next Contract Year.
On the Crediting Date, Interest-Linked Interest is credited to the Strategy Base Value in the amount of the difference between the Annual Lock Amount for the Contract Anniversary that is the Crediting Date and the Strategy Base Value. For example, if the Strategy Base Value is $100,000 and the Annual Lock Amount for the Contract Anniversary that is the Crediting Date is $129,112, you will be credited with Index-Linked Interest in the amount of $29,112 on the Crediting Date. A more detailed example is below.
Because of the cumulative impact of the Annual Lock, if you incur a loss in one Contract Year during the Crediting Period, it will reduce the amount invested for the next Contract year during the Crediting Period. In a continuing down market, you could lose in excess of the percentage remaining after the Buffer. For example, if the Buffer is 10%, in a continuing down market, you could lose more than 90% of your investment. On the other hand, if you incur a gain in one Contract Year during the Crediting Period, it will increase the Annual Lock Amount for the next Contract Year, upon which future gains or losses (if any) will be calculated.
The Annual Lock Amount is used only to calculate the performance of an Index-Linked Interest Strategy on each Contract Anniversary during the Crediting Period. This amount is not available for surrender,
45
Table of Contents
withdrawal, transfer, annuitization or as a Death Benefit. In addition to adjustments to the Annual Lock Amount, withdrawals during the Crediting Period also reduce the Annual Lock Amount and the Strategy Base Value in the same proportion that withdrawals reduce the Strategy Interim Value.
The following examples illustrate how we calculate and credit interest at the end of a Crediting Period under an Index-Linked Interest Strategy that utilizes an Annual Lock crediting methodology assuming hypothetical Index Changes and hypothetical limits on Index gains and losses. The examples assume no withdrawals unless otherwise indicated.
Example 1: The following example demonstrates the impact of the Cap Rate and Buffer on an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 6-Year Annual Lock and assumes no withdrawals have been made.
Strategy Start Date = 10/21/2023
Index-Linked Interest Strategy = 6-Year with Annual Lock Cap Rate with Buffer
Cap Rate = 10%
Buffer = 10%
Index Value at Beginning of Crediting Period = 1,000
Initial Strategy Account Value = $100,000
Strategy Base Value at Beginning of Crediting Period = $100,000
| Contract Anniversary |
Index Value | Index Change | Adjusted Index Change |
Annual Lock Amount on Contract Anniversary |
||||||||||||
| 10/21/2024 |
1,120 | +12 | % | +10 | % | $ | 110,000 | |||||||||
| 10/21/2025 |
1,064 | -5 | % | 0 | % | $ | 110,000 | |||||||||
| 10/21/2026 |
1,149 | +8 | % | +8 | % | $ | 118,800 | |||||||||
| 10/21/2027 |
977 | -15 | % | -5 | % | $ | 112,860 | |||||||||
| 10/21/2028 |
1,104 | +13 | % | +10 | % | $ | 124,146 | |||||||||
| 10/21/2029 |
1,148 | +4 | +4 | % | $ | 129,112 | ||||||||||
In this example, the Index-Linked Interest crediting to the Strategy Base Value on the Crediting Date is $29,112, which is the difference between the Strategy Base Value and the Annual Lock Amount on the Crediting Date. The Strategy Base Value on the Crediting Date is $129,112, which is the sum of the Strategy Base Value (i.e., $100,000) and the Index-Linked Interest (i.e., $29,112).
The Index-Linked Interest is not credited to your Strategy Base Value until the end of the 6-year Crediting Period. Until that time, your Strategy Account Value be subject to the Strategy Interim Value calculations. The Annual Lock Amount on each Contract Anniversary is not available to you and is used only for the purpose of calculating the Index-Linked Interest ultimately credited on the Crediting Date.
Example 2: The following example demonstrates the impact of the Cap Rate and Buffer on an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 6-Year Annual Lock and assumes a $20,000 withdrawal during the third year of the strategy.
Strategy Start Date = 10/21/2023
Index-Linked Interest Strategy = 6-Year with Annual Lock Cap Rate with Buffer
Cap Rate = 10%
Buffer = 10%
Index Value at Beginning of Crediting Period = 1,000 Initial Strategy Account Value = $100,000
Strategy Base Value at Beginning of Crediting Period = $100,000
Strategy Interim Value at date of Withdrawal = $90,000
46
Table of Contents
| Contract Anniversary |
Index Value | Index Change | Adjusted Index Change |
Annual Lock Amount on Contract Anniversary |
Strategy Base Value |
|||||||||||||||
| 10/21/2024 |
1,120 | 12 | % | 10 | % | $ | 110,000 | $ | 100,000 | |||||||||||
| 10/21/2025 |
1,064 | -5 | % | 0 | % | $ | 110,000 | $ | 100,000 | |||||||||||
| Withdrawal of $20,000 out of $90,000 Strategy Interim Value results in proportional reduction in Annual Lock Amount and Strategy Base Value |
|
$ | 85,556 | $ | 77,778 | |||||||||||||||
| 10/21/2026 |
1,149 | 8 | % | 8 | % | $ | 92,400 | $ | 77,778 | |||||||||||
| 10/21/2027 |
977 | -15 | % | -5 | % | $ | 87,780 | $ | 77,778 | |||||||||||
| 10/21/2028 |
1,104 | 13 | % | 10 | % | $ | 96,558 | $ | 77,778 | |||||||||||
| 10/21/2029 |
1.148 | 4 | % | 4 | % | $ | 100,420 | $ | 77,778 | |||||||||||
In this example, the Index-Linked Interest crediting to the Strategy Base Value on the Crediting Date is $22,642, which is the difference between the Strategy Base Value and the Annual Lock Amount on the Crediting Date. The Strategy Base Value on the Crediting Date is $100,420 which is the sum of the Strategy Base Value (i.e., $77,778) and the Index-Linked Interest (i.e., $22,642).
The Index-Linked Interest is not credited to your Strategy Base Value until the end of the 6-year Crediting Period. Until that time, your Strategy Account Value be subject to the Strategy Interim Value calculations. The Annual Lock Amount on each Contract Anniversary is not available to you and is used only for the purpose of calculating the Index-Linked Interest ultimately credited on the Crediting Date.
Example 3: The following example demonstrates the impact of the Cap Rate and Buffer on an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 6-Year Annual Lock during a continuing down market and assumes no withdrawals have been made.
Strategy Start Date = 10/21/2023
Index-Linked Interest Strategy = 6-Year with Annual Lock Cap Rate with Buffer
Cap Rate = 10%
Buffer = 10%
Index Value at Beginning of Crediting Period = 1,000
Initial Strategy Account Value = $100,000
Strategy Base Value at Beginning of Crediting Period = $100,000
| Contract Anniversary |
Index Value | Index Change | Adjusted Index Change |
Annual Lock Amount on Contract Anniversary |
||||||||||||
| 10/21/2024 |
950 | -5 | % | 0 | % | $ | 100,000 | |||||||||
| 10/21/2025 |
836 | -12 | % | -2 | % | $ | 98,000 | |||||||||
| 10/21/2026 |
669 | -20 | % | -10 | % | $ | 88,200 | |||||||||
| 10/21/2027 |
568 | -15 | % | -5 | % | $ | 83,790 | |||||||||
| 10/21/2028 |
563 | -1 | % | 0 | % | $ | 83,790 | |||||||||
| 10/21/2029 |
495 | -12 | % | -2 | % | $ | 82,114 | |||||||||
In this example, the negative Index-Linked Interest crediting to the Strategy Base Value on the Crediting Date is -$17,886, which is the difference between the Strategy Base Value and the Annual Lock Amount on the Crediting Date. The Strategy Base Value on the Crediting Date is $82,114, which is the sum of the Strategy Base Value (i.e., $100,000) and the negative Index-Linked Interest (i.e., -$17,886). If you had invested in a point to point strategy (without the Annual Lock feature, but with the same Cap Rate and Buffer) over this same 6 year period, the negative Index-Linked Interest credited to the Strategy Base Value on the Crediting Date would have been -$40,500 and the Strategy Base Value on the Crediting Date would have been $59,500 (i.e., $100,000-$40,500). This is because in an Annual lock Strategy, the Buffer is applied each year of the Crediting Period, but for a point to point strategy, the Buffer is applied only on the Crediting Date.
47
Table of Contents
Example 4: The following example demonstrates the impact of the Cap Rate and Buffer on an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a 6-Year Annual Lock during a continuing down market and assumes a withdrawal of $20,000 during the third year of the strategy.
Strategy Start Date = 10/21/2023
Index-Linked Interest Strategy = 6-Year with Annual Lock Cap Rate with Buffer
Cap Rate = 10%
Buffer = 10%
Index Value at Beginning of Crediting Period = 1,000
Initial Strategy Account Value = $100,000
Strategy Base Value at Beginning of Crediting Period = $100,000
Strategy Interim Value at date of Withdrawal = $90,000
| Contract Anniversary | Index Value | Index Change | Adjusted Index Change |
Annual Lock Amount on Contract Anniversary |
Strategy Base Value |
|||||||||||||||
| 10/21/2024 |
950 | -5 | % | 0 | % | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | |||||||||||
| 10/21/2025 | 836 | -12 | % | -2 | % | $ | 98,000 | $ | 100,000 | |||||||||||
| Withdrawal of $20,000 out of $90,000 Strategy Interim Value results in proportional reduction in Annual Lock Amount and Strategy Base Value |
$ | 76,222 | $ | 77,778 | ||||||||||||||||
| 10/21/2026 |
669 | -20 | % | -10 | % | $ | 68,600 | $ | 77,778 | |||||||||||
| 10/21/2027 |
568 | -15 | % | -5 | % | $ | 65,170 | $ | 77,778 | |||||||||||
| 10/21/2028 |
563 | -1 | % | 0 | % | $ | 65,170 | $ | 77,778 | |||||||||||
| 10/21/2029 |
495 | -12 | % | -2 | % | $ | 63,867 | $ | 77,778 | |||||||||||
In this example, the negative Index-Linked Interest crediting to the Strategy Base Value on the Crediting Date is -$13,911, which is the difference between the Strategy Base Value and the Annual Lock Amount on the Crediting Date. The Strategy Base Value on the Crediting Date is $63,867, which is the sum of the Strategy Base Value (i.e., $77,778) and the negative Index-Linked Interest (i.e., -$13,911).
IMPACT OF WITHDRAWALS FROM INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES
Under the Contract, you are permitted to take full or partial withdrawals at any time during the Accumulation Phase. Withdrawals may be subject to surrender charges.
If you withdraw Account Value allocated to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy during a Crediting Period or, during the first six Contract Years, on a Crediting Date, the withdrawal will cause a reduction to your Strategy Base Value. Your Strategy Base Value will be immediately reduced in a proportion equal to the reduction in your Strategy Account Value (which will be the Strategy Interim Value during the Crediting Period, or the Strategy Base Value adjusted by the Asset Adjustment on a Crediting Date).
This means that partial withdrawals (including systematic withdrawals and Required Minimum Distributions under the Contract) during a Crediting Period or, during the first six Contract Years, on a Crediting Date could result in a greater reduction in your Strategy Account Value. In addition, any partial withdrawal will proportionately reduce your Strategy Base Value, which could be significantly more than the dollar amount of your withdrawal. This will reduce any gains at the end of the Crediting Period.
You should fully understand how a withdrawal from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy reduces your Strategy Base Value, because reductions in your Strategy Base Value always result in reductions (perhaps significant reductions) to your Strategy Account Value for the remainder of the current and subsequent Crediting Periods. A withdrawal from an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy will also result in the Annual Lock Value being immediately reduced in a proportion equal to the reduction in your Strategy Account Value.
48
Table of Contents
Reductions to your Strategy Base Value will negatively impact your Strategy Account Value in three ways.
| | First, a reduction in your Strategy Base Value may cause your Strategy Interim Values for the remainder of the Crediting Period to be lower than if you did not take the withdrawal. Because your Strategy Account Value is set equal to your Strategy Interim Value on any given Business Day, lower Strategy Interim Values will result in lower Strategy Account Values. |
| | Second, at the end of the Crediting Period, any positive Index-Linked Interest credited to you will be lower than if you did not take the withdrawal. This is because the Adjusted Index Change is applied to your Strategy Base Value in order to calculate your Index-Linked Interest, and a withdrawal reduces your Strategy Base Value. |
| | Third, your Strategy Base Value for successive crediting periods will be lower than if you did not take a withdrawal (unless you transfer additional Account Value to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy). |
49
Table of Contents
You may transfer Account Value among the available Index-Linked Interest Strategies, and between the available Index-Linked Interest Strategies and the Fixed Interest Strategy, free of charge at the end of each Crediting Period. You may not make a transfer during a Crediting Period, so you may not transfer funds out of an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a three-year or six-year Crediting Period for several years. If no transfer request is made prior to the end of a Crediting Period, your investment in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy or the Fixed Income Strategy will automatically be invested in the same Index-Linked Interest Strategy or the Fixed Income Strategy for the next Crediting Period.
The amount of Account Value allocated to an Index-Linked Interest Strategy at the beginning of a Crediting Period must be at least $2,000. If any transfer reduces a Strategy Account Value to less than $2,000, the entire amount remaining in that Index-Linked Interest Strategy will be automatically transferred to the Fixed Interest Strategy. We will reject any transfer request to the extent that it would result in less than $2,000 being allocated under your Contract to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy receiving the reallocated Account Value.
Transfer requests may be submitted in writing to our Service and must be signed by the Owner. We must receive your transfer request at our Service Center at least two Business Days prior to the end of a Crediting Period. At our discretion, we may accept transfer requests by telephone or, if available, by Internet.
If we receive your request on a non-Business Day or after the close of a Business Day, your request will be deemed to be received on the next Business Day. In addition, your transfer request will not be deemed to be received until it is in good order. A transfer request will be in good order if it contains all the information that we need to process the transaction.
AUTOMATIC TRANSFER FROM AN INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGY TO THE FIXED INTEREST STRATEGY
If you are invested in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy during a Crediting Period and we decide not to offer that Index-Linked Interest Strategy for the next Crediting Period, you must submit a transfer request to us no less than two Business Days prior to the end of the Crediting Period instructing us how to reallocate that portion of your Account Value at the end of the Crediting Period. If you fail to do so, we will automatically transfer the entire amount of your Account Value allocated to that Index-Linked Interest Strategy to the Fixed Interest Strategy at the end of the Crediting Period and that portion of your Account Value and any interest earned thereon will remain in the Fixed Interest Strategy unless we are otherwise instructed.
50
Table of Contents
ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY DURING THE ACCUMULATION PHASE
Your Account Value in the Contract may be accessed in the following ways during the Accumulation Phase:
| | by taking partial withdrawals (including repetitive withdrawals, a form of systematic partial withdrawals); and |
| | by taking a full withdrawal (i.e., surrendering your Contract). |
Your Contracts Account Value and the Strategy Base Value for any Index-Linked Interest Strategy will decline whenever you take partial withdrawals. If you take a partial withdrawal and, immediately after the withdrawal, your Account Value would be less than $2,000, we will instead pay you the Cash Surrender Value and terminate your Contract. If you take a full withdrawal, we will pay you the Cash Surrender Value and terminate your Contract. You may not take withdrawals greater than your Cash Surrender Value.
Partial withdrawals and full withdrawals may be subject to surrender charges. See the section titled FEES, CHARGES AND ADJUSTMENTSSurrender Charge for more information about surrender charges. Eligible withdrawals under the required minimum distributions waiver, impairment waiver, nursing home confinement waiver or the terminal illness waiver are not subject to surrender charges.
Any additional withdrawals are not permissible during the Income Phase.
During the Accumulation Phase, you can make partial withdrawals from your Account Value at any time by sending a signed request to our Service Center. The withdrawal request must be accompanied with all the information we need to process it. Unless you tell us otherwise, partial withdrawals will be taken proportionately from the Fixed Interest Strategy and Index-Linked Interest Strategies based on how your Account Value is allocated. You may request that your withdrawals be taken only from Investment Options you select proportionately based on how your Account Value is allocated to those Investment Options at the time of the withdrawal. Repetitive partial withdrawals must be at least $100 and one-time partial withdrawals must be at least $500. If your Account Value is less than $500, you may only surrender the Contract for the Cash Surrender Value.
As part of your withdrawal request, you may indicate the Business Day on which you would like to take the withdrawal, including if you would like to take the withdrawal at the end of the current Crediting Periods for your investments. If you indicate the Business Day on which your withdrawal should be taken, we must receive your withdrawal request in good order no later than the close of the Business Day on which you wish to take the withdrawal. If you do not indicate the Business Day on which to take the withdrawal, your withdrawal will be taken on the Business Day that we receive your request. If we receive your request in good order on a non-Business Day or after the close of a Business Day, it will be deemed to be received on the next Business Day.
Partial withdrawals taken from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy may negatively impact (perhaps significantly) your Strategy Account Value for the remainder of the Crediting Period. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIESImpact of Withdrawals from Index-Linked Interest Strategies.
You can take a full withdrawal (i.e., surrender your Contract for its Cash Surrender Value) at any time during the Accumulation Phase by sending a signed request to our Service Center in good order. A surrender request will be
51
Table of Contents
in good order if it contains all the information that we need to process the transaction. All benefits under the Contract will be terminated as of the Business Day that we receive your surrender request. The Cash Surrender Value will be as of the Business Day that we process the transaction. We will pay you the Cash Surrender Value within seven calendar days thereof.
As part of your withdrawal request, you may indicate the Business Day on which you would like to take the withdrawal, including if you would like to take the withdrawal at the end of the current Crediting Period for your investments. If you indicate the Business Day on which your withdrawal should be taken, we must receive your withdrawal request in good order no later than the close of the Business Day on which you wish to take the withdrawal. If you do not indicate the Business Day on which to take the withdrawal, your withdrawal will be taken on the Business Day that we receive your request. If we receive your request in good order on a non-Business Day or after the close of a Business Day, it will be deemed to be received on the next Business Day.
REPETITIVE WITHDRAWALS (A FORM OF SYSTEMATIC PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS)
Repetitive withdrawals allow you to automatically withdraw payments of a pre-determined dollar amount or a fixed percentage of Account Value on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. You may request repetitive withdrawals by completing the appropriate form and sending it to our Service Center.
Repetitive withdrawals may be used to avoid tax penalties for premature withdrawals or to satisfy minimum distribution requirements of Qualified Contracts. To avoid a premature withdrawal penalty, they must be set up as a series of substantially equal periodic payments made at least annually and based on:
| | your life expectancy; or |
| | the joint life expectancy of you and your Beneficiary. |
Repetitive withdrawals based on life expectancy are intended to deplete your Account Value over the life expectancy through withdrawals that are substantially equal (as outlined in IRS guidance). To begin repetitive withdrawals based on life expectancy, you must verify your age in order for us to calculate the monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual withdrawal amount. We calculate the amount of a repetitive withdrawal based on life expectancy by dividing the Account Value by the life expectancy of the Owner as determined by using the IRS single-life life expectancy table or for IRA required minimum distributions, the appropriate IRS table. If repetitive withdrawals are based on joint-life life expectancy, we divide the Account Value by the joint-life expectancy of the Owner and the Beneficiary by using the IRS joint-life life expectancy table or for IRA required minimum distributions, the appropriate IRS table.
Repetitive withdrawals that are based on life expectancy may allow you to avoid the early withdrawal tax penalty of 10% that you would otherwise pay for taking withdrawals prior to age 591⁄2. If you take additional withdrawals or otherwise modify or stop these repetitive withdrawals, there may be tax consequences and penalties. You should talk to your tax professional for more information on taking repetitive withdrawals to avoid the 10% tax penalty. If you make repetitive withdrawals that are not based on life expectancy, the same restrictions, income taxes, and tax penalties that apply to random withdrawals may also apply to repetitive withdrawals.
If you receive a repetitive withdrawal, like any other partial withdrawal, the repetitive withdrawal will cause a reduction (perhaps significant reduction) to your Strategy Base Value. Reductions to your Strategy Base Value will negatively impact your Strategy Account Value and may result in a lower amount of Index-Linked Interest being credited, if any, at the end of the Crediting Period. In addition, repetitive withdrawals may be subject to surrender charges. You should carefully consider how taking repetitive withdrawals can negatively impact your investment in the Contract. See PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE CONTRACTEARLY WITHDRAWAL AND LIQUIDITY RISK, ADDITIONAL
52
Table of Contents
INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIESImpact of Withdrawals from Index-Linked Interest Strategies, and FEES, CHARGES AND ADJUSTMENTSSurrender Charge for more information.
You should consult your tax and financial advisor(s) prior to beginning, modifying, or stopping repetitive withdrawals. We do not provide tax advice and you will be responsible for any errors in calculations or tax penalties associated therewith.
53
Table of Contents
You may take partial withdrawals or surrender your Contract (i.e., take a full withdrawal) at any time during the Accumulation Phase. A surrender charge may be imposed when you take a partial or full withdrawal during the Surrender Charge Period (the first six Contract Years). A surrender charge may be imposed when the Maturity Date is during the Surrender Charge Period. After the sixth Contract Year, there are no surrender charges under the Contract.
If a surrender charge applies to a withdrawal, the charge will be a percentage of the amount withdrawn in excess of your free withdrawal amount. See Free Withdrawal Amount below. If you take a partial withdrawal, we will deduct the surrender charge from the amount withdrawn unless you tell us to deduct the surrender charge from your remaining Account Value. If your remaining Account Value is not sufficient to pay the surrender charge, we will deduct the surrender charge from the amount withdrawn. If you take a full withdrawal, the surrender charge is calculated as part of your Cash Surrender Value.
The applicable surrender charge percentage will depend on the Contract Year during which the withdrawal is taken. The schedule below sets forth the surrender charge percentages under the Contract. The surrender charge schedule starts at 7% and declines until the seventh Contract Year when it reaches 0%.
| Contract Year |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender Charge (as a percentage of the amount withdrawn in excess of the free withdrawal amount) |
7% | 7% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
All withdrawals during the first six Contract Years are subject to surrender charges, except:
| | withdrawals during a Contract Year that, in the aggregate, do not exceed the free withdrawal amount; |
| | withdrawals for required minimum distributions; |
| | withdrawals while subject to eligible impairment; |
| | withdrawals while subject to eligible nursing home confinement; and |
| | withdrawals in the case of an eligible terminal illness. |
Withdrawals under the waivers for required minimum distributions, eligible impairment, eligible nursing home confinement or eligible terminal illness are in lieu of, and not in addition to, the free withdrawal amount. Your free withdrawal amount is reduced by any withdrawal under any of these waivers. Waivers are subject to availability by state. Please refer to Appendix B for availability in your state.
Death benefits under the Contract are not subject to surrender charges.
Surrender charges are intended to compensate us for expenses incurred in connection with the promotion, sale, and distribution of the Contracts. We intend to use revenue generated from surrender charges for any legitimate corporate purpose.
In addition to surrender charges, if, during a Crediting Period prior to the Crediting Date, you take a withdrawal (including systematic withdrawals), surrender your Contract, your Contract enters the Income Phase or we pay a death payment, the transaction will be based on your Strategy Interim Values in the Index-Linked Interest Strategies. The application of the Strategy Interim Values to such transactions could result in a loss and will not
54
Table of Contents
be subject to the Buffers for the Index-Linked Interest Strategies. In extreme circumstances, for any and all Index-Linked Interest Strategies, you may lose up to 100% of your Strategy Account Value in the Index-Linked Interest Strategies, including your principal and previously credited Index-Linked Interest.
If you take a withdrawal, surrender your Contract, your Contract enters the Income Phase or we pay a death payment on a Crediting Date during the first six Contract Years, the transaction will be based on your Strategy Account Value, subject to the Asset Adjustment. The application of the Asset Adjustment to such transactions could result in a loss and will not be subject to the Buffers for the Index-Linked Interest Strategies. In extreme circumstances, for any and all Index-Linked Interest Strategies, you may lose up to 100% of your Strategy Account Value in the Index-Linked Interest Strategies, including your principal and previously credited Index-Linked Interest.
We calculate your Strategy Interim Value at the close of each such Business Day by applying an Equity Adjustment and an Asset Adjustment to your Strategy Base Value. These values are intended to protect us when you make a withdrawal from your Contract. These values provide us with protection from the trading risk that we will have to incur and/or reflect changes in the Strategy Account Value of each Index-Linked Interest Strategy throughout the Crediting Period, including on the Crediting Date.
| | The Equity Adjustment, which may be positive, negative or zero, reflects changes in the value of a hypothetical portfolio of derivative instruments that are used to hedge market risks allowing us to support the Index-Linked Interest associated with each Index-Linked Interest Strategy. The value of these instruments can be affected by factors such as Index performance, volatility, and interest rates. Each Business Day, we calculate the Equity Adjustment by comparing the fair value on that day of the hypothetical portfolio of derivative instruments with the unamortized initial cost of those derivatives, less the cost of unwinding the derivative positions. On a Crediting Date, the Equity Adjustment is equal to zero. |
| | The Asset Adjustment, which may be positive, negative or zero, is to account for changes in market interest rates that impact the value of a hypothetical portfolio of fixed income assets supporting your Contract. The value of these instruments can be affected by market interest rates and the time remaining to the sixth Contract Anniversary. Each Business Day, we calculate the Asset Adjustment by comparing the value of the Bloomberg US Aggregate Yield-to-Worst Index on the Effective Date with the value of the Bloomberg US Aggregate Yield-to-Worst Index at the end of that day. We do not apply an Asset Adjustment on or after the sixth Contract Anniversary. |
See the Statement of Additional Information for additional details of how the Equity Adjustment, the Asset Adjustment and your Strategy Interim Values are calculated.
Partial withdrawals taken from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy may negatively impact (perhaps significantly, and by an amount greater than the value withdrawn) your Strategy Account Value for the remainder of the Crediting Period, the Death Benefit and Account Value available for annuitization. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIESImpact of Withdrawals from Index-Linked Interest Strategies.
On any day, if you wish to obtain your Strategy Interim Value, you may contact our Home Office. Your Strategy Interim Value is calculated at the end of each Business Day, can fluctuate daily and may be more or less than the value provided at the time you contact us.
During the first six Contract Years, you may take withdrawals during each Crediting Period up to your free withdrawal amount without the imposition of surrender charges. Withdrawals under the waivers for required minimum distributions, eligible impairment, eligible nursing home confinement or eligible terminal illness are in
55
Table of Contents
lieu of, and not in addition to, the free withdrawal amount. Your free withdrawal amount for any Contract Year is reduced by any withdrawal under any of these waivers. Any aggregate withdrawals in excess of your free withdrawal amount in any Contract Year may be subject to surrender charges. After the sixth Contract Year, no surrender charge applies under the Contract.
We determine your free withdrawal amount at the beginning of each Contract Year during the first six Contract Years. Your free withdrawal amount during the first Contract Year is 10% of your Premium payment. Your free withdrawal amount for each of the following five Contract Years is 10% of your Account Value on the immediately preceding Contract Anniversary.
Withdrawals, including free withdrawals, are based on your Account Value, and are subject to Strategy Interim Value calculations during Crediting Periods and are subject to the Asset Adjustment on Crediting Dates during the first six Contract Years, regardless of any waiver of surrender charges. See Contract Adjustments, above, for additional information.
Example of the Surrender Charge and the Free Withdrawal Amount
The following example illustrates how the surrender charge and the free withdrawal amount apply to the Contract.
Assume:
| | Your Premium payment was $100,000. |
| | You did not make any withdrawals from your Contract during the first Contract Year. |
| | On the first Contract Anniversary, your Account Value is $110,000, and your free withdrawal amount therefore is $11,000 (10% of $110,000). |
| | During your second Contract Year, you take a partial withdrawal of $20,000 that is subject to a surrender charge of 7%. |
| | Your Strategy Base Value immediately prior to the withdrawal is $110,000. |
| | Your Account Value (based on Strategy Interim Values) immediately prior to the withdrawal is $95,000. |
| | You instruct us to deduct the surrender charge from your remaining Account Value rather than the amount withdrawn. Therefore, your Account Value is reduced by $20,000 plus the surrender charge. |
Because your free withdrawal amount is $11,000, the portion of the partial withdrawal subject to a surrender charge is the amount of the withdrawal of $20,000 that is in excess of $11,000, which is $9.000 (i.e., $20,000$11,000 = $9,000). Additionally, because you elected to have the withdrawal charge deducted from your remaining Account Value, you also pay a surrender charge on the amount of the surrender charge. To calculate your surrender charge of 7%, we use the following formula:
| surrender charge = | withdrawal charge percentage x amount of withdrawal in excess of free withdrawal / (100%-withdrawal charge percentage) |
This results in a surrender charge of approximately $677 (i.e., 7% x $9.000/(100%-7%). After subtracting the partial withdrawal ($20,000) and the surrender charge ($677), your Account Value (based on your Strategy Interim Values) would be approximately $74,323. Your Strategy Base Value for the Crediting period commencing on that day would be reduced in proportion to your Strategy Interim Value. Your Strategy Interim Value was reduced by approximately 21.8% ($20,677/$95,000), so your Strategy Base Value would be reduced by approximately $23,942 (i.e., $110,000 multiplied by $20,677/$95,000), and would be approximately $86,058.
56
Table of Contents
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION WAIVER
If approved in your state, we may waive surrender charges on required minimum distributions from Qualified Contracts required under the Code. The amount of your required minimum distribution eligible for the waiver is determined annually based on the fair market value of the Contract on December 31st occurring immediately prior to the beginning of a calendar year, in accordance with Code, and as if the Contract is your only retirement plan or account. For this purpose, if Your Contract was issued after December 31st occurring immediately prior to the calendar year, then the fair market value of Your Contract on that date is zero and the resulting required minimum distribution eligible for waiver of surrender charges for that calendar year is also zero.
To receive a surrender charge waiver for required minimum distributions, you must request the waiver in writing to our Service Center and include your election of either a single lump-sum payment or systematic payments. If the amount of your required minimum distribution exceeds the total free withdrawal amount available under your Contract during a Contract Year, we reserve the right to defer payment of the excess amount until the next Contract Year if the next Contract Year begins before the end of the calendar year. The unused portion of the waiver in any year cannot be carried over to a subsequent calendar year. Withdrawals under the waiver for required minimum distributions are in lieu of, and not in addition to, the free withdrawal amount. Your free withdrawal amount is reduced by any withdrawal under the waiver for required minimum distributions. Withdrawals are based on your Account Value, which may be subject to Strategy Interim Value calculations, regardless of any waiver of surrender charges. See Contract Adjustments, above, for additional information.
If approved in your state, after the first Contract Anniversary, upon your request in writing to our Service Center, we may waive surrender charges on withdrawals that you make while you are impaired. To receive a surrender charge waiver for impairment, your impairment must begin after the Effective Date and must have continued for at least 60 consecutive days. The 60-day requirement may begin during the first Contract Year, but no waiver will apply until after the first Contract Year and no surrender charge during the first Contract Year will be waived. You must provide written proof of impairment from your attending physician providing sufficient detail as to your impairment.
Withdrawals under the waiver for impairment are in lieu of, and not in addition to, the free withdrawal amount. Your free withdrawal amount is reduced by any withdrawal under the waiver for impairment. Withdrawals are based on your Account Value, which may be subject to Strategy Interim Value calculations, regardless of any waiver of surrender charges. See Contract Adjustments, above, for additional information.
Please see your Contract for more information regarding the impairment waiver.
NURSING HOME CONFINEMENT WAIVER
If approved in your state, after the first Contract Anniversary, upon your request in writing to our Service Center, we may waive surrender charges on withdrawals you make while you are confined in a nursing home for a period of at least 60 consecutive days if you were not confined to a nursing home prior to the Effective Date. The 60-day requirement may begin during the first Contract Year, but no waiver will apply until after the first Contract Year and no surrender charge during the first Contract Year will be waived. You must provide written proof of your confinement in an eligible nursing home while confined or within 90 days of when you were last confined.
Withdrawals under the waiver for nursing home confinement are in lieu of, and not in addition to, the free withdrawal amount. Your free withdrawal amount is reduced by any withdrawal under the waiver for nursing home confinement. Withdrawals are based on your Account Value, which may be subject to Strategy Interim Value calculations, regardless of any waiver of surrender charges. See Contract Adjustments, above, for additional information.
57
Table of Contents
Please see your Contract for more information regarding the nursing home confinement waiver.
If approved in your state, after the first Contract Anniversary, upon your request in writing to our Service Center, we may waive surrender charges on withdrawals that you make while you are terminally ill and not expected to live more than 12 months. To be eligible for a surrender charge waiver for a terminal illness, you must be diagnosed with a terminal illness after the Effective Date. You must provide written proof of the terminal illness, such as certification by an eligible physician who provides medical care to you regarding your terminal illness.
Withdrawals under the waiver for terminal illness are in lieu of, and not in addition to, the free withdrawal amount. Your free withdrawal amount is reduced by any withdrawal under the waiver for terminal illness. Withdrawals are based on your Account Value, which may be subject to Strategy Interim Value calculations, regardless of any waiver of surrender charges. See Contract Adjustments, above, for additional information.
Please see your Contract for more information regarding the terminal illness waiver.
58
Table of Contents
If your Contract enters the Income Phase, we will make annuity payments to the Payee(s) based on the annuity option that you select. Each annuity option is based on the life of at least one Annuitant. The value of the annuity payments that we make will depends in part on your Cash Surrender Value on the Maturity Date. This means that if the Maturity Date is (i) during a Crediting period, your Account Value will be based on respective Strategy Interim Values; (ii) the Maturity Date falls on a Crediting Date during the first six Contract Years, your Account Value will be based on Strategy Account Values that include the Asset Adjustment; and (iii) during the Surrender Charge Period, your payments will be based on your Account Value less surrender charges.
As of the Maturity Date, the only payments that we will make under the Contract are annuity payments (or a lump sum payment). It will not be possible to take withdrawals and the death benefit will not be payable upon death. Once your Contract enters the Income Phase, you cannot switch back to the Accumulation Phase.
The Maturity Date is fixed on the Effective Date as the Contract Anniversary on the Annuitants (or oldest Annuitants if a Joint Annuitant is named) 100th birthday. You may elect an earlier, but not a later, Maturity Date following the first Contract Anniversary by providing written notice to our Service Center. On the Maturity Date, your Contract will enter the Income Phase and annuity payments must begin unless you surrender your Contract prior to the Maturity Date. If you do not surrender your contract prior to the Maturity Date, the Income Phase will begin automatically. We will send notice to you prior to the scheduled Maturity Date and request that you verify all the information that we currently have on file.
The annuity option that you select will determine, among other things, the amount of your annuity payments and their frequency. Annuity payments will start at the end of the first payment period that begins on the Maturity Date.
You name the Annuitant(s) in your Contract application and may name the Payee(s) at any time prior to the Maturity Date. You may change a Payee or an Annuitant at any time prior to the Maturity Date by submitting a written request to our Service Center. You may elect and change the annuity option at any time prior to the Maturity Date by submitting an election form to our Service Center. The election form may be obtained through a written request, by phone, or by downloading the form from our website. After the Maturity Date, no such changes will be permitted. Changes in an Annuitant may affect the benefits available under this Contract and any riders or endorsements. We reserve the right to refuse Your request to change the Annuitant(s) if we receive the request more than 30 days after you signed it.
If you transfer the right to receive annuity payments to someone else, there may be gift and income tax consequences. If premium taxes are required by state law, these taxes will be deducted from your Account Value before the annuity payments are calculated.
You may choose one of the annuity options listed below or any other option you want and that we agree to provide. You may choose for payments to be made on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. With the exception of the Income for a Fixed Period option, each other annuity option listed below is a life annuity option. This means that the number of annuity payments a Payee receives depends, at least in part, on how long an Annuitant lives.
The available annuity options are as follows:
Income for a Fixed Period. The Payee receives annuity payments for the number of years and months chosen. If the Annuitant or Joint Annuitant dies before the end of the fixed period, the remaining annuity payments, as
59
Table of Contents
scheduled, will be paid to the Income Phase Death Benefit Recipient. Alternatively, the Income Phase Death Benefit Recipient may elect to receive a lump sum equal to the Commuted Value of the remaining scheduled payments.
Life Income with Guaranteed Period. The Payee receives annuity payments for the longer of the Annuitants life or a guaranteed period selected by you and agreed to by us. The amount of the annuity payments may be affected by the length of the guaranteed period you select. A shorter guaranteed period will result in higher annuity payments during the Annuitants life and fewer or no remaining guaranteed payments to the Payee. A longer guaranteed period will result in lower annuity payments. If the Annuitant dies before the guaranteed payments have been made, the remaining payments will be made to the Income Phase Death Benefit Recipient. Alternatively, the Income Phase Death Benefit Recipient may elect to receive a lump sum equal to the Commuted Value of the remaining scheduled payments.
Joint and Survivor Life Income with Guaranteed Period. The Payee receives annuity payments for the longer of the Annuitants life, the joint Annuitants life or a guaranteed period selected by you and agreed to by us. The full benefit amount will continue to be paid to the Payee until the later of the first death of either the Annuitant or joint Annuitant and the end of the guaranteed period. If only one Annuitant is alive when the guaranteed period ends, a percentage of the payment amount will continue to be paid to the Payee. You name the joint Annuitant, Payee and payment percentages at the time you elect this option. The joint Annuitant and payment percentages cannot be changed once the Income Phase begins. Choosing lower percentages to be paid after the death of either Annuitant results in higher payments while both Annuitants are living. If both Annuitants die before the guaranteed payments have been made, the remaining payments will be made to the Income Phase Death Benefit Recipient. Alternatively, the Income Phase Death Benefit Recipient may elect to receive a lump sum equal to the Commuted Value of the remaining scheduled payments.
If you do not choose an annuity option prior to the Maturity Date, if there is one Annuitant, we will make monthly annuity payments under the Life Income with Guaranteed Period annuity option, and if there is a joint Annuitant, we will make monthly annuity payments under the Joint and Survivor Life Income with Guaranteed Period annuity option. In either case the guaranteed period will be the default guaranteed period set forth in your Contract.
Not all forms of an annuity option will satisfy required minimum distribution rules for Qualified Contracts. See the section titled TAXES and consult your tax advisor for more information.
We may choose to distribute your Account Value in a lump sum if it is equal to or less than $2,000 or if monthly annuity payments would be less than $20. You may elect to have payments delivered by mail or electronically transferred to a bank account.
Proof of Age or Sex. We may require proof of age or sex before beginning annuity payments under any annuity option based on life or life expectancy. If the age or sex of any Annuitant has been misstated, annuity payments will be based on the corrected information. Underpayments will be made up in a lump sum with the next scheduled payment. We will deduct overpayments in equal amounts over any remaining guaranteed payment period or 10 years, whichever is less. We will credit interest on underpayments and will charge interest on overpayments. We may require evidence satisfactory to us that an Annuitant is living before we make any payment.
60
Table of Contents
BENEFITS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACT
The following table summarizes information about the benefits available under the Contract.
| Standard Benefits | ||||||
| Name of Benefit | Purpose | Maximum Fee | Brief Description of Restrictions/Limitations | |||
| Free Withdrawal Amount | Provides for an amount that may be withdrawn each Contract Year without incurring Surrender Charges | None |
Only available during the accumulation period
Withdrawals of Free Withdrawal Amount may be based on Strategy Interim Values and subject to taxes and tax penalties
All Withdrawals, including under the waivers for required minimum distributions, eligible impairment, eligible nursing home confinement or eligible terminal illness count against Free Withdrawal Amount
Unused Free Withdrawal Amount not available in future Contract Years | |||
| Death Benefit | Upon death, provides for death benefit payment equal to greater of Account Value or Premium payment (reduced proportionately for withdrawals) | None |
Only available during the accumulation period
Contract Value component may reflect Contract Adjustments
Premium payment component subject to proportional reductions for prior withdrawals by the percentage reduction in the Strategy Account Values and the Fixed Interest Strategy Value for each partial withdrawal
Death benefit is Account Value following a transfer of ownership except under limited circumstances | |||
| Required Minimum Distribution Waiver of Surrender Charges | Provides for waiver of Surrender Charges on required minimum distributions from Qualified Contracts required under the Code | None |
Must request the waiver in writing
Withdrawals may be subject to Contract Adjustments and taxes
In lieu of, and is not in addition to, Free Withdrawal Amount
If required minimum distribution exceeds the total free withdrawal amount available, we reserve the right to defer payment of the excess amount until the next Contract Year if the next Contract Year begins before the end of the calendar year
Unused portion of the waiver in any year cannot be carried over to a subsequent calendar year | |||
| Impairment Waiver of Surrender Charges | Provides for waiver of Surrender Charges on withdrawals while you are impaired | None |
Must request the waiver in writing including written proof of impairment
Impairment must begin after the Effective Date and continued for at least 60 consecutive days
No waiver will apply until after the first Contract Year
Withdrawals may be subject to Contract Adjustments, taxes and tax penalties
In lieu of, and is not in addition to, Free Withdrawal Amount | |||
61
Table of Contents
| Name of Benefit | Purpose | Maximum Fee | Brief Description of Restrictions/Limitations | |||
| Nursing Home Confinement Waiver of Surrender Charges | Provides for waiver of Surrender Charges on withdrawals while you are confined in a nursing home | None |
Must provide written proof of your confinement in an eligible nursing home while confined or within 90 days of when you were last confined
Confinement must begin after the Effective Date and continue for at least 60 consecutive days
No waiver will apply until after the first Contract Year
Withdrawals may be subject to Contract Adjustments, taxes and tax penalties
In lieu of, and is not in addition to, Free Withdrawal Amount | |||
| Terminal Illness Waiver of Surrender Charges | Provides for waiver of Surrender Charges on withdrawals when you are diagnosed with a terminal illness (not expected to live more than 12 months) | None |
Must provide written proof of the terminal illness
Must be diagnosed after the Effective Date
Withdrawals may be subject to Contract Adjustments, taxes and tax penalties
In lieu of, and is not in addition to, Free Withdrawal Amount |
62
Table of Contents
If you die during the Accumulation Phase, the Contract provides for a death benefit equal to the greater of:
| (a) | Your Account Value; or |
| (b) | Your Premium payment reduced proportionately by the percentage reduction in the Strategy Account Values and the Fixed Interest Strategy Value for each partial withdrawal, including the impact of any surrender charge deduction. |
If the Death Benefit is paid during a Crediting period, your Account Value will be based on respective Strategy Interim Values. If the Death Benefit is paid on a Crediting Date during the first six Contract Years, your Account Value will be based on Strategy Account Values that include the Asset Adjustment.
If we permit you to transfer ownership of the Contract or assign the Contract, the death benefit will equal your Account Value, unless the new owner or assignee is required under applicable law to hold the Contract and the proceeds of any benefits under the Contract for the benefit of the original Owner or you have assigned the Contract solely for the purpose of effectuating a replacement of the Contract that qualifies as an exchange under Section 1035 of the Code.
The death benefit will terminate on the Maturity Date and will not be payable once the Income Phase begins under any circumstances. This means the death benefit will terminate without value when the Contract is annuitized.
Death of Annuitant. If the Annuitant is not an Owner and the Annuitant dies before the Maturity Date, no Death Benefit will be paid if an Annuitant or Joint Annuitant dies before the Maturity Date unless the Owner is a Non-Natural Person, in which case the death of an Annuitant will be treated as the death of an Owner.
If the Annuitant is not an Owner and the Annuitant dies before the Maturity Date, you must notify us within 90 days and designate a new Annuitant. If no designation is made within 90 days after the Annuitants death, the Owner (or oldest joint Owner) named in the application will become the Annuitant.
The amount of the death benefit is subject to fluctuation until we receive due proof of death. Most importantly, if the Contract is invested in at least one Index-Linked Interest Strategy at the time that a death benefit becomes payable, the amount of the death benefit may decrease in value until we receive due proof of death. Thus, eligible recipients of the death benefit should notify us of an Owners death and provide us due proof of death as promptly as possible to limit the risk of a decline in the death benefit.
We will determine the amount of the death benefit on the Business Day that we receive at our Home Office due proof of death, which includes the following information:
| | Proof of death acceptable to us, such as a certified copy of a death certificate; |
| | Written payment directions from at least one eligible recipient of the death benefit; and |
| | Any other documents, forms or information we may require. |
The amount of the death benefit will include any interest required by state law. When we process the claim, all funds that are not paid out immediately will be transferred to the Fixed Interest Strategy, including, in the case of multiple Beneficiaries, the proportionate interest of each Beneficiary from whom we do not have payment instructions.
63
Table of Contents
Upon the death of a natural Owner during the Accumulation Phase, the death benefit is payable to the following:
| | Surviving Owner; or if none, then |
| | Surviving primary Beneficiaries; or if none, then |
| | Surviving contingent Beneficiaries; or if none, then |
| | Estate of the last Owner to die. |
For a Contract owned by a non-natural Owner, upon the death of the Annuitant during the Accumulation Phase, the death benefit is payable to the following:
| | Surviving primary Beneficiaries; or if none, then |
| | Surviving contingent Beneficiaries; or if none, then |
| | The non-natural Owner. |
If a person entitled to receive the death benefit dies before the death benefit is distributed, we will pay the death benefit to that persons named beneficiary or, if none, to that persons estate.
The recipient of the death benefit may elect to have the death benefit paid as:
| (a) | A lump sum payment or series of withdrawals that are completed within five years from the date of death; or |
| (b) | Payments made over the Beneficiarys life or life expectancy; or |
| (c) | Annuity Payments made over a persons life or life expectancy. The life expectancy election must be made within 60 days from our receipt of proof of death. Annuity Payments must begin within one year from the date of death. Once Annuity Payments begin, they cannot be changed. |
Life and life expectancy payouts of death benefits may not satisfy required minimum distribution rules under Qualified Contracts. See the section titled TAXES and consult your tax advisor for more information. If the death benefit is payable to the Owners estate, we will make a lump sum payment. Different death benefit elections may be available to certain Beneficiaries.
In limited circumstances, when the Owner dies, if the spouse of the deceased Owner is entitled to receive a death benefit, the spouse may have the option to continue the Contract instead. Under federal tax law, the spouses option to continue the Contract is contingent upon whether the deceased Owner and the spouse were legally married under applicable state law. See the section titled TAXES for more information.
The spouse may either elect to receive the amount of the death benefit or continue the Contract. If the spouse chooses to continue the Contract, the Account Value will not be adjusted even if the Death Benefit as calculated above would exceed the Account Value.
Upon the death of a spouse who becomes the owner of the Contract as a result of spousal continuation, the death benefit will be equal to the greater of:
| (a) | the Account Value; or |
| (b) | Your Premium payment reduced proportionately by the percentage reduction in the Strategy Account Values and the Fixed Interest Strategy Value for each partial withdrawal, including the impact of any surrender charge deduction. |
64
Table of Contents
Only one spousal continuation is permitted per Contract.
If an Owner dies during the Income Phase, then any amounts paid after the Owners death will depend on which annuity option was selected. If an Owner dies while annuity payments are being paid, we will pay the remaining annuity payments, if any, in accordance with that option. If the Annuitant is not an Owner and dies after the Annuity Date, then we will continue paying any remaining annuity payments due under the annuity option in effect to the Income Phase Death Benefit Recipient designated by the Owner. The remaining annuity payments will be distributed at least as rapidly as under the annuity option then in effect. See the section titled ANNUITY PAYMENTS for more information.
65
Table of Contents
This section discusses how the federal income tax applies to annuities in general. This information is not complete and is not intended as tax advice. Tax laws and their interpretations are complex and subject to change. We cannot predict the probability that any changes in the interpretation of the laws, or the laws themselves, will occur. No attempt is made to discuss state or other tax laws. F&G does not guarantee the tax treatment of any Contract or any transaction involving a Contract. You bear the complete risk that the Contract may not be treated as an annuity contract under federal income tax laws. It should be further understood that the following discussion is not exhaustive and that special rules not described in this prospectus may be applicable in certain situations. You should consult a competent tax advisor about the possibilities of tax law changes and your individual circumstances.
ANNUITY CONTRACTS IN GENERAL
Different tax rules apply to Premium payments made to annuity contracts and distributions from annuity contracts depending on how you take money out and whether the annuity contract is a Non-Qualified Contract or a Qualified Contract.
NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
Individuals may purchase Non-Qualified Contracts without any Premium payment limits imposed under the Code. The Premium payments are normally not deductible but taxes on the increases in the value of the Contract are generally deferred until an actual or deemed distribution occurs, such as a distribution in the form of a lump sum payment, a partial withdrawal, or as annuity payments under the option elected.
Your cost basis in the Contract equals the total amount of the after-tax Premium payment remaining in the Contract. Under the Code, you generally are taxable on the income on the contract at the time it is received. The income on the Contract generally means the excess of the Account Value over the investment in the Contract. The investment in the Contract, in turn, equals the aggregate amount of premiums paid less the non-taxable portion of amounts previously distributed from the Contract. Amounts distributed from a Contract are treated first as a taxable distribution of the income on the Contract, to the extent thereof, and second as a non-taxable distribution of the investment in the Contract. In the case of a full surrender of the Contract, the distribution is taxable income to the extent the amount received exceeds the investment in the Contract.
Distributions of income on the contract are includable in gross income and taxed at ordinary income rates. See also the discussion under Medicare Tax below. In certain situations, an ordinary loss deduction may be available upon the full surrender of a contract if the proceeds of the surrender are less than the investment in the Contract. However, the deduction will be a nondeductible miscellaneous itemized deduction. You should consult your tax advisor about any loss resulting from the surrender of a non-qualified annuity contract.
Contracts not owned for the benefit of natural persons, e.g., contracts owned by a corporation or certain other entities, are generally not treated as annuities for federal income tax purposes and any earnings are taxed as ordinary income in the current year. Exceptions may apply. For example, contracts held by a trust which holds the annuity contract as an agent for a natural person are treated as annuity contracts. Purchasers who are not natural persons should consult their own tax counsel or other tax advisor before purchasing the Contract.
In addition to ordinary income tax, Section 72(q) of the Code imposes a ten percent (10%) penalty on the income portion of any premature withdrawals from a non-qualified annuity contract. The penalty is not imposed on amounts received: (a) after the taxpayer reaches age 59 1⁄2; (b) after the death of the Owner; (c) if the taxpayer is totally disabled (for this purpose disability is as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code); (d) as a series of substantially equal periodic payments made not less frequently than annually for the life (or life expectancy) of the taxpayer or for the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the taxpayer and his or her beneficiary; or
66
Table of Contents
(e) which are allocable to Premium payments made prior to August 14, 1982. With respect to (d) above, if the series of substantially equal periodic payments is modified before the later of your attaining age 59 1⁄2 or five years from the date of the first periodic payment, then the tax for the year of the modification is increased by an amount equal to the tax which would have been imposed but for the exception, plus interest for the tax years in which the exception was used. There may be other exceptions to the 10% tax penalty and additional conditions to the 10% penalty exceptions described above. Before you make a withdrawal from a Non-Qualified Contract, you should consult your tax advisor to determine the tax treatment of the withdrawal and whether the 10% penalty tax will apply.
DISTRIBUTIONS AT DEATH
In order to be treated as an annuity contract for tax purposes, a Non-Qualified Contract must comply with Code Section 72(s), which provides that:
| 1. | If an owner dies before annuity payments begin, the entire interest in the contract must be distributed within five years after the date of the owners death. If payable to a designated beneficiary, the distributions may be paid over the life or life expectancy of that designated beneficiary, so long as the payouts begin within one year of the Owners death. If the sole designated beneficiary is the spouse of the owner, the contract may be continued in the name of the spouse as owner; or |
| 2. | If the owner dies on or after annuity payments begin, the remainder of any interest in the contract must be distributed at least as rapidly as provided for in the method in effect on the date of death. |
If the owner is not a natural person, then for purposes of these distribution rules, the annuitant is considered the owner. In addition, when the owner is not a natural person, a change in the annuitant is treated as the death of the Owner.
QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
The Contract may be purchased as a Qualified Contract. At this time, the only types of Qualified Contracts available for purchase are a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA. You do not have to purchase an annuity contract to qualify for the tax deferral offered by these Qualified Contracts. There may be other investment vehicles that can be purchased for your retirement plan. However, an annuity contract has features and benefits other than tax deferral that may make it an appropriate investment for your retirement plan. Numerous special tax rules apply to the participants in qualified plans and to annuity contracts used in connection with qualified plans. Therefore, we make no attempt in this prospectus to provide more than general information about use of the Contract with qualified plans. Other than those qualified contract types listed above, we do not offer contracts purchased as part of your employers retirement plan. You should consult your tax advisor regarding these features and benefits before you buy a Qualified Contract.
Qualified contracts are subject to special rules and limits on Premium payments and distributions that vary according to the type of IRA. You may be able to make a Rollover Contribution from other qualified plans and qualified contracts to this Qualified Contract. Ineligible or excess contributions to Qualified Contracts can result in substantial penalties. Tax penalties of 10% or more may apply to certain distributions; for example if you are under age 59 1⁄2 and an exception to the penalty does not apply.
Traditional IRAs. Contributions to a traditional IRA are subject to an annual contribution limit discussed below, except in the case of a Rollover Contribution. Such contributions may be deductible in whole or in part. A traditional IRA is subject to limitations on eligibility, contributions, transferability and distributions. Under certain conditions, distributions from other IRAs and other retirement plans may be rolled over or transferred on a tax deferred basis into an IRA in the form of Rollover Contribution. Purchasers of IRAs should obtain competent tax advice as to the tax treatment and suitability of such an investment.
67
Table of Contents
Roth IRAs. Under applicable limitations, individuals may also contribute nondeductible contributions to Roth IRAs. These Roth IRAs are also subject to limitations on eligibility, contributions, transferability and distributions. Qualified distributions from Roth IRAs are excluded from gross income. Qualified distributions are distributions which (a) are made more than five years after the taxable year of the first contribution to a Roth IRA, and (b) meet any of the following conditions: (1) the annuity owner has reached age 59 1⁄2; (2) the distribution is paid to a beneficiary after the owners death; (3) the annuity owner is disabled; or (4) the distribution will be used for first time home purchase. (Qualified distributions for first time home purchases may not exceed $10,000.) Non-qualified distributions are includable in taxable gross income only to the extent that they exceed the contributions made to the Roth IRA. The taxable portion of a non-qualified distribution may be subject to the 10% penalty tax.
You may convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. You will be required to include the taxable portion of the conversion in your gross income, but you will not be required to pay the 10% penalty tax. However, a 10% penalty tax may apply to a conversion from an IRA if distributions occur during the five taxable years beginning with the year in which the conversion was made. You should consult a tax advisor before converting an IRA to a Roth IRA.
IRAs in General. If your Contract is issued as an IRA or Roth IRA, then we will issue the Contract with language intended to qualify the Contract for tax purposes as an IRA or Roth IRA. We will also provide the necessary administrative procedures to administer the IRAs and Roth IRAs in accordance with IRS requirements governing the sponsors of IRAs and Roth IRAs subject to the accuracy and completeness of the information you provide us.
The Contract is also available for purchase as an investment by an IRA or Roth IRA custodial or trust account. In that case, we will issue a Non-Qualified Contract to the custodian or trustee for the benefit of the underlying IRA owner, as the tax qualification requirements will appear in the account and the custodian or trustee is responsible for administering the account in accordance with IRS requirements. However, the rights of any person to benefits may be subject to the terms and conditions of the IRA or Roth IRA account, regardless of the terms and conditions of the Contract. In addition, we will not be bound by the terms and conditions of the account to the extent such terms and conditions contradict the Contract, unless we consent.
Limits on Annual Contributions. Under federal tax law, traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs both limit the amount of annual contributions an individual can contribute to his or her traditional IRA or Roth IRA. The IRA and Roth IRA annual contribution limit for 2024 is the smaller of your taxable compensation or $7,000. This amount is lower than the minimum Premium payment of $25,000 that we accept. Therefore, you may only contribute an initial Premium payment that includes Rollover Contributions from other eligible retirement plans that, together with any annual contribution made at the time of Contract issuance, is at least sufficient to meet our minimum Premium payment. Rollover Contributions generally will not be subject to annual contribution limits.
Traditional or Roth IRA owners age 50 or older may be able to make additional catch-up contributions each year. For 2024, the catch up amount is $1,000 ($8,000 in total). A rollover from or conversion of a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is generally subject to tax.
Required Minimum Distributions. Generally, Qualified Contracts (except for Roth IRAs) must make required minimum distributions. For traditional IRAs, you must begin receiving required minimum distributions by April 1 of the year following the year in which you reach the applicable age. For individuals who reached age 70 ½ before January 1, 2020, the applicable age is 70 ½. For individuals who reach age 72 before January 1, 2023, the applicable age is 72. For individuals who reach age 72 after December 31, 2022 and reach age 73 before 2033, the applicable age is 73. If an individual reaches age 74 after 2032, the applicable age is 75 (the required beginning date). There is a 25% penalty tax on the shortfall if you fail to take required minimum distributions, which may be reduced to 10% if corrected within a two-year correction period.
The required minimum distribution rules require that the entire interest in the Contract generally must be distributed not later than the required beginning date or distributed, beginning not later than the required beginning date, over the life or life expectancy of the owner, or the joint lives or joint life expectancy of the
68
Table of Contents
owner and his or her designated beneficiary. These requirements do not apply to a Roth IRA during the owners life. Required minimum distributions from all IRAs you own may be taken in the form of withdrawals from (1) the IRA Account Value prior to the Contracts Annuity Date, or (2) from one or more of the other IRAs that you own, to the extent permitted under federal tax law.
Generally, if the owner of a traditional IRA or Roth IRA dies the entire interest of the owner must be distributed by December 31st of the year that is the tenth anniversary of the owners death or in the case of an eligible designated beneficiary, over the life or life expectancy of the eligible designated beneficiary if such distributions begin no later than December 31st of the year after the date of the owners death. An eligible designated beneficiary includes spouses, disabled and chronically ill individuals, individuals who are ten or less years younger than the deceased owner, and children who have not reached the age of majority (but only until they reach the age of majority). If your spouse is your beneficiary and your contract permits, your spouse may delay the start of required minimum distributions until December 31st of the year in which you would have reached your applicable age. The spouse beneficiary of an IRA may elect to roll over the death proceeds into his or her own traditional IRA (or a Roth IRA and pay tax on the taxable portion of the death proceeds) and treat the traditional IRA (or Roth IRA) as his or her own. Non-spouse beneficiaries may also be able to roll over death proceeds to an inherited IRA. If you die after required minimum distributions have begun, payments of your entire remaining interest must be made in a manner and over a period as provided under the Code. Roth IRAs are not subject to the required minimum distributions rule while the owner is alive. Distributions from a Roth IRA may be deferred until the death of the owner.
Tax Treatment of Withdrawals. To the extent Premium payments have a zero cost basis (were made with pre-tax dollars), withdrawals will be taxed as ordinary income. In addition to ordinary income tax, Section 72(t) of the Code imposes a 10% penalty tax on the taxable portion of certain distributions from Qualified Contracts. To the extent amounts are not includable in gross income because they have been rolled over to an IRA or to another eligible plan; no tax penalty will be imposed. The following is a list of some of the distributions to which the tax penalty will not apply: (a) distributions made on or after the date on which the owner reaches ages 59 1⁄2; (b) distributions following the death or disability of the owner as defined by the Code; (c) distributions made after separation from service after attainment of age 55; (d) distributions that are part of substantially equal periodic payments made not less frequently than annually for the life (or life expectancy) of the owner or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of such owner and his or her beneficiary; (e) distributions made to the owner to the extent such distributions do not exceed the amount allowable as a deduction under Section 213 of the Code to the owner for amounts paid during the taxable year for medical care; (f) distributions made to pay health insurance premiums for an unemployed owner; (g) distributions made to pay qualified higher education expenses; (h) distributions made to an owner for first time home purchases; (i) distributions due to an IRS levy; (j) qualified reservist distributions, as defined by the Code; (k) distributions to qualified public safety employees from a governmental defined benefit plan after attaining age 50 and separating from service; (l) distributions up to $5,000 in connection with the birth or adoption of a child; and (m) distributions to terminally ill individuals. The exception stated in (c) above does not apply to an IRA and Roth IRA. There may be other exceptions to the 10% tax penalty and additional conditions to the 10% penalty exceptions described above. Before you make a withdrawal, you should consult your tax advisor to determine the tax treatment of the withdrawal and whether the 10% penalty tax will apply.
TAXATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
Although tax consequences may vary depending on the payout option elected under an annuity contract, a portion of each annuity payment (or amount received as an annuity) is generally not taxed and the remainder is taxed as ordinary income. The non-taxable portion of an annuity payment is generally determined using an exclusion ratio in a manner that is designed to allow you to recover your after-tax investment in the contract. The exclusion amount for annuity payments based on a fixed annuity is determined by multiplying the payment by the ratio that the cost basis of the contract (adjusted for any period certain) bears to the expected return under the contract. For Qualified Contracts, the after-tax investment may be zero. The exclusion ratio is determined when annuity payments start. It is applied to each annuity payment over the expected stream of annuity payments, so that each
69
Table of Contents
annuity payment is taxable in part and tax free in part. Once your investment in the Contract has been fully recovered, however, the full amount of each annuity payment is subject to tax as ordinary income. If the annuity payments stop as a result of the Annuitants death before full recovery of the investment in the Contract, you should consult a competent tax advisor to determine whether the unrecovered investment in the Contract is deductible. Owners, Payees and Beneficiaries under the contracts should seek competent financial advice about the tax consequences of any distributions.
As mentioned above, distributions prior to age 59 1⁄2 are subject to a 10% penalty tax, subject to certain exceptions. One exception is for distributions that are part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (made not less frequently than annually) for the life (or life expectancy) of the taxpayer or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the taxpayer and his or her designated beneficiary. Another is the exception for annuity payments made pursuant to a partial or complete annuitization of your Non-Qualified Contract. Whether annuity payments made prior to age 59 1⁄2 satisfy either of these exceptions will depend on the manner in which such payments are made under the facts and circumstances of each case.
DEATH BENEFITS
Any death benefits paid under the Contract are generally taxable to the Beneficiary. The rules governing taxation of payments from an annuity contract, as discussed above, generally apply to the payment of death benefits and depend on whether the death benefits are paid as a lump sum or as annuity payments. Estate or gift taxes may also apply.
EFFECT OF CIVIL UNIONS AND DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS
For non-qualified and qualified annuities, there may be certain distribution options or elections available under federal tax law to beneficiaries who are spouses as defined under federal tax law. For federal tax law purposes, a spouse is a person recognized as a spouse in the state where the couple was legally married. The term does not include a party to a registered domestic partnership, civil union, or similar formal relationship recognized under state law that is not denominated a marriage under that states law. Accordingly, these same options are not available to surviving beneficiaries who are civil union partners, domestic partners or other similar relationships as recognized under the laws of certain states. The administration of spousal rights and the related tax reporting for the Contract will be done in a manner consistent with federal tax law requirements. The rights and benefits of civil union, domestic partnerships and other similar relationships under federal law are complex. Therefore, you should contact your legal advisor to discuss the availability of options and elections available to your surviving partner.
EXCHANGES
From time to time we may offer programs under which certain annuity contracts previously issued by us may be exchanged for the Contracts offered by this prospectus. These programs will be made available on terms and conditions determined by us, and any such programs will comply with applicable law. We believe the exchanges will be tax free for federal income tax purposes; however, you should consult your tax advisor. Generally you can exchange one Non-Qualified Contract for another in a tax free exchange under Section 1035 of the Code. In addition, if your Contract is a Qualified Contract, then it will generally qualify as a tax free rollover or transfer. However, if the transaction takes the form of a 60-day rollover, only one such rollover is permitted during any one-year period.
You can make only one rollover from an IRA to another (or the same) IRA in any 12-month period, regardless of the number of IRAs you own. The limit will apply by aggregating all of your IRAs, including Roth IRAs, effectively treating them as one IRA for purposes of the limit. Trustee-to-trustee transfers between IRAs and rollovers from traditional to Roth IRAs are not limited.
70
Table of Contents
If you exchange part of an existing contract for this Contract, and within 180 days of the exchange you receive a payment (e.g., you make a withdrawal) from either contract, the exchange may not be treated as a tax free exchange. Rather, the exchange may be treated as if you had made a taxable withdrawal from the existing contract and then purchased this Contract. Subject to certain exceptions, some or all of the amount exchanged into this Contract could be includable in your income and subject to the 10% tax described in the Non-Qualified Contracts section of this prospectus.
If you are considering a partial exchange of an annuity contract, you should consider the conditions described by Revenue Procedure 2011-38. Under Rev. Proc. 2011-38: (1) the period of time after which cash can be withdrawn from either contract is 180 days beginning on the date of the transfer and (2) annuity payments that satisfy the newly enacted partial annuitization rule under Section 72(a)(2) of the Code will not be treated as a distribution from either the old or new contract.
In a private letter ruling, the IRS allowed the beneficiary of a series of several fixed and variable qualified inherited annuities to complete an exchange under Section 1035 of the Code of those contracts into a new variable annuity so long as the technical requirements for the exchange under Section 1035 of the Code were honored, and the beneficiary committed to taking post-death distributions from the new annuity at least as rapidly as were occurring under the old contract. While a private letter ruling gives an insight into the IRS view, legally it only applies to the taxpayer who requested the ruling. A beneficiary contemplating an exchange under Section 1035 of the Code of an inherited annuity contract should consult with their tax advisor.
Before making an exchange, you should compare both contracts carefully. You may have to pay a surrender charge on your existing annuity contract; other charges may be higher (or lower) and the benefits may be different. You should not exchange another annuity contract for this one unless you determine that, after knowing all the facts, the exchange is in your best interest. Also, you should consult your tax advisor in connection with an exchange involving the Contract, especially if you anticipate making a withdrawal from either contract.
A transfer or assignment of ownership of a contract, the designation of an annuitant, the selection of certain annuity dates, or the exchange of a contract may result in certain tax consequences to you that are not discussed here. An owner contemplating any such transfer, assignment or exchange should consult with their tax advisor.
MULTIPLE CONTRACTS
All deferred non-qualified annuity contracts that are issued by F&G (or any affiliate) to the same owner during any calendar year will be treated as one annuity contract for purposes of determining the taxable amount. As a result, withdrawals from any such contracts will be taxed based upon the income in all of the contracts aggregated in the same calendar year. Such treatment may result in adverse tax consequences including more rapid taxation of the distributed amounts from such multiple contracts. For purposes of the aggregation rule, contracts received in a 1035 exchange will be considered issued in the year of the exchange. Also, all traditional IRAs you own will be treated as one IRA for tax purposes. You should consult a tax advisor prior to purchasing more than one annuity contract in any calendar year or owning more than one IRA.
TAX WITHHOLDING
Generally, federal income tax is withheld from the taxable portion of non-periodic payments at a rate of 10%. Withholding on periodic payments as defined by the Code is at the same rate as wages. Typically, you may elect not to have income taxes withheld or to have withholding done at a different rate. Special withholding rules apply to United States citizens residing outside the United States and to nonresident aliens.
FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES
While no attempt is being made to discuss the federal estate tax implications of the Contract, a purchaser should keep in mind that the value of an annuity contract owned by a decedent and payable to a beneficiary by virtue of
71
Table of Contents
surviving the decedent is included in the decedents gross estate. Depending on the terms of the annuity contract, the value of the annuity included in the gross estate may be the value of the lump sum payment payable to the designated beneficiary or the actuarial value of the payments to be received by the beneficiary. Consult an estate planning advisor for more information.
GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX
Under certain circumstances, the Code may impose a generation-skipping transfer tax when all or part of an annuity contract is transferred to, or a death benefit is paid to, an individual two or more generations younger than the owner. Regulations issued under the Code may require us to deduct the tax from your Contract, or from any applicable payment, and pay it directly to the IRS.
AMERICAN TAXPAYER RELIEF ACT OF 2012/TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
The American Taxpayer Relief Act: (1) permanently provides for a maximum federal estate tax rate, gift tax rate and generation skipping transfer tax rate of 40% with an inflation-adjusted $5 million lifetime unified estate and gift tax exclusion and a $5 million generation skipping transfer exclusion; (2) makes permanent portability between spouses which allows the estate of a decedent who is survived by a spouse to permit the surviving spouse to use the decedents unused $5 million lifetime exclusion; and (3) extends a number of generation skipping transfer provisions. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act temporarily doubles the exemption amount, indexed for inflation, for estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes from the $5 million base, set in 2011, to the new $10 million base, effective for tax years 2018 through 2025.
MEDICARE TAX
Distributions from non-qualified annuity contracts will be considered investment income for purposes of the 3.8% Medicare tax on investment income. Thus, in certain circumstances, this tax will be applied to some or all of the taxable portion of distributions (e.g. earnings) to individuals whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Please consult a tax advisor for more information.
ANNUITY PURCHASES BY NONRESIDENT ALIENS AND FOREIGN CORPORATIONS
The discussion above provides general information regarding U.S. federal income tax consequences to annuity purchasers that are U.S. citizens or residents. If you are not a U.S. citizen or resident, you will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on taxable distributions from annuity contracts at a 30% rate, unless a lower treaty rate applies. In addition, you may be subject to state and/or municipal taxes and taxes that may be imposed by your country of citizenship or residence. You should consult with a qualified tax advisor regarding U.S., state, and foreign taxation with respect to purchasing the Contract.
FOREIGN TAX CREDITS
We may benefit from any foreign tax credits attributable to taxes paid by certain Indexes to foreign jurisdictions to the extent permitted under federal tax law.
POSSIBLE TAX LAW CHANGES
Although the likelihood of legislative changes is uncertain, there is always the possibility that the tax treatment of the Contract could change by legislation or otherwise. Consult a tax advisor with respect to legislative developments and their effect on the Contract.
We have the right to modify the Contract in response to legislative changes that could otherwise diminish the favorable tax treatment that annuity contract owners currently receive. We make no guarantee regarding the tax status of any contract and do not intend the above discussion as tax advice.
72
Table of Contents
The General Account is made up of all of F&Gs assets, including the Separate Account. It does not include any insulated separate accounts established by the Company. F&G exercises sole discretion over the investment of General Account assets, and bears the associated investment risks. You will not share in the investment experience of General Account assets. The General Account invests its assets in accordance with state insurance law. All of the assets of the General Account are chargeable with the claims of any of our contract owners as well as our creditors and are subject to the liabilities arising from any of our other business.
We place certain assets supporting the Index-Linked Index Strategies and the Fixed Interest Strategy in the Separate Account. We have exclusive and absolute ownership and control of the assets of the Separate Account. You do not share in the investment performance of assets allocated to the Separate Account. The Separate Account is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. It is non-unitized, non-insulated and was established under the laws of Iowa solely for the purpose of supporting our obligations under the Contract. Like the assets held in our General Account, all of the assets of the Separate Account are chargeable with the claims of any of our contract owners as well as our creditors and are subject to the liabilities arising from any of our other business.
CHANGES TO THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
Where permitted by applicable law, we reserve the right to make certain changes to the structure and operation of the Separate Account. We will not make any such changes without receiving any necessary approval of any applicable state insurance department. We will notify you of any changes in writing. These changes include, among others, the right to:
| | Manage the Separate Account under the direction of a committee at any time; |
| | Make any changes required by applicable law or regulation; and |
| | Modify the provisions of the Contract to reflect changes to the Index-Linked Interest Strategies and the Separate Account and to comply with applicable law. |
Some, but not all, of these future changes may be the result of changes in applicable laws or interpretations of law. We reserve the right to make other structural and operational changes affecting the Separate Account.
SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS OR TRANSFERS
We may suspend or delay the payment of death benefits and withdrawals, the calculation of annuity payments, and transfers when we cannot calculate a Strategy Account Value under any of the following circumstances:
| | the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); |
| | the closing value of an Index is not published; |
| | trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted; |
| | the calculation of the Strategy Interim Value is not reasonably practical due to an emergency; or |
| | during any other period when a regulator, by order, so permits. |
If a value for an Index cannot be obtained on any day due to any of these circumstances, we will use the value of the Index as of the next Business Day that the value is available. If the beginning day of a Crediting Period falls on a Business Day for which we cannot obtain a value for an Index, the beginning day of the Crediting Period will not change.
73
Table of Contents
The Contracts are distributed by F&G Securities. F&G Securities is a wholly-owned subsidiary of F&G and is located at 801 Grand Ave., Suite 2600, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. It is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). No amounts are retained by F&G Securities for acting as principal underwriter for the Separate Account, but its expenses are covered by F&G. F&G Securities will use its best efforts to perform its distribution services, but is not required to sell any number or dollar amount of Contracts. We may stop offering the Contracts at any time.
The Contracts are sold by broker-dealers who have a current sales agreement with F&G Securities and F&G, through individuals who, in addition to being licensed to sell annuity contracts under state insurance laws, are also registered representatives of the broker-dealers.
We generally pay the broker-dealers who sell our Contracts on a commission basis. The amount and timing of commissions paid to selling broker-dealers may vary depending on the selling agreements and the Contract sold but will not be more than 7% of the Premium payments. Sometimes, we enter into an agreement with a selling firm to pay commissions as a combination of a certain amount of the commission at the time of sale and a trail commission which, when totaled, could exceed 7%.
Broker-dealers typically share a portion of the commissions they receive with their registered representatives who solicited sales of the Contracts, depending on the agreement between the broker-dealer and the registered representative. If you would like information about what your registered representative and his or her broker-dealer received in connection with your Contract, please ask your registered representative.
We also pay allowances, bonuses and other incentives to some broker-dealers and/or other distributors of the Contracts. A bonus dependent upon persistency is one type of bonus that we may pay. These additional incentives or payments are calculated in different ways and are not offered to all broker-dealer firms. Other payments can be for other services that do not directly involve the sale of the Contracts. These services may include the recruitment and training of personnel, production of promotional literature, and similar services. We also provide non-cash compensation to broker-dealers and their registered representatives, including providing (or covering costs associated with) conferences, seminars and other marketing events and expenses, and items of small value, such as promotional gifts, meals or tickets to sporting or entertainment events. The non-cash compensation programs are subject to, and designed to comply with, applicable laws, including FINRA regulations.
The compensation paid to your broker-dealer and registered representative (including any allowances, bonuses, non-cash compensation and other incentive payments) could create an incentive for your registered representative, and the broker-dealer with which they are associated, to recommend the Contract because they will receive more compensation for the Contract than for other investments they could recommend.
Certain of F&G Securities registered persons who act as wholesalers will provide sales support and training for registered representatives who sell the Contracts through broker-dealers with sales agreements. F&G Securities wholesalers may receive bonus compensation based on sales of the Contracts made by broker-dealers with whom such wholesalers work. F&G and F&G Securities also contract with firms to act as wholesalers for us and assist us in marketing our Contracts to broker-dealers and their registered representatives. Some wholesalers are also called independent marketing organizations and provide training, marketing and other sales-related functions for us. Some wholesalers also provide administrative services to us in connection with the Contracts. Wholesalers are typically paid commissions and overrides on Contract sales.
We reserve the right to amend the Contract to meet the requirements of applicable federal or state laws or regulations. You will be notified in writing of any changes, modifications or waivers.
74
Table of Contents
At least once each calendar year during the Accumulation Phase, we will send you an annual statement that will show your Account Value, any transactions made to your Contract during the year, any surrender charge deductions, the amount of the death benefit, and any Index-Linked Interest credited to your Index-Linked Interest Strategies. Each statement will show information as of a date not more than four months prior to the mailing date. On request, we will send you a current statement with the information described above.
Certain transactions may be permitted by telephone and electronically on the Internet and may require that we have properly signed authorization for your Contract on record. In addition, you may authorize someone else to make transactions by telephone, and if available on the Internet, on your behalf. F&G will not be liable for any failure to question or challenge such requests as long as there is a valid signed authorization on record at F&G. Transactions submitted by Internet will require certain identification information, such as a password or personal identification information.
Although we use reasonable procedures, including recording all telephone instructions and requiring certain personal identification information to prevent unauthorized account access, we cannot assure you that telephone or Internet activity will be completely secure or free of delays or malfunctions. If you choose to make transactions by telephone or Internet, you must be willing to assume the risk of loss that may occur despite our reasonable efforts to verify identity. We are not responsible for the negligence or wrongful acts of third parties.
The consolidated financial statements of Fidelity and Guaranty Life Insurance Company are included in the Statement of Additional Information. They should be considered only as they relate to our ability to meet our obligations under the Contract. Instructions on how to obtain the Statement of Additional Information are included on the back cover page.
We are regularly a party to litigation, arbitration proceedings and governmental examinations in the ordinary course of our business. While we cannot predict the outcome of any pending or future litigation or examination, we do not believe that any pending matter, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business.
75
Table of Contents
APPENDIX A: INVESTMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACT
Index-Linked Interest Strategies
The following is a list of Index-Linked Interest Strategies currently available under the Contract. We may change the features of the Index-Linked Interest Strategies listed below (including the Index and the current limits on Index gains), offer new Index-Linked Interest Strategies and terminate existing Index-Linked Interest Strategies. We will provide you with written notice before making any changes other than changes to current limits on Index gains. Information about current limits on Index gains is available at [same website address that is incorporated by reference earlier in the prospectus].
Note: If amounts are removed from an Index-Linked Interest Strategy before the end of its Crediting Period or, prior to the sixth Contract Anniversary, on a Crediting Date, we will apply a Contract Adjustment. This may result in a significant reduction in your Account Value that could exceed any protection from Index loss that would be in place if you waited until the end of the Crediting Period.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX-LINKED INTEREST STRATEGIES of the prospectus for a description of the Index-Linked Interest Strategies features. See FEES, CHARGES AND ADJUSTMENTS of the prospectus for more information about Contract Adjustments.
| Index | Type of Index | Crediting Period |
Index Crediting Methodology |
Current
Limit on Index Loss (if held until end of Crediting Period) |
Minimum Limit on Index Gain (for the life of the Index-Linked Interest Strategy) | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 2.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 2.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 0.50% Performance Trigger Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 6.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 6.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 6.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 12.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 12.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 12.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| S&P 500® Index1 | Large-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Annual Lock | 10% Buffer | 2.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 2.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 2.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 0.50% Performance Trigger Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 6.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 6.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 6.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 12.00% Cap Rate | |||||
A-1
Table of Contents
| Index | Type of Index | Crediting Period |
Index Crediting Methodology |
Current
Limit on Index Loss (if held until end of Crediting Period) |
Minimum Limit on Index Gain (for the life of the Index-Linked Interest Strategy) | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 12.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 12.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| Russell 2000® Index1 | Small-cap U.S. companies | 6 Year | Annual Lock | 10% Buffer | 2.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Nasdaq-100 Index®1 | Largest U.S. and non-U.S. companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market except financial companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 2.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Nasdaq-100 Index®1 | Largest U.S. and non-U.S. companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market except financial companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 0.50% Performance Trigger Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 2.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 2.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 1 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 0.50% Performance Trigger Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 6.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 6.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 6.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 3 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 12.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 12.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 12.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| MSCI EAFE Index1 | Large and mid-cap non-U.S. developed market companies | 6 Year | Annual Lock | 10% Buffer | 2.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Hindsight 20/202 | Best performance of three asset allocation indices | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 3.00% Cap Rate | |||||
A-2
Table of Contents
| Index | Type of Index | Crediting Period |
Index Crediting Methodology |
Current
Limit on Index Loss (if held until end of Crediting Period) |
Minimum Limit on Index Gain (for the life of the Index-Linked Interest Strategy) | |||||
| Hindsight 20/202 | Best performance of three asset allocation indices | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 3.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Hindsight 20/202 | Best performance of three asset allocation indices | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 3.00% Cap Rate | |||||
| Hindsight 20/202 | Best performance of three asset allocation indices | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 10% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| Hindsight 20/202 | Best performance of three asset allocation indices | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 20% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| Hindsight 20/202 | Best performance of three asset allocation indices | 6 Year | Point-to-Point | 30% Buffer | 5.00% Participation Rate | |||||
| 1 | Each Index is a price return index, not a total return index, and therefore does not reflect dividends paid on the securities composing the Index. This will reduce the Index return and may cause the Index to underperform a direct investment in the securities composing the Index. |
| 2 | Hindsight 20/20 performance is based on the best performance for the applicable Crediting Period among three BofA MP Indices: the BofA MP Growth Index, the BofA MP Balanced Index or the BofA Defensive Index. Each of the BofA MP Indices follows a rules-based methodology designed to provide exposure in different proportions to four markets: U.S. large-capitalization companies, U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. high yield corporate bonds, and gold through certain exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The performance of the BofA MP Indices is reduced by a negative adjustment to the performance of three of the four underlying total return ETFs to approximate returns without dividends or distributions paid by the component companies, in other words, the price return. This will reduce each Indexs Index performance and will cause the Index to underperform a direct investment in the companies included in the Index. |
Each Index-Linked Interest Strategys limit on Index losses is guaranteed not to change for so long as that Index-Linked Interest Strategy remains available under the Contract. However, we reserve the right to add and remove Index-Linked Interest Strategies as available investment options. As such, the limits on Index loss offered under the Contract may change from one Crediting Period to the next. We reserve the right to stop offering all but one Index-Linked Interest Strategy (the S&P 500® Index with a 1-Year Crediting Period, Buffer of 10% and a Cap Rate).
If we offer a new Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Cap Rate in the future, the Guaranteed Minimum Cap Rate will be at least 2% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a one-year Crediting Period; 6% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a three-year Crediting Period; 3% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period where the Index is Hindsight 20/20; 12% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period with any other Index; and 2% for each year of an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a six-year Crediting Period. If we offer a new Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Performance Trigger Rate in the future, the Guaranteed Minimum Performance Trigger Rate will be 0.50% for a point to point Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a one-year Crediting Period. If we offer a new Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Participation Rate in the future, the Guaranteed Minimum Participation Rate will be 5%. We reserve the right to offer Index-Linked Interest Strategies with different types of limits on Index gains.
Fixed Interest Strategy
The following is the Fixed Interest Strategy currently available under the Contract. We may change the features of the Fixed Interest Strategy listed below, offer new Fixed Interest Strategies and terminate the existing Fixed Interest Strategies. We will provide you with written notice before doing so.
See INVESTMENT OPTIONS FIXED INTEREST STRATEGY of the prospectus for a description of the Fixed Interest Strategys features.
| Name | Crediting Period | Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate | ||
| Fixed Interest Strategy |
1 Year | 0.15% |
A-3
Table of Contents
| State |
Benefit or Feature |
Availability or Variation | ||
| Florida |
Right to Examine | If you exercise your right to cancel the Contract, as described in Right to Examine, you will receive the greater of (i) the Account Value and (ii) the Premium received less any Withdrawals. | ||
| Incontestability | We will not contest the validity of this Contract after the Issue Date, even if Birth Date and/or Sex has been misstated. | |||
| Waiver of Surrender Charges | Surrender Charges are not assessed upon annuitization, even if annuitized prior to the Maturity Date. | |||
| Annuity Payments | Based on Account Value rather than Surrender Value. | |||
| Illinois |
Misstatement of Birth Date and/or Sex | Misstatements made as to the sex of the Annuitant(s) are excluded from the Misstatements of Birth Date and/or Sex provision. | ||
| Maryland |
Right to Examine | If you exercise your right to cancel the Contract, as described in Right to Examine, you will receive an amount equal to Premiums received less any Withdrawals. | ||
| Surrender Charge Waiver Riders Nursing Home Confinement, Impairment, Terminal Illness | You may apply for these waivers after 6 months following the Effective Date of the Contract. | |||
| Massachusetts |
Right to Examine | If you exercise your right to cancel the Contract, as described in Right to Examine, you will receive an amount equal to Premiums received less any Withdrawals. | ||
| Unisex | The amount of any annuity payments under the Contract will be based on unisex values. | |||
| Misstatement of Birth Date and/or Sex | Misstatements made as to the sex of the Annuitant(s) are excluded from the Misstatements of Birth Date and/or Sex provision. | |||
| Minnesota |
Right to Examine | If you exercise your right to cancel the Contract, as described in Right to Examine, you will receive an amount equal to Premiums received less any Withdrawals. | ||
| New Hampshire |
Right to Examine | If you exercise your right to cancel the Contract, as described in Right to Examine, you will receive an amount equal to Premiums received less any Withdrawals. | ||
| Incontestability | We will not contest the validity of this Contract after the Issue Date, even if Birth Date and/or Sex has been misstated. | |||
B-1
Table of Contents
| State |
Benefit or Feature |
Availability or Variation | ||
| North Carolina |
Right to Examine | If you exercise your right to cancel the Contract, as described in Right to Examine, you will receive an amount equal to Premiums received less any Withdrawals. | ||
| Oklahoma |
Right to Examine | If you exercise your right to cancel the Contract, as described in Right to Examine, you will receive an amount equal to Premiums received less any Withdrawals. | ||
| Notification of Death |
If we overpay the Death Benefit, our right to recover such overpayment terminates twelve (12) months after such payment is made, except in cases of fraud. | |||
| Texas |
Right to Examine | If you exercise your right to cancel the Contract, as described in Right to Examine, you will receive an amount equal to Account Value, plus any fees and charges deducted from the Account Value. | ||
| Washington |
Right to Examine | If you exercise your right to cancel the Contract, as described in Right to Examine, an additional ten percent penalty shall be added to any proceeds if not paid within thirty days of return of the Contract to us or the insurance producer. | ||
B-2
Table of Contents
S&P 500® Index
The S&P 500® Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, or its affiliates (SPDJI) and has been licensed for use by Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company. Standard & Poors® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global (S&P); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow Jones); these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. These Annuity products are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively, S&P Dow Jones Indices). Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of these Annuity products or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in these Annuity products particularly or the ability of the S&P 500® Index to track general market performance. Past performance of an index is not an indication or guarantee of future results. S&P Dow Jones Indices only relationship to Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company with respect to the S&P 500® Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its licensors. The S&P 500® Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company or the Annuity products. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take the needs of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company or the owners of Annuity products into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500® Index. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices are responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of Annuity products or the timing of the issuance or sale of Annuity products or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which Annuity products is to be converted into cash, surrendered or redeemed, as the case may be. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of Annuity products. There is no assurance that investment products based on the S&P 500® Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment or tax advisor. A tax advisor should be consulted to evaluate the impact of any tax-exempt securities on portfolios and the tax consequences of making any particular investment decision. Inclusion of a security within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.
NEITHER S&P DOW JONES INDICES NOR THIRD PARTY LICENSOR GUARANTEES THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500® INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, OWNERS OF THE ANNUITY PRODUCTS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S&P 500® INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBLITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.
C-1
Table of Contents
Russell 2000® Index
Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company annuity products (the Products) have been developed solely by Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company. The Products are not in any way connected to or sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (collectively, the LSE Group). FTSE Russell is a trading name of certain of the LSE Group companies.
All rights in the Russell 2000® Index (the Index) vest in the relevant LSE Group company which owns the Index. Russell® and Russell 2000® are trade-marks of the relevant LSE Group company and are used by any other LSE Group company under license.
The Index is calculated by or on behalf of FTSE International Limited or its affiliate, agent or partner. The LSE Group does not accept any liability whatsoever to any person arising out of (a) the use of, reliance on or any error in the Index or (b) investment in or operation of the Products. The LSE Group makes no claim, prediction, warranty or representation either as to the results to be obtained from the Products or the suitability of the Index for the purpose to which it is being put by Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company.
NASDAQ-100® Index
The Product(s) is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Nasdaq, Inc. or its affiliates (Nasdaq, with its affiliates, are referred to as the Corporations). The Corporations have not passed on the legality or suitability of, or the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and disclosures relating to, the Product(s). The Corporations make no representation or warranty, express or implied to the owners of the Product(s) or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Product(s) particularly, or the ability of the NASDAQ-100® Index to track general stock market performance. The Corporations only relationship to Fidelity &Guaranty Life Insurance Company (Licensee) is in the licensing of the Nasdaq®, NASDAQ-100® Index, and certain trade names of the Corporations and the use of the NASDAQ-100® Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Nasdaq without regard to Licensee or the Product(s). Nasdaq has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Product(s) into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the NASDAQ-100® Index. The Corporations are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Product(s) to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Product(s) is to be converted into cash. The Corporations have no liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Product(s).
THE CORPORATIONS DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR UNINTERRUPTED CALCULATION OF NASDAQ-100® INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT(S), OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE NASDAQ-100® INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE NASDAQ-100® INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE CORPORATIONS HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
MSCI EAFE Index
THIS ANNUITY IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY MSCI INC. (MSCI), ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, ANY OF ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, COMPILING, COMPUTING OR CREATING ANY MSCI INDEX (COLLECTIVELY, THE MSCI PARTIES). THE MSCI INDEXES ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE MSCI INDEX NAMES ARE SERVICE MARK(S) OF MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR USE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES BY JACKSON. NONE OF THE MSCI
C-2
Table of Contents
PARTIES MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THIS ANNUITY OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN ANNUITIES GENERALLY OR IN THIS ANNUITY PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF ANY MSCI INDEX TO TRACK CORRESPONDING STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE. MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES ARE THE LICENSORS OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE MSCI INDEXES WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD TO THIS ANNUITY OR THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THIS ANNUITY OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THIS ANNUITY OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE MSCI INDEXES. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF THIS ANNUITY TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY OR THE CONSIDERATION INTO WHICH THIS ANNUITY IS REDEEMABLE. FURTHER, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THIS ANNUITY OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR OFFERING OF THIS ANNUITY.
ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI INDEXES FROM SOURCES THAT MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ISSUER OF THE ANNUITY, OWNERS OF THE ANNUITY, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FURTHER, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, AND THE MSCI PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO EACH MSCI INDEX AND ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
No purchaser, seller or holder of this product, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trademark or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market or promote this product without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCIs permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.
BANK OF AMERICA MP INDICES
The Bank of America MP Indices (the Indices and each, an Index) are the property of BofA Securities Inc. and its Affiliates (BofAS) and licensed to Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company (Licensee). None of the F&G Confidence Builder (Product), any strategy or feature of the Product is in any way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by BofAS, and BofAS makes no representation as to the advisability of purchasing the Product. BofAS has not passed on the legality or suitability of, or the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and disclosures relating to, the Product or any strategy or feature of the Product, nor makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Product or any member of the public regarding the Product or the advisability of purchasing in the Product, particularly the ability of the Indices to track performance of any market or strategy. The selection of the Indices as a crediting option under the Product does not obligate the Licensee or BofAS to invest annuity payments in the components of the Indices or in other products linked to the Indices.
C-3
Table of Contents
BofASs only relationship to Licensee is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names and the Indices or components thereof and certain hedging arrangements between BofAS and the Licensee or its Affiliates and BofAS is not a party to any transaction contemplated hereby. The Indices are determined, composed and calculated by BofAS without regard to the Licensee or the Product or its holders. Subject to its regulatory obligations, BofAS has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the holders of the Product into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Indices, and BofAS shall not be liable, whether in negligence or otherwise, to any person for any errors or omissions in the Indices or in the calculation of the Indices or under any obligation to advise any person of any errors or omissions therein. BofAS is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the Product to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Product is to be priced, sold, purchased, or redeemed. BofAS has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the Product. While volatility controls may result in less fluctuation in rates of return as compared to indices without volatility controls, they may also reduce the overall rate of return as compared to products not subject to volatility controls.
The rules governing the operation and calculation of the Indices and any Index component sponsored or administered by BofAS (the Rules) may be amended by BofAS. An amendment to the Rules may result from, without limitation, a change to the construction or calculation of the Indices or such Index component, or from BofAS determining that a change to the Rules is required or desirable in order to update them or to address an error, omission or ambiguity. No assurance can be given that any such amendment would not be detrimental to purchasers of the Product. BofAS has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Indices or any such Index component. The end-of-day values of the Indices are published subject to provisions in the Rules. BofAS is not obligated to publish any information regarding the Indices other than as stipulated in such Rules.
THE INDICES AND ANY DATA, ARE PROVIDED AS IS. BOFAS DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR MAKE ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES ABOUT: THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDICES, THE CALCULATION THEREOF, OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS WITH RESPECT THERETO; OR THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY A LICENSEE, HOLDERS OF A PRODUCT (LINKED TO OR BASED ON THE INDICES, ANY DATA, CALCULATION, OR COMMUNICATIONS). BOFAS ALSO EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR SATISFACTORY QUALITY.
BOFAS SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, UNAVAILABILITY, LATENESS, OR INTERRUPTIONS OR ANY OTHER CAUSE (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), UNDER ANY CAUSE OF ACTION, TO: A LICENSEE; HOLDERS OF ANY PRODUCT (LINKED OR BASED ON THE INDICES, THIS DOCUMENT, OR ANY DATA); OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY-- ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE INDICES, ANY DATA, CALCULATION, OR COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE USE OF, OR RELIANCE ON THE INDICES, ANY DATA, CALCULATION, OR COMMUNICATIONS.
WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL BOFAS (OR ANY AFFILIATE) HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR LOST PROFITS OR OPPORTUNITY, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
THE LIMITATIONS IN THE ABOVE THREE PARAGRAPHS ARE INDEPENDENT OF EACH OTHER, AND THE FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE, OR UNENFORCEABILITY OF ANY PART SHALL NOT AFFECT ANY OTHER PART.
C-4
Table of Contents
BofAS and the Bank of America MP Indices are trademarks of BofA Securities Inc. or its Affiliates and have been licensed for use by Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company f. BofAS receives compensation from the Licensee in connection with licensing rights to the Indices and certain hedging arrangements between BofAS and the Licensee or its affiliates.
Obligations to make payments under the Product are solely the obligation of the Licensee and are not the responsibility of BofAS. BofAS did not publish or approve this document, and BofAS does not accept any responsibility for its contents or use.
C-5
Table of Contents
APPENDIX D: EXAMPLES OF CREDITING METHODS
The following examples illustrate how we calculate and credit interest under each Index crediting methodology assuming hypothetical Index returns and hypothetical limits on Index gains and losses. The examples assume no withdrawals. If you make a withdrawal, your Strategy Account Value will be based on the Strategy Interim Value. Please see the Statement of Additional Information for examples on how the Strategy Interim Value is calculated under various hypothetical scenarios.
Point to Point Cap Rate with Buffer
When you elect an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Crediting Method with a Cap Rate and a Buffer, you are partially protected from negative Index Change at the end of the Crediting Period, up to the stated Buffer amount. Any positive Index Change may be limited by the Cap Rate. Here are some examples of how a 10% Cap Rate and 10% Buffer work in combination based on different scenarios at the end of a Crediting Period:
Scenario 1: The Index Change for the Crediting Period is 20%. Due to the 10% Cap Rate, the Adjusted Index Change, which determines the amount of Index-Linked Interest credited to the Strategy Account Value, is 10%.
Scenario 2: The Index Change for the Crediting Period is 6%. Since the Index Change was positive but did not exceed the Cap Rate, the amount of Index-Linked Interest credited to the Strategy Account Value is based on the full return of 6%.
Scenario 3: The Index Change for the Crediting Period is -8%. Although the Index Change was negative, it was still within the 10% Buffer amount, so all of the negative return is absorbed by the 10% buffer and no Index-Linked Interest is credited to the Strategy Account Value.
D-1
Table of Contents
Scenario 4: The Index Change for the Crediting Period is -12%. Since the negative Index Change exceeds the 10% Buffer, your Strategy Account Value is partially protected up to the 10% Buffer and the amount of negative Index-Linked Interest credited to the Strategy Account Value is based on the 2% loss.
Performance Trigger Rate with Buffer
When you elect an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Performance Trigger Rate and Buffer, you are partially protected from negative Index Change at the end of the end of the Crediting Period, up to the stated Buffer amount. Any positive Index Change will be subject to the Performance Trigger Rate. If the Index Change is zero or positive at the end of the Crediting Period, the full amount of the Performance Trigger Rate will be credited to the Strategy Account Value. Here are some examples of how a 5% Performance Trigger Rate and 10% Buffer work in combination based on different scenarios at the end of a Crediting Period:
Scenario 1: The Index Change for the Crediting Period is 12%. Since the Index Change is positive, the Adjusted Index Change, which determines the amount of Index-Linked Interest credited to the Strategy Account Value, is equal to the stated Performance Trigger Rate of 5%.
Scenario 2: The Index Change for the Crediting Period is 2%. Since the Index Change is positive, the Adjusted Index Change, which determines the amount of Index-Linked Interest credited to the Strategy Account Value, is equal to the Performance Trigger Rate of 5%.
D-2
Table of Contents
Scenario 3: The Index Change for the Crediting Period is -8%. Although the Index Change was negative, it was still within the 10% Buffer amount, so all of the negative return is absorbed by the 10% buffer and no Index-Linked Interest is credited to the Strategy Account Value.
Scenario 4: The Index Change for the Crediting Period is -12%. Since the negative Index Change exceeded the 10% Buffer, Strategy Account Value is partially protected up to the 10% Buffer and the amount of negative Index-Linked Interest credited to the Strategy Account Value is based on the 2% loss.
Annual Lock Cap Rate with Buffer
When you elect an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy with a Cap Rate and a Buffer, you are partially protected from negative Index Change, up to the stated Buffer amount for each Contract Year during the Crediting Period. Any positive Index Change is subject to the Cap Rate for each Contract Year during the Crediting Period. On each Contract Anniversary, the Index Change (positive, negative, or flat), adjusted for the Cap Rate and the Buffer, is locked in for calculation of Interest-Linked Interest at the end of the Crediting Period. At the end of the Crediting Period (6 Years in this example) the annual locked in changes are compounded to determine the Index-Linked Interest credited to your Strategy Account Value. No Interest Linked Interest is credited to your Strategy Account Value until the end of the Crediting Period. Here are some examples of how a 10% Cap Rate and 10% Buffer work in combination in an Index-Linked Interest Strategy with an Annual Lock:
Year 1: The Index Change for the Contract Year is 13%. Due to the 10% Cap Rate, the Adjusted Index Change locked in for that Contract Year is 10%.
Year 2: The Index Change for the Contract Year is -5%. Although the Index Change was negative, it was still within the 10% Buffer amount, so all of the negative return is absorbed by the 10% buffer and the Adjusted Index Change locked in for that Contract Year is 0%.
Year 3: The Index Change for the Contract Year is 10%. Since the Index Change was positive but did not exceed the Cap Rate, the full 10% Index Change is locked in for that Contract Year.
D-3
Table of Contents
Year 4: The Index Change for the Contract Year is -12%. Since the negative Index Change exceeds the 10% Buffer, you are partially protected from loss up to the 10% Buffer and the Adjusted Index Change locked in for that Contract Year is the remaining 2% loss.
Year 5: The Index Change for the Contract Year is 15%. Due to the 10% Cap Rate, the Adjusted Index Change locked in for that Contract Year is 10%.
Year 6: The Index Change for the Contract Year is 11%. Due to the 10% Cap Rate, the Adjusted Index Change locked in for that Contract Year is 10%.
At the end of the Crediting Period (Year 6 in this example), all the locked in Adjusted Index Changes for Years 1-6 are compounded to determine the Index-Linked Interest that will be credited to the Strategy Account Value. In this example, the total compounded return is 43.48%
D-4
Table of Contents
We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Statement of Additional Information (SAI) that includes additional information about F&G Confidence Builder and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company. The SAI dated May 1, 2025, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The SAI is available free of charge. To request a copy of the SAI, to ask about your Contract, or to make other investor inquiries, please contact us by:
| | Calling us at 1-888-513-8797. |
| | Mailing us at our Service Center: |
| F&G | Service Center |
| P.O. | Box 81497 |
| Lincoln, | NE 68501-1497 |
| For | Overnight Mail: |
| F&G | Service Center |
| 777 | Research Drive |
| Lincoln, | NE 68521 |
| | Faxing us at [fax number]. |
| | Emailing us at [email address]. |
The SAI is also available at our website, [direct link to SAI].
EDGAR Contract Identifier No. [ ]
Table of Contents
PART B
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1
Table of Contents
FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Statement of Additional Information Dated May 1, 2025
F&G CONFIDENCE BUILDER
Individual Single Premium Deferred Index-Linked Annuity Contract
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated May 1, 2025 for the Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company Contract referenced above. The prospectus sets forth information that a prospective Investor ought to know before investing. You may obtain a free copy of the Prospectus by either contacting our Service Center at:
F&G Service Center
P.O. Box 81497
Lincoln, NE 68501-1497
For Overnight Mail:
F&G Service Center
777 Research Drive
Lincoln, NE 68521
1-888-513-8797
Read the prospectus before you invest. Terms used in this SAI shall have the same meaning as in the prospectus.
Table of Contents
| 3 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 9 | ||||
| 9 |
2
Table of Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
The Company issues the Contract described in the prospectus and is responsible for providing the Contracts insurance and annuity benefits. All guarantees and benefits provided under the Contracts are subject to the claims paying ability of the Company and our General Account. We are a stock life insurance company originally organized under the insurance laws of the State of Maryland in 1959 and redomesticated to Iowa in 2013.
The Company is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (FGLH), which is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of F&G Annuities & Life, Inc., a Delaware corporation (FGAL), which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. FGAL is a direct, majority owned subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF). FNF is a New York Stock Exchange listed company with its headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.
We are authorized to transact business in 49 states and the District of Columbia. We are not authorized to transact business in New York. Our primary business is issuing deferred annuities and life insurance products.
From this point forward, the term Contract(s) refers only to those offered through the prospectus.
The Company is party to an Amended and Restated Services Agreement with and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Business Services, Inc. (FGLBS), effective January 1, 2007 (the Services Agreement). FGLBS is the service provider and is an affiliate of the Company. The Company is provided personnel, including its executive officers, by FGLBS pursuant to the Services Agreement. Pursuant to the Services Agreement, the Company periodically reimburses FGLBS for costs incurred on its behalf, including routine operating expenses incurred in the normal conduct of business such as shared home office facilities, information technology, finance, legal, actuarial, human resources services and general overhead costs, including salaries and benefits.
The total amount paid by the Company to FGLBS under the Services Agreement for the years ending December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $[ ], $[ ] and $[ ], respectively.
We calculate the Strategy Interim Value for each Indexed-Linked Interest Strategy at the end of each Business Day throughout the entire Crediting Period. The calculation is based on a formula designed to measure the market value of your investment in an Indexed-Linked Interest Strategy at any point during the Crediting Period. Specifically, the formula we use derives the market value of a portfolio of hypothetical investments in derivatives and fixed income instruments. These values are intended to protect us when you make a withdrawal from your Contract. These values provide us with protection from the trading risk that we will have to incur and/or reflect changes in the Strategy Account Value of each Index-Linked Interest Strategy throughout the Crediting Period, including on the Crediting Date.
You should note that even if an underlying index is experiencing positive change, the Strategy Interim Value may be less than the Strategy Base Value. This is due to, among other factors, market inputs for volatilities, interest rates and dividends.
The calculation we use tracks the change in a hypothetical portfolio of investments in fixed income assets and derivatives, by applying an equity adjustment and asset adjustment to the Strategy Base Value of the Index-Linked Strategy.
3
Table of Contents
Equity Adjustment:
| | The Equity Adjustment, which may be positive or negative, reflects changes in the value of a hypothetical portfolio of derivative instruments that are used to hedge market risks allowing us to support the Index-Linked Interest associated with each Index-Linked Interest Strategy. |
| | Equity Adjustment(t) = Fair Value of Derivatives(t) Unamortized Option Cost(t) Unwind Cost(t) |
| | Fair Value of Derivatives(t) = The price at time t of a hypothetical portfolio of derivatives that matures on the Crediting Date and represents the buy/sell positions that support the crediting method in the underlying index. |
| | Unamortized Option Cost(t) = The initial option cost of the supporting derivative portfolio paid at the beginning of the Crediting Period, less the total depreciation (straight-line) up to time t |
| | Unwind Cost(t) is the cost of unwinding the derivative positions at time t |
| | On a Crediting Date, the Equity Adjustment is equal to zero |
Asset Adjustment:
| | The Asset Adjustment, which may be positive or negative, is to account for changes in market interest rates that impact the value of a hypothetical portfolio of fixed income assets. The Asset Adjustment is applicable on any day during the Asset Adjustment Period. |
|
Asset Adjustment(t) = A * |
( | 1 | ( | 1+B
|
) | D | ) | where | ||||||||
| 1+C |
| | A: Asset adjustment notional = Strategy Base Value at the start of time t |
| | B: Beginning Reference index value |
| | C: Current Closing Reference index value at time t |
| | D: Days till end of Asset Adjustment Period/365 as of time t |
| | Asset Adjustment Period: 6-years |
| | Reference index: Bloomberg US Aggregate Yield-to-Worst Index |
Fair Value of Derivatives
We utilize a fair value methodology to value the hypothetical portfolio of derivatives that support the Indexed-Linked Interest Strategies.
For each Index-Linked Interest Strategy, we value a hypothetical portfolio of derivatives, each of which is tied to the performance of the underlying Index for the Index-Linked Interest Strategy in which you are invested. We use derivatives to provide an estimate of the gain or loss on the Strategy Base Value that could have occurred at the end of the Crediting Period. This estimate also reflects the impact of the Cap Rate, Performance Trigger Rate and Buffer at the end of the Crediting Period, as well as the estimated cost of exiting the derivative positions prior to the end of the Crediting Period of the Index-Linked Interest Strategy (and the time to Contract Anniversaries for an Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy). The valuation of the options is based on standard market-consistent methods for valuing derivatives, such as the Black-Scholes methods, and based on inputs from third party vendors. The methodology used to value these options is determined solely by us and may vary, higher or lower, from other estimated valuations or the actual selling price of identical derivatives. Any variance between our estimated fair value price and other estimated or actual prices may differ from one Index-Linked Interest Strategy to another Index-Linked Interest Strategy. These prices can change daily.
4
Table of Contents
The options valued for each Indexed-Linked Interest Strategy type are as follows:
| A. | At-the-money call option: This represents the market value of the option to receive an amount equal to the percentage growth in the Index during the Crediting Period. |
| B. |
Out-of-the-money call option: This represents the market value of the option for gain in excess of the Cap Rate. |
| C. | Digital option: This represents the market value of the option to provide the Performance Trigger Rate under positive Index returns. |
| D. | At-the-money put option: This represents the market value of the option to receive an amount equal to the percentage loss of the index during the Crediting Period. |
| E. |
Out-of-the-money put option: This represents the market value of the option to receive an amount equal to the excess loss beyond the Buffer. |
Fair Value of Portfolio of Options Point to Point Cap Rates with Buffer
| | Is equal to: A minus B minus E |
Fair Value of Portfolio of Options Performance Trigger Rates with Buffer
| | Is equal to: C minus E |
Note: For the Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy, we value a derivative structure that assesses the compounded performance at each Contract Anniversary during the Crediting Period of the Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy. The market consistent model is calibrated by us to account for additional market risks relevant to the Annual Lock Index-Linked Interest Strategy.
Strategy Interim Value Examples:
| Item |
1-Year Strategy |
3-Year Strategy |
3-Year Strategy |
6-Year Strategy |
6-Year Strategy |
|||||||||||||||
| Crediting Period (in months) |
12 | 36 | 36 | 72 | 72 | |||||||||||||||
| Valuation date (in months) |
9 | 9 | 33 | 9 | 69 | |||||||||||||||
| Time to Maturity (in months) |
3 | 27 | 3 | 63 | 3 | |||||||||||||||
| Strategy Premium |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Protection Option |
Buffer | Buffer | Buffer | Buffer | Buffer | |||||||||||||||
| Buffer Rate |
10.00 | % | 10.00 | % | 10.00 | % | 10.00 | % | 10.00 | % | ||||||||||
| Cap Rate |
12.00 | % | 18.00 | % | 18.00 | % | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | ||||||||||
| Example: No change in the value of the Index relevant to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy and Asset Adjustment Reference Index rate |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Strategy Base Value (a) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Equity Adjustment (b) |
$ | 2,433 | $ | 859 | $ | 3,244 | $ | 873 | $ | 3,139 | ||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment (c) |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Interim Value (a) + (b) (c) = (d) |
$ | 102,433 | $ | 100,859 | $ | 103,244 | $ | 100,873 | $ | 103,139 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Account Value (d) = (e) |
$ | 102,433 | $ | 100,859 | $ | 103,244 | $ | 100,873 | $ | 103,139 | ||||||||||
| Example: The value of the Index relevant to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy decreased by 10% and no change in Asset Adjustment Reference Index rate |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Strategy Base Value (a) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Equity Adjustment (b) |
-$3,058 | -$4,626 | - | $2,666 | -$6,579 | -$2,984 | ||||||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment (c) |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Interim Value (a) + (b) (c) = (d) |
$ | 96,942 | $ | 95,374 | $ | 97,334 | $ | 93,421 | $ | 97,016 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Account Value (d) = (e) |
$ | 96,942 | $ | 95,374 | $ | 97,334 | $ | 93,421 | $ | 97,016 | ||||||||||
5
Table of Contents
| Example: The value of the Index relevant to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy increased by 20% and Asset Adjustment Reference Index rate increased by 25% |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy Base Value (a) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Equity Adjustment (b) |
$ | 10,234 | $ | 8,819 | $ | 14,449 | $ | 14,853 | $ | 19,944 | ||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment (c) |
$ | 1,290 | $ | 1,290 | $ | 800 | $ | 1,290 | $ | 62 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Interim Value (a) + (b) (c) = (d) |
$ | 108,945 | $ | 107,529 | $ | 113,648 | $ | 113,564 | $ | 119,883 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Account Value (d) = (e) |
$ | 108,945 | $ | 107,529 | $ | 113,648 | $ | 113,564 | $ | 119,883 | ||||||||||
| Example: The value of the Index relevant to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy increased by 10% and Asset Adjustment Reference Index rate increased by 25% |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy Base Value (a) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Equity Adjustment (b) |
$ | 7,180 | $ | 5,308 | $ | 9,410 | $ | 8,030 | $ | 10,712 | ||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment (c) |
$ | 1,290 | $ | 1,290 | $ | 800 | $ | 1,290 | $ | 62 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Interim Value (a) + (b) (c) = (d) |
$ | 105,890 | $ | 104,018 | $ | 108,610 | $ | 106,740 | $ | 110,650 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Account Value (d) = (e) |
$ | 105,890 | $ | 104,018 | $ | 108,610 | $ | 106,740 | $ | 110,650 | ||||||||||
| Example: The value of the Index relevant to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy decreased by 10% and Asset Adjustment Reference Index rate increased by 25% |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy Base Value (a) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Equity Adjustment (b) |
-$3,058 | -$4,626 | -$2,666 | -$6,579 | -$2,984 | |||||||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment (c) |
$ | 1,290 | $ | 1,290 | $ | 800 | $ | 1,290 | $ | 62 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Interim Value (a) + (b) (c) = (d) |
$ | 95,653 | $ | 94,085 | $ | 96,533 | $ | 92,132 | $ | 96,954 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Account Value (d) = (e) |
$ | 95,653 | $ | 94,085 | $ | 96,533 | $ | 92,132 | $ | 96,954 | ||||||||||
| Example: The value of the Index relevant to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy decreased by 20% and Asset Adjustment Reference Index rate increased by 25% |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy Base Value (a) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Equity Adjustment (b) |
-$ | 10,538 | -$ | 11,187 | -$ | 10,187 | -$ | 14,293 | -$ | 10,515 | ||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment (c) |
$ | 1,290 | $ | 1,290 | $ | 800 | $ | 1,290 | $ | 62 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Interim Value (a) + (b) (c) = (d) |
$ | 88,172 | $ | 87,523 | $ | 89,013 | $ | 84,417 | $ | 89,423 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Account Value (d) = (e) |
$ | 88,172 | $ | 87,523 | $ | 89,013 | $ | 84,417 | $ | 89,423 | ||||||||||
| Example: The value of the Index relevant to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy increased by 20% and Asset Adjustment Reference Index rate decreased by 25% |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy Base Value (a) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Equity Adjustment (b) |
$ | 10,234 | $ | 8,819 | $ | 14,449 | $ | 14,853 | $ | 19,944 | ||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment (c) |
-$ | 1,310 | -$ | 1,310 | -$ | 809 | -$ | 1,310 | -$ | 62 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Interim Value (a) + (b) (c) = (d) |
$ | 111,544 | $ | 110,128 | $ | 115,257 | $ | 116,163 | $ | 120,006 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Account Value (d) = (e) |
$ | 111,544 | $ | 110,128 | $ | 115,257 | $ | 116,163 | $ | 120,006 | ||||||||||
| Example: The value of the Index relevant to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy increased by 10% and Asset Adjustment Reference Index rate decreased by 25% |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy Base Value (a) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Equity Adjustment (b) |
$ | 7,180 | $ | 5,308 | $ | 9,410 | $ | 8,030 | $ | 10,712 | ||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment (c) |
-$ | 1,310 | -$ | 1,310 | -$ | 809 | -$ | 1,310 | -$ | 62 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Interim Value (a) + (b) (c) = (d) |
$ | 108,490 | $ | 106,618 | $ | 110,219 | $ | 109,339 | $ | 110,774 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Account Value (d) = (e) |
$ | 108,490 | $ | 106,618 | $ | 110,219 | $ | 109,339 | $ | 110,774 | ||||||||||
6
Table of Contents
| Example: The value of the Index relevant to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy decreased by 10% and Asset Adjustment Reference Index rate decreased by 25% |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy Base Value (a) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Equity Adjustment (b) |
-$ | 3,058 | -$ | 4,626 | -$ | 2,666 | -$ | 6,579 | -$ | 2,984 | ||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment (c) |
-$ | 1,310 | -$ | 1,310 | -$ | 809 | -$ | 1,310 | -$ | 62 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Interim Value (a) + (b) (c) = (d) |
$ | 98,252 | $ | 96,684 | $ | 98,142 | $ | 94,731 | $ | 97,078 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Account Value (d) = (e) |
$ | 98,252 | $ | 96,684 | $ | 98,142 | $ | 94,731 | $ | 97,078 | ||||||||||
| Example: The value of the Index relevant to the Index-Linked Interest Strategy decreased by 20% and Asset Adjustment Reference Index rate decreased by 25% |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy Base Value (a) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||||
| Equity Adjustment (b) |
-$ | 10,538 | -$ | 11,187 | -$ | 10,187 | -$ | 14,293 | -$ | 10,515 | ||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment (c) |
-$ | 1,310 | -$ | 1,310 | -$ | 809 | -$ | 1,310 | -$ | 62 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Interim Value (a) + (b) (c) = (d) |
$ | 90,771 | $ | 90,123 | $ | 90,622 | $ | 87,016 | $ | 89,547 | ||||||||||
| Strategy Account Value (d) = (e) |
$ | 90,771 | $ | 90,123 | $ | 90,622 | $ | 87,016 | $ | 89,547 | ||||||||||
| (1) | Each example assumes that the strategy premium of $100,000 at the start of the Crediting Period. |
| (2) | Each example assume that the start of the Crediting Period date is the Contract Effective Date. |
| (3) | An implied volatility of 20%, index dividend yield of 1.95%, and swap rate of 2.20% are assumed to generate the hypothetical examples. |
| (4) | Each example assumes a 0% unwind cost. |
| (5) | Each example assumes an Asset Adjustment Period equals to 6 years. |
The following table summarizes the hypothetical Strategy Interim Value, including the Equity Adjustment and Asset Adjustment, from the examples above and compares them to the hypothetical Strategy Account Value on the Crediting Date. The hypothetical Strategy Account Value on the Crediting date assumes that there have been no changes in the Index Value or the Asset Adjustment and no Withdrawals from the end of month 9 to the end of the Crediting Term.
The first two columns shown represent the hypothetical Strategy Interim Value at the End of Month 9. The final two columns shown represent the hypothetical Strategy Account Value at the end of the Crediting Term based on the indicated change in the Index Value, after the application of Index-Linked Interest Credits and any applicable Asset Adjustment.
Please note these examples may differ from your actual results due to a variety of market factors. The Cap Rates illustrated are hypothetical and may not reflect actual rates offered.
|
Crediting Methodology/Crediting Term/Protection Option |
Cap Rate | At End of Month 9 | At End of Crediting Term | |||||||||||||||
| Value of the Index is: | Value of the Index is: | |||||||||||||||||
| Up 10% | Down 10% | Up 10% | Down 10% | |||||||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment Reference Index Rate is: | Asset Adjustment Reference Index Rate is: | |||||||||||||||||
| Down 25% | Up 25% | Down 25% | Up 25% | |||||||||||||||
|
1-Year PTP w/10% Buffer |
12% Cap | $ | 108,490 | $ | 95,653 | $ | 111,372 | $ | 98,772 | |||||||||
|
3-Year PTP w/10% Buffer |
18% Cap | $ | 106,618 | $ | 94,085 | $ | 110,821 | $ | 99,261 | |||||||||
| 6-Year PTP w/10% Buffer |
100% Cap | $ | 109,339 | $ | 92,132 | $ | 110,000 | $ | 100,000 | |||||||||
| Crediting Methodology/Crediting Term/Protection Option |
Cap Rate | At End of Month 9 | At End of Crediting Term | |||||||||||||||
| Value of the Index is: | Value of the Index is: | |||||||||||||||||
| Up 20% | Down 20% | Up 20% | Down 20% | |||||||||||||||
| Asset Adjustment Reference Index Rate is: | Asset Adjustment Reference Index Rate is: | |||||||||||||||||
| Down 25% | Up 25% | Down 25% | Up 25% | |||||||||||||||
|
1-Year PTP w/10% Buffer |
12% Cap | $ | 111,544 | $ | 88,172 | $ | 113,396 | $ | 88,894 | |||||||||
|
3-Year PTP w/10% Buffer |
18% Cap | $ | 110,128 | $ | 87,523 | $ | 118,881 | $ | 89,335 | |||||||||
| 6-Year PTP w/10% Buffer |
100% Cap | $ | 116,163 | $ | 84,417 | $ | 120,000 | $ | 90,000 | |||||||||
7
Table of Contents
Example: Effect of Withdrawal when the Strategy Base Value is greater than the Strategy Interim Value
Assuming the Strategy Base Value starts with $100,000 and 9 months into the Crediting Period, the Contract owner requested to withdraw $20,000. At that time, the Equity Adjustment is -14.5% and the Asset Adjustment is +5.5%. The $20,000 withdrawal results in a $25,000 reduction in Strategy Base. The Strategy Base is reduced by an addition $5,000 (5%) due to the difference in value between the Strategy Interim Value and the Strategy Base Value caused by the Equity Adjustment and the Asset Adjustment.
| Strategy Base Value |
$ | 100,000.00 | ||
| Strategy Interim Value (1) |
$ | 80,000.00 | ||
| Amount Withdrawn (2) |
$ | 20,000.00 | ||
| Proportional Withdrawal (3) |
$ | 25,000.00 | ||
| New Strategy Interim Value |
$ | 60,000.00 | ||
| New Strategy Base Value |
$ | 75,000.00 |
| (1) | Strategy Interim Value Immediately before withdrawal. |
| (2) | Amount withdrawn is the Specific Gross Withdrawal, including any applicable surrender charge thereon that apply to this strategy. |
| (3) | Proportional Withdrawal is equal to (C / D) x E where: |
| | C is the Gross Withdrawal, including any applicable Surrender Charge thereon; |
| | D is the Strategy Interim Value immediately prior to the Gross Withdrawal; and |
| | E is the Strategy Base Value immediately prior to the Withdrawal. |
Example: Effect of Withdrawal when the Strategy Base Value is less than the Strategy Interim Value
Assuming the Strategy Base Value starts with $100,000 and 9 months into the Crediting Period, the Contract owner requested to withdraw $20,000. At that time, the Equity Adjustment is +4.5% and the Asset Adjustment is +0.5%. The $20,000 withdrawal results in a $19.230.77 reduction in Strategy Base. The Strategy Base is reduced by $769.23 (0.77%) less due to the difference in value between the Strategy Interim Value and the Strategy Base Value caused by the Equity Adjustment and the Asset Adjustment.
| Strategy Base Value |
$ | 100,000.00 | ||
| Strategy Interim Value (1) |
$ | 104,000.00 | ||
| Amount Withdrawn (2) |
$ | 20,000.00 | ||
| Proportional Withdrawal (3) |
$ | 19,230.77 | ||
| New Strategy Interim Value |
$ | 84,000.00 | ||
| New Strategy Base Value |
$ | 80,769.23 |
| (1) | Strategy Interim Value Immediately before withdrawal. |
| (2) | Amount withdrawn is the Specific Gross Withdrawal, including any applicable surrender charge thereon that apply to this strategy. |
| (3) | Proportional Withdrawal is equal to (C / D) x E where: |
| | C is the Gross Withdrawal, including any applicable Surrender Charge thereon; |
| | D is the Strategy Interim Value immediately prior to the Gross Withdrawal; and |
| | E is the Strategy Base Value immediately prior to the Withdrawal. |
Note: You should note that the level of protection offered by Buffers only applies when Index-Linked Interest is applied on Crediting Date. In the case of Index-Linked Interest Strategies with an Annual Lock, the Buffer applies on each Contract Anniversary.
8
Table of Contents
The Companys affiliate, F&G Securities, LLC (F&G Securities), serves as the principal underwriter for the Contract. F&G Securities is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. F&G Securities principal office is located at 801 Grand Ave., Suite 2600, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. The Contract is distributed through life insurance agents licensed to sell variable annuities who are registered representatives of F&G Securities or of other registered broker-dealers who have entered into sales arrangements with F&G Securities. The offering of the Contract is continuous. A description of the manner in which Contract is purchased may be found in the prospectus under the section titled 7. Purchasing the Contract.
Compensation paid to the principal underwriter, F&G Securities, for the years ending December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $[], $[] and $[], respectively.
Included in this SAI are the financial statements of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company.
[To be added by post-effective amendment to the registration statement.]
9
Table of Contents
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Table of Contents
| (p)(5) | Power of Attorney for Mark Wiltse2 | |
| (p)(6) | Power of Attorney for Wendy J.B. Young2 | |
| (r) | Historical Current Limits on Index Gains4 | |
| Note 1. | Incorporated herein by reference to Initial Filing of S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 333-267180) filed on August 31, 2022. | |
| Note 2. |
Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 333-267180) filed on June 27, 2023. | |
| Note 3. | Filed herewith. | |
| Note 4. | To be filed by post-effective amendment. | |
Table of Contents
Item 28. Directors and Officers of the Insurance Company
| Officer Name |
Business Address |
Position | ||
| Christopher O. Blunt | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
| Wendy J.B. Young | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director | ||
| John D. Currier, Jr. | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
President | ||
| Marie Norcia | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer | ||
| Leena Punjabi | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer | ||
| Anthony J. Park | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Director | ||
| Raymond R. Quirk | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Director | ||
| Michael J. Nolan | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Director |
Table of Contents
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Insurance Company
[To be added by post-effective amendment]
Item 30. Indemnification
As more fully set forth in its By-Laws, the Registrant, to the fullest extent and under the circumstances permitted by the Iowa Business Corporation Act or any other applicable Iowa statutory or decisional law, as amended or interpreted, shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director or officer of another corporation, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.
The foregoing right of indemnification is not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under the Registrants Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
The Registrant may pay expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred in defending any such action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the directors in the specific case, upon receipt of (a) a written affirmation of the directors or officers good faith belief that (i) the director or officer has met the relevant standard of conduct required for indemnification or (ii) such action, suit or proceeding involved conduct for which liability has been eliminated under the Registrants Articles of Incorporation and (b) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant.
The Iowa Business Corporation Act provides for permissive indemnification in certain situations, mandatory indemnification in other situations, and prohibits indemnification in certain situations. The Code also specifies procedures for determining when indemnification payments can be made.
Item 31. Principal Underwriter
| (a) | Not applicable. |
| (b) | The following are the directors and officers of the Principal Underwriter: |
| Name |
Business Address |
Position | ||
| Tamra VanAllen | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Manager | ||
| John A. Phelps, II | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Manager | ||
| Thomas Olson | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Manager & Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Kenneth Cherrier | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Chief Compliance Officer & Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | ||
| Tessa Cantonwine | 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 2600 Des Moines IA 50309 |
Secretary |
| (c) Compensation to Principal Underwriter during last fiscal year: |
Table of Contents
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | ||||||||||||
| Name of Principal Underwriter |
Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions |
Compensation on Redemption or Annuitization |
Brokerage Commissions |
Other Compensation |
||||||||||||
| Fidelity & Guaranty Securities, LLC |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Item 31A. Information about Contracts with Index-Linked Options and Fixed Options Subject to a Contract Adjustment
| Name of the Contract |
Number of Contracts outstanding |
Total value attributable to the Index-Linked Option and/or Fixed Option subject to a Contract Adjustment |
Number of Contracts sold during the prior calendar year |
Gross premiums received during the prior calendar year |
Amount of Contract value redeemed during the prior calendar year |
Combination Contract (Yes/No) |
||||||||||||||||||
| F&G Confidence Builder (Form RILA (05-22)) | $ | 0 | $ | $ | No | |||||||||||||||||||
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
Not applicable.
Item 33. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 34. Fee Representation and Undertakings
| (a) | Not applicable. |
| (b) | The Insurance Company undertakes the following: |
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; and
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Des Moines, State of Iowa, on the 10th day of January, 2025.
| FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (Insurance Company) | ||
| By: | /s/ Christopher O. Blunt | |
| Christopher O. Blunt Chief Executive Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Christopher O. Blunt Christopher O. Blunt |
President, Chief Executive Officer & Director (Principal Executive Officer) | January 10, 2025 | ||
| * Wendy J.B. Young |
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (principal financial officer) | January 10, 2025 | ||
| * Mark Wiltse |
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer | January 10, 2025 | ||
| * Anthony J. Park |
Director | January 10, 2025 | ||
| * Raymond R. Quirk |
Director | January 10, 2025 | ||
| * Michael J. Nolan |
Director | January 10, 2025 | ||
| * By: | /s/ Tessa Cantonwine | |
| Tessa Cantonwine, Attorney-in-Fact | ||
Exhibit Index
| Exhibit No. |
Exhibit | |
| 27(o) | Form of Initial Summary Prospectus | |
6
ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS
Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!
You May Also Be Interested In
- Novo Nordisk provides update on the ZEUS phase 3 trial in people with ASCVD, CKD and inflammation
- 2026 "Xinjiang, A Land of Wonders" Themed Exhibition Supporting Xinjiang Through Intangible Cultural Heritage Opens in Shihezi City
- Transaction in Own Shares
Create E-mail Alert Related Categories
SEC FilingsSign up for StreetInsider Free!
Receive full access to all new and archived articles, unlimited portfolio tracking, e-mail alerts, custom newswires and RSS feeds - and more!



Tweet
Share