The Standard’s Focused Growth Annuity and Index Select Annuity Are Available in California with Exclusive and Expanded Features

Both annuities offer a blend of safety, growth and flexibility that provides financial stability for clients

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced the enhancement of the Focused Growth Annuity (FGA) and the Index Select Annuity in California, making a version of these products available in every state in which The Standard offers annuities. Both annuities provide unique savings, investment and crediting options exclusive to California.

“Annuities can be a predictable option for future financial planning, especially during times of market uncertainty and volatility,” said Rich Lane, vice president of Individual Annuities sales and marketing at The Standard. “We are excited to share with Californians the benefits these annuities offer, including guaranteed returns and more crediting choices. It’s important to have a variety of annuity products and choices as the retirement and income needs greatly differ for each person and family.”

The Standard’s Focused Growth Annuity, a single-premium deferred annuity, is known for its guaranteed rate of return and is a great option for clients who want to incorporate guaranteed and tax-deferred growth into their retirement strategy. In addition to the launch of this annuity in California, The Standard is also offering a new and exclusive three-year option for the FGA. Clients in California can choose a three-year, five-year or seven-year option, and The Standard will guarantee the annual interest rate at the time of purchase.

The Standard’s Index Select Annuity is a single-premium deferred index annuity with returns based on the upside performance of the popular S&P 500®. The enhancement allows clients to customize the annuity to fit their unique retirement needs. Clients in California who purchase this annuity can choose from three crediting options: index crediting with a participation rate, index crediting with a cap rate and fixed interest crediting. Using the new participation rate index crediting strategy, clients earn interest based on a percentage of the growth of the S&P 500 each year. This allows the investment to grow in the market while being protected from downturns.

The Focused Growth Annuity and Index Select Annuity are known for their triple-compounding nature, earning interest on the initial premium payment (principal), the interest itself and the tax savings (the amount clients would have paid as income taxes).

The Standard has a longstanding track record of consumer-friendly annuity products and service practices, all backed by the financial strength of The Standard including more than 100 years of “A” rating or higher from A.M. Best Company.

For more information, please contact The Standard at 800.378.4578 or visit www.standard.com/annuities.

Disclosure

Standard & Poor’s 500 and S&P 500 are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and have been licensed for use by Standard Insurance Company. The product is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, and Standard & Poor’s makes no representation regarding the advisability of purchasing the product. The S&P 500 does not reflect dividends paid on the underlying stocks.

The guarantees of the annuity are based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Standard Insurance Company. An annuity should not be purchased as a short-term investment. As an investor, you are cautioned to carefully review an index annuity for its features, costs, risks and methods of calculating the variables.

The product and its features may not be available in all states and are subject to change. Please refer to the contract for a complete and detailed explanation of benefits, limitations and restrictions.

About The Standard

The Standard is a family of companies dedicated to helping customers achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. In business since 1906, we are a leading provider of financial protection products and services for employers and individuals. Our products include group and individual disability insurance, group life, dental and vision insurance, voluntary (employee-paid) benefits, absence management services, and retirement plans and annuities for employers and individuals. For more information about The Standard, visit www.standard.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries: Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, Inc., StanCorp Mortgage Investors, Inc., StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., StanCorp Real Estate, LLC, and StanCorp Equities, Inc.