Equitable expands RILA suite

NEW YORK--Equitable  announced the launch of Structured Capital Strategies Premier (SCS Premier), a new solution within its portfolio of registered index-linked annuities. This new offering enables clients to capture greater upside potential in the market while maintaining a level of downside protection. It also adds several death benefit options designed to help clients leave a legacy.

“Equitable pioneered the first registered index-linked annuity 15 years ago, and the launch of SCS Premier continues our strong track record of innovation in the annuity market,” said Steve Scanlon, Equitable’s Head of Individual Retirement. “Our research shows that fewer than half of Americans feel prepared to navigate financial challenges in today’s unpredictable economic environment. SCS Premier helps individuals plan with confidence — bolstering their ability to build a secure financial future, weather potential market volatility and leave a legacy for loved ones.”

SCS Premier offers 120 investment options that allow clients to accumulate assets based on the performance of well-known indices like the S&P 500, including uncapped segment options. The solution also introduces investment options with enhanced participation rates that multiply positive index returns, allowing for an investment return that exceeds the performance of the selected index.

Additionally, SCS Premier includes two new investment options:

• Best Entry - This “do-over” feature helps ease concerns about investing at the wrong time. If the index value is lower on the same day of the month as when the client first invested over the next four months, the client’s starting investment value is reset to the lowest of those days. This provides greater potential for growth and limits the percentage of downside risk.

• Dual Step Tier - Designed to help clients weather all market environments, this feature flips investment losses within the buffer to a predetermined positive rate of return. If the market performs well, clients can also benefit from higher returns based on the index’s performance above that rate, up to a cap.

Financial professionals and their clients also have greater flexibility to change the asset allocation without waiting until an investment segment reaches maturity after one or six years. Instead, investments can be reallocated every week.ⁱⁱ Clients also benefit from a broader range of investment segment options, including a -40% downside protection buffer.

SCS Premier also includes a new and innovative death benefit option for the RILA market — the greater of roll-up or highest anniversary value death benefit. This feature provides either a simple 5% interest roll-up or the highest anniversary value over the life of the contract, whichever is greater.ⁱⁱⁱ Alternatively, clients can choose only the highest anniversary value death benefit or a traditional return-of-premium death benefit.

“At Equitable, we are committed to helping clients build and protect their financial legacy,” added Scanlon. “Our added death benefit options help ensure their loved ones receive the greatest possible benefit, all within the same solution designed to accumulate assets and manage investment risk.”