Jackson® Introduces LifeGuard Freedom FlexSM GMWB
Also Adds BlackRock® to Investment Manager Lineup
LANSING, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (Jackson) today announced the launch of LifeGuard Freedom Flex, the company’s first customizable guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB). Freedom Flex uses the same menu-driven construction that Jackson offers in its variable annuity products, giving investors the ability to build a personalized benefit based on their individual retirement planning objectives. The optional benefit is available for an extra charge, in addition to the ongoing fees and expenses of the variable annuity, within Jackson’s PerspectiveSM family of variable annuities.
The cost of the Freedom Flex benefit is based on the combination of features selected. Contract holders can choose from the following options:
- 5-8% Annual Bonus – Investors can grow their guaranteed withdrawal balance (GWB) by selecting an annual bonus ranging from 5 to 8 percent, in years with no withdrawals.1
- Quarterly or Annual Step-Ups – Contract holders can capture investment gains with annual or quarterly step-ups. Annual step-ups lock in the contract anniversary value, while quarterly step-ups lock in gains annually based on the highest adjusted quarterly contract value.
- Single or Joint Option – Clients can provide guaranteed lifetime income for themselves with the single option, or for themselves and their spouse with the joint option.
- 99 Investment Portfolios – Contract holders can choose from among 99 investment portfolios, without asset allocation restrictions.2
“For Jackson, product innovation is about delivering long-term value to the customer,” said Clifford Jack, executive vice president and chief distribution officer for Jackson. “We manufacture products that are appropriately priced and managed conservatively for risk. Furthermore, by allowing contract holders to choose from a variety of features and benefits, we promote a consultative financial planning process in which the adviser and client work together to address specific goals.”
Contract holders who wait 10 years (or until age 70, if later) to take withdrawals are eligible for a 200-percent GWB adjustment, which increases their guaranteed withdrawal balance to double what they invested in the first year.3 When investors are ready to start taking retirement income, they may withdraw between 4 and 7 percent of their guaranteed withdrawal balance every year for life, depending on their age at the time of the first withdrawal.4 Contract holders can also start and stop withdrawals as desired, giving them the flexibility to decide when to take income.
In conjunction with the Freedom Flex launch, Jackson has added BlackRock to its investment manager lineup. With more than $3 trillion in assets under management, BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager.5 The firm will manage the new JNL®/BlackRock Global Allocation portfolio, and will also subadvise the JNL/BlackRock Commodity Securities portfolio. BlackRock is the second new asset manager Jackson has added this year – in May, the company expanded its investment offerings with the addition of six American Funds Insurance Series® portfolios.
“With Freedom Flex, Jackson has brought the customization options of our variable annuity offering down to the living benefit level,” said Steve Kluever, senior vice president of product and investment management for Jackson National Life Distributors LLC. “In addition, we have added the world’s largest asset manager to our lineup, expanding access to a broad range of strategies across multiple asset classes, capitalizations and styles. The ongoing enhancements to our product offering demonstrate Jackson’s commitment to being responsive to the needs of advisers and their clients.”
"Jackson continues to demonstrate leadership in offering financial advisors and clients a truly world class investment platform combined with freedom and flexibility in asset allocation," said Tim Stegner, managing director at BlackRock.
Advisers who wish to learn more about Jackson, the support offered by the company’s wholesaling team, or the optional features and benefits available within Jackson’s variable annuity products, can contact Jackson at 800/711-JNLD (5653) or visit www.jackson.com.
About Jackson National Life Insurance Company
With $94 billion in assets (IFRS)*, Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Jackson) is an industry leader in variable, fixed and fixed index annuities. The company also offers life insurance and institutional products. Jackson markets its products in 49 states and the District of Columbia through independent and regional broker-dealers, financial institutions and independent insurance agents. Jackson’s subsidiary, Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York®, similarly markets products in the state of New York. Through its affiliates and subsidiaries, Jackson also provides asset management and retail brokerage services. For more information, visit www.jackson.com.
*Jackson has $94 billion in total IFRS assets and $84 billion in IFRS policy liabilities primarily set aside to pay future policyowner benefits (as of 6/30/10).
1. In years no withdrawals are taken during the bonus period, which lasts for the first 10 contract years. 8% annual bonus not available on Joint Option.
2. Jackson limits the number of subaccounts that can be elected at any one time to 18.
3. If no withdrawals are taken on or prior to the guaranteed withdrawal balance (GWB) adjustment date, the owner is eligible for the GWB adjustment. The GWB adjustment date is the later of 1) the 10th contract anniversary following the benefit’s effective date 2) or the contract anniversary on or immediately following the owner’s (or older joint owner’s or younger covered life’s) 70th birthday. At election, the GWB adjustment will be equal to 200% of the GWB subject to a $5 million maximum.
4. On the contract anniversary on or immediately following attained age 59 ½ the for-life guarantee becomes effective.
5. Source: BlackRock, as of 3/31/10.
Variable annuities are issued by Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Home Office: Lansing, Michigan) and distributed by Jackson National Life Distributors LLC, member FINRA. These contracts have limitations and restrictions, including possible withdrawal charges, recapture charges and excess interest adjustments where applicable. State variations may apply. Please contact your representative or Jackson for more information.
Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of Jackson National Life Insurance Company and do not apply to the principal amount or investment performance of the separate account or its underlying investments. Variable annuities involve investment risks and may lose value. A variable annuity is a long-term, tax-deferred investment vehicle designed for retirement. An annuity's earnings are taxable as ordinary income when distributed and, if taken before age 59 1/2, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty.
A variable annuity is a long-term investment vehicle.Investing in a variable annuity involves investment risks, and your investment may lose value. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the variable annuity and its underlying investment options. The current contract prospectus and underlying fund prospectuses, which are contained in the same document, provide this and other important information. Please contact your representative or the Company to obtain the prospectuses. Please read the prospectuses carefully before investing or sending money.
Jackson National Life Insurance Company is an indirect subsidiary of Prudential plc, a company incorporated and with its principal place of business in the United Kingdom. Prudential plc and its affiliated companies constitute one of the world's leading financial service groups. It provides insurance and financial services directly and through its subsidiaries and affiliates throughout the world. It has been in existence for more than 160 years and had $463 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2010. Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc., a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America.
Jackson National Life Insurance Company
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Andrew Silver
303-224-7542
[email protected]
Source: Jackson National Life Insurance Company
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