Brighthouse Financial Expands and Enhances Shield Portfolio with Launch of Streamlined Index-Linked Annuities
Builds on Shield success with Brighthouse Shield Level Select℠ 3-Year and 6-Year Annuities; Launches first fee-based Shield product with Brighthouse Shield Level Select℠ Access Annuity
Brighthouse Shield Annuities are designed to help clients take advantage of growth opportunities in equity markets through index-tracking, while providing a pre-defined level of protection in down markets. Clients have the potential to earn returns up to the contract’s Cap Rate or Step Rate each term, with the assurance of downside protection against index loss up to the contract’s Shield Rate. Shield Level Selector℠, the first product launched in the Shield family, was recently named one of Barron’sTop 50 Annuities in the “Annuities for Tax-Deferred Investing” category of the publication’s 2017 ranking.
The new Brighthouse Shield Level Select 3-Year and Shield Level Select 6-Year Annuities simplify the experience of purchasing an annuity by streamlining product options down to those most utilized by customers. The updated products feature no annual fee, offer a three or six year surrender charge schedule, and now include a standard Return of Premium Death Benefit1 to add a layer of security.
The company also announced the availability of the Brighthouse Shield Level Select Access Annuity, a simplified Shield product designed to meet the needs of fee-based advisors who would like to offer annuity solutions as part of their practice. Shield Level Access has no surrender charges, providing consumers with the flexibility to access their money early if needed. The annuity has no annual product fees, although the consumer will pay a fee to the advisor for advisory services.
“The Shield suite offers a powerful combination of market participation
and protection,” commented
The announced additions to the Shield portfolio are the latest since the May
launch of the Shield Level 10℠ Annuity, an index-linked, single
premium deferred annuity distributed initially by
The Brighthouse Shield Level Select 3-Year and 6-Year Annuities as well as the Brighthouse Shield Level Select Access Annuity are immediately available through the company’s independent distribution partners.
For detailed information, please see the product prospectuses at https://www.brighthousefinancial.com/products/annuities/shield-annuities/.
About
1The Return of Premium Death Benefit comes standard through age 75 at issue. Account Value will be the standard Death Benefit for ages 76 and older at issue.
Prospectuses for the Brighthouse Shield Level Select℠ 6-Year Annuity and
Brighthouse Shield Level Select℠ 3-Year Annuity (“Shield Annuities”)
issued by
Brighthouse Shield Annuities are a long-term investment designed for retirement purposes. They have limitations, exclusions, charges, termination provisions and terms for keeping them in force and are not guaranteed by the broker/dealer, the insurance agency, the underwriter, or any affiliates of those entities from which they were purchased. All representations and contract guarantees, including the death benefit and annuity payout rates, are subject to the claims-paying ability and financial strength of the issuing insurance company only. Because you agree to absorb all losses beyond your chosen Shield Rate, there is a risk of substantial loss of principal. Please refer to “Risk Factors” in the contract prospectus for more details.
Withdrawals of taxable amounts are subject to ordinary income tax and if made before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. Some broker/dealers and financial professionals may refer to the 10% federal income tax penalty as an “additional tax” or “additional income tax,” or use the terms interchangeably when discussing withdrawals taken prior to age 59½. 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 interest, dividends, and annuity income if your modified adjusted gross income exceeds the applicable threshold amount. Withdrawals will reduce the living and death benefits and account value. Withdrawals may be subject to withdrawal charges.
Brighthouse Shield Level Select℠ 6-Year Annuity and Brighthouse Shield
Level Select℠ 3-Year Annuity are issued by
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Source:
Brighthouse Financial
Tim Miller, 980-949-3121
tim.w.miller@brighthousefinancial.com