Wells Fargo Advisors Selects Lincoln’s ChoicePlus Assurance Solution as Part of Its Advisory Variable Annuity Program

PHILADELPHIA, June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lincoln Financial Distributors (LFD), the wholesale distribution subsidiary of Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC), today announced its ChoicePlus Assurance(SM)  variable annuity, a long-term retirement investment solution, was selected by Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC (member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC)) to be incorporated in its Advisory Variable Annuity (AVA) Program. The program is designed to help advisors ensure their clients are properly prepared for retirement using a single account approach.  

Popularity of fee-based variable annuities has significantly increased over recent years.  A Lincoln analysis of Morningstar data shows that from 2008 to 2011, sales of variable annuities sold through a fee-based platform increased 36 percent.

"Selection of our solution as part of the Wells Fargo Advisors advisory variable annuity program underscores the growing recognition of advantages of this type of product," said John Kennedy, Lincoln Financial Distributors' Head of Retirement Solutions Distribution.  "This approach to investing has become more attractive due to the streamlined process for managing a more holistic financial program that not only focuses on accumulation but also income distribution during retirement years," he said.

"We worked closely with a number of insurance carriers and are pleased to be able to include Lincoln's ChoicePlus Assurance variable annuity," said Bernie Gacona, director of Annuities at Wells Fargo.  "It provides our advisors and clients with more flexibility and offers guaranteed options for now or in the future."

Lincoln's ChoicePlus Assurance solution offers access to some of today's top investment managers, as well as tax efficient retirement income through different optional riders designed to help meet specific financial needs. Options include a choice of a multiple asset manager approach that comes in two forms: an open architecture, enabling control over investment choices; or a set of asset allocation funds, specifically designed to help reduce volatility, protect account values and maximize income during retirement.

As one of the first firms to offer advisory share variable annuities, Wells Fargo Advisors advisory clients can now benefit from incorporating a guaranteed income component into their overall investment portfolios.  The Wells Fargo Advisors advisory variable annuity will be fully integrated into the advisory account framework, including the performance reporting and fee billing structures, designed to provide clients and FAs with a seamless experience. 

For additional information about Wells Fargo Advisor Program, contact Allison Chin-Leong at 212-350-3824.

About Wells Fargo (Twitter: @Wells Fargo)
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With more than 270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America.  Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune's 2012 rankings of America's largest corporations. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy all our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially.  

About Lincoln Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $170 billion as of March 31, 2012. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life, disability and dental insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

Important disclosures:
This material was prepared to support the promotion and marketing of a variable annuity product. Lincoln Financial Group® affiliates, their distributors, and their respective employees, representatives, and/or insurance agents do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Any tax statements contained herein were not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal, state, or local tax penalties. Please consult your own independent advisor as to any tax, accounting, or legal statements made herein.

Advisory services are not designed for excessively traded or inactive accounts, and may not be suitable for all investors. Please carefully review the Wells Fargo Advisors advisory disclosure document for a full description of our services. The minimum account size for these programs is $25,000 to $200,000.

Variable annuities are long-term investment products designed for retirement purposes and are subject to market fluctuation, investment risk, and possible loss of principal. Variable annuities contain both investment and insurance components and have fees and charges, including mortality and expense, administrative, and advisory fees. Optional features are available for an additional charge. The annuity's value fluctuates with the market value of the underlying investment options, and all assets accumulate tax-deferred. Withdrawals of earnings are taxable as ordinary income and, if taken prior to age 59½, may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax. Withdrawals will reduce the death benefit and cash surrender value.

Investors are advised to consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the variable annuity and its underlying investment options carefully before investing. The applicable variable annuity prospectus contains this and other important information about the variable annuity and its underlying investment options. Please call 888-868-2583 for a free prospectus. Read it carefully before investing or sending money. Products and features are subject to state availability.

Lincoln ChoicePlus Assurance(SM) variable annuities (contract form 30070-B and state variations) are issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker/dealer. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorized to do so.

Contracts sold in New York (contract forms 30070BNYA, 30070BNYC, 30070BNYAL, and 30070BNYN) are issued by Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker/dealer.

All contract and rider guarantees, including those for optional benefits, fixed subaccount crediting rates, or annuity payout rates, are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. They are not backed by the broker/dealer or insurance agency from which this annuity is purchased, or any affiliates of those entities other than the issuing company affiliates, and none makes any representations or guarantees regarding the claims-paying ability of the issuer.

There is no additional tax-deferral benefit for an annuity contract purchased in an IRA or other tax-qualified plan.

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SOURCE Lincoln Financial Group