National Life Group expands annuity portfolio

Montpelier, VT and Addison, TX (Oct. 26, 2026) – National Life Group announced a series of enhancements to its annuity portfolio designed to give consumers greater flexibility, certainty and support in how they grow, protect and save for retirement. The updates include new index choices for crediting options, rate lock index crediting options, expanded income features and waiver riders that can provide greater access to funds following qualifying health events.

The enhancements reflect the different needs consumers may encounter throughout retirement – from seeking growth and protection while accumulating assets to generating predictable lifetime income and responding to unexpected health-related expenses.

“Retirement planning isn’t a one-size-fits-all equation. People need options that can adapt to their goals, income needs and changing life circumstances,” said Oran Blumenfeld, National Life Group, VP Annuity Operations. “These enhancements are about giving financial professionals and their clients more choices — whether they’re focused on growth potential today, dependable income tomorrow or greater financial flexibility when life doesn’t go according to plan.”

More ways to pursue growth

National Life Group has added three new index choices for crediting options and two rate lock index crediting options across its annuity portfolio:

• Bloomberg Mavin 10 Index: Diversification
• Nasdaq-100 Chronos 10%™ Index: Innovation
• S&P 500® 10% Intraday Edge Growth TCA Index: Broad U.S. Market Growth Potential

Two new S&P 500® crediting options include the 1-Year Cap Rate Lock and the 1-Year Performance Trigger Rate Lock. Both allow the applicable rate to be locked for the length of the product’s surrender period.

• Cap Rate Lock is available with the S&P 500® 1-year point-to-point index crediting option. Rather than having the cap subject to change after each crediting period, the option allows clients to lock in a cap rate that remains unchanged for the annuity’s applicable guarantee period.
• With the Performance Trigger option, interest is credited at the Performance Trigger Rate when the S&P 500® is flat or increases over the crediting period. The new Trigger Rate Lock allows that rate to remain the same for the product term.

As part of the update, National Life Group has removed some existing crediting options and indexes. More information is available at www.nationallife.com/FIA-indexes.

Expanded income support when life changes

National Life Group is also evolving its enhanced income feature, previously called Income Doubler, under the new name Income Multiplier. The feature is designed to provide additional income when a qualifying chronic illness or extended nursing care needs arise. For eligible annuity owners receiving guaranteed lifetime income, Income Multiplier can increase income to two times the original amount for single income or 1.5 times the amount for joint income following a qualifying event. The feature is now also available for a spouse when joint income is selected.

The enhanced benefit can continue until the policy accumulation value reaches zero, subject to eligibility requirements and potential annual recertification after five years. Once the accumulation value reaches zero, payments return to the original lifetime income amount. Available in all states except CA, NY, and OR.

Greater flexibility for qualifying health events

National Life Group has also expanded its waiver rider offering by adding a Chronic Illness Waiver Rider to its annuity portfolio, including multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs). It joins the existing Terminal Illness and Nursing Care waiver riders.

For qualifying events after the first policy year, the riders can potentially waive applicable withdrawal charges, Market Value Adjustments and recapture amounts, providing eligible policyholders greater access to their annuity value. For the Chronic Illness Waiver Rider, qualifying events include certification by a U.S.-based health care professional of the inability to perform at least two activities of daily living for 90 consecutive days due to permanent loss of functional capacity, or the need for substantial supervision for 90 days due to severe cognitive impairment.

Together, the enhancements are intended to give consumers more choices throughout retirement — from how interest may be credited during the accumulation years to how income and assets can be accessed later in life. For more information, download a comprehensive flyer here.