Nationwide launches new registered index-linked annuity with buffer
Nationwide Defender Annuity is an innovative, simple solution that makes it easier to customize an accumulation strategy while protecting against volatility
Columbus, OH – At a time when more than half of consumers are concerned about keeping up with inflation and their retirement account losing value, Nationwide has announced the launch of the Nationwide DefenderSM Annuity , a new registered index-linked annuity (RILA) that offers customized growth potential and investment protection to fit investors’ needs in today’s volatile market.
Nationwide Defender is Nationwide’s second offering in a category that has experienced rapid growth, with RILA sales increasing from $1.9 billion in 2014 to over $41 billion in 20221. The product’s combination of features make it uniquely positioned to succeed with financial professionals and their clients in today’s challenging economic environment.
“With economic stressors like inflation, a potential recession and market volatility continuing to weigh on the minds of investors, it’s never been more important for advisors to be able to offer products to their clients that can help them achieve security in retirement,” said Mike Morrone, vice president of Nationwide Annuity business development. “According to a recent Nationwide Retirement Institute survey, only 36% of investors feel confident they will survive the next financial crisis. With Nationwide Defender, we can help by offering customization that allows investors to pursue investment growth, protect against market risk and provide for their loved ones.”
Nationwide Defender allows investors to tailor their strategy with a 1-year, 3-year or 6-year term to fit their own unique investment goals. It features five different index investment options offering upside potential and customization to fit a broad range of investment objectives. These include well-known, traditional options like the S&P 500® and MSCI EAFE, as well as the Russell 2000®, which is the most widely quoted measure of overall performance for small-cap to mid-cap company shares.
Along with providing growth potential, Nationwide Defender provides buffer protection against a certain percentage of market losses, making it easier for investors to protect their investments in volatile markets. The product offers two protection options – a 10% and 20% buffer – where Nationwide takes on the first 10% or 20% of the loss and investors take on any loss beyond the buffer percentage.
“Nationwide Defender is perfectly aligned with Nationwide’s mission to protect people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care,” Morrone said. “We were very intentional in our decision to enter this category with an innovative, yet simple solution that can help investors with conservative to moderate risk tolerance accumulate assets, while also protecting against market volatility.”
Nationwide Defender also includes a spousal protection feature at no additional cost with either of the two death benefit options offered within the annuity. This allows spouses to provide for each other no matter who passes away first, even if only one of them owns the annuity.
Financial professionals interested in Nationwide Defender Annuity should contact their Nationwide wholesaler or call the National Sales Desk at 800-321-6064. Individual investors interested in learning more about the benefits of Nationwide Defender should contact their financial professional or visit www.nationwide.com/defender.
1 “A Deeper Dive: 2020 Registered Index-Linked Sales,” LIMRA, Secure Retirement Institute (2021).
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities, mutual funds and ETFs; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Please note: A RILA does not directly invest in an index. A RILA includes index strategies which follow market performance; however, they are not actual investments in the stock market.
This material is not a recommendation to buy or sell a financial product or to adopt an investment strategy. Investors should discuss their specific situation with their financial professional.
This product is sold by prospectus. This material must be preceded or accompanied by the prospectus. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The product prospectus contains this and other important information. Investors should read them carefully before investing. To request a copy, go to nationwide.com/prospectus or call 1-800-848-6331.
When evaluating the purchase of an annuity, your clients should be aware that annuities have limitations. They are long-term vehicles designed for retirement purposes. They are not intended to replace emergency funds, to be used as income for day-to-day expenses or to fund short-term savings goals. Please read the prospectus for complete details. Withdrawals are subject to income tax, and withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% early withdrawal federal tax penalty.
Nationwide Defender is an individual single-purchase-payment deferred annuity with index-linked strategies issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. The general distributor is Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA, Columbus, Ohio.
Guarantees and protections referenced within are subject to the claims-paying ability of Nationwide Life Insurance Company.
The “S&P 500” is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”) and has been licensed for use by Nationwide Life Insurance Company (“Nationwide”). Standard & Poor’s®, S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”); DJIA®, The Dow®, Dow Jones® and Dow Jones Industrial Average® are trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Nationwide. Nationwide Defined Protection Annuity is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, 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.
The product referred to herein is not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by MSCI, and MSCI bears no liability with respect to any such product or any index on which such product is based. The Contract contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship MSCI has with Nationwide and any related funds.
The Russell 2000 Index is an equity index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which is made up of 3,000 of the biggest U.S. stocks. The Russell 2000 Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased small-cap barometer and is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not affect the performance and characteristics of the true small-cap index.
The product referred to herein is not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by Russell, and Russell bears no liability with respect to any such product or any index on which such product is based. The Contract contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship Russell has with Nationwide and any related funds.
Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, Nationwide is on your side, and Nationwide Defender are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2023 Nationwide.
VAM-3768AO
07/2023