Great-West Launches New Variable Annuity

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colorado., March 8, 2016 – Great-West Financial today announced that “Great-West Smart Track II – 5 Year Variable Annuity” will be made available from Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC through the firm’s approximately 15,000 financial advisors.  This unique, low-cost¹ variable annuity seeks to provide advisors with a flexible and customizable solution for clients seeking investment growth and retirement income.

“The need for innovative, new retirement income solutions is becoming increasingly evident in the market. Together, with Wells Fargo Advisors, we’re excited to be providing Smart Track II – a customizable, low-cost offering that advisors and their clients can employ as part of a comprehensive financial plan,“ said Bob Shaw, president of Individual Markets for Great-West Financial.

Shaw noted that the challenge facing annuity providers and advisors is to help more Americans understand that longevity risk – the possibility that a retiree’s assets will be depleted later in life – is an important consideration in retirement planning.

“If one creates a steady stream of retirement income they cannot outlive then they will have taken steps toward developing the confidence and financial security they deserve,” said Shaw.

“We are pleased to have Great-West added to our variable annuity platform here at Wells Fargo Advisors” said Bernie Gacona, Senior Vice President, Director of Annuities.  “Bringing value to our clients’ retirement planning in the form of tax-deferred asset protection and sustainable lifetime income opportunities is a real win particularly in this time of market volatility.  We look forward to working with Great-West in offering the innovative solutions that their variable annuity provides.

“Wells Fargo Advisor’s approach to providing retirement income solutions as part of their clients’ retirement planning process is outstanding and we’re looking forward to the road ahead,” said Mike McCarthy, Senior Vice President, Head of National Sales for Great-West Financial. “This new relationship extends the capabilities of two great organizations that are focused on helping clients achieve lifetime financial security.”

Great-West Smart Track II – 5 Year

Smart Track II is a low-cost dual strategy variable annuity.  It can be used as an investment-focused variable annuity with a return-of-premium death benefit that allows an investor to lock in income through a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal rider.  The key benefits include:

• Same charge for single or joint lifetime retirement income, 0.90%
• The ability to choose single or joint lifetime withdrawals when income begins
• Three ways to potentially increase income during retirement

About Wells Fargo Advisors

With $1.4 trillion in client assets as of December 31, 2015, Wells Fargo Advisors provides investment advice and guidance to clients through 14,960 full-service financial advisors and 3,933 licensed bankers.  This vast network of advisors, one of the nation’s largest, serves investors through locations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  Wells Fargo Advisors is the trade name used by two separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company: Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (members SIPC).  Statistics include other broker-dealers of Wells Fargo & Company.   www.wellsfargoadvisors.com

About Great-West Financial

Established 125 years ago, Great-West Financial administers about $25 billion in assets and manages almost a half-million individual accounts². The company’s offerings range from investments, life insurance, annuities and executive benefits products marketed under the Great-West Financial brand to retirement savings products and services provided by Empower Retirement, the nation’s second-largest retirement plan record keeper by participants³. Great-West Financial is also the No. 2 underwriter of life insurance sold through banks⁴ and No.3 in bank-owned life insurance sales.⁵