Brighthouse Financial Launches FIA With Market Synergy Group

Business Wire

Partnering with Market Synergy Group broadens the distribution reach of Brighthouse Financial with an innovative product designed to provide protection, growth opportunity, and clarity for client portfolios

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (Brighthouse Financial) (Nasdaq: BHF) announced today that it has entered the independent marketing organization (IMO) distribution channel with Brighthouse SecureAdvantage^SM 6-Year Fixed Index Annuity (FIA). Key features of SecureAdvantage 6-Year include 6-Year Annual Sum Index Account options¹ as well as greater transparency into the daily values of the contract than is typical in fixed index annuity products.

SecureAdvantage 6-Year represents the latest collaboration between Brighthouse Financial and Market Synergy Group, a network of IMOs recognized for working with leading insurance carriers to bring innovative and competitive annuity products to market. SecureAdvantage 6-Year will be distributed through Market Synergy Group’s exclusive network of IMOs – expanding the distribution reach of Brighthouse Financial and enabling the company to help even more people protect what they’ve earned and ensure it lasts.

“We’re excited to partner with Market Synergy Group to develop and distribute SecureAdvantage 6-Year,” said Myles Lambert, chief distribution and marketing officer, Brighthouse Financial. “SecureAdvantage 6-Year reflects Brighthouse Financial’s continued commitment to provide a tailored set of products that respond directly to client needs in a changing retirement landscape.”

Key to what differentiates SecureAdvantage 6-Year from some other FIAs are the 6-Year Annual Sum Index Accounts linked to two well-known market indices: S&P 500^® Index^A and Russell 2000^® Index^B.

The 6-Year Annual Sum Index Accounts track the performance of the indices and, importantly, offer a method of calculating and crediting index performance that may not be available with other FIAs. As a result, SecureAdvantage 6-Year may provide a greater opportunity for growth than some other FIAs. Further distinguishing SecureAdvantage 6-Year from other FIA products is a feature referred to as the daily difference, which provides clients transparency into the changing values in their contract each business day until the end of the index term.

SecureAdvantage 6-Year is a single premium deferred annuity that also provides clients access to a portion of their money each year². Additionally, a client’s purchase payment is 100% protected³ against market downturns – something to consider for those close to or entering retirement.

“With these features and no annual fees, SecureAdvantage 6-Year is a truly differentiated FIA designed to provide clients with protection, growth opportunity, and clarity,” said Jerry Nigro, head of business development and relationship management, Brighthouse Financial. “Through our collaboration with Market Synergy Group, we’ve created a one-of-a-kind portfolio retirement option to help clients meet their retirement goals.”

“The objective of Market Synergy Group has always been to deliver unique and innovative product alternatives to our partner firms that meet the diverse and changing needs of individuals at or approaching retirement. Retirement savers are demanding new and improved alternatives to assist with the accumulation process, and SecureAdvantage 6-Year is acutely positioned to deliver,” said Lance Sparks, president, Market Synergy Group. “Leveraging the expertise of the Brighthouse Financial team, together we developed an entirely new and innovative index crediting process that may deliver more upside opportunity for enhanced growth potential while simultaneously removing the uncertainty associated with shorter terms and frequent renewal rate resets – two huge wins for today’s retirement savers.”

SecureAdvantage 6-Year is the latest addition to the Brighthouse Financial product portfolio following the launch of Brighthouse SmartCare^®, a hybrid life insurance and long-term care policy, in the first quarter of 2019.

More information on SecureAdvantage 6-Year is available at brighthousefinancial.com.

About Brighthouse Financial, Inc.

Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (Brighthouse Financial) (Nasdaq: BHF) is on a mission to help people achieve financial security. As one of the largest providers of annuities and life insurance in the U.S.,⁴ we specialize in products designed to help people protect what they’ve earned and ensure it lasts. Learn more at brighthousefinancial.com.

About Market Synergy Group

Market Synergy Group works to develop cutting-edge solutions distributed through an elite distribution network that address clients’ planning challenges before they arise. Market Synergy Group collaborates with top insurance companies to build and distribute products that incorporate proprietary research and features to help meet individuals’ needs leading up to and throughout retirement. The interaction of multiple elements in a system to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of the individual elements is what sets Market Synergy Group and its distribution partners apart. Learn more at marketsynergy.net.

¹ Referred to as Point-to-Point Sum with Cap Rate or Participation Rate in the contract.

² Withdrawals in excess of the Free Withdrawal Amount may be subject to Withdrawal Charges and a Market Value Adjustment if applicable.

³Purchase payment will be reduced by withdrawals, which may be subject to Withdrawal Charges and Market Value Adjustment if applicable. All guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability and financial strength of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company.

⁴Ranked by 2018 admitted assets. Best's Review^®: Top 200 U.S. Life/Health Insurers. A.M. Best, 2019.

^AThe S&P 500^® Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”), and has been licensed for use by affiliates of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. Standard & Poor’s^®, S&P^®, and S&P 500^® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“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 Brighthouse Financial. This annuity product is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, or 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.

^BThe Russell 2000^® Index is a trademark of Russell Investments and has been licensed for use by affiliates of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. This annuity product is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Russell Investments, and Russell Investments makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in this annuity product.

Brighthouse SecureAdvantage 6-Year Fixed Index Annuity has charges, termination provisions, and terms for keeping it in force. Please contact your financial professional for complete details.

Withdrawals of taxable amounts are subject to ordinary income tax. Withdrawals made before age 59 ½ may also be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. Distributions of taxable amounts from a non-qualified annuity may also be subject to the 3.8% Unearned Income Medicare Contribution tax that is generally imposed on interest, dividends, and annuity income if the modified adjusted gross income exceeds the applicable threshold amount. Withdrawals will reduce the death benefit and account value. Withdrawals may be subject to withdrawal charges and a market value adjustment.

Any discussion of taxes is for general informational purposes only, does not purport to be complete or cover every situation, and should not be construed as legal, tax, or accounting advice. Clients should confer with their qualified legal, tax, or accounting advisors as appropriate.

Brighthouse SecureAdvantage^SM 6-Year Fixed Index Annuity is issued by, and product guarantees are solely the responsibility of, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company on Policy Forms ICC19-8-310 and 8-310-1 (6/19). All guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability and financial strength of the issuing insurance company. Product availability and features may vary by state or firm. This product is not available in New York.