PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Standard now offers a new fixed indexed annuity that features an optional enhanced death benefit rider and a proprietary BofA Securities index. The Enhanced Choice Index Plus is a single-premium, deferred index annuity for customers seeking growth, certainty and the opportunity to maximize their legacy.
“The ECI Plus is designed to provide benefits for today and tomorrow,” said Rich Lane, vice president of Individual Annuities sales and marketing at The Standard. “The BofA Global MegaTrends Index is a game changer. The index is designed to tap into global innovation and long-term growth trends, while using proprietary technology from Salt Financial.”
For buyers who want their annuity to do more, the ECI Plus includes the optional Legacy Max enhanced death benefit rider. The rider can provide beneficiaries with a death benefit that can grow in two ways — with a guaranteed rollup and a performance-based growth factor.
“Legacy Max is the solution for annuity owners who want to maximize their financial legacy for their family and loved ones,” said Alan Assner, assistant vice president of Individual Annuities at The Standard. “We’re excited to add additional features that address key consumer needs.”
In addition to the new index from BofA Securities, the ECI Plus annuity offers four S&P Dow Jones-based indices and a fixed-interest option:
- BofA Global MegaTrends Index
- S&P MARC 5% ER Index
- S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 5% ER Index
- S&P 500 ESG Daily Risk Control 5% ER Index
- S&P 500® Index
- Fixed interest crediting option
“The BofA Global MegaTrends Index concentrates on four future-focused areas — robotics, the digital economy, millennials and disruptive technology,” said Gabriel Lettieri, managing director and head of Americas Insurance Solutions at BofA Securities. “We are delighted to collaborate with The Standard on this volatility-controlled index and to continue providing innovative solutions to clients throughout the U.S.”
Three of the S&P index crediting strategies offer volatility control. This offers customers the potential for increased growth with less exposure to market fluctuations.
The Standard has a long-standing track record of providing consumer-friendly annuity products and service practices. They’re all backed by the financial strength of the company and proven by more than 100 years of an “A” rating or higher — third of 13 ratings — from A.M. Best Company.
For more information, please contact The Standard at 800.378.4578 or visit standard.com/annuities.
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, paid family leave and absence management services, and retirement plans and annuities for employers and individuals. For more information about The Standard, visit 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.
The S&P 500® Index, S&P MARC 5% Excess Return Index, S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 5% Excess Return Index and the S&P 500 ESG Daily Risk Control 5% Excess Return Index are products of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and have been licensed for use by Standard Insurance Company. S&P®, S&P 500®, US 500, The 500, iBoxx®, iTraxx® and CDX® are trademarks of S&P Global, Inc. or its affiliates (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Standard Insurance Company. Standard Insurance Company products are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P 500® Index, S&P MARC 5% Excess Return Index, S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 5% Excess Return Index and the S&P 500 ESG Daily Risk Control 5% Excess Return Index.
BofA Securities, Inc. and its Affiliates (“BofAS”), BofA Global MegaTrends Index (the “Index”) and related information, the name “BofAS”, and related trademarks, are intellectual property of BofAS, licensed from BofAS to Standard Insurance Company (“Licensee”). In connection with the Index, BofAS has licensed the use of certain marks and data from Salt Financial LLC (collectively with BofAS, the “Licensors”). Neither the Licensee nor any fixed index annuity product (“Product”) referencing the Index is sponsored, operated, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Licensors. Obligations to make payments under any Product are solely the obligation of Licensee pursuant to the term of the contract between Licensee and you, and are not the responsibility of the Licensors. The Licensors, the Index and related information, the names of the Licensors, and related trademarks may not be copied, used, or distributed without the relevant Licensors’ prior written approval. The Products have not been passed on as to their legality or suitability, and are not regulated, issued, endorsed, sold, guaranteed, or promoted by the Licensors. The Licensors’ only relationship to Licensee is the licensing (or sub-licensing) of certain trademarks and trade names and the Index or components thereof and the Licensors are not party to any transaction contemplated herein. THE LICENSORS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX, ANY RELATED INFORMATION, THE TRADEMARKS, OR THE PRODUCT(S) (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THEIR QUALITY, ACCURACY, SUITABILITY AND/OR COMPLETENESS).
MSCI indexes are the exclusive property of MSCI Inc. (“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 BofA Securities, Inc. The fixed index annuity product referred to herein is not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by MSCI, and MSCI bears no liability with respect to such fixed index annuity product. The annuity contract contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship MSCI has with BofA Securities, Inc. and any related fixed index annuity product. No purchaser, seller or holder of this fixed index annuity 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 fixed index annuity product without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI’s permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI. Additional information about MSCI Inc. with respect to, among other matters, licensing, trademarks and limitation of liability can be found at MSCIDisclaimer.pdf (ml.com).
