Brighthouse Shield/R/ Level Select II 3-Year Annuity
REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILE NO. 333-279302
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
11225 North Community House Road, Charlotte, NC
28277
(980) 365-7100
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code,
of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
c/o The Corporation Trust Company
1209 Orange Street
Corporation Trust Center
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 658-7581
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
W. Thomas Conner
Carlton Fields
1025
Thomas Jefferson St., N.W.
Suite 400 West
Washington, DC 20007-5208
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable
following the effectiveness of the registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend
or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒
If
this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction
I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a
registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the
Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”
“accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ |
|
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Smaller reporting company ☐ |
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Emerging growth company ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to
use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.
BRIGHTHOUSE SHIELD® LEVEL II 3-YEAR ANNUITY
Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity is an individual single premium deferred
index-linked separate account annuity contract (the “Contract”) issued by Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (“BLIC”, “we”,
“our” or “us”).
This Contract is available for use in connection with Non-Qualified Plans, Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. BLIC is located at 11225 North Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277. The telephone number is 1-888-243-1932. Brighthouse Securities, LLC, 11225 North Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277, is the principal
underwriter and distributor of the Contracts.
The Risk Factors for this Contract appear on Page 12.
Please read the prospectus carefully before investing and keep it for future reference. This prospectus includes important information including a description of all material features, rights and obligations of the Contract. BLIC’s obligations under the Contract are subject to our financial strength and claims-paying ability. The Contract offers various Shield Options which provide certain protections in that BLIC will absorb specified levels of negative index returns and the Performance Lock feature that allows you the option to lock the Interim Value. The currently offered Shield Options provide that we will absorb losses at
least equal to 10% and 15%. We do not guarantee that there will
always be a Shield Option that provides this minimum amount of protection. We are not obligated to offer any one particular Shield Option, but after your
Contract is issued, there will always be one Shield Option available although it may not be substantially similar to one of the currently available Shield
Options. If we were to offer only one Shield Option, you would be limited to investing in that one Shield Option. If that Shield Option does not meet your
investment objectives or financial goals, you could transfer to the Fixed Account (if available at that time and subject to applicable conditions described in the “TRANSFERS” section, including the requirement to remain invested in the Fixed Account until the Fixed Account Term End Date), surrender your Contract and/or invest in another investment vehicle. If you surrender your Contract, you might incur taxes, tax penalties or other adjustments. If you invest in another investment vehicle, that investment may have different features, fees and risks than your Contract. Index-linked annuity contracts are complex insurance and investment vehicles. Before you invest, be sure to ask your financial representative about the Contract’s features, benefits, risks and fees, and whether the Contract is appropriate for you based upon your financial situation and objectives.
There are risks associated with investing in Shield Options. You may lose money, up to all or a significant amount of your principal, as well as earnings from prior Allocation Options. You should not buy this Contract if you are not willing to assume these investment risks.
The Contract may not be appropriate for you if you plan to take withdrawals from a Shield Option prior to the end of the Term End Date, especially if you plan to take ongoing withdrawals such as required minimum distributions or
withdrawals taken under the systematic withdrawal program. The Interim Value calculation could result in a loss beyond the protection of the Shield Rate. In extreme
circumstances, you could lose up to 100% of the value of your Shield Option if you a make a withdrawal or surrender the Contract during a Term.
Withdrawals could also result in significant reductions to your contract value and the death benefit (perhaps by more than the amount withdrawn), as well as to the Performance Rate Adjustment on the Term End Date. Withdrawals may also be subject to a Withdrawal Charge, income taxes, and income tax penalties if taken before age 59 1∕2. If you do intend to take
ongoing withdrawals under the Contract, particularly from a Shield Option during the Term, you should consult with a financial professional.
You may cancel the Contract within a certain time period after receiving it by mailing or delivering the Contract to either us or the financial representative who sold it. This Free Look period typically lasts 10 days, but this can change from
state to state because each state has its own rules. We will return either your Purchase Payment
or Account Value, depending on your state, and we will not deduct a Withdrawal Charge. You should review this prospectus or consult with your financial professional, for additional information about the specific cancellation terms that apply.
Neither the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or the adequacy
of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Mutual funds, annuities and insurance products are not deposits of any bank
and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) or any other government agency. You may lose money invested in the Contract.
The
Contracts may be distributed through broker-dealers that have relationships with banks or other financial institutions or by employees of such banks.
However, the Contracts are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by such institutions or any Federal regulatory agency. Investment in the Contract
involves investment risks, including possible loss of
principal.
The principal underwriter of the Contract is Brighthouse Securities, LLC. The offering of the Contract is intended to be continuous.
Prospectus dated July 18, 2024
Special Terms
In this prospectus, the following capitalized terms have the indicated
meanings:
Account Value. The total of the Fixed Account Value, the value of the
Shield Option(s), and the Holding Account value under the Contract during the Accumulation Period.
Accumulation Period. The period prior to the Annuity Date.
Allocation Option. Includes the Shield Option(s), the Fixed Account,
and Holding Account. The Holding Account is not an allocation option that you can allocate your Purchase Payment or Account Value into and there are only certain
circumstances where we will transfer amounts to the Holding Account. See “HOLDING ACCOUNT.”
Annuitant. The natural person(s) listed on the Contract Schedule on
whose life Annuity Payments are based. Any reference to Annuitant will also include any Joint Annuitant under an Annuity Option.
Annuity Date. A date on which you choose to begin receiving Annuity
Payments. If we agree, you may change the Annuity Date, subject to certain requirements. If you do not choose an Annuity Date, the Annuity Date will be the Annuity Date
indicated on the Contract Schedule.
Annuity Payments. A series of payments made by us during the Annuity Period, which we guarantee as to dollar amount.
Annuity Period. A period starting on the Annuity Date during which Annuity Payments are
payable.
Annuity Service Office. The office indicated on the Contract Schedule to
which notices and requests must be sent, or as otherwise changed by notification from us.
BLIC (“we,” “us,” “our”). Brighthouse
Life Insurance Company.
Beneficiary. The person(s) or entity(ies) you name to receive a death
benefit payable under the Contract upon the death of the Owner or a Joint Owner, or in certain circumstances, an Annuitant.
Brighthouse Securities. Brighthouse Securities, LLC.
Business Day. Our “business day” is generally any day the
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for regular trading. For purposes of receipt of Notice for administrative requests and transactions, a Business Day ends at the
earlier of 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time or when the NYSE closes. If the SEC determines the existence of emergency conditions on any day, and consequently, the NYSE does not open, then that day is not a Business Day.
Cap Rate. The maximum rate that may be credited at the Term End Date based on Index Performance.
The Cap Rate may vary between Shield Options and, unless you
have a Shield Option with a 1-year Term, is not an annual rate.
Code. The Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and all related laws and regulations, which are in effect during the term of the Contract.
Contract. The legal agreement between you and BLIC. It contains relevant provisions of
your deferred annuity.
Contract Anniversary. An anniversary of the Issue Date of the Contract.
Contract Schedule. The schedule attached to your Contract.
Contract Year. A one-year period starting on the Issue Date and on each Contract
Anniversary thereafter.
Death Benefit Amount. For Owners age 81 or older at the
Issue Date of the Contract, the standard death benefit is the Account Value. For Owners age 80 or younger at the Issue Date of the Contract, the standard death benefit
(known as the Return of Premium death benefit) is the greater of the Account Value or your Purchase Payment (reduced proportionally by the percentage reduction in Account Value of the Shield Option(s), the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account for each partial withdrawal (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge)). The Death Benefit Amount is determined as of the end of the Business Day on which we have received Notice of due proof of death and an acceptable election for the payment method.
Edge Rate. The rate credited at the Term End Date if
the Index Performance is equal to or greater than the Shield Rate. The Edge Rate may vary between Shield Options and, unless you have a Shield Option with a 1-year Term, it is not an annual rate. A Shield Option with an Edge Rate may also be referred to as a “Shield
Option with Step Rate Edge” in the prospectus.
ERISA. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
Exchange Act. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
FDIC. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
FINRA. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Fixed Account. An account, if available, that consists of all of the assets under the Contract other than those in the
Separate Account or Holding Account. You may allocate your Purchase Payment to the Fixed
Account, and you may make a transfer into or out of the Fixed Account. The Fixed Account is part of the General Account assets of
BLIC.
Fixed Account Term. The length of time over which the current Fixed
Account interest rate is guaranteed. No Fixed Account Term will extend beyond the Annuity Date. The minimum Fixed Account Term depends on the date your Contract is issued
but will not be less than one (1) year.
Fixed Account Term End Date. The Contract Anniversary on which a Fixed Account Term ends.
Fixed Account Term Start Date. The Contract Anniversary on which a Fixed Account Term is established. If chosen at issue, the initial
Fixed Account Term Start Date begins on the Issue Date or otherwise it will begin on the first Contract Anniversary on which you allocate to the Fixed Account.
Fixed Account Value. The initial Fixed Account Value is the
amount of your Purchase Payment initially allocated to the Fixed Account. Thereafter, the Fixed Account Value equals: (a) the initial Fixed Account Value or the Fixed
Account Value on the most recent Contract Anniversary, including any transfers, whichever is applicable; plus (b) any interest credited by us; less (c) the amount of any withdrawals (including any Withdrawal Charges); and less (d) any Premium Tax or other taxes, if applicable.
Free Look. If you change your mind about owning the
Contract, you can cancel it within a certain time period after receiving it. This is known as a “Free Look.” This Free Look period typically lasts 10 days, but this can change from state to state because each state has its own rules. Not all Contracts issued are subject to Free Look provisions under state
law. We ask that you submit your request to cancel in writing, signed by you, to us (e.g., the Annuity Service Office) or to the financial representative who sold it. When you cancel the Contract within this Free Look period, we will not assess a Withdrawal Charge. Unless otherwise required by state law, you will receive whatever your Contract is worth on the day that we receive your cancellation request. The amount you receive may be more or less than your Purchase Payment depending upon the Shield Options you allocated your Purchase Payment to during the Free Look period. This means that you bear the risk of any decline in the Account Value of your Contract during the Free Look period. We do not refund any charges or deductions assessed during the Free Look period. In certain states, we are required to give back your Purchase Payment if you decide to cancel your Contract during the Free Look period.
Free Withdrawal Amount. The Free Withdrawal Amount in the first Contract Year is zero. Thereafter, the Free Withdrawal Amount each
Contract Year is equal to 10% of your Account Value as of the prior Contract Anniversary, less the total amount withdrawn from the Account Value in the current Contract
Year. The Free Withdrawal Amount is non-cumulative and is not carried over to other Contract Years.
General Account. Comprised of BLIC’s assets, other than assets in any separate
accounts it may maintain.
Good Order. A request or transaction generally is considered in
“Good Order” if it complies with our administrative procedures and the required information is complete and accurate. A request or transaction may be rejected or
delayed if not in Good Order. Good Order generally means the actual receipt by us of the instructions relating to the requested transaction in writing (or, when permitted, by telephone) along with all forms, information and supporting legal documentation necessary to effect the transaction. This information and documentation generally includes to the extent applicable to the transaction: your completed application; your contract number; the transaction amount (in dollars or percentage terms); the names and allocations to and/or from the Shield Options, or the Fixed Account if applicable, affected by the requested transaction; the signatures of all Contract Owners (exactly as indicated on the contract), if necessary; Social Security Number or Tax I.D.; and any other information or supporting documentation that we may require, including any spousal or Joint Owner’s consents. With respect to Purchase Payments, Good Order also generally includes receipt by us of sufficient funds to effect the purchase. We may, in our sole discretion, determine whether any particular transaction request is in Good Order, and we reserve the right to change or waive any Good Order requirement at any time. If you have any questions, you should contact us or your financial representative before submitting the form or request.
Holding Account. An account that may hold Account Value prior to being transferred to the Shield Option(s) and/or the
Fixed Account in accordance with your allocation instructions. Transfers can only occur on a Contract Anniversary. The Holding Account has its own Holding Account interest rate, which is a fixed interest rate, and interest is credited daily at an effective annual rate that we declare periodically. The Holding Account is part of the General Account assets of BLIC.
Index (Indices). The underlying index associated with a
Shield Option which is used to determine the Index Performance on a Term End Date. We currently offer Shield Options with indices based on the performance of
securities. In the future we may offer Shield Options based on other types of Indices. We may also add other indices for new Contracts at our discretion.
Index
Performance. The percentage change in the Index Value measured from the Term Start Date to any day, including the Term End Date, within the Term. Index Performance can be positive, zero or negative.
Index Value. The Index Value of an Index, on a Business Day, is the published closing value of the Index on that Business Day. The Index Value on any day that is not a Business Day is the value as of the prior Business Day. If an Index Value is not published on a Business Day, the closing Index Value on the next Business Day in which the Index Value is published will be used.
Interim Value. For each Shield Option, Interim Value is the value we assign on any Business Day other than the Term Start Date and the Term End Date. During the Transfer Period, the Interim Value of each Shield Option is equal to the Investment Amount at the Term End Date in that Shield Option. After the Transfer Period, the Interim Value is a calculated value (as described in the “Interim Value Calculation” section) and is the amount that is available for annuitization, death benefits, withdrawals, Surrenders, and Performance Lock.
Investment Amount. The Investment Amount, for any Shield Option, is the amount that is allocated to the Shield Option at
the Term Start Date, reduced proportionately for any withdrawals at the time of such withdrawals (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge) by the same percentage that the withdrawal reduces the Interim Value attributable to that Shield Option, and then, at Term End Date, adjusted by the Performance Rate. The remaining Investment Amount after a withdrawal will be used as the new Investment Amount for the Term until the Term End Date or the next Interim Value calculation for that Shield Option.
Issue Date. The date the Contract is issued.
Joint Annuitant. If there is more than one Annuitant, each Annuitant will be a Joint Annuitant of the Contract.
Joint Owner. If there is more than one Owner, each Owner will be a Joint
Owner of the Contract. Joint Owners are limited to natural persons.
Maturity Date. The Maturity Date is the Contract Anniversary after the oldest Owner’s 90th birthday or 10 years from the date we issue your Contract, whichever is later. The Contract will be annuitized at the Maturity Date.
Minimum Account Value. $2,000. If your Account Value
falls below the Minimum Account Value as a result of a withdrawal (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge) we will treat the withdrawal request as a request for a full
withdrawal.
Minimum Guaranteed Cap Rate. The actual Minimum Guaranteed
Cap Rate for your Contract is the amount shown on your Contract Schedule but will not be less than 2% for Shield Options with a 1-Year Term, and 6% for Shield Options with a
3-Year Term.
Minimum Guaranteed Edge Rate.
The actual Minimum Guaranteed Edge Rate for your Contract is the amount shown on your
Contract Schedule but will not be less than 2%.
Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate. The current Minimum Guaranteed
Interest Rate will not be less than 1%. This interest rate is guaranteed to be a rate not less than the minimum interest rate allowed by state law—see Appendix D. The
actual Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate for your Contract is the amount shown on your Contract Schedule and applies only to amounts in the Fixed Account.
Minimum Guaranteed Step Rate. The actual Minimum Guaranteed Step Rate for your Contract is the amount shown on your
Contract Schedule but will not be less than 2%.
Notice. Any form of communication providing information we need, either
in a signed writing or another manner that we approve in advance. All Notices to us must be sent to our Annuity Service Office and received in Good Order. To be effective
for a Business Day, a Notice must be received in Good Order prior to the end of that Business Day.
NYSE. New York Stock Exchange.
Owner (“you”, “yours”). The person(s) entitled
to the ownership rights under the Contract. Subject to our administrative procedures, we may also permit ownership by a corporation (a type of non-natural person) or certain
other legal entities. If Joint Owners are named, all references to Owner shall mean Joint Owners.
Performance Lock. A feature that allows you the option to
lock in the Interim Value of a Shield Option and that is automatically included with your Contract on the Issue Date.
Performance Lock Value. The value of a Shield Option
after exercising Performance Lock. The Performance Lock Value is equal to the Interim Value at the end of the Business Day that you exercise Performance Lock, reduced by the
dollar amount of any subsequent withdrawals (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge).
Performance
Rate. The rate credited at the Term End Date and is based on the Index Performance, adjusted for the applicable Shield Rate, Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate. The Performance Rate can be positive, zero or negative. At the Term End Date, any increase or reduction in the Investment Amount in a particular Shield Option is determined by multiplying the Performance Rate by the Investment Amount of the Shield Option on the last day of the Term.
Performance Rate Adjustment. The adjustment made to the Investment Amount for each Shield Option on the Term End Date. This
adjustment is based on the Performance Rate. This adjustment can be positive, zero or negative. When the Performance Rate Adjustment is positive we may also refer to this
adjustment as “earnings.” When the Performance Rate Adjustment is negative we may also refer to this adjustment as “losses.”
Premium Tax. The amount of tax, if any, charged by the state or
municipality.
Purchase Payment. The amount paid to us under the Contract as consideration for the
benefits it provides.
Rate Crediting Type. Either the Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Step Rate Edge.
RMD. Required Minimum Distribution.
SEC. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Separate Account. The separate account is Brighthouse Separate Account
SA.
Shield 10. The Contract provides downside protection through the Shield 10,
which is a Shield Rate where negative Index Performance of up to 10% of your Investment Amount is absorbed by us at the Term End Date, which would leave you to absorb any remaining negative Index Performance of up to 90% of your Investment Amount.
Shield 15.
The Contract provides downside protection through the Shield 15, which is a Shield Rate where negative Index Performance of up to 15% of your Investment Amount is absorbed by us at the Term End Date, which would leave you to absorb any remaining negative Index Performance of up to 85% of your Investment Amount.
Shield Rate.
A limited buffer where we absorb part of any negative Index Performance at the Term End Date. Any negative Index Performance beyond the Shield Rate will reduce the Investment Amount
associated with the Shield Option. The Shield Rate may vary
between Shield Options and, unless you have a Shield Option with a 1-year Term, is not an annual rate. We currently offer the following Shield Rates: Shield 10 and Shield 15.
Shield Option.
You may allocate your Purchase Payment or transfer your Investment Amount to one or more of the available Shield Options. Each Shield Option offered through this Contract has an associated Term, Index, Shield Rate and a Rate Crediting Type.
Step Rate. The rate credited at the Term End Date if the Index Performance is equal to or greater than zero. The Step Rate may vary between Shield Options and, unless you have a Shield
Option with a 1-year Term, is not an annual rate.
Surrender. A full withdrawal of your Account
Value.
Term. The Term is the number of years that the Shield Option
is in effect. We currently offer Terms of 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years. The initial Term(s) begin on the Issue Date.
Term End Date. The Contract Anniversary on which a Shield Option ends.
Term Start Date. The Contract Anniversary on which a
Shield Option is established. The initial Term Start Date(s) begins on the Issue Date, and thereafter, will be the Contract Anniversary coinciding with the duration of the
current Term you have selected.
Transfer Period. The five (5) calendar days following the Contract Anniversary coinciding with the Term End Date for each
applicable Shield Option and/or the Fixed Account Term End Date for the Fixed Account, during the Accumulation Period. If you have exercised Performance Lock, you may transfer on any Contract
Anniversary prior to the end of the Term and on the Term End Date. You
may only transfer the entire amount of your Performance Lock Value on a Contract Anniversary that
is not a Term End Date. On the Term End Date, you have the
Transfer Period to transfer all or a portion of your Performance Lock Value.
Withdrawal
Charge. A charge applied to the percentage of the amount withdrawn from your Account Value in a Contract Year in excess of the Free Withdrawal Amount.
Summary
The Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity is an individual single premium deferred
index-linked separate account annuity contract (the “Contract”) issued by BLIC, that provides for the potential accumulation of retirement savings. The Contract is intended for retirement or other long term investment purposes.
The Contract offers various Shield Options, which permit
Owners to potentially receive interest equal to the percentage returns of certain Securities Indices, up to a Cap Rate or equal to a specified Step Rate or Edge Rate, with
guarantees against a specified level of negative returns—guarantees we call “Shield Rates.” The protections specified by the Shield Rate and the level of positive
investment experience that can be credited to Account Value allowed by the Cap Rate or specified by the Step Rate or Edge Rate are only fully available for
the amounts held until the end of the Term.
We currently offer Shield Options based on Securities Indices. Additionally, each Shield Option has a Term of 1, 2, or 3 years in length, a Shield Rate (Shield 10 or Shield 15) and Rate Crediting Type (Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Step Rate Edge). For each Shield Option, you select the Term, the Shield Rate, and which Securities Index you want the performance of your Contract to be based on. For example, if you select Shield 10 with a 1-Year Term, you may also select whether you want your Contract performance based on the Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate, when applicable. A Fixed Account that guarantees a fixed rate of interest may also be available. Unless you allocate your entire Purchase
Payment to the Fixed Account, you may lose money by investing in the Contract.
The Cap Rate, Step Rate, and Step Rate Edge (each, a “Rate Crediting Type”) are the three ways we offer that you can potentially receive positive interest based on the performance of an Index. The Cap Rate is the maximum rate that may be credited at the Term End Date based on Index Performance. The Step Rate is the rate credited at the Term End Date if the Index Performance is equal to or greater than zero. For Shield Options with Step Rate Edge, the Edge Rate is the rate credited at the Term End Date if the Index Performance is equal to or greater than the Shield Rate. Shield Options with a Cap Rate are described in the Cap Rate Shield Option Rider attached to your Contract. Shield Options with a Step Rate are described in the Step Rate Shield Option Rider attached to your Contract. Shield Options with Step Rate Edge are described in the Step Rate Edge Shield Option Rider attached to your Contract.
New Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge Rates are declared for each
subsequent Term. There are two ways you may find out what the renewal Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge Rates will be for a subsequent Term. Thirty (30) days before the
current Term expires, we will send you a notification, written or electronic depending on your selected preferences, indicating your maturing Shield Options and how you can obtain the new Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge Rates. You may also access our website at https://www.brighthousefinancial.com/products/annuities/shield-annuities/shield-rates/ where at least two months of renewal rates for the Rate Crediting Types and the interest rate for the Fixed Account are posted – i.e., for the current month and the following month. See “RATE CREDITING TYPES.”
You may withdraw a portion or all of your Account Value
at any time until you commence receiving Annuity Payments, subject to an adjustment to the Investment Amounts. Depending on the performance of the Indices you choose, this
adjustment may be substantial. Withdrawal Charges may also apply.
The Contract is available only in those states where it
has been approved for sale.
Each Shield Option comes with Performance Lock, which allows you the option to lock the Interim Value on your Shield Options. For any Shield Option, once during each Term you may elect to lock the Interim Value. The Performance Lock Value, will be used as the value of that Shield Option for the remainder of the Term.
When you purchase the Contract, if you are age 81 or older
at the Issue Date of the Contract, the standard death benefit is the Account Value. For Owners age 80 or younger at the Issue Date of the Contract, the standard death
benefit (known as the Return of Premium death benefit) will be the greater of your (i) Account Value or (ii) Purchase Payment, reduced proportionally by the percentage reduction in Account Value of the Shield Option(s), the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account for each partial withdrawal (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge).
Like all annuity contracts the Contract
offers a range of annuity options, which provide Annuity Payments for your lifetime.
We have the right to substitute a comparable index prior to the Term End Date if any Index is discontinued or we determine that our use of such Index should be discontinued because we are no longer licensed to use the Index, the method of calculation of the Index Value is substantially changed, or if Index Values become unavailable for any reason. We would attempt to choose a substitute index that has a similar investment objective and risk profile to the replaced index. The substituted index may not be acceptable to you. See “An Index may be
Substituted.”
See “SPECIAL TERMS” in this prospectus for more detailed explanations of the terms associated with the Shield Options.
The following chart
describes the key features of the Contract. Please read this prospectus for more detailed information about the Contract.
Key Features of the Contract
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Individual single premium deferred index-linked separate account annuity
contract. |
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The minimum Purchase Payment: $25,000. Prior approval required for a
Purchase Payment of less than $25,000 or $1,000,000 or
more. |
Owner and Annuitant Issue Ages |
|
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The Contract has two periods:
•The Accumulation Period, the period prior to the Annuity Date; and
•The Annuity Period, which begins on the Annuity Date and during which
Annuity Payments are provided. |
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The total of the Fixed Account Value, the value of the Shield Option(s), and
the Holding Account value under the Contract during the
Accumulation Period. |
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Each Shield Option has an associated Term, Index, Shield Rate and Rate
Crediting Type. |
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The Term may be 1, 2, or 3 years in length. |
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The current Indices are as follows:
•S&P 500® Index (Price Return Index);
•Russell 2000® Index (Price Return Index);
•MSCI EAFE Index (Price Return Index); and
•Nasdaq-100 Index® (Price Return Index). |
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We currently offer different levels of protection:
Shield 10 — A Shield Rate where negative Index Performance of up to 10% of
your Investment Amount is absorbed by us at the Term End Date, which would
leave you to absorb any remaining negative Index Performance of
up to 90% of your Investment Amount.
Shield 15 — A Shield Rate where negative Index Performance of up to 15% of
your Investment Amount is absorbed by us at the Term End Date, which would
leave you to absorb any remaining negative Index Performance of
up to 85% of your Investment Amount. |
| |
A Shield Option can only have one associated Rate Crediting Type: Cap Rate,
Step Rate, or Step Rate Edge. |
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For any Shield Option, once during each Term you may elect to lock the
Interim Value. Once an Interim Value is locked it is
irrevocable for the remainder of that Term. The Performance
Lock Value will be used as value of the Shield Option for the
remainder of the Term. You can exercise Performance Lock by
providing Notice of election on a particular Business Day to
lock the Interim Value on that day. (See PERFORMANCE
LOCK.”) |
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The Interim Value is designed to represent the fair value of the Shield Option on
each Business Day between the Term Start Date and Term End Date, taking into
account the potential gain or loss of the applicable Index at
the end of the Term. The Interim Value reflects the change in
fair value due to economic factors of the investment
instruments (including derivatives) supporting the Shield
Options.
The Interim Value is the amount that is available for annuitization, death
benefits, withdrawals, Surrenders, and Performance Lock. For
each Shield Option, we assign the value of Interim Value on any
Business Day other than the Term Start Date and Term End
Date. The Interim Value may be less than the Investment Amount
at the time the Interim Value is calculated even when the
current Index Value is higher than it was on the Term Start
Date. See “Interim Value Calculation.” |
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During the Accumulation Period you may only make transfers to and from the
Fixed Account and/or to or from a new Shield Option(s). You may
only transfer during the Transfer Period. The effective date of
such transfer is the first day of the Fixed Account Term and/or
the Term(s) in which the transfer is made. If you have exercised
Performance Lock, you may transfer on any Contract Anniversary
prior to the end of the Term and on the Term End Date. You may
only transfer the entire amount of your Performance Lock Value on a Contract
Anniversary that is not a Term End Date. On the Term End Date
you have the Transfer Period to transfer all or a portion of
your Performance Lock Value. Partial transfers
of a Shield Option (with or without Performance Lock) are not permitted, except during the Transfer Period. See “TRANSFERS.” |
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You may withdraw some or all of your money at any time prior to the Annuity
Date. For any withdrawal taken on a Term End Date, a
Performance Rate Adjustment, as of the date of the withdrawal,
will apply. For any withdrawal taken between the Term Start
Date and the Term End Date, we use an Interim Value
calculation, which will reduce the Investment Amount for that Shield Option by the percentage reduction in the Interim Value of that Shield Option. If
you have exercised Performance Lock, a withdrawal will reduce your
Performance Lock Value by the dollar amount of the withdrawal.
The Performance Rate Adjustment and reduction (either
proportionate or dollar for dollar) may be substantial. In
addition, a withdrawal taken in excess of the Free Withdrawal
Amount may be subject to a Withdrawal Charge. |
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A percentage charge applied to withdrawals in excess of the Free Withdrawal
Amount.
The Free Withdrawal Amount is 0% in the first Contract Year, and 10% of
Account Value in each subsequent Contract Year to the extent
that amount has not already been withdrawn that Contract
Year. The Withdrawal Charge is calculated at the time of each
withdrawal in accordance with the following:
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Number of
Complete
Contract Years
since Issue Date |
Withdrawal
Charge
percentage |
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See “WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS — When No Withdrawal Charge
Applies” for a list of Withdrawal Charge
waivers. |
Systematic Withdrawal Program |
You may elect the Systematic Withdrawal Program to
provide automated processing of amounts withdrawn from
your Contract, subject to program terms. We do not assess a
charge for the program and you may terminate your
participation in the program at any time. Withdrawals
under the Systematic Withdrawal Program are
subject to the same Withdrawal Charge provisions and risks as
any other withdrawals under the Contract. Moreover, since withdrawal amounts from a Shield Option will reduce the Investment Amount for that Shield
Option by the percentage reduction in the Interim Value of that Shield
Option, a withdrawal when Interim Value is less than the
Investment Amount will cause a greater percentage reduction in
the Investment Amount that remains in your Shield Option
relative to the percentage reduction for the same withdrawal
amount when Interim Value is greater than the Investment Amount. If you
exercise Performance Lock on any Shield Option, the Performance
Lock Value for that Shield Option will be reduced by the dollar
amount of any subsequent withdrawals. Since withdrawals
under the Systematic Withdrawal Program are
automatic, you will have no control over the timing of those withdrawals. See
“WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS – Systematic Withdrawal
Program” for availability and other
restrictions. |
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For Owners age 81 or older at the Issue Date of the Contract, the standard
death benefit is the Account Value. For Owners age 80 or
younger at the Issue Date of the Contract, the standard death
benefit (known as the Return of Premium death benefit) is the
greater of the Account Value or your Purchase Payment (reduced
proportionally by the percentage reduction in Account Value of
the Shield Option(s), the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account for each partial withdrawal (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge)). The Death
Benefit Amount is determined as of the end of the Business Day on which we
receive Notice of due proof of death and an acceptable election
for the payment method. |
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You can choose an Annuity Option. After Annuity Payments begin, you cannot
change the Annuity Option. You can choose one of the following
Annuity Options on a fixed payment basis or any other Annuity
Option acceptable to us: (i) Life Annuity with 10 Years of Annuity Payments Guaranteed; and
(ii)Joint and Last Survivor Annuity with 10 Years of Annuity Payments Guaranteed. The Annuity Options may be limited due to the requirements of the Code. |
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You will bear the following charges and expenses:
(i)Withdrawal Charges; and
(ii)Premium Tax and other taxes. |
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You may cancel the Contract within a certain time period after receiving it by
mailing or delivering the Contract to either us or the financial
representative who sold it. This is known as a “Free
Look.” This Free Look period typically lasts 10 days, but
this can change from state to state because each state has its own rules. We will return either your Purchase Payment or Account Value, depending
on your state, and we will not deduct a Withdrawal Charge.
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The purchase of the Contract involves
certain risks. You should carefully consider the following factors, in addition to the matters set forth elsewhere in the prospectus, prior to purchasing the
Contract.
There is a risk of substantial loss of your principal (unless you
allocated your entire Purchase Payment to the Fixed Account) because you agree to absorb all losses that exceed the Shield Rate for the Shield Options you select under the
Contract. This means that if a negative Index Performance for a Shield Option you select exceeds the corresponding Shield Rate at the Term End Date, you will bear the portion of the loss that exceeds the Shield Rate.
To determine the
Interim Value, we apply a formula which does not reflect the actual performance of the applicable Index, but rather a determination of the value of hypothetical underlying
investments at the time of the Interim Value calculation. This amount could be more or less than the Investment Amount on the Term End Date. It also means that you could have negative Interim Value, even if the Index Value has increased at the time of the calculation.
Withdrawals before a Term End Date could have adverse impacts even if the Index Value has increased at the time of the calculation because an early withdrawal will not allow you to participate in the Index Performance for the Term with your entire Investment Amount. If you withdraw Account Value allocated to a Shield Option, the withdrawal will reduce the Investment Amount for that Shield Option by the percentage reduction in the Interim Value of that Shield Option. A proportional reduction may be larger than the dollar amount of your withdrawal even if the Index Value has increased. If you have exercised the Performance Lock, a withdrawal will reduce your Performance Lock Value by the dollar amount of the withdrawal.
No ownership of the underlying securities
When you purchase the Contract and allocate your Purchase Payment to a Shield Option(s), you will not be investing in the Index for the Shield Options you select or in a mutual fund or exchange traded fund that also tracks the Index. Your Performance Rate Adjustment for a Shield Option is limited by a Cap Rate, Step Rate or Edge Rate, which means your Investment Amount will be lower than if you had invested in a mutual fund or exchange traded fund designed to track the performance of the applicable Index and the performance is greater than your Cap Rate, Step Rate or Edge Rate.
You may withdraw some or all of your money at any time
prior to the Annuity Date; however, any applicable Withdrawal Charge is calculated as a percentage of the amount withdrawn. After the first Contract Year, the Contract
provides for limited free access to your money, called the Free Withdrawal Amount. If you withdraw an amount that is greater than the Free Withdrawal Amount for your Contract, you may be subject to a Withdrawal Charge which will reduce the amount that is payable to you. For example, assume you make a $100,000 Purchase Payment at Contract issue. If your Account Value is $80,000 in the beginning of the third (3rd) Contract Year and you take a full withdrawal from your Contract, the Free Withdrawal Amount is $8,000 (10% of $80,000) and a Withdrawal Charge percentage of 5% is applied to the remaining amount. This is a 5% reduction of your Account Value, less the Free Withdrawal Amount ($72,000 = $80,000 – $8,000). The Withdrawal Charge would be $3,600 (5% of $72,000). This results in a cash value of $76,400 paid to you ($76,400 = $80,000 – $3,600). For any withdrawal taken on a Term End Date, a Performance Rate Adjustment, as of the date of the withdrawal, will apply. For any withdrawal taken between the Term Start Date and the Term End Date, we use an Interim Value calculation, which will reduce the Investment Amount for that Shield Option by the percentage reduction in the Interim Value of that Shield Option. If you have exercised Performance Lock, a withdrawal will reduce your Performance Lock Value by the dollar amount of the withdrawal. The Performance Rate Adjustment and reduction (either proportionate or dollar for dollar) may be substantial. Since withdrawal amounts from a Shield Option will reduce the Investment Amount for that Shield Option by the percentage reduction in the Interim Value of that Shield Option, a withdrawal when Interim Value is less than the Investment Amount will cause a greater percentage reduction in the Investment Amount that remains in your Shield Option relative to the percentage reduction for the same withdrawal amount when Interim Value is greater than the Investment Amount.
Effect of Withdrawals, Surrender, Annuitization or Death
The method we use in calculating your
Interim Value may result in an amount that is less than the amount you would receive had you held the investment until the Term End Date. If you take a withdrawal when Index
Performance is negative, your remaining Investment Amount may be significantly less than if you waited to take the withdrawal when Index Performance was positive. For more information on how we determine Interim Value and the potential adverse impacts of a withdrawal before the Term End Date, see “Risk of Loss” above.
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If you take a withdrawal, including RMDs, your Account Value will be reduced by the
amount withdrawn proportionally from your Shield Options, the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account unless you tell us from which specific Allocation Options, in which you currently have any Account Value, where the withdrawal should be taken.
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If you die (unless your Contract was issued with the Return of Premium death benefit), or
Surrender your Contract prior to the Term End Date, we will pay either (i) the Interim Value, which may be less than if you held the Contract until all of your Shield Options reached their Term End Dates or (ii) the Performance Lock Value, which may be less than if you had not exercised Performance Lock before the Term End Date.
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If
your Contract is annuitized between the Term Start Date and Term End Date, we will use either the Interim Value or the Performance Lock Value to calculate the Annuity
Payments you will receive based on the applicable Annuity Option. In deciding on an Annuity Date, you should take into consideration the Term End Dates of your Shield
Options relative to the Annuity Date you have chosen.
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If
you have not exercised the Performance Lock on a Shield Option, the amount that is available before the Term End Date for annuitization, death benefits, withdrawals,
Surrenders, and Performance Lock will be the Interim Value. If you have exercised the Performance Lock on a Shield Option, the amount that is available before the Term End
Date for annuitization, death benefits, withdrawals, and Surrenders will be the Performance Lock Value.
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If your Account Value falls below the Minimum Account Value as a result of a withdrawal,
we may terminate your Contract.
You may make transfers between the Fixed Account and the Shield Option(s) and from the Holding Account to the Fixed Account and the Shield Options only during the Transfer Period. Unless you have a Shield Option with Performance Lock Value, you cannot make transfers outside the Transfer Period and you cannot (i) transfer out of a current Shield Option to another Shield Option or the Fixed Account until the Term End Date of the current Shield Option, (ii) transfer out of the Fixed Account to a Shield Option until the Fixed Account Term End Date (which will not be less than one (1) year), or (iii) transfer from the Holding Account to a Shield Option or the Fixed Account until the next Contract Anniversary. In all cases, the amount transferred can only be transferred to new Shield Options or the Fixed Account. This may limit your ability to react to market conditions.
If you remain in your current Shield Option with the Performance
Lock Value until the Term End Date and decide to transfer the Investment Amount to a new Shield Option, the Investment Amount on the Term Start Date of your new Shield
Option will be the Performance Lock Value for that option, which may be higher or lower than the Investment Amount would have been on the Term End Date had you not exercised the Performance Lock.
In addition, you should understand that for renewals into
the same Shield Option, a new Cap Rate, Step Rate or Edge Rate, as applicable, will be declared and will go into effect on the Contract Anniversary that coincides with the
beginning of the new Shield Option.
Moreover, at the Term End Date, the Investment Amount allocated
to the Shield Option that has reached its Term End Date will be automatically renewed into the same Shield Option unless you instruct us to transfer such amount into a
different Shield Option(s) or the Fixed Account. You have the Transfer Period to notify us that you want to transfer some or all of your Investment Amount to a new Shield Option(s) or the Fixed Account. Thus, failure to provide such instructions during the Transfer Period will result in an automatic renewal for a period of at least one (1) year.
If you have exercised the Performance
Lock for a Shield Option, you may only transfer the entire amount of your Performance Lock Value before the Term End Date. You may elect to transfer the Performance Lock Value to a new Shield Option or to the Fixed Account (if available) on any Contract Anniversary that is not a Term End Date.
You may only transfer the entire amount of the Performance Lock Value to a new Shield Option or
to the Fixed Account (if available). Partial transfers of
Performance Lock Value are not permitted.
Availability of Shield Options
Your selling firm may limit the Shield Options available through that firm when your Contract is issued or at Term End Date. Additionally, we may stop selling certain Shield Options. We are not obligated to offer any one particular Shield Option, but after your Contract is issued, there will always be one Shield Option available, although it may not be substantially similar to one of the currently available Shield Options. Consequently, if we were to offer only one Shield Option, you would be limited to investing in that one Shield Option. If that Shield Option does not meet your investment objectives or financial goals, you could transfer to the Fixed Account (if available at that time and subject to applicable conditions described in the “TRANSFERS” section, including the requirement to remain invested in the Fixed Account until the Fixed Account Term End Date), surrender your Contract and/or invest in another investment vehicle. If you surrender your Contract, you might incur taxes, tax penalties or other adjustments. If you invest in another investment vehicle, that investment may have different features, fees and risks than your Contract. Similarly, a particular Shield Option may not be available for you to transfer your Investment Amount or Fixed Account Value into after a Term End Date or the Fixed Account Term End Date. If the same Shield Option is no longer available at the Term End Date, the Investment Amount in the applicable Shield Option(s) will automatically transfer into the Fixed Account at the Term End Date, unless you instruct us otherwise. The amounts transferred to the Fixed Account must remain in the Fixed Account until the Fixed Account Term End Date (which, currently, will not be less than one (1) year). The Investment Amount held in the Fixed Account may earn a return that is less than the return you might have
earned if those amounts
were held in a Shield Option. If we exercise this right, your ability to increase your Account Value and, consequently, increase your death benefit will be limited. If the
Fixed Account is not available, the Investment Amount will automatically transfer into the Holding Account, unless you instruct us otherwise.
Risks Associated with the Referenced Indices
Because the S&P 500® Index (Price Return Index), the Russell 2000® Index (Price Return Index), the MSCI EAFE Index (Price Return Index), and the Nasdaq-100 Index® (Price Return Index) are each comprised of a collection of equity securities, in each case the value of the
component securities is subject to market risk, or the risk that market fluctuations may cause the value of the component securities to go up or down, sometimes rapidly and
unpredictably. In addition, the value of equity securities may increase or decline for reasons directly related to the issuers of the securities. (See “INDICES”
and “SHIELD RATES.”)
An Index may be Substituted
We have the right to substitute a comparable index prior to the Term End Date if any Index is discontinued or we determine that our use of such Index should be discontinued because we are no longer licensed to use the Index, the method of calculation of the Index Value is substantially changed, or if Index Values become unavailable for any reason. We would attempt to choose a substitute index that has a similar investment objective and risk profile to the replaced index. The substituted Index may not be acceptable to you. Upon substitution of an Index, we will calculate your Index Performance on the replaced Index up until the date of substitution and the substitute Index from the date of substitution to the Term End Date. If you have exercised Performance Lock, a subsequent index substitution will have no impact on the Performance Lock Value of that Shield Option.
An Index substitution will not change the Shield Rate, Cap Rate,
Step Rate or Edge Rate for an existing Shield Option. The performance of the new Index may not be as good as the one that it substituted and as a result your Index
Performance may have been better if there had been no substitution.
For all Shield Options, if negative Index Performance exceeds the corresponding Shield Rate at the Term End Date, you will bear the portion of the loss that exceeds the Shield Rate. For Shield Options with Step Rate Edge, there could be situations when a small difference in the Index Performance results in significantly different Performance Rates. For example, if Index Performance is -9.5%, the Shield Rate is 10% and the Edge Rate is 7%, the Performance Rate will equal the Edge Rate, or 7%. On the other hand, if Index Performance is -10.5% and the Shield Rate is 10%, the Performance Rate will equal -0.5%.
Shield Options with Higher Shield Rates
In deciding whether to choose a Shield Option with
a higher Shield Rate, you should consider that Shield Options with higher
Shield Rates tend to have lower Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge Rates, as
applicable, than Shield Options with lower Shield Rates that have the same Index and Term. This is because of the additional protection provided by the higher Shield Rates.
With the Performance Lock Value you may receive less than you would have received had you not exercised the Performance Lock. Furthermore, once the Performance Lock is exercised, it is irrevocable for the remainder of that Term. You will no longer participate in Index Performance, positive or negative, for the remainder of the Term after you exercise Performance Lock. This means that under no circumstances will your Performance Lock Value increase during the remainder of the Term, and you will not receive a Performance Rate Adjustment on any Performance Lock Value on the Term End Date.
We use the Interim Value calculated at the end of the current Business Day on which you exercise Performance Lock to determine your Performance Lock Value. This means you will not be able to determine in advance your Performance Lock Value, and it may be higher or lower than it was at the point in time you requested the Performance Lock. If the Performance Lock is exercised when the Interim Value is less than the
Investment Amount, you will lock in any loss, which could be below the Shield
Rate. It is possible that you would have realized less of a loss or no loss if the Performance Lock
occurred at a later time, or if the Shield Option was not locked.
No company other than BLIC has any legal responsibility to pay amounts that BLIC owes under the Contract. An Owner should look to the financial strength of BLIC for its claims-paying ability.
Cybersecurity and Certain
Business Continuity Risks
Our business is largely conducted through complex information technology and communications systems operated by us and our service providers and business partners (e.g., the firms involved in the distribution and sale of our products). Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our systems and the systems of third party service providers. For example, many routine operations, such as processing your requests and elections and day-to-day record keeping, are all executed through computer networks and systems. We have established administrative and technical controls and business continuity and resilience plans to protect our operations against attempts by unauthorized third parties to improperly access, modify, disrupt the operation of, or prevent access to critical networks or systems or data within them (a “cyber-attack”). Despite these protocols, the techniques used to attack systems and networks change frequently, are becoming more sophisticated, and can originate from a wide variety of sources including terrorists, nation states, financially motivated actors, internal actors, or third parties, such as external service providers, and the techniques used change frequently or are often not recognized until after they have been launched. The rapid evolution and increased adoption of artificial intelligence technologies may intensify our cybersecurity risks, including the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies by threat actors. There may be an increased risk of cyber-attacks during periods of geo-political or military conflict.
A cyber-attack could have a material, negative impact on BLIC,
as well as individual Owners and their Contracts. There are inherent limitations in our plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been
identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future. Unanticipated problems with, or failures, of, our disaster recovery systems and business continuity plans could have a material impact on our ability to conduct business and on our financial condition and operations, and such events could result in regulatory fines or sanctions, litigation, penalties or financial losses, reputational harm, loss of customers, and/or additional compliance costs for BLIC. Our operations also could be negatively impacted by a cyber-attack affecting a third party, such as a service provider, business partner, another participant in the financial markets or a governmental or regulatory authority. Potential attacks can occur through a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, cyber-attacks, phishing attacks, account takeover attempts, the introduction of computer viruses or malicious code, ransomware or other extortion tactics, denial of service attacks, credential stuffing, and other computer-related penetrations. Hardware, software or applications developed by us or received from third parties may contain exploitable vulnerabilities, bugs, or defects in design, maintenance or manufacture or other issues that could compromise information and cybersecurity. Malicious actors may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, customers, or other users of our systems to disclose credentials or other similar sensitive information in order to gain access to our systems or data, or that of our customers, through social engineering, phishing, mobile phone malware, and other methods. Cybersecurity threats can originate from a wide variety of sources including, but not limited to, natural catastrophe, military or terrorist actions, public health crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), and unanticipated problems with our or our service providers’ disaster recovery systems. Such disasters and events may adversely affect our ability to conduct business or administer the contract, particularly if our employees or the employees of our service providers are unable or unwilling to perform their responsibilities as a result of any such event.
Cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures to our business operations
can interfere with our processing of Contract transactions, including the processing of transfer orders from our website; impact our ability to calculate values; cause the
release and/or possible loss, misappropriation or corruption of confidential Owner or business information; or impede order processing or cause other operational issues. There can be no assurance that we or our service providers will avoid losses affecting your Contract due to cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures in the future. Although we continually make efforts to identify and reduce our exposure to cybersecurity risk, there is no guarantee that we will be able to successfully manage and mitigate this risk at all times. Furthermore, we cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems implemented by third parties, including service providers.
This prospectus describes the Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity issued by us and describes all the material features of the Contract. The Brighthouse
Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity is a contract between you as
the Owner, and us, the insurance company, where you agree to make a Purchase Payment to us and we agree to make a series of payments at a later date you select (the “Annuity Date”).
The Contract, like all deferred annuity contracts, has two
periods: the Accumulation Period and the Annuity Period. During the Accumulation Period, Account Value accumulates on a tax-deferred basis and is taxed as income when you
make a withdrawal. If you make a withdrawal during the Accumulation Period, we may assess a Withdrawal Charge of up to 6%. Withdrawals (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge), depending on the amount and timing, may negatively impact the
benefits and guarantees
provided by your Contract. You should carefully consider whether a withdrawal under a particular circumstance will have any negative impact to your benefits or guarantees.
The Annuity Period occurs when you or a designated payee begin receiving regular Annuity Payments from your Contract.
The maximum issue age for this Contract is 85.
When you purchase the Contract, you can choose one or more of
the available Shield Options and the Fixed Account. A Purchase Payment applied to the Shield Options is allocated to the Separate Account. You do not share in the investment
performance of assets allocated to the Separate Account. We are obligated to pay all money we owe under the Contract, including death benefits and Annuity Payments. Any such amount that exceeds the assets in the Separate Account is paid from our General Account, subject to our financial strength and claims-paying ability and our long-term ability to make such payments, and is not guaranteed by any other party. (See “THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT.”)
The Contract is intended for retirement
savings or other long-term investment purposes. The Contract has features and benefits that may be appropriate for you based on your financial situation and objectives, but
we are not a fiduciary and do not provide investment advice or make recommendations regarding insurance or investment products, or any securities transactions or investment strategies involving securities. You should ask your financial representative for guidance as to whether this contract may be appropriate for you. Please bear in mind that your financial representative, or any financial firm or financial professional with whom you consult for advice, acts on your behalf, not ours. We are not party to any agreement between you and your financial professional. See “DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS” for information on firms that sell the Contract.
The Contract benefits from tax deferral. Tax deferral means
that you are not taxed on Account Value or appreciation on the assets in your Contract until you take money out of your Contract. Non-qualified annuity Contracts (which are
not retirement plans) owned by a non-natural person such as a corporation or certain other legal entities (other than a trust that holds the Contract as an agent for a natural person), do not receive tax deferral on earnings. In addition, for any tax qualified account (e.g., an IRA), the tax deferred accrual feature is provided by the tax qualified retirement plan. Therefore, there should be reasons other than tax deferral for acquiring the Contract by a corporation, certain legal entities or within a qualified plan. (See “FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”)
Currently, a Fixed Account is available. However, the Fixed
Account may not always be available. You should consult your financial representative for information regarding the Fixed Account, if available. See Appendix D
for certain information regarding the Fixed Account. The Fixed Account offers an interest rate that is guaranteed by us. The minimum interest rate depends on the date your Contract is issued and will not be less than 1% annually. Your financial representative can tell you the current and minimum interest rates that apply. If you select the Fixed Account, your money will be placed with our other General Account assets, and the amount of money you are able to accumulate in your Contract during the Accumulation Period depends upon the total interest credited to your Contract. The Fixed Account is part of our General Account. Our General Account consists of all assets owned by us other than those in the Separate Account and our other separate accounts. We have sole discretion over the investment of assets in the General Account and the Separate Account. If you select an Annuity Option, payments are made from our General Account assets.
The Holding Account is a limited purpose account and only under
certain circumstances will we transfer amounts to the Holding Account. (See Appendix E for a full description of the Holding Account). You may not allocate your Purchase
Payment or Account Value to the Holding Account. Amounts will remain in the Holding Account until you provide us new allocation instructions. Once we receive allocation instructions from you, we will transfer the amounts in the Holding Account to the Shield Option(s) on the next Contract Anniversary. The Holding Account has its own Holding Account interest
rate and interest is credited daily at an effective annual rate that we declare periodically. The Holding Account guaranteed minimum interest rate will not be less than 1%. The Holding Account guaranteed minimum interest rate can be found in the Contract
specifications pages. Your financial representative can tell you the current and minimum interest rates that apply. We reserve the right to change the Holding Account interest rate.
The amount of the Annuity Payments you receive during the
Annuity Period from an Annuity Payment option will remain level for the entire Annuity Period, subject to the payout chosen. (See “ANNUITY PAYMENTS (THE ANNUITY
PERIOD)” for more information.)
As Owner, you exercise all interests and rights under the
Contract. You can change the Owner at any time, subject to our underwriting requirements. The Contract may be owned generally by Joint Owners (limited to natural persons).
(See “OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS.”)
Any Internal Revenue Code reference to “spouse”
includes those persons who are married spouses under state law, regardless of
sex.
Replacement of
Contracts
Exchanges. Generally you can exchange one non-qualified annuity contract for another in a tax-free exchange under
Section 1035 of the Code. Before making an exchange, you should compare both annuities carefully. If you exchange another annuity for the one described in this prospectus, you might have to pay a withdrawal charge on your old annuity, and there will be a new Withdrawal Charge period for the Contract. Other charges may be higher (or lower) and the benefits may be different. Also, because we will not issue the Contract until we have received the initial premium from your existing insurance company, the issuance of the Contract may be delayed. Generally, it is not advisable to purchase a Contract as a replacement for an existing annuity contract. Before you exchange another annuity for our Contract, ask your financial representative whether the exchange would be advantageous, given the Contract features, benefits and
charges.
Exchange Programs. From time to time we may make available programs
under which certain annuity contracts previously issued by us or one of our affiliates may be exchanged for the Contracts offered by this prospectus. Currently, with
respect to exchanges from certain of our annuity contracts to the Contract, an existing contract is eligible for exchange if a surrender of the existing contract would not trigger a withdrawal charge. You should carefully consider whether an exchange is appropriate for you by comparing the benefits and other guarantees provided by the contract you currently own to the benefits and guarantees that would be provided by the new Contract offered by this prospectus. Then, you should compare the fees and charges of your current contract to the fees and charges of the new Contract, which may be higher than your current contract. The programs we offer will be made available on terms and conditions determined by us, and any such programs will comply with applicable law. We believe the exchanges will be tax free for Federal income tax purposes; however, you should consult your tax advisor before making any such exchange.
The Contract may not be available for purchase through your broker dealer (“selling firm”) during certain periods. There are a number of reasons why the Contract periodically may not be available, including that the insurance company wants to limit the volume of sales of the Contract. You may wish to speak to your financial representative about how this may affect your purchase. For example, you may be required to submit your purchase application in Good Order prior to or on a stipulated date in order to purchase a Contract, and a delay in such process could result in your not being able to purchase a Contract. Your selling firm may offer the Contract with a lower maximum issue age for the Contract compared to what other selling firms may offer. Your selling firm may limit the Shield Options available through that firm when your Contract is issued or at the Term End Date. However, at the end of your initial Shield Option(s), you may transfer into any Shield Option(s) available under the Contract, subject to any transfer restrictions (see “TRANSFERS”). Please be aware that your financial representative may not be able to provide you information or answer questions you may have with regard to those Shield Options that your selling firm does not make available. Therefore, you may contact us directly. See “REQUESTS AND ELECTIONS” for specific contact information.
We offer other individual single premium deferred
indexed-linked separate account contracts. However, not every contract we issue is available through every selling firm. In addition, these other contracts may
have different Shield Options, Shield Rates, Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge
Rates.
A Purchase Payment is the total amount of money you give us to
invest in the Contract. The Purchase Payment is due on the date the Contract is issued.
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The minimum Purchase Payment we will accept is $25,000.
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If you want to make a Purchase Payment of less than $25,000 or $1,000,000 or more, you
will need our prior approval.
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We
reserve the right to refuse a Purchase Payment made via a personal check in excess of $100,000. A Purchase Payment over $100,000 may be accepted in other forms, including,
but not limited to, EFT/wire transfers, certified checks, corporate checks, and checks written on financial institutions.
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We will not accept a Purchase Payment made with cash, money orders, or travelers
checks.
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Corporations and other legal entities we approve, may purchase the Contract; however, we
will not accept a Purchase Payment made by a corporation or other legal entity (other than a trust that holds the Contract as agent for a natural person) to fund any type of qualified or non-qualified retirement plan.
We reserve the right to reject any application.
Allocation of the Purchase
Payment
You may allocate your Purchase Payment to one or more of the available Shield Options or into the Fixed Account. On your Issue Date, your Purchase Payment is allocated to the Shield Option(s) and/or the Fixed Account, as you specified on the application, unless we receive Notice of any changes from you before we have issued your Contract. All allocations must be in whole percentages that total 100% or in whole dollars. Once your Purchase Payment is allocated to the Shield Options and/or the Fixed Account, they become part of your Account Value.
The Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity is not a variable annuity where your account
value varies based on the investment performance of the underlying portfolios you choose, rather the Shield Options offer potential interest based upon index performance. This potential interest—the Performance Rate Adjustment—may be a positive or negative percentage or zero. You may allocate your Purchase Payment to one or more of the available Shield Options and the Fixed Account. Based upon the Index Performance of the Index associated with the Shield Option, a Performance Rate Adjustment will be applied to the Investment Amount in that Shield Option on the Term End Date. Given that Index Performance may be positive, zero or negative, your Performance Rate Adjustment may be positive, zero or negative. We calculate the Interim Value of each Shield Option on any Business Day other than the Term Start Date and Term End Date. The Interim Value is the amount that is available for annuitization, death benefits, withdrawals, Surrenders, and Performance Lock.
For any Shield Option, once during each Term
you may elect to lock the Interim Value. Once Performance Lock is exercised, it is irrevocable for the remainder of that Term. The Performance Lock Value will be used as the
value of the Shield Option for the remainder of the Term. This means you will no longer participate in Index Performance, positive or negative, and you will not receive a Performance Rate Adjustment on any Performance Lock Value on the Term End Date.
It is possible for you to lose a portion of the Purchase Payment and any earnings invested in the Contract. The Performance Rate Adjustment is based on a certain amount of protection against decreases in an Index Value and a limitation on potential interest based on an Index Value. The extent of the downside protection varies by the Shield Rate you select. If you access amounts in the Shield Options before the Term End Date, we will instead calculate an Interim Value on each Business Day between the Term Start Date and the Term End Date. (See “INTERIM VALUE CALCULATION.”)
You have the opportunity to allocate your Investment Amount to any of the Shield Options described below, subject to the requirements, limitations and procedures disclosed in the prospectus. We are not obligated to offer any one particular Shield Option and your selling firm may limit the Shield Options available through that firm when your Contract is issued. After the Contract is issued, there will always be at least one Shield Option available although it may not be substantially similar to one of the currently available Shield Options. If we were to offer only one Shield Option, you would be limited to investing in that one Shield Option. If that Shield Option does not meet your investment objectives or financial goals, you could transfer to the Fixed Account, surrender your Contract and/or invest in another investment vehicle. If you surrender your Contract, you might incur taxes, tax penalties or other adjustments. If you invest in another investment vehicle, that investment may have different features, fees, and risks than your Contract. Each Shield Option has an associated (i) Term, (ii) Index, (iii) Shield Rate and (iv) Rate Crediting Type you select.
The following chart lists the Shield Options (each of which is issued with a Cap Rate unless otherwise noted as a Step Rate or Step Rate Edge) currently available, Performance Lock is available on all Shield
Options.
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SHIELD 15 (up to 15% downside protection) |
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S&P 500® Index S&P 500® Index Step Rate
S&P 500® Index Step Rate Edge
Russell 2000® Index
Russell 2000® Index Step Rate
Russell 2000® Index Step Rate Edge
MSCI EAFE Index MSCI EAFE Index Step Rate MSCI
EAFE Index Step Rate Edge Nasdaq-100 Index® Step Rate Nasdaq-100 Index® Step Rate Edge |
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S&P 500® Index Step Rate
S&P 500® Index Step Rate Edge
Russell 2000® Index Step Rate
Russell 2000® Index Step Rate Edge
MSCI EAFE Index Step Rate MSCI EAFE Index Step Rate Edge
Nasdaq-100 Index® Step Rate
Nasdaq-100 Index® Step Rate Edge |
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S&P 500® Index
Russell 2000® Index
MSCI EAFE Index
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SHIELD 10 (up to 10% downside protection) |
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S&P 500® Index
S&P 500® Index Step Rate
S&P 500® Index Step Rate Edge
Russell 2000® Index
Russell 2000® Index Step Rate
Russell 2000® Index Step Rate Edge
MSCI EAFE Index MSCI EAFE Index Step Rate MSCI
EAFE Index Step Rate Edge Nasdaq-100 Index® Step Rate Nasdaq-100 Index® Step Rate Edge |
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S&P 500® Index Step Rate
S&P 500® Index Step Rate Edge
Russell 2000® Index Step Rate
Russell 2000® Index Step Rate Edge
MSCI EAFE Index Step Rate MSCI EAFE Index Step Rate Edge
Nasdaq-100 Index® Step Rate
Nasdaq-100 Index® Step Rate Edge |
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S&P 500® Index Russell 2000® Index
MSCI EAFE Index
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The Indices are described in more
detail below, under the heading “Indices.” For each new Shield Option we declare a new Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate, as applicable, for each Term. The
initial Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate, as applicable, for each Shield Option is declared on the Issue Date. Thereafter the Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate, as applicable, for each subsequent Shield Option is declared for each subsequent Term. See “Cap Rate” "Step Rate” and “Step Rate Edge”.
Please note, Shield Options with higher Shield
Rates tend to have lower Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge Rates, as applicable, than other Shield Options that use the same Index and Term but provide lower
Shield Rates. For example, a Shield Option with the S&P 500® Index with a 3-Year Term and a Shield 15 will tend to have a Cap Rate
that is lower than a Shield Option with the S&P
500® Index with a 3-Year Term and a Shield 10.
A Shield Option will always be available; however, we reserve the right to change the duration of any new Shield Options, stop offering any of the Shield Options or suspend offering any of the Shield Options. We may also add Shield Options in the future. All Shield Options may not be available in all states.
TERM
The Term is the number of years that a Shield Option is in
effect. For specific Shield Options we currently offer Terms of 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years. An initial Term(s) begins on the Issue Date. A Term ends and a subsequent Term
begins on the Contract Anniversary coinciding with the duration of the then current Term for the Shield Option you have selected.
Each Shield Option will have a Term Start Date, which is the
Contract Anniversary on which a Shield Option is established. The initial Term Start Date(s) begins on the Issue Date, and thereafter, will be the Contract Anniversary
coinciding with the duration of the Term for the Shield Option completed.
Each Shield Option will have a Term End Date, which is the Contract Anniversary on which a Shield Option ends. Thirty (30) days in advance of the Term End Date, we will send you written notification stating that your current Shield Option is maturing and that, at the Term End Date, the Investment Amount allocated to that Shield Option will automatically be renewed into the same Shield Option unless you instruct us to transfer such amount into a different Shield Option(s) or the Fixed Account, if available. The notification will inform you of what your maturing Shield Options are and explain how you can obtain the different Shield Options available at the Term End Date, including the renewal Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge Rates, and the interest rate for the Fixed Account. You may also access information on our website at
https://www.brighthousefinancial.com/products/annuities/shield-annuities/shield-rates/renewal-rates/ where
at least two months of available Shield Options and renewal rates are posted. If the same Shield Option is no longer available at the Term End Date, the Investment Amount will automatically transfer into the Fixed Account at the Term End Date, unless you instruct us otherwise. The amounts transferred to the Fixed Account must remain in the Fixed Account until the Fixed Account Term End Date (which, currently, will not be less than one (1) year). If the Fixed Account is not available, the Investment Amount will automatically transfer into the Holding Account, unless you instruct us otherwise. You have the Transfer Period to notify us that you want to transfer some or all of your Investment Amount to a new Shield Option(s) or the Fixed Account. For renewals into the same Shield Option, a new Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate, as applicable, will be declared and will go into effect on the Contract Anniversary that coincides with the beginning of the new Term in the Shield Option that just ended. The amount transferred to the new Shield Option is the Investment Amount as of the Contract Anniversary.
The Performance Rate of a Shield Option is based on the performance of the associated Index. We currently offer Shield Options with indices based on the performance of securities. In the future we may offer Shield Options based on other types of indices. We may also add or remove indices for new Contracts at our discretion.
The following Indices are currently available:
S&P 500® Index (Price Return Index). The S&P 500® Index includes 500 large cap stocks from leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy, capturing approximately 80% coverage of U.S. equities by market capitalization. The S&P 500® Index does not include dividends declared by any of the companies in this Index.
Russell 2000® Index (Price Return Index). The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 2000 is a
subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately
10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes approximately 2000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell
2000® Index does not include dividends declared by any of the companies in this Index.
MSCI EAFE Index (Price Return Index). The MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization
index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the US & Canada. As of the date of this prospectus the MSCI EAFE Index
consists of the following 21 developed market country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The MSCI EAFE Index does not include dividends declared by any of the companies in this Index. Index Value and Index Performance will be calculated without any exchange rate adjustment.
Nasdaq-100 Index® (Price Return Index).
The Nasdaq-100 Index® includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial securities listed on the Nasdaq Stock
Market based on market capitalization. The Index reflects companies across major industry groups including computer hardware and software, telecommunications,
retail/wholesale
trade and biotechnology.
It does not contain securities of financial companies including investment companies. The Nasdaq-100 Index® does not include dividends declared by any of the
companies in this Index.
See Appendix A for important information regarding the publishers of the Indices.
Discontinuation or Substantial Change to an Index.
If any Index is discontinued or we
determine that our use of such Index should be discontinued because we are no longer licensed to use the Index, the method of calculation is substantially changed, or if
Index Values become unavailable for any reason, we may substitute a comparable index with a similar investment objective and risk profile. We will send you written notification thirty (30) days in advance of such substitution or as soon as reasonably possible. The substituted Index may not be acceptable to you. Upon substitution of an Index, we will calculate your Index Performance on the existing Index up until the date of substitution and the substitute Index from the date of substitution to the Term End Date. The Index Performance as of the Term End Date will be equal to the return from having invested in the initial Index up to the substitution date and then investing in the substitute Index from the date of substitution to the Term End Date assuming no withdrawals or transfers based on the following formula: (initial Index at Index substitution date ÷ initial Index at Term Start Date) x (substituted Index at Term End Date ÷ substituted Index at substitution date) – 1. An Index substitution will not change the Term, Shield Rate, Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate for an existing Shield Option. The performance of the new Index may not be as good as the one that it substituted and as a result your Index Performance may have been better if there had been no substitution.
See Appendix B for an Index substitution Investment Amount
example.
If you have exercised the Performance Lock, a subsequent index substitution will have no impact on the Performance Lock Value of that Shield Option.
The Index Value of an Index, on a Business Day, is the published closing value of the Index on that Business Day. The Index Value on any day that is not a Business Day is the value as of the prior Business Day. If an Index Value is not published on a Business Day, the closing Index Value on the next Business Day in which the Index Value is published will be used. We will use consistent sources to obtain Index Values. If these sources are no longer available for specific indices, we will select an alternative published source(s) for these Index Values.
Index Performance is the percentage change in an Index Value measured from the Term Start Date to any day, including the Term End Date, within the Term. The Index Performance can be positive, zero or negative. The Performance Rate of a Shield Option is based on the performance of an Index. We calculate the Performance Rate only on the Term End Date. Any increase or reduction in the Investment Amount in a particular Shield Option is determined by multiplying the Performance Rate by the Investment Amount of the Shield Option on the last day of the Term.
The Shield Rate only applies if you hold the Shield Option until the Term End Date. The Shield Rate for each Shield Option is the amount of any negative Index Performance that is absorbed by us at the Term End Date. Any negative Index
Performance beyond the Shield Rate will reduce the Investment Amount.
We currently offer the
following Shield Rates: Shield 10 and Shield 15:
For example, a -15% Index Performance with a 10% Shield Rate will result in a -5% Performance Rate; or a -10% Index Performance with a 15% Shield Rate will result in a 0% Performance Rate (unless you have a Shield Option with Step Rate Edge). The Shield Rate may vary between Shield Options and, unless you have a Shield Option
with a 1-year Term, is not an annual rate.
In deciding whether to choose a Shield Option with a higher Shield Rate, you should consider that Shield Options
with higher Shield Rates tend to have lower Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge Rates, as applicable, than Shield Options with lower Shield Rates that have the same Index and Term.
RATE CREDITING
TYPES
The Cap Rate is the maximum rate that may be credited at the Term
End Date based on Index Performance. For example, a 15% Index Performance with a 10% Cap Rate will result in a 10% Performance Rate; or, a 5% Index Performance with a 10% Cap Rate will result in a 5% Performance Rate. The Cap Rate may vary between
Shield Options and, unless you have a Shield Option with a 1-year Term, is not an annual rate. The Cap Rate only applies if you hold the Shield Option until the Term End Date. For renewals
into the same Shield Option a new Cap Rate is declared for each subsequent Term, and such rate will not be less than the Minimum Guaranteed Cap Rate stated in your Contract,
but will not be less than 2% for Shield Options with a 1-Year Term, and 6% for Shield Options with a 3-Year Term. In some cases we may declare a Cap Rate for a Shield Option as “uncapped” in which case the Performance Rate that can be received is equal to the Index Performance, subject to the Shield Rate.
There are two ways you may find out what the renewal Cap Rates
will be for a subsequent Term. Thirty (30) days before the current Term expires, we will send you notification, written or electronic depending on your selected preferences,
indicating your maturing Shield Options and how you can obtain the new Cap Rates. You may also access our website at https://www.brighthousefinancial.com/products/annuities/shield-annuities/shield-rates/ where at least two months of renewal rates for the Rate Crediting Types and the interest rate for the Fixed Account are posted – i.e., for the current month and the following month. At the Term End Date, the Investment Amount will automatically be renewed into the same Shield Option, with the new Cap Rate, unless you elect to transfer such amount into a different Shield Option(s) or the Fixed Account. See “TRANSFERS.”
The Step Rate is the rate credited at the Term End Date if the Index Performance is equal to or greater than zero. For example, a 15% Index Performance with a 8% Step Rate will result in a 8% Performance Rate; or, a 5% Index Performance with a 8% Step Rate will result in a 8% Performance Rate. The Step Rate only applies if you hold the Shield Option until the Term End Date. The Step Rate may vary between Shield Options and, unless you have a Shield Option with a 1-year Term, is not an annual
rate. For renewals into the same Shield Option a new Step Rate is declared
for each subsequent Term, and such rate will not be less than the Minimum Guaranteed Step Rate stated in your Contract, but will not be less than 2%.
There are two ways you may find out what the
renewal Step Rates will be for a subsequent Term. Thirty (30) days before the current Term expires, we will send you a notification, written or electronic depending on your
selected preferences, indicating your maturing Shield Options and how you can obtain the new Step Rates. You may also access our website at https://www.brighthousefinancial.com/products/annuities/shield-annuities/shield-rates/ where at least two months of renewal rates for the Rate Crediting Types and the interest rate for the Fixed Account are posted – i.e., for the current month and the following month. At the Term End Date, the Investment Amount will automatically be renewed into the same Shield Option, with the new Step Rate, unless you elect to transfer such amount into a different Shield Option(s) or the Fixed Account. See “TRANSFERS.”
For Shield Options with Step Rate Edge, the Edge Rate is the rate
credited at the Term End Date if the Index Performance is equal to or greater than the Shield Rate. Step Rate Edge therefore, provides the opportunity to receive the Edge
Rate even when Index Performance is negative, so long as Index Performance is equal to or greater than the Shield Rate. For example, a 3% Index Performance with a 7% Edge Rate and a 10% Shield Rate will result in a 7% Performance Rate, or, a -10% Index Performance with a 7% Edge Rate and a 10% Shield Rate will result in a 7% Performance Rate. The Edge Rate only applies if you hold the Shield Option until the Term End Date. The Edge Rate may vary between Shield
Options and, unless you have a Shield Option with a 1-year Term, is not an annual rate. For renewals into the same Shield Option a new Edge Rate is declared for each subsequent Term, and such
rate will not be less than the Minimum Guaranteed Edge Rate stated in your Contract, but will not be less than 2%.
There are two ways you may find out
what the renewal Edge Rates will be for a subsequent Term. Thirty (30) days before the current Term expires, we will send you a notification, written or electronic depending
on your selected preferences, indicating your maturing Shield Options and how you can obtain the new Edge Rates. You may also access our website at https://www.brighthousefinancial.com/products/annuities/shield-annuities/shield-rates/ where at least two months of renewal rates for the Rate Crediting Types and the interest rate for the Fixed Account are posted – i.e., for the current month
and the following month.
At the Term End Date, the Investment Amount will automatically be renewed into the same Shield Option, with the new Edge Rate, unless you elect to transfer such amount into
a different Shield Option(s) or the Fixed Account. See “TRANSFERS.”
Rate Crediting Type Considerations
In deciding whether to purchase a Shield Option with a Cap Rate versus a Step Rate or Step Rate Edge, you should consider the following:
Step Rates and Edge Rates are generally lower than Cap Rates.
For example, if Index Performance is equal to or greater than zero but less than the Step Rate, and you chose a Cap Rate for your Shield Option, your Performance Rate
Adjustment will be lower than it otherwise would be had you chosen a Step Rate.
Similarly, if Index Performance is equal
to or greater than the Shield Rate but less than the Edge Rate, and you chose a Cap Rate for your Shield Option, your Performance Rate Adjustment will be lower than it
otherwise would be had you chosen an Edge Rate.
Alternatively, if Index Performance is positive and exceeds the
Step Rate, and you chose a Step Rate for your Shield Option, your Performance Rate Adjustment will be lower than it otherwise would be had you chosen a Cap Rate. For
example, if you chose a Shield Option with a 10% Cap Rate and there is a 15% Index Performance, your Performance Rate is 10%; however, if instead you were to choose a Shield Option with an 8% Step Rate, your Performance Rate would instead be 8%.
Similarly, if the Index is equal to or greater than the Shield Rate and exceeds the Edge Rate, and you chose an Edge Rate for your Shield Option, your Performance Rate Adjustment will be lower than it otherwise would be had you chosen a Cap Rate. For example, if you chose a Shield Option with a 10% Cap Rate and there is a 15% Index Performance, your
Performance Rate is 10%; however, if instead you were to choose a Shield Option with an 7% Edge Rate, your Performance Rate would instead be 7%.
In deciding whether to purchase a Shield Option with a Step
Rate versus Step Rate Edge, you should consider that Edge Rates are generally lower than Step Rates, but Edge Rates are applicable when Index Performance is equal to or
greater than the Shield Rate whereas Step Rates are applicable only when Index Performance is equal to or greater than zero. For example, if you chose an Edge Rate of 7% and Index Performance is equal to or greater than the Shield Rate but less than zero, your Performance Rate would be 7%. On the other hand, if you chose a Step Rate of 8% and Index Performance is equal to or greater than the Shield Rate but less than zero, your Performance Rate would be 0% even though the Step Rate is higher than the Edge Rate. Conversely, if you chose an Edge Rate of 7% and Index Performance is equal to or greater than zero, your Performance Rate would be 7% whereas if you had chosen a Step Rate of 8%, your Performance Rate would be 8% rather than 7%.
You should keep in mind that unlike Shield Options with a Cap
Rate or Step Rate, with a Shield Option with Step Rate Edge you will receive a positive Performance Rate equal to the Edge Rate even if Index Performance is negative, so
long as such negative Index Performance does not exceed the Shield Rate.
ADDITION OR DISCONTINUANCE OF A SHIELD OPTION
A Shield Option will always be available; however, we can add or discontinue any Shield Option. When a change is made to a Shield Option or an Index, or changed subsequent to the Issue Date, we will send a notification describing any changes to the Shield Option, as required by law. This change will take effect under your Contract as of the next Contract Anniversary for any allowable transfers into the Shield Option(s). If you are currently allocated in a Shield Option which is no longer available, you will remain in that Shield Option until the Term End Date, but that Shield Option will no longer be available following the Term End Date. For more on transfers and renewals, see “TRANSFERS.”
Your Account Value is the total of the Fixed Account Value, the value of the Shield Option(s), and the Holding Account value under your Contract during the Accumulation Period.
The following five sections of the prospectus describe (1) the
calculation of Investment Amount, (2) Interim Value Calculation, (3) how Withdrawals work, (4) how Transfers work, and (5) how Performance Lock works. Each section has
corresponding example(s). These examples should not be considered a representation of past or future performance for any Shield Option. Actual performance may be greater or less than those shown in the examples.
Similarly, the Index Values in the examples are not an estimate or guarantee of future Index Performance.
The rates for the rate
crediting types shown in the following examples are for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect actual declared rates. Values are rounded for display purposes
only.
The Investment Amount for each Shield
Option is equal to the Investment Amount at the Term Start Date, reduced proportionately for any withdrawals (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge) by the same
percentage that the withdrawal reduces the Interim Value attributable to that Shield Option, adjusted by the Performance Rate at the Term End Date.
The remaining Investment Amount after a withdrawal will be used
as the new Investment Amount for the Term until the Term End Date for that Shield Option, or the next Interim Value calculation. On the Term End Date, we apply the
Performance Rate to your Investment Amount.
CALCULATING YOUR
INVESTMENT AMOUNT ON A TERM END DATE
The Performance Rate can be positive, zero or negative and is determined as follows:
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Performance Rate will equal: |
Shield Options with a Cap Rate |
less than or equal to zero |
the lesser of: zero or the Index Performance increased by the Shield Rate (For example: a -15% Index Performance with Shield 10 will result in a -5% Performance Rate. The Performance Rate can never be greater than zero if the Index Performance is negative.) |
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greater than zero and less than the
Cap Rate |
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greater than zero and equals or
exceeds the Cap Rate |
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Shield Options with a Step Rate |
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the lesser of: zero or the Index Performance increased by the Shield Rate (For example: a -15% Index Performance with Shield 10 will result in a -5% Performance Rate. The Performance Rate can never be greater than zero if the Index Performance is negative.) |
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equal to or greater than zero |
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Shield Options with Step Rate Edge |
less than zero and exceeds the Shield
Rate |
Index Performance increased by the Shield Rate (For example: a -15% Index Performance with Shield 10 will result in a -5% Performance Rate.) |
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less than zero but does not exceed
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For any Shield Option, once during each Term you may elect to lock the Interim Value. Once Performance Lock is exercised, it is irrevocable for the remainder of that Term. The Performance Lock Value will be used as the value of the Shield Option for the remainder of the Term. This means you will no longer participate in Index Performance, positive or negative, and you will not receive a Performance Rate Adjustment on any Performance Lock Value on the Term End Date.
Example 1—Calculating your Investment
Amount without Performance Lock on a Term End Date
Examples 1A, 1B, and 1C are intended to show how the Investment
Amount on a Term End Date is calculated. In each example, assume Owner 1 allocates her $50,000 Purchase Payment into a 1-Year Term / Shield 10 / S&P 500® Index and she allows her allocation to renew year to year for five years. In Example 1A she has selected the Shield 10 S&P 500® Index with
a Cap Rate of 10%, in
Example 1B she has selected the Shield 10 S&P 500® Index
with a Step Rate of 8%, and in Example 1C she has selected the Shield 10 S&P 500® Index with an Edge Rate of 7%. For purposes of each example, assume no
withdrawals are made during the five-year example period, the Example 1A Cap Rate stays at 10% for all five years, the Example 1B Step Rate stays at 8% for all five years, and the Example 1C Edge Rate stays at 7% for all five years. If a withdrawal were made, a Withdrawal Charge during the first 3 Contract Years as well as an Interim Value calculation may apply; and consequently the Investment Amount for the Term would be adjusted accordingly.
Example 1A—Shield Option with Cap
Rate:
Owner 1 allocates her $50,000 Purchase Payment into a 1-Year Term / Shield 10 / S&P 500® Index with a Cap Rate of 10% and lets it renew year after year for five years. The following example illustrates how her initial $50,000 Purchase Payment could perform over a five-year period given fluctuating Index Values. For renewals into the same Shield Option a new Cap Rate would be declared and go into effect on the Contract Anniversary that coincides with the beginning of the new Shield Option. In some cases, we may declare a Cap Rate for a Shield Option as “uncapped” in which case the Performance Rate that can be received is equal to the Index Performance, subject to the Shield Rate.
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Performance Rate (one year)(3) |
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Performance Rate Adjustment(4) |
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The following notes to the table above provide important calculations showing how certain values are determined.
(1)
Investment Amount at Term Start Date in year one is the $50,000 Purchase Payment.
In years two through five, the Investment Amount at Term Start Date would be $55,000, $57,750, $57,750 and $57,750, respectively, which was the Investment Amount at Term End Date for the prior year.
(2)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured
from the Term Start Date to the Term End Date. For example, in year one, Index Performance is calculated as follows:
(1,200 [Index Value at Term End Date] – 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date] = 20%
(3)
In
year one, Index Performance exceeds the Cap Rate and therefore the Performance Rate is equal to the Cap Rate. In years two and three the Performance Rate is equal to the
Index Performance because the Index Performance is not negative and does not exceed the Cap Rate. In year four the Performance Rate is 0% because the Index Performance is
–5% and the Shield 10 absorbs up to 10% of the negative Index Performance. In year five, the Performance Rate is –5% because the Index Performance is –15% and the Shield 10 absorbs up to 10% of negative Index Performance.
(4)
The Performance Rate Adjustment is equal to the product of the Investment Amount
at the Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals (there are no withdrawals in the example) multiplied by the Performance Rate. For example, in year one the Performance Rate Adjustment is calculated as follows:
$50,000
[Investment Amount at Term Start Date] x 10% [Performance Rate] = $5,000
(5)
The Investment Amount at the Term End Date is equal to the Investment Amount at
Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals (there are no withdrawals in the example) plus the Performance Rate Adjustment. For example, in year one the Investment Amount at the Term End Date is calculated as follows:
$50,000
[Investment Amount at Term Start Date] + $5,000 [Performance Rate Adjustment] = $55,000
Example 1B—Shield Option with Step Rate:
Owner 1 allocates her $50,000 Purchase Payment into a 1-Year Term / Shield 10 / S&P 500® Index with a Step Rate of 8% and lets it renew year after year for five years. The following example illustrates how her initial $50,000 Purchase Payment could perform over a five-year period given fluctuating Index Values. For renewals into the same Shield Option a new Step Rate would be declared and go into effect on the Contract Anniversary that coincides with the beginning of the new Shield Option.
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Performance Rate (one year)(3) |
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The following notes to the table above provide important calculations showing how certain values are determined.
(1)
The Investment Amount at Term Start Date in year one is the $50,000 Purchase
Payment. In years two through five, the Investment Amount at the Term Start Date would be $54,000, $58,320, $62,986 and $62,986, respectively, which was the Investment Amount at the Term End Date for the prior year.
(2)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured
from the Term Start Date to the Term End Date. For example, in year one, Index Performance is calculated as follows:
(1,050 [Index Value at Term End Date] – 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date]) = 5%
(3)
In years one, two and three the Performance Rate is equal to the Step Rate because
the Index Performance is positive or zero. It should be noted that although Index Performance was 20% in year two, the Performance Rate is capped at 8% by the Step Rate. In year four the Performance Rate is 0% because the Index Performance is –10% and the Shield 10 absorbs up to 10% of the negative Index Performance. In year five, the Performance Rate is –5% because the Index Performance is –15% and the Shield 10 absorbs up to 10% of the negative Index
Performance.
(4)
The Performance Rate Adjustment is equal to the product of the Investment Amount
at the Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals (there are no withdrawals in the example) multiplied by the Performance Rate. For example, in year one the Performance Rate Adjustment is calculated as follows:
$50,000
[Investment Amount at Term Start Date] x 8% [Performance Rate] = $4,000
(5)
The Investment Amount at the Term End Date is equal to the Investment Amount at
Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals (there are no withdrawals in the example) plus the Performance Rate Adjustment. For example, in year one the Investment Amount at the Term End Date is calculated as follows:
$50,000
[Investment Amount at Term Start Date] + $4,000 [Performance Rate Adjustment] = $54,000
Example 1C—Shield Option with Step Rate
Edge:
Owner 1 allocates her $50,000 Purchase Payment into a 1-Year Term / Shield 10 / S&P 500® Index with an Edge Rate of 7% and lets it renew year after year for five years. The following example illustrates how her initial $50,000 Purchase Payment could perform over a five-year period given fluctuating Index Values. For renewals into the same Shield Option a new Edge Rate would be declared and go into effect on the Contract Anniversary that coincides with the beginning of the new Shield Option.
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Performance Rate (one year)(3) |
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Performance Rate Adjustment(4) |
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The following notes to the table above provide important calculations showing how certain values are determined.
(1)
The Investment Amount at Term Start Date in year one is the $50,000 Purchase
Payment. In years two through five, the Investment Amount at the Term Start Date would be $53,500, $57,245, $61,252 and $65,540, respectively, which was the Investment Amount at the Term End Date for the prior year.
(2)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured
from the Term Start Date to the Term End Date. For example, in year one, Index Performance is calculated as follows:
(1,050 [Index Value at Term End Date] – 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date]) = 5%
(3)
In years one, two and three the Performance Rate is equal to the Edge Rate because
the Index Performance is positive or zero. It should be noted that although Index Performance was 20% in year two, the Performance Rate is capped at 7% by the Edge Rate. In year four the Performance Rate is 7% because the Index Performance is –10% and does not exceed the Shield 10 which absorbs up to 10% of the negative Index Performance. In year five, the Performance Rate is –5% because the Index Performance is –15% and the Shield 10 absorbs up to 10% of the negative Index Performance.
(4)
The Performance Rate Adjustment is equal to the product of the Investment Amount
at the Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals (there are no withdrawals in the example) multiplied by the Performance Rate. For example, in year one the Performance Rate Adjustment is calculated as follows:
$50,000
[Investment Amount at Term Start Date] x 7% [Performance Rate] = $3,500
(5)
The Investment Amount at the Term End Date is equal to the Investment Amount at
Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals (there are no withdrawals in the example) plus the Performance Rate Adjustment. For example, in year one the Investment Amount at the Term End Date is calculated as follows:
$50,000 [Investment Amount at Term Start Date] + $3,500 [Performance Rate Adjustment] = $53,500
INTERIM VALUE
CALCULATION
Your Investment Amount in each Shield Option on the Term End Date is calculated as described above under “Calculating your Investment Amount on a Term End Date”. In setting the various rates we use in calculating the Investment Amount, we assume that you are going to hold a Shield Option until the Term End Date. Nevertheless, you have the right under the Contract to make withdrawals, Surrender the Contract, annuitize, and exercise Performance Lock before the Term End Date. Therefore, we calculate an Interim Value on each Business Day between the Term Start Date and prior to the Term End Date.
Prior to the Term End Date, we use the Interim Value to calculate the amount that is available for (1) annuitization; (2) death benefits; (3) withdrawals; (4) Surrenders; or (5) Performance Lock. You may obtain your Interim Value on any Business Day by calling us at (888) 243-1932 or by accessing our website at
www.brighthousefinancial.com.
Interim Value Calculation
We calculate the Interim Value of each Shield Option on any
Business Day other than the Term Start Date and Term End Date. The Interim Value is the amount that is available for annuitization, death benefits, withdrawals, Surrenders,
and Performance Lock. The Interim Value is also used to determine how much the Investment Amount will be reduced by after a withdrawal (See ‘WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS’ for more information). Once a Shield Option reaches the Term End Date, there is no Interim Value, and the Performance Rate will be applied to the Investment Amount based off the Rate Crediting Type and applicable Shield Rate.
If you have not exercised Performance Lock, the Interim Value
is included in the Account Value to reflect the amount in the applicable Shield Option prior to the Term End Date.
The Interim Value reflects the value of each Shield Option taking into account the current price of the underlying Index, the time remaining until the Term End Date, and the current value of the investments we have made to fund our obligations under the Shield Option. The Interim Value is an estimate of the current value of fixed income and derivative instruments we could purchase to assure our ability to meet our obligations to the Owner at a Term End Date. The Interim Value calculation is different than the calculation we use to calculate the Investment Amount for a Shield Option on the Term End Date.
The Interim Value assesses the fair value of the assets allocated to the Shield Option (Investment Amount) plus the current value of the portfolio of options utilized to replicate the performance of these Shield Options.
The Interim Value for a Shield Option is equal to the sum of (1) and (2), where:
(1) Is the market value of the Fixed Income Asset Proxy on the Business Day the
Interim Value is calculated.
(2) Is the current market value of the
Derivative Asset Proxy.
1. The Fixed Income Asset Proxy is meant to represent the
market value of the fixed income assets supporting each Shield Option.
The Market Value Rate (as defined in
Appendix F) will apply on a uniform basis for a class of Contract Owners in the same Shield Option and will be administered in a uniform and non-discriminatory
manner.
2. The Derivative Asset Proxy (as defined in Appendix F) is meant to represent an estimation of the market value of the possibility of gain or loss on the Term End
Date. The value may be positive or negative. For each Shield Option, we solely designate and
value options using the Black-Scholes Model, each of which is tied to the performance of the underlying Index associated with the Shield Option. We use derivatives to
provide an estimate of the gain or loss on the Investment Amount allocated to the Shield Option that could occur on the Term End Date. This estimate also reflects the impact
of the Cap Rate, Step Rate, Edge Rate, and Shield Rate at the end of the Term as well as the estimated cost of exiting the replicating options prior to the Term End Date.
The valuation of the options is based on the Black-Scholes Model, which is one of the standard methods for valuing derivatives based on inputs from third party vendors. The methodology used to value these options is determined solely by us and may vary, higher or lower, from other estimated valuations or the actual selling price of identical derivatives. Any variance between our estimated fair value price and other estimated or actual prices may be different from Shield Option type to Shield Option type and may also change from day to day.
There are many
external factors that may impact the Interim Value including changes in the Indices, changes in the interest rate environment, and volatility.
When we calculate the Interim Value, we will obtain market data for derivative pricing each Business Day from outside vendors. If these values are available and we are delayed in receiving these values, and cannot calculate a new Interim Value, we will use the prior Business Day’s Interim Value.
Detailed information on the Interim Value calculation can be
found in Appendix F of this prospectus.
If you have not exercised the Performance Lock, the withdrawal amount (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge) will reduce the Investment Amount for each Shield Option by the percentage reduction in the Interim Value of such Shield Option (i.e. a proportional reduction). Accordingly, when the Interim Value is less than the Investment Amount, the reduction to the Shield Option is on a more than dollar for dollar basis. On the other hand, when the Interim Value is greater than the Investment Amount, the reduction to the Shield Option is on a less than dollar for dollar basis. The remaining Investment Amount after a withdrawal will be used as the new Investment Amount for the Term until the Term End Date or the next Interim Value calculation for that Shield Option. To see how a withdrawal impacts the Performance Lock Value, see “PERFORMANCE LOCK”.
Example 2—Calculating your Interim Value
Examples 2A and 2B are intended to show how Interim Value is calculated. Example 2A will illustrate an Interim Value calculation with positive Index Performance and Example 2B will illustrate an Interim Value calculation with negative Index Performance. For purposes of these examples, assume the activity that triggers the Interim Value calculation occurs six (6) months into the first year of the contract and that there are no withdrawals made as of the date the Interim Value is calculated. Additionally, for the example, months are assumed to have 30 days and years are assumed to have 365 days.
To see how we calculate Investment Amount after a withdrawal, please see “WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS” and Example 3A.
Contract Effective Date: 8/2/2023
Purchase Payment:
$200,000.00
Allocated to:
1)
25% 1-Year Step Rate Edge; S&P 500; Edge Rate 8.25%; 10% Shield Rate
2)
25% 2-Year Step Rate; S&P 500; Step Rate 18%; 15% Shield Rate
3)
25% 3-Year Cap Rate; S&P 500; Cap Rate 130%; 10% Shield Rate
4)
25% 1-Year Cap Rate; S&P 500; Cap Rate 10%; 15% Shield Rate
On the Contract Effective
Date
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Months elapsed since Term Start Date |
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Months until Term End Date |
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Market Value Rate on Term Start Date |
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Example
2A—Index Performance is Positive
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Months elapsed since Term Start Date |
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Months until Term End Date |
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Index Performance on calculation date(1) |
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Market Value Rate on calculation date |
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Market value of the Fixed Income Asset Proxy |
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Market value of the Derivative Asset Proxy |
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Interim Value of each Shield Option(2) |
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Example 2B—Index Performance is Negative
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Months elapsed since Term Start Date |
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Months until Term End Date |
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Index Performance on calculation date(1) |
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Market Value Rate on calculation date |
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Market value of the Fixed Income Asset Proxy |
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Market value of the Derivative Asset Proxy |
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Interim Value of each Shield Option(2) |
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The following notes to the table above provide important calculations showing how certain values are determined.
(1)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured from the Term Start Date to the date of the Interim Value calculation. Index Performance is calculated as follows:
Example 2A—Index Performance is Positive
(1200 [Index Value on date of
Interim Value calculation] – 1000 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 1000 [Index Value at Term Start Date] = 20%
Example 2B—Index Performance is Negative
(700 [Index Value on date of Interim Value calculation] – 1000
[Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 1000 [Index Value at Term Start Date] = -30%
(2)
The sum of the Market value of the Fixed Income Asset Proxy and the Market value
of the Derivative Asset Proxy equals the Interim Value of each Shield Option.
Prior to the Annuity Date, you may, upon Notice to us, request a full or a partial withdrawal and we will withdraw that amount from your Account Value (the “Withdrawal Amount”). A withdrawal (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge) will result in a reduction to the Investment Amount in each Shield Option, the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account in the ratio that each Shield Option, the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account bears to the total Account Value, unless you instruct us otherwise. If a Withdrawal Charge is applicable, it is applied to the Withdrawal Amount that is in excess of
the applicable Free Withdrawal Amount. For a partial withdrawal, the amount payable to you will
be a net amount equal to the requested Withdrawal Amount reduced by any applicable Withdrawal
Charge and Premium Tax and other taxes. Alternatively, you can choose to have the Withdrawal Charge and Premium Tax and other taxes deducted from the remaining Account Value, in which case you would receive the full dollar amount you
requested. However, this may result in a higher Withdrawal Charge because the charge increases
the amount taken from your Account Value to cover the withdrawal and, since it is a percentage
of the total amount withdrawn, the Withdrawal Charge will also be higher. A withdrawal (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge) will also result in a proportionate reduction to the death benefit under the Contract. If you have the Return of Premium
death benefit, your
Purchase Payment is reduced proportionally by the percentage reduction in Account Value of the Shield Option(s), the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account for each partial
withdrawal.
The total Withdrawal Amount from the Account Value must not be less than $500, which is the minimum partial withdrawal amount. If the withdrawal would result in the Account Value being less than the Minimum Account Value ($2,000), we will treat the withdrawal request as a request for a full withdrawal. We will not terminate any Contract if at the time the termination would otherwise occur the guaranteed amount under any death benefit is greater than the Account Value.
If you request a full or partial withdrawal (unless you instruct us otherwise for a partial withdrawal), the Withdrawal Amount after adjustments for any Withdrawal Charge will result in our paying you a net amount. The net amount payable to you is equal to the amount withdrawn (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge) from the Account Value, less Premium Tax and other taxes, if any.
The Withdrawal Amount (including any
applicable Withdrawal Charge) will reduce the Investment Amount for each Shield Option by the percentage reduction in the Interim Value of such Shield
Option (i.e. a proportional reduction), or, if you have exercised Performance Lock, it will reduce the Performance Lock Value of the Shield Option by the dollar amount of the withdrawal. Accordingly, when the Interim Value is less than the Investment Amount, the reduction to the Shield Option is on a more than dollar for dollar basis. On the other hand, when the Interim Value is greater than the Investment Amount, the reduction to the
Shield Option is on a less than dollar for dollar basis.
For example, Performance Lock has not been exercised and Owner 1 makes a $100,000 Purchase Payment at Contract issue and allocates the Purchase Payment equally to two Shield Options so that each starts with $50,000. This amount is the initial Investment Amount. Assume in 6 months Shield Option A has an Interim Value of $65,000 and Shield Option B has an Interim Value of $45,000. Assume at this time Owner 1 decides to make a withdrawal of $20,000. If the entire withdrawal is taken from Shield Option A, the reduction in the Interim Value is 30.77% ($20,000 ÷ $65,000). The Investment Amount for Shield Option A would then be reduced to $34,615.38 ($50,000 x (1-30.77%)). The total Investment Amount is then
$84,615.38 ($34,615.38 + $50,000). If the entire withdrawal is taken from Shield Option B, the reduction in the Interim Value is 44.44% ($20,000 ÷ $45,000). The Investment Amount for Shield Option B would be reduced to $27,777.78 ($50,000 x (1-44.44%)). The total Investment Amount is then $77,777.78 ($50,000 + $27,777.78).
Using the same example above and assuming
Owner 1 exercised the Performance Lock Value on Shield Option A and Shield Option B resulting in a Performance Lock Value of $65,000 for Shield Option A and $45,000 for
Shield Option B. Assume that after exercising the Performance Lock, Owner 1 makes a withdrawal of $20,000. If the entire withdrawal is taken from Shield Option A, the Performance Lock Value of that Shield Option would be reduced to $45,000 ($65,000 - $20,000). The Account Value after the withdrawal is then $90,000 ($45,000 + $45,000). If the entire withdrawal is taken from Shield Option B, the Performance Lock Value of that Shield Option would be reduced to $25,000 ($45,000 - $20,000). The Account Value after the withdrawal is then $90,000 ($65,000 + $25,000).
The remaining Investment Amount after a withdrawal will be used
as the new Investment Amount for the Term until the Term End Date or the next Interim Value calculation for that Shield Option. A partial withdrawal from a Shield Option
does not affect the Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate, as applicable, and the Shield Rate that will apply to the remaining Investment Amounts that are held in the Shield Option through the Term End Date.
After receipt of a Notice of withdrawal from you, we reserve the
right to defer payment for a withdrawal for the period permitted by applicable law but not more than six (6) months.
Divorce. A withdrawal made pursuant to a divorce or separation
agreement is subject to the same Withdrawal Charge provisions described in this section, if permissible under tax law. In addition, the withdrawal will reduce the Account
Value and the death benefit. The withdrawal could have a significant negative impact on the death benefit.
We impose a Withdrawal Charge to reimburse us for contract sales
expenses, including commissions and other distribution, promotion, and acquisition expenses. During the Accumulation Period, you can make a partial or complete withdrawal from your Contract.
The Withdrawal Charge is the percentage of the amount withdrawn
from the Account Value in a Contract Year in excess of the Free Withdrawal
Amount.
The
Withdrawal Charge is calculated at the time of each withdrawal in accordance with the following:
Number of
Complete Contract Years since Issue Date |
Withdrawal Charge
percentage |
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Note: For tax purposes, earnings from Non-Qualified Contracts are generally considered to
come out first.
When No Withdrawal Charge Applies
In some cases we will not charge you the Withdrawal Charge when
you make a withdrawal. We may, however, ask you to prove that you meet any of the following conditions:
(i)
Maturity of the Contract;
(ii)
Payment of the death benefit;
(iii)
Application of your Account Value to an Annuity Option;
(iv)
If the withdrawal is to avoid required Federal income tax penalties or to satisfy
Federal income tax rules concerning minimum distribution requirements that apply to your Contract, except for RMDs on a decedent Roth IRA. For purposes of this exception, we assume that the Contract is the only contract or funding vehicle from which distributions are required to be taken and we will ignore all other Account Values;
(v)
If
you properly “recharacterize” as permitted under Federal tax law your Traditional IRA Contract or Roth IRA Contract issued by us;
(vi)
If we agree in writing that none will apply. For example, if you transfer your
Account Value to another approved annuity contract issued by us or one of our affiliates;
(vii)
Withdrawals pursuant to either the Nursing Home Exception or the Terminal Illness
Exception (see below); or
(viii)
Withdrawals up to the Free Withdrawal Amount.
Nursing Home Exception/Terminal Illness Exception. After the first Contract Year, if approved in your state, and your Contract provides for this, a Withdrawal
Charge which would otherwise apply to a withdrawal will be waived, if you, or your Joint Owner:
•
(Nursing Home Exception) Has been a resident of certain nursing home facilities or a
hospital for a minimum of 90 consecutive days or for a minimum total of 90 days where there is no more than a 6-month break in that residency and the residencies are for related causes, where you have exercised this right no later than 90 days after exiting the nursing home facility or hospital. The confinement must be prescribed by a physician and be medically necessary.
Available in California under the Waiver of Withdrawal Charge Rider. Not available in Connecticut and Massachusetts; or
•
(Terminal Illness Exception) Is diagnosed with a terminal illness and not expected to
live more than 12 months (a physician certifies to your illness and life expectancy) and you were not diagnosed with the terminal illness as of the date we issued your Contract. Available in California under the Waiver of Withdrawal Charge Rider. Not available in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Texas and Washington.
These Contract features are only available if you are less than
81 years old on the Contract Issue Date and terminate on the Annuity Date. These Contract features are free of charge. Additional conditions and requirements apply and are
specified in the rider(s) that are part of your Contract.
Free Withdrawal Amount. After the first Contract Year, you may withdraw a portion of your Account Value free from any
Withdrawal Charge. The Free Withdrawal Amount each Contract Year is equal to 10% of your Account Value as of the prior Contract Anniversary, less the total amount withdrawn
from the Account Value in the current Contract Year. The Free Withdrawal Amount is non-cumulative and is not carried over to other Contract Years.
Systematic Withdrawal
Program
For automated processing of RMD amounts withdrawn from an IRA Contract or qualified annuity Contract, you may elect this program in any Contract year. However, for automated processing of amounts withdrawn for purposes other than RMDs, you may elect this program after the first Contract Year for up to 10% of your Account Value as of the prior Contract Anniversary. We do not assess a charge for this program. You can receive payments monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually provided that each payment must amount to at least $100 (a minimum of $500 must be distributed per Contract Year). We reserve the right to change the required minimum or the availability of this program. If the New York Stock Exchange is closed on a day when the withdrawal is to be made, we will process the withdrawal on the next Business Day. While the Systematic Withdrawal Program is in effect, you can make additional withdrawals. However, such withdrawals, in addition to the systematic withdrawals, will be considered when determining the applicability of any Withdrawal Charge.
Withdrawals under the Systematic Withdrawal Program may either be drawn proportionally from all Allocation Options or you can designate where the withdrawal will be drawn: one or more Shield Options, the Fixed Account, and/or the Holding Account.
Unless you have exercised the Performance Lock,
each withdrawal, systematic or otherwise (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge), will reduce the Investment Amount for each Shield Option by the
same percentage reduction in the Interim Value of such Shield Option (i.e. a proportional reduction). Therefore, a withdrawal
when Interim Value is less than the Investment Amount will cause a greater percentage reduction in the remaining Investment Amount relative to the percentage reduction for the same Withdrawal Amount when Interim Value is greater than the Investment Amount. If you exercise Performance Lock on any Shield Option,
the Performance Lock Value for that Shield Option will be reduced by the dollar amount of the withdrawal. Each withdrawal from the Fixed Account or the Holding Account reduces the value of that account by the amount of the withdrawal (dollar for dollar).
If you choose proportional withdrawals, all withdrawals are drawn from the Shield Options, the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account in the ratio that each Shield Option(s), the Fixed Account and/or the Holding Account bears to your Account Value.
If you choose withdrawals from specific Shield Option(s), the
Fixed Account, and/or the Holding Account all withdrawals are drawn from the specified Shield Option(s), Fixed Account, and/or the Holding Account in an amount you
determine. If there are insufficient funds in the specified Shield Options, the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account to cover the amount of the withdrawal, the withdrawal will be processed to take the amount in that Shield Option, Fixed Account, or the Holding Account to $0, and the remaining amount of the withdrawal will default to proportional from all Shield Options, the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account to which you are allocated. Future withdrawals under the Systematic Withdrawal Program will continue to be drawn proportionally, unless you instruct us otherwise.
You may terminate your participation in the Systematic Withdrawal
Program at any time. We will terminate your participation in the Systematic Withdrawal Program when we receive notification of your death.
Income taxes, tax penalties, and certain restrictions may apply to withdrawals under the Systematic Withdrawal Program. Withdrawals under the Systematic Withdrawal Program are subject to the same Withdrawal Charge provisions and risks as any other withdrawals under the Contract. Among other things, this means that Withdrawal Amounts in excess of the Free Withdrawal Amount are subject to a Withdrawal Charge. Moreover, since Withdrawal Amounts from a Shield Option will reduce the Investment Amount for that Shield Option by the percentage reduction in the Interim Value of that Shield Option, a withdrawal when the Interim Value is lower than the Investment Amount will cause a greater percentage reduction in the Investment Amount relative to the percentage reduction for the same Withdrawal Amount when the Interim Value is higher than the Investment Amount. If you exercise Performance Lock on any Shield Option, the Performance Lock Value for that Shield Option will be reduced by the dollar amount of the withdrawal. Since withdrawals under the Systematic Withdrawal Program are automatic, you will have no control over the timing of those withdrawals.
Examples 3A and 3B are intended to show how withdrawals work. Both examples assume that Performance Lock has not been exercised and that Owner 1 allocates her $50,000 Purchase Payment to the 1-Year Term / Shield 10 / S&P 500® Index with a Cap Rate of 10%. Example 3A will illustrate a withdrawal when Interim Value, at the time of the withdrawal, is greater than the Investment Amount on the Term Start Date and assumes no Withdrawal Charge applies due to a Withdrawal Charge waiver. Example 3B will illustrate a withdrawal when Interim Value, at the time of the withdrawal, is less than the Investment Amount on the Term Start Date and a 6% Withdrawal Charge is applied. In both examples, Owner 1 takes only one $20,000 withdrawal exactly halfway through the Term. The remaining Investment Amount after a withdrawal will be used as the new Investment Amount for the Term until the Term End Date for that Shield Option (assuming no additional withdrawals).
Example
3A—Interim Value is greater than Investment Amount and no Withdrawal Charge:
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Interim Value Calculation Halfway Through Term
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Time Remaining in Shield Option (in months) |
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Market Value Rate on calculation date |
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Market value of Fixed Income Asset Proxy |
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Market value of Derivative Asset Proxy |
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Interim Value of Shield Option(2) |
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Investment Amount at Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals(3) |
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Net Proceeds from withdrawal paid to Contract Owner(4) |
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Performance Rate Adjustment(7) |
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The following notes to the table above provide important calculations showing how certain values are determined.
(1)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured
from the Term Start Date to the date of the Interim Value calculation. Index Performance is calculated as follows:
(600 [Index Value on date of Interim Value calculation] – 500
[Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 500 [Index Value at Term Start Date]) = 20%
(2)
The Interim Value is equal to the sum of the market value of the Fixed Income
Asset Proxy and the Derivative Asset Proxy. The Interim Value is calculated as follows:
$49,452.40 [Market value of Fixed Income Asset Proxy] + $4,062.37 [Market value of Derivative Asset Proxy]
=
$53,514.77
(3)
The Investment Amount is reduced proportionally by the withdrawal taken based on
the reduction in Interim Value. Therefore, the Investment Amount adjusted for any withdrawals is calculated as follows:
$50,000 [Investment Amount on Term Start Date]
x (1-$20,000 [gross withdrawal amount
halfway through the Term] ÷ $53,514.77 [Interim Value on date of withdrawal])
= $31,313.57
The proportionally reduced Investment Amount is used as the new Investment Amount at Term Start Date for the Term until the Term End Date for this Shield Option (assuming no additional withdrawals).
(4)
The net amount payable to the Contract Owner is equal to the amount withdrawn minus the Withdrawal Charge. The net amount payable is calculated as follows:
$20,000 [amount withdrawn] – $0 [Withdrawal Charge] = $20,000
(5)
Index Performance at the Term End Date is equal to the percentage change in the
Index Value measured from the Term Start Date to the Term End Date. Index Performance at the Term End Date is calculated as follows:
(560 [Index Value at Term End Date]
– 500 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 500 [Index Value at Term Start Date] = 12%
(6)
Index Performance at the Term End Date exceeds the Cap Rate and therefore the Performance Rate at the Term End Date is equal to the Cap Rate.
(7)
The Performance Rate Adjustment at the Term End Date is equal to the Investment Amount at the Term Start Date
adjusted for any withdrawals multiplied by the Performance Rate at the Term End Date. The Performance Rate Adjustment at the Term End Date is calculated as follows:
$31,313.57 [Investment Amount adjusted for withdrawal] x 10% [Performance Rate at Term End Date] = $3,131.36
(8)
The Investment Amount at the Term End Date is equal to the Investment Amount one
year after the Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals plus the Performance Rate Adjustment at Term End Date. The Investment Amount at the Term End Date is calculated as follows:
$31,313.57 [Investment Amount adjusted for withdrawal]
+ $3,131.36 [Performance Rate Adjustment at Term End Date] = $34,444.93
Example 3B—Interim Value is
less than the Investment Amount and Withdrawal Charge:
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Interim Value Calculation Halfway Through Term
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Time Remaining in Shield Option (in months) |
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Market Value Rate on calculation date |
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Market value of Fixed Income Asset Proxy |
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Market value of Derivative Asset Proxy |
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Interim Value of Shield Option(2) |
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Investment Amount adjusted for any withdrawals(3) |
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Free Withdrawal Amount(4) |
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Withdrawal Charge Amount(5) |
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Net Proceeds from Withdrawal paid to Contract Owner(6) |
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Performance Rate Adjustment(9) |
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The following notes to the table above provide important calculations showing how certain values are determined.
(1)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured
from the Term Start Date to the date of the Interim Value calculation. Index Performance is calculated as follows:
(400 [Index Value on date of Interim Value calculation]
– 500 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 500 [Index Value at Term Start Date]) = –20%
(2)
The Interim Value is equal to the sum of the market value of the Fixed Income
Asset Proxy and the Derivative Asset Proxy. The Interim Value is calculated as follows:
$49,452.40 [Market value of Fixed Income Asset Proxy] + –$4,661.31 [Market value of Derivative Asset Proxy]
=
$44,791.09
(3)
The Investment Amount is reduced proportionally by the withdrawal taken based on the reduction in Interim Value.
Therefore, the Investment Amount adjusted for any withdrawals is calculated as follows:
$50,000 [Investment Amount on the Term Start Date]
x
(1-$20,000 [gross withdrawal amount halfway through the Term]) ÷ $44,791.09 [Interim Value on date of withdrawal]
= $27,674.13
The proportionally reduced Investment Amount is used as the new Investment Amount at Term Start Date for the Term until the Term End Date for this Shield Option (assuming no additional withdrawals).
(4)
The Free Withdrawal Amount is the value as of the most recent Contract Anniversary multiplied by the Free Withdrawal Amount Percentage. The Free Withdrawal Amount is calculated as follows:
$50,000
[value as of most recent Contract Anniversary] x 10% [Free Withdrawal Amount percentage] = $5,000
(5)
The Withdrawal Charge Amount is the gross withdrawal amount minus the Free
Withdrawal Amount multiplied by the Withdrawal Charge.
($20,000
[gross withdrawal amount] – $5,000 [Free Withdrawal Amount]) x 6% [Withdrawal Charge] = $900
(6)
The net amount payable to the Contract Owner is equal to the amount withdrawn
minus the Withdrawal Charge. The net amount payable is calculated as follows:
$20,000 [amount withdrawn] – $900 [Withdrawal Charge] = $19,100
(7)
Index Performance at the Term End Date is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured from the Term Start Date to the Term End Date. Index Performance at the Term End Date is calculated as follows:
(450 [Index Value at Term End Date] – 500 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 500 [Index Value at Term Start Date] = –10%
(8)
The Performance rate at the Term End Date is 0% because the Index Performance at
the Term End Date is –10% and the Shield 10 absorbs up to 10% of the negative Index Performance.
(9)
The Performance Rate Adjustment at the Term End Date is equal to the Investment
Amount at the Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals multiplied by the Performance Rate at the Term End Date. The Performance Rate Adjustment at the Term End Date is calculated as follows:
$27,674.13 [Investment Amount adjusted for withdrawal] x 0% [Performance Rate at Term End Date] = $0
(10)
The Investment Amount at the Term End Date is equal to the Investment Amount
adjusted for any withdrawals plus the Performance Rate Adjustment at Term End Date. The Investment Amount at the Term End Date is calculated as follows:
$27,674.13 [Investment Amount adjusted for withdrawal]
+ $0 [Performance Rate Adjustment at Term End Date] = $27,674.13
Transfers without Performance Lock
Transfers or Renewals during Transfer Period
following Term End Date
If you have not exercised Performance Lock, you may make transfers only during the Transfer Period following the Term End Date. You may transfer all or a portion of the amount in your Shield Option. Subject to the minimum allocation of $500, you may make transfers to or from the Fixed Account, to or from the Shield Option(s), and from the Holding Account. We must receive Notice of your election to transfer, in a form satisfactory to us or by calling us at
1-888-243-1932, no later than five (5) calendar days after the Contract Anniversary on which the transfer will take place. Your financial representative can provide more information or you may contact our Annuity Service Office. You cannot make transfers outside the Transfer Period and transfers may not be made after the Annuity Date. To make a transfer from a Shield Option in which you have an Investment Amount the Shield Option must have reached its Term End Date. The Transfer Period is the five (5) days following the Contract Anniversary coinciding with the Term End Date and Fixed Account Term End Date, as applicable, for the Shield Option(s) and/or the Fixed Account. The effective date of such transfer is the first day of the Fixed Account Term and/or a Term(s) in which the transfer is made.
If you make a transfer during the Transfer Period, the amount
available to transfer is the Interim Value of each Shield Option, which will equal the Investment Amount in that Shield Option at the Term End Date. After the Transfer
Period, the Interim Value of that Shield Option is a calculated value (as described in the “Interim Value Calculation” section). Once you exercise Performance Lock, the Performance Lock Value will be used as value of the Shield Option for the remainder of the Term.
If you do not
make a transfer during the Transfer Period following the Term End Date, the Investment Amount allocated to the Shield Option that has reached its Term End Date will
automatically be renewed into the same Shield Option unless you elect to transfer into a different Shield Option or the Fixed Account. If the same Shield Option is no longer
available at the end of the existing Term, these amounts will automatically transfer into the Fixed Account at the Term End Date, unless otherwise instructed by you during the Transfer Period. The amounts transferred to the Fixed Account must remain in the Fixed Account until the Fixed Account Term End Date (which, currently, will not be less than one (1) year). If the Fixed Account is not available, these amounts will automatically transfer into the Holding Account, unless otherwise instructed by you.
There are two ways you may find out what the renewal Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge Rates will be for a subsequent Term. Thirty (30) days before the current Term expires, we will send you a notification, written or electronic depending on your selected preference, indicating your maturing Shield Options and how you can obtain the new Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge Rates. You may also access our website at
https://www.brighthousefinancial.com/products/annuities/shield-annuities/shield-rates/ where at
least two months of renewal rates for the Rate Crediting Types and the interest rate for the Fixed Account are posted – i.e., for the current month and the following
month. See “RATE CREDITING TYPES.” You have the Transfer Period to notify us if you want to transfer some or all of your Investment Amount to a new Shield
Option(s) or the Fixed Account.
Renewals. For renewals into the same Shield Option, a new Cap Rate, Step Rate or Edge Rate, as applicable, will be
declared and will go into effect on the Contract Anniversary that coincides with the beginning of the new Shield Option.
Example 4 is intended to show how transfers work. Owner 1 allocates her $50,000 Purchase Payment to the 1-Year Term / Shield 10 / S&P 500® Index with a Cap Rate of 10%. At the end of the 1-Year Term, she transfers 50% of her 1-Year Term / Shield 10
/ S&P 500® Index with a Cap Rate of 10% into a 1-Year
Term / Shield 10 / Russell 2000® Index with a Cap Rate of 12% and opts to let the remaining 50% of her Investment Amount automatically renew.
Shield Options prior to
Transfer:
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Performance Rate (one year)(2) |
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Performance Rate Adjustment(3) |
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The following notes to the table above provide important calculations showing how certain values are determined.
(1)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured
from the Term Start Date to the Term End Date. Index Performance is calculated as follows:
(1,200 [Index Value at Term End Date]
– 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date]) = 20%
(2)
Since Index Performance is greater than zero and exceeds the Cap Rate, the
Performance Rate equals the Cap Rate.
(3)
The Performance Rate Adjustment is equal to the product of the Investment Amount
at the Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals (there are no withdrawals in the example) multiplied by the Performance Rate. The Performance Rate Adjustment is calculated as follows:
$50,000
[Investment Amount at Term Start Date] x 10% [Performance Rate] = $5,000
(4)
The Investment Amount at Term End Date is equal to the Investment Amount at Term Start Date adjusted for any
withdrawals (there are no withdrawals in the example) plus the Performance Rate Adjustment. The Investment Amount is calculated as follows:
$50,000 [Investment Amount at Term Start Date] +
$5,000 [Performance Rate Adjustment] = $55,000
Shield Options after
Transfer:
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1-Year Term / Shield 10 / S&P 500® Index with a Cap Rate of 10% |
1-Year Term / Shield 10 / Russell
2000® Index with a Cap Rate of 12% |
Investment Amount at Term Start Date
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Notes to the table above.
(1)
The Investment Amount at Term End Date is reallocated so that 50% is renewed in
the same Shield Option and 50% is allocated to a new Shield Option.
Transfers with Performance Lock
Transfers or Renewals at Term End Date
You may remain in your current Shield Option until the Term End Date and either (i) transfer
all or a portion of the
Performance Lock Value to a new Shield Option or to the Fixed Account (if available) or (ii) renew into the same Shield Option (if available) for a new Term. We must receive Notice of your election to transfer in a form satisfactory to us or by calling the Annuity Service Office at (888) 243-1932 no later than five (5) calendar days after the Contract Anniversary on which the transfer will take place. Your financial advisor can provide more information, or you may contact our Annuity Service Office. If you decide to transfer the Performance Lock Value to a new Shield Option, the Index Value on the Term Start Date of your new Shield Option will be the then-current Index Value for that option. For renewals into the same Shield Option, a new Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate will be declared and will go into effect on the Contract Anniversary that coincides with the beginning of the new Term in the Shield Option that just ended.
If you do not notify us to transfer to a new Shield Option or
to the Fixed Account, the Performance Lock Value will automatically be renewed into the same Shield Option. If the same Shield Option is no longer available at the Term End
Date, the Performance Lock Value will automatically transfer into the Fixed Account at the Term End Date, unless you instruct us otherwise. The amounts transferred to the Fixed Account must remain in the Fixed Account until the Fixed Account Term End Date (which, currently, will not be less than one (1) year). If the Fixed Account is not available, the Performance Lock Value will automatically transfer into the Holding Account, unless you instruct us otherwise.
Transfers on a Contract
Anniversary before the Term End Date
After exercising Performance Lock, you may elect to transfer the Performance Lock Value to a new Shield Option or to the Fixed Account (if available) on any Contract Anniversary that is not a Term End Date.
We must receive Notice of your election to transfer prior to or on any Contract Anniversary prior
to the Term End Date. Notice of election to transfer under such circumstances must be received at our Annuity Service Office using one of the methods of communication
identified in “REQUESTS AND ELECTIONS.” A transfer of the Performance Lock Value will only occur on a Contract Anniversary and you may only transfer the entire amount of the Performance Lock Value to a new Shield Option or to the Fixed Account (if available). On the Term End Date,
you have the Transfer Period to transfer all or a portion of your Performance Lock Value.
Availability of Performance Lock with a New Shield Option
Whether you choose to transfer or renew the
Performance Lock Value to a new Shield Option at the Term End Date or transfer the Performance Lock Value to a new Shield Option prior to the Term End Date (or if your
Performance Lock Value is automatically renewed or transferred), you will have the ability to elect the Performance Lock on that new Shield Option.
With Performance Lock, once during each Term
you may elect to lock the Interim Value by providing Notice of election to the Annuity Service Office, using one of the methods identified in “REQUESTS AND
ELECTIONS.” You may want to consult with your financial representative before exercising Performance Lock.
Performance Lock may
be requested on any Business Day prior to the Term End Date. We use the Interim Value calculated at the end of the current Business Day on which you exercise Performance
Lock to determine your Performance Lock Value. This means you will not be able to determine in advance your Performance Lock Value, and it may be higher or lower than it was at the point in time you requested the Performance Lock. You may obtain your Interim Value on any Business Day by calling us at (888) 243-1932 or by accessing our website at
ww.brighthousefinancial.com.
If we receive your Notice of election on a day that is not a Business Day, or after 4 PM Eastern Standard Time on a Business Day, the Notice of election will be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day. If multiple Notices of election are submitted during a Business Day, the last Notice received prior to 4 PM Eastern Standard Time or the close of the NYSE, whichever is earlier will be utilized. If the Performance Lock takes effect, subsequent Notices of election will be disregarded.
Once Performance Lock is exercised for a Shield Option, it is
irrevocable for the remainder of that Term. The Performance Lock Value will be used as the value of that Shield Option for the remainder of the Term. This means, you will no
longer participate in the Index Performance for the current Term and you may receive less than the full Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate, or less than the full protection of the Shield Rate, than you would have received if you waited for us to apply the Performance Rate Adjustment on the Term End Date.
Only one Performance Lock can occur for any given Shield Option
during a Term. The Performance Lock cannot be applied retroactively and must be for the full amount of the Interim Value at the end of the Business Day that we receive your
request. Performance Lock requests for any amount other than the Interim Value are not permitted.
Once a Shield Option is locked, the Performance Lock Value will not change for the rest of the Term, except that the Performance Lock Value will reflect any subsequent withdrawals that occur during the remainder of the Term. Withdrawals will reduce the Performance Lock Value by the dollar amount of the withdrawal.
Upon executing Performance Lock, the Performance
Lock Value will remain in the Shield Option and you have the option of (1) transferring the entire Performance Lock Value to any available Shield Option or to the Fixed
Account on any Contract Anniversary occurring prior to the Term End Date or (2) remaining in your current Shield Option until the Term End Date and either (i) transfer all or a portion of the Performance Lock Value to a new Shield Option or to the Fixed Account (if available) or (ii) renew into
the same Shield Option (if available) for a new Term. See “Transfers” above for additional information.
We reserve the right to limit the use of the Performance Lock
feature for certain Shield Options. Additionally, we may discontinue the use of this feature for future Performance Lock requests at any time.
We currently offer Performance Lock with all Shield
Options.
Example 5—Calculating your Performance Lock Value
Examples 5A and 5B are intended to show how Performance Lock works. The examples assume a $100,000 Purchase Payment allocation to a 1-Year Term / Shield 10 / S&P 500® Index with a Cap Rate of 10%. Example 5A illustrates Performance Lock by locking in the Interim Value on the
Business Day you request to exercise Performance Lock, which in this example occurs halfway in the 1-Year Term. Example 5B illustrates Performance Lock by calculating the
remaining Performance Lock Value after a subsequent $50,000 withdrawal (including Withdrawal Charges) is taken halfway through the 1-Year Term.
Example
5A—Locking in an Interim Value (no withdrawals):
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Interim Value Calculation Halfway Through Term
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Time Remaining in Shield Option (in months) |
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Market Value Rate on calculation date |
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Market value of Fixed Income Asset Proxy |
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Market value of Derivative Asset Proxy |
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Interim Value of Shield Option(2) |
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Performance Lock Value(3) |
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The following notes to the table above provide important calculations showing how certain values are determined.
(1)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured from the Term Start Date to the date of the Interim Value calculation. Index Performance is calculated as follows:
(1,200 [Index Value on date of the Interim Value calculation] – 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date] = 20%
(2)
The Interim Value is equal to the sum of the market value of the Fixed Income
Asset Proxy and the Derivative Asset Proxy. The Interim Value is calculated as follows:
$98,904.80 [Market value of Fixed Income Asset Proxy] + $8,124.74 [Market value of Derivative Asset Proxy]
= $107,029.53
(3)
The Performance Lock Value is equal to the Interim Value of the Shield Option(s)
at the end of the Business Day that you exercise Performance Lock, reduced by the dollar amount of any subsequent withdrawals (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge).
Example
5B—Performance Lock Value After Withdrawal (including Withdrawal Charges):
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Interim Value Calculation Halfway Through Term
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Time Remaining in Shield Option (in months) |
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Market Value Rate on calculation date |
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Market value of Fixed Income Asset Proxy |
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Market value of Derivative Asset Proxy |
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Time Remaining in Shield Option (in months) |
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Interim Value of Shield Option on day you exercise Performance Lock(2) |
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Free Withdrawal Amount(3) |
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Withdrawal Charge Amount(4) |
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Net Proceeds from Withdrawal paid to Contract Owner(5) |
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Performance Lock Value after Withdrawal(6) |
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The following notes to the table above provide important calculations showing how certain values are determined.
(1)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured from the Term Start Date to the date of the Interim Value calculation. Index Performance is calculated as follows:
(1,200 [Index Value on the date of the Interim Value calculation] – 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 1,000 [Index Value at Term Start Date] = 20%
(2)
The Interim Value is equal to the sum of the market value of the Fixed Income
Asset Proxy and the Derivative Asset Proxy. The Interim Value is calculated as follows:
$98,904.80 [Market value of Fixed Income Asset Proxy] + $8,124.74 [Market value of Derivative Asset Proxy]
= $107,029.53
(3)
The Free Withdrawal Amount is the value as of the most recent Contract Anniversary
multiplied by the Free Withdrawal Amount Percentage. The Free Withdrawal Amount is amount is calculated as follows:
$100,000 [value as of most recent Contract Anniversary] x 10% [Free Withdrawal Amount Percentage] = $10,000
(4)
The Withdrawal Charge Amount is the gross withdrawal amount minus the Free
Withdrawal Amount multiplied by the Withdrawal Charge.
($50,000 [gross withdrawal amount]
– $10,000 [Free Withdrawal Amount]) x 7% [Withdrawal Charge] = $2,800
(5)
The net amount payable to the Contract Owner is equal to:
$50,000 [the amount withdrawn] – $2,800 [Withdrawal Charges] = $47,200
(6)
The Performance Lock Value is equal to the Interim Value of the Shield Option(s)
at the end of the Business Day that you exercise Performance Lock, reduced by the dollar amount of the withdrawal.
$107,029.53 [Performance Lock Value before Withdrawal] – $50,000
[Gross Withdrawal Amount]
= $57,029.53 [Performance Lock Value after Withdrawal]
If you die during the Accumulation Period, we will pay a death benefit to your Beneficiary (or Beneficiaries). The standard death benefit for your Contract is described below.
Please check your
Contract and riders for the specific provisions applicable to you. We will require both due proof of death and an acceptable election for the payment method before any death
benefit is paid. Our obligations are subject to all payments made and actions taken by us before our receipt of Notice of due proof of death. Any death benefit will be paid
in accordance with applicable law or regulations governing death benefit payments. (See “General Death Benefit Provisions” below.)
If you are age 81 or older at the Issue
Date of your Contract, the standard death benefit is the Account Value.
If you are age 80 or younger at the Issue Date of your
Contract, the standard death benefit will be the Return of Premium death benefit which is the greater of:
(1)
your Account Value; or
(2)
your Purchase Payment, reduced proportionally by the percentage reduction in
Account Value of the Shield Option(s), the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account for each partial withdrawal (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge).
If a non-natural person owns the Contract, then the Annuitant
will be deemed to be the Owner for purposes of determining the Death Benefit Amount. If Joint Owners are named, the age of the oldest Joint Owner will be used to determine
the Death Benefit.
If the Owner is a natural person and the Owner is changed to
someone other than a spouse, the Death Benefit Amount will be determined as defined above; however, for the Return of Premium death benefit, subsection (2) will be changed
to provide as follows: “the Account Value as of the effective date of the change of Owner, reduced proportionally by the percentage reduction in Account Value of the Shield Option(s), the Fixed Account, and the Holding Account for each partial withdrawal (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge) made after such date.”
In the event that a Beneficiary who is the
spouse of the Owner elects to continue the Contract in his or her name after the Owner dies, the Death Benefit Amount for the Return of Premium death benefit, will be
determined in accordance with (1) or (2) above.
The Death Benefit Amount cannot be withdrawn as a lump sum prior
to the death of the Owner (or Annuitant where the Owner is a non-natural
person).
The current Death Benefit Amount will appear on any reports that are sent to you.
The death benefit terminates (a) upon termination of the Contract; (b) when the entire Account Value is applied to an Annuity Option; or (c) when the Account Value is reduced to zero.
See Appendix C for examples of the Return of Premium death
benefit.
General Death Benefit Provisions
If the Beneficiary under a Qualified Contract is the
Annuitant’s spouse, the tax law generally allows distributions to begin by the year in which the Annuitant would have been required to begin taking distributions
(which may be more or less than ten years after the Annuitant’s death). (See “FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS” for a discussion of the tax law requirements
applicable to distributions from Qualified Contracts).
The Death Benefit Amount is determined as of the end of the
Business Day on which we receive both due proof of death and an acceptable election for the payment method. Where there are multiple Beneficiaries, the death benefit will be
determined as of the time the first Beneficiary submits the necessary documentation in Good Order. The Death Benefit Amount remains in the Contract until each of the other Beneficiaries submits the necessary documentation in Good Order to claim his/her death benefit. Any Death Benefit Amounts held in the Contract on behalf of the remaining Beneficiaries will remain in the existing Shield Options and/or the Fixed Account and are subject to fluctuation in value. This risk is borne by the Beneficiaries. There is no additional death benefit guarantee.
For the Return of Premium death benefit, if the Beneficiary
chooses to continue the Contract, any excess of the Death Benefit Amount over the Account Value will be allocated to the Fixed Account. If the Fixed Account is not
available, any excess amount of the Death Benefit Amount over the Account Value will be allocated into the Holding Account, unless otherwise instructed by the Beneficiary.
Upon the death of either Owner, the surviving Joint Owner will be
the primary Beneficiary. Any other Beneficiary designation will be treated as a contingent Beneficiary, unless instructed otherwise.
If we are presented
with Notice of your death before any requested transaction is completed, we will cancel the request. As described above, the death benefit will be determined when we receive
both due proof of death and an election for the payment method.
We will pay interest on any delayed death benefit payments in
accordance with the laws and regulations in effect under the applicable state
law.
You may elect to have the death benefit proceeds paid to your
Beneficiary in the form of Annuity Payments for life or over a period of time that does not exceed your Beneficiary’s life expectancy, subject to applicable tax law
requirements. This election must be in writing in a form acceptable to us. You may revoke the election only in writing and only in a form acceptable to us. Upon your death, the Beneficiary cannot revoke or modify your election. The Controlled Payout is only available to Non-Qualified Contracts.
Death of Owner During the Accumulation Period
The death benefit will be paid to your Beneficiary(ies) upon your death, or the first death of a Joint Owner. If the Contract is owned by a non-natural person, the Annuitant will be deemed the Owner in determining the death benefit. If there are Joint Owners, the age of the older Owner will be used to determine the death benefit.
Death of Annuitant During the Accumulation Period
Upon the death of an Annuitant, who is not the Owner or Joint Owner, the Owner (or Oldest Joint Owner) automatically becomes the Annuitant, unless the Owner, subject to our underwriting requirements in effect at the time of the request, chooses a new Annuitant. If the Owner is a non-natural person, the death of the Annuitant will be treated as the death of an Owner, and a new Annuitant may not be named. (See “Death of Owner During the Accumulation Period” above).
In the event an Owner (or the Annuitant, where the Owner is not
a natural person) dies during the Accumulation Period, a Beneficiary must choose payment of the death benefit under one of the options below (unless the Owner has previously
made the election or due to the requirements of the Code). The death benefit options available under the Contract include the following and any other options acceptable to you and us:
(a)
Option 1—lump sum payment in cash; or
(b)
Option 2—payment of death benefit under an Annuity Option or other periodic
payment option acceptable to us (if permitted by the Code) in substantially equal periodic payments (made at least annually) over the lifetime of the Beneficiary or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Beneficiary with distribution beginning within one (1) year of the date of death of the Owner or the first Joint Owner to die. Any portion of the death benefit not applied within one (1) year of the date of the Owner’s or Joint Owner’s death must be distributed within five (5) years of the date of death.
For Non-Qualified Contracts, payment must begin within one
year of the date of death. For Qualified Contracts, payment must begin no later than the end of the calendar year immediately following the year of death.
We may also offer a payment option, for both Non-Qualified Contracts and certain Qualified Contracts, under which your Beneficiary may receive payments, over a period not extending beyond his or her life expectancy, under a method of distribution similar to the distribution of RMDs that are taken as withdrawals from Individual Retirement Accounts. Such payment option may be limited to certain categories of beneficiaries. If this option is elected, we will issue a new contract to your Beneficiary in order to facilitate the distribution of payments. Upon the death of your Beneficiary, the death benefit would be required to be distributed in accordance with applicable tax law requirements. In some cases, this will require that the proceeds be distributed more rapidly than the method of distribution in effect at the time of your Beneficiary’s death. (See “FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”)
If a lump sum payment is elected and all the necessary
requirements are met, the payment will be made within seven (7) days.
All options must comply with applicable
federal income tax rules. The tax rules are complex and differ for Non-Qualified Contracts and Qualified Contracts. As a general matter, the entire death benefit must be
paid within five (5) years (or in some cases 10 years for Qualified Contracts) of the Owner’s date of death unless an exception applies. You should consult your tax
adviser about the tax rules applicable to your situation.
Beneficiary Continuation Options. We offer two types of Beneficiary Continuation Options during the
Accumulation Period: the Spousal Continuation and Non-Spousal Beneficiary Continuation Options described below. We must receive Notice of the election of one of these Beneficiary Continuation Options by the end of the 90th day after we receive Notice of due proof of death. If the surviving spouse qualifies for Spousal Continuation and has not chosen one of the death benefit options above by the end of the 90 day period, the Spousal Continuation Option will be automatically applied on the 90th day. If a Non-Spousal Beneficiary qualifies for Non-Spousal Beneficiary Continuation and has not chosen one of the death benefit options above by the end of the 90 day period, the Non-Spousal Beneficiary Continuation Option will be automatically applied on the 90th day.
Spousal Continuation. If the Owner dies during the Accumulation Period, the spouse may choose to continue the Contract in his or her
own name, to the extent permitted by law, and exercise all of the Owner’s rights under the Contract. Upon such election the Account Value will be adjusted to an amount
equal to the Death Benefit Amount determined upon such election and receipt of due proof of death of the Owner. Any excess of the Death Benefit Amount over the Account Value
will be allocated to the Fixed Account. If the Fixed Account is not available, any excess amount of the Death Benefit Amount over the Account Value will be allocated into the Holding Account, unless otherwise elected by the spouse.
Spousal continuation will not satisfy minimum required distribution rules for Qualified Contracts other than IRAs (see “FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”)
Non-Spousal Beneficiary
Continuation. A Beneficiary who is not a spouse generally can choose to continue a
Non-Qualified Contract until the fifth anniversary of the Owner’s death, and a Qualified Contract generally until the tenth anniversary of the Owner’s death. The Contract can be continued by a Beneficiary only if his or her share of the death benefit is at least equal to the Minimum Account Value. If the Beneficiary continues the Contract under this provision his or her share will not be paid. It will instead be continued in the Contract on the date we determine the Death Benefit Amount. Such Beneficiary will have the right to make partial and full withdrawals of his/her share of the Contract, not subject to Withdrawal Charges. Such Beneficiary will also have the right to make transfers at the Term End Date or the Fixed Account Term End Date.
During the continuation period the Beneficiary can choose to receive his/her share of the Contract in a single lump sum payment or, to the extent permitted by the Code, apply it to an Annuity Option or other option acceptable to us that must be payable for the life of the Beneficiary or for a term no longer than the life expectancy of the Beneficiary starting within one (1) year after the death of the Owner.
On the fifth anniversary of the death of a Non-Qualified
Contract Owner, (or generally the tenth anniversary of the death of a Qualified Contract Owner), any Beneficiary will be paid his/her share of the Account Value that has not
been applied to an Annuity Option or other settlement option permissible under the Code, in a single lump sum payment and the Contract will terminate.
Annuity Payments (The Annuity Period)
Under the Contract you can receive regular Annuity Payments.
You can choose the month and year in which those payments begin (the “Annuity Date”). The Annuity Date must not be less than thirteen (13) months from the Issue
Date and will be the first day of the calendar month unless, subject to our current established administrative procedures, we allow you to select another day of the month as your Annuity Date. You can change the Annuity Date at any time before the Annuity Date, subject to certain limitations and restrictions that may apply in your state. Annuity Payments must begin on, or before, the Maturity Date. Please note that in the Contract, the Annuity Date and Maturity Date are the same date.
The Maturity Date is specified in your Contract at purchase and
is the Contract Anniversary after the oldest Owner’s 90th birthday or 10 years from the date we issue your Contract, whichever is later. If Annuity
Payments do not begin on, or before, the Maturity Date, the Contract will be annuitized at the Maturity Date under the Contract’s default Annuity Option, or you can
make a complete withdrawal of your Account Value.
You can change or extend your Maturity Date at any time before
the Maturity Date with thirty (30) days prior notice to us (subject to restrictions that may apply in your state, restrictions imposed by your selling firm and our current
established administrative procedures.) The latest date we will allow you to extend to must be based on the Owner’s age and not the Annuitant’s age. You must contact us at our Annuity Service Office to make this election. This requirement may be changed by us. Please be aware that once your Contract is annuitized, your beneficiaries are ineligible
to receive any death benefit.
Annuity Payments
You (unless another payee is named) will receive Annuity Payments during the Annuity Period. The Annuitant is the natural person(s) whose life we look to in the determination of Annuity Payments. All Annuity Payments are fixed as to amount.
The Account Value, less any applicable Premium Taxes on the day immediately preceding the Annuity Date will be used to determine the Annuity Payment amount. The amount of each Annuity Payment will be based upon the Annuity Option elected, the Annuitant’s age, the Annuitant’s sex (where permitted by law), and the appropriate Annuity Option table. Your annuity rates will not be less than those guaranteed in your Contract at the time of purchase. If, as of the annuity calculation date, the then current Annuity Option rates applicable to this class of contracts provide an Annuity Payment greater than that which is guaranteed under the same Annuity Option under the Contract, the greater payment will be made.
Annuity Payments will be paid as monthly installments or at any frequency acceptable to you and us. If the amount of the Account Value to be applied under an Annuity Option is less than $5,000, we reserve the right to make one lump sum payment equal to the then current Account Value in lieu of Annuity Payments. If the amount of the Annuity Payment would be less than $100, we may reduce the frequency of payments to an interval which will result in the payment being at least $100, but with a frequency of no less than annually.
You can choose among annuity plans (the “Annuity Options”). You can change it at any time before the death benefit becomes payable or the Annuity Date.
If you do not choose an Annuity Option before the Contract is
annuitized, Option 1, which provides a life annuity with 10 years of guaranteed Annuity Payments, will automatically be applied.
You can choose one of the following Annuity Options or any other Annuity Option acceptable to us. After Annuity Payments begin, you cannot change the Annuity Option, subject to the requirements of the
Code.
If more than one frequency is permitted under your Contract, choosing less frequent payments will result in each Annuity Payment being larger. For Annuity Options with a designated period, choosing a shorter designated period will result in each Annuity Payment being larger.
Option 1. Life Annuity With 10 Years of Annuity
Payments Guaranteed. Under this option, we will make Annuity Payments so long as the
Annuitant is alive. If, when the Annuitant dies, we have made Annuity Payments for less than ten years, we will then continue to make Annuity Payments to the Beneficiary for
the rest of the 10 year period.
Option 2. Joint and Last Survivor Annuity with 10 Years of Annuity Payments Guaranteed. Under this option, we will make Annuity Payments so long as the Annuitant and a second person (joint
Annuitant) are both alive. When either Annuitant dies, we will continue to make Annuity Payments, so long as the survivor continues to live. If, at the last death of the
Annuitant and the joint Annuitant, we have made Annuity Payments for less than ten years, we will then continue to make Annuity Payments to the Beneficiary for the rest of the 10 year period.
We may require proof of the age or sex of an Annuitant before
making any Annuity Payments under the Contract that are measured by the Annuitant’s life. If the age or sex of the Annuitant has been misstated, the amount payable
will be the amount that the Account Value would have provided at the correct age or sex. Once Annuity Payments have begun, any underpayments will be made up in one sum with the next Annuity Payment or in any other manner agreed to by us. Any overpayments will be deducted first from future Annuity Payments. No interest will be credited or charged in the event of an underpayment or overpayment.
Upon the death of the last surviving Annuitant, the Beneficiary
may choose to continue receiving Annuity Payments (if permitted by the Code) or to receive the commuted value of the remaining guaranteed payments. The calculation of the
commuted value will be done using the then current Annuity Option rates.
Due to underwriting, administrative or Code
considerations, there may be limitations on payments to the survivor under Option 2 and/or the duration of the guarantee period under Options 1 and 2.
Tax rules with respect to decedent contracts may prohibit the election of Joint and Last Survivor Annuity Options (or annuity types) and may also prohibit payments for as long as the Owner’s life in certain circumstances.
In addition to the Annuity Options described above, we may offer an additional payment option that would allow your Beneficiary to take distribution of the Account Value over a period not extending beyond his or her life expectancy. Under this option, annual distributions would not be made in the form of an annuity, but would be calculated in a manner similar to the calculation of RMDs from IRAs. (See “FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”) We generally intend to make this payment option available to both Qualified Contracts and Non-Qualified Contracts, to the extent allowed under the Code; however, such
payment option may be
limited to certain categories of beneficiaries. In the event that you purchased the Contract as a Qualified Contract, you must take distribution of the Account Value in
accordance with the minimum required distribution rules set forth in applicable tax law. (See “FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”) Under certain circumstances, you may
satisfy those requirements by electing an Annuity Option. Upon your death, if Annuity Payments have already begun under a Qualified Contract, applicable tax law may require that any remaining Annuity Payments be paid over a shorter period than originally elected or otherwise adjusted to comply with the tax law. If you purchased the Contract as a Non-Qualified Contract, the tax rules that apply upon your death are similar to the tax rules for Qualified Contracts, but differ in some material respects. For example, if you die after Annuity Payments have already begun under a Non-Qualified Contract, any remaining Annuity Payments can continue to be paid, provided that they are paid at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in effect at the time of your death.
Death of Owner During the Annuity Period
If the Owner (or a Joint Owner), is not the Annuitant, and dies during the Annuity Period, any remaining guaranteed payments under the Annuity Option elected will continue at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in effect at the time of the Owner’s (or Joint Owner’s) death, but in all events in accordance with applicable tax law requirements. Upon the death of the Owner (or a Joint Owner) during the Annuity Period, the Beneficiary becomes entitled to exercise the rights of the Owner. If an Owner (or Joint Owner) is the Annuitant and dies during the Annuity Period, any remaining Annuity Payments will be as specified in the Annuity Option chosen and will continue at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in effect at the time of the Owner’s (or Joint Owner’s) death, but in all events in accordance with applicable tax law requirements.
We reserve the right to deduct from the Purchase Payment or Account Value any taxes relating to the Contract paid by us to any government entity (including, but not limited to, Premium Taxes, Federal, state and local withholding of income, estate, inheritance, other taxes required by law and any new or increased state income taxes that may be enacted into law). Premium taxes generally range from 0.5% to 3.5%. We will determine when taxes relate to the Contract.
We may pay taxes when due and deduct that amount from the Account Value at a later date. Payment at an earlier date does not waive any right we may have to deduct amounts at a later date. Generally, it is our practice not to charge Premium Taxes until Annuity Payments begin.
We reserve the right to deduct from the
Contract for any income taxes which we incur because of the Contract. At the present time, however, we are not incurring any such income tax or making any such
deductions.
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following information on taxes is a
general discussion of the subject. It is not intended as tax advice. The provisions of the Code that govern the Contract are complex and subject to change. The applicability
of Federal income tax rules may vary with your particular circumstances. This discussion does not include all the Federal income tax rules that may affect you and your Contract. Nor does this discussion address other Federal tax consequences (such as estate and gift taxes, sales to foreign individuals or entities), or state or local tax consequences, which may affect your investment in the Contract. As a result, you should always consult a tax adviser for complete information and advice applicable to your individual situation.
You are responsible for determining whether your purchase of a Contract, withdrawals, Annuity Payments and any other transactions under your Contract satisfy applicable tax law.
For Federal tax purposes, the term “spouse” refers to
the person to whom you are lawfully married, regardless of sex. The term “spouse” generally will not include individuals who are in a registered domestic
partnership or civil union not denominated as marriage under state or other applicable law.
Non-Qualified Annuity
Contracts
This discussion assumes the Contract is a “non-qualified” annuity Contract for Federal income tax purposes, that is not held in a tax qualified “plan.” Tax qualified plans include arrangements described in Code Sections 401(a), 401(k), 403(a), 403(b) or tax sheltered annuities (“TSA”), 408 or “IRAs” (including SEP and SIMPLE IRAs), 408A or “Roth IRAs” and 457(b) plans. Contracts owned through such plans are referred to below as “qualified” contracts.
Non-Qualified Annuity Contracts Owned by Corporations and Other Legal Entities
Taxes on earnings are deferred until you take money out. Non-qualified annuity Contracts owned by a non-natural person, such as corporations or certain other legal entities (other than a trust that holds the Contract as an agent for a natural person), do not receive tax deferral on earnings.
Generally, an owner of a non-qualified annuity Contract is not taxed on increases in the value of the Contract until there is a distribution from the Contract, i.e. surrender, partial withdrawal Annuity Payments or commutation. This deferral of taxation on accumulated value in the Contract is limited to Contracts owned by or held for the benefit of “natural persons.” A Contract will be treated as held by a natural person even if the nominal owner is a trust or other entity which holds the Contract as an agent for the exclusive benefit of a natural person.
In contrast, a Contract owned by other than a “natural
person,” such as a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity (other than a trust holding the Contract as an agent for a natural person), will be taxed
currently on the increase in accumulated value in the Contract in the year
earned.
Surrenders or Withdrawals—Early Distribution
If you take a withdrawal from your Contract,
or surrender your Contract prior to the date you commence taking annuity or “income” payments (the “Annuity Starting Date”), the amount you receive
will generally be treated first as coming from earnings, if any, (and thus subject to income tax) and then from your purchase payments (which are not subject to income
tax). If the accumulated value is less than your purchase payments upon surrender of your Contract, your ability to claim any unrecovered purchase payments on your Federal income tax return as a miscellaneous itemized deduction is suspended under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026.
The portion of any withdrawal from an annuity Contract that is subject to income tax may also be subject to a 10% Federal income tax penalty for “early” distribution if such withdrawal is taken prior to you reaching age 59½, unless an exception applies. Exceptions include distributions made:
(a)
on account of your death or disability;
(b)
as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made at least annually
payable for your life (or life expectancy) or joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of you and your designated beneficiary; or
(c)
under certain immediate income annuities.
If you receive systematic payments that you intend to qualify for the “substantially equal periodic payments” exception
noted above, any modifications (except due to death or disability) to your payment before age 59½ or within five years after beginning these payments, whichever is later, will result in the retroactive imposition of the 10% Federal income tax penalty with interest. Such modifications may include but are not limited to additional purchase payments to the Contract (including tax-free transfers or rollovers) or additional withdrawals from the Contract.
Amounts received as a
partial withdrawal may be fully includable in taxable income to the extent of gain in the Contract.
If you purchase two or more deferred annuity Contracts after October 21, 1988, from BLIC (or its affiliates) during the same calendar year, the law requires that all such Contracts must be treated as a single Contract for purposes of determining whether any payments not received as an annuity (e.g., withdrawals) will be includible in income. Aggregation could affect the amount of a withdrawal that is taxable and subject to the 10% Federal income tax penalty described above. Since the IRS may require aggregation in other circumstances as well, you should consult a tax adviser if you are purchasing more than one annuity Contract from the same insurance company in a single calendar year. Aggregation does not affect distributions paid in the form of an annuity (See “Taxation of Payments in Annuity Form” below).
Exchanges/Transfers
The annuity Contract may be exchanged in whole or in part for another annuity contract or a long-term care insurance policy. An exchange in whole of an annuity for another annuity or for a qualified long-term care insurance policy will generally be a tax-free transaction under Section 1035 of the Code. The partial exchange of an annuity contract may be a tax-free transaction provided that, among other prescribed IRS conditions, no amounts are distributed from either contract involved in the exchange for 180 days following the date of the exchange—other than annuity payments made for life, joint lives, or for a term of 10 years or more. If a distribution is made from either contract within the 180-day period after the exchange or the exchange otherwise fails to satisfy other IRS prescriptions, the IRS reserves the right to characterize the exchange in a manner consistent with its substance, based on general tax principles and all the facts and circumstances. For instance, such distribution from either contract may be taxable to the extent of the combined gain attributable to both contracts, or only to the extent of your gain in the contract from which the distribution is paid. Some of the ramifications of a partial exchange remain unclear. You should consult your tax adviser concerning potential tax consequences prior to any partial exchange or split of annuity contracts.
A transfer of ownership of the Contract, or the designation of
an annuitant or other beneficiary who is not also the Contract owner, may result in income or gift tax consequences to the Contract owner. You should consult your tax
adviser if you are considering such a transfer or assignment.
For non-qualified Contracts, the death benefit is taxable to the recipient in the same manner as if paid to the Contract owner (under the rules for withdrawals or Annuity Payments, whichever is applicable). After your death, any death benefit determined under the Contract must be distributed according to certain rules. The method of distribution that is required depends on whether you die before or after the Annuity Starting Date. If you die on or after the Annuity Starting Date, the remaining portion of the interest in the Contract must be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the date of death. If you die before the Annuity Starting Date, the entire interest in the Contract must be distributed within five (5) years after the date of death, or as periodic payments over a period not extending beyond the life or life expectancy of the designated beneficiary (provided such payments begin within one year of your death) and the beneficiary must be a natural person. Additionally, if the annuity is payable to (or for the benefit of) your surviving spouse, that portion of the Contract may be continued with your spouse as the owner. For Contracts owned by a non-natural person, the required distribution rules apply upon the death of the annuitant. If there is more than one annuitant of a Contract held by a non-natural person, then such required distributions will be triggered by the death of the first co-annuitant.
Taxation of Payments in Annuity Form
Payments received from the Contract in the form of an annuity,
are taxable as ordinary income to the extent they exceed the portion of the payment determined by applying the exclusion ratio to the entire payment. The exclusion ratio is
determined at the time the Contract is annuitized (i.e. accumulated value is converted to an annuity form of distribution). Generally, the applicable exclusion ratio is your investment in the Contract divided by the total payments you expect to receive based on IRS factors, such as the form of annuity and mortality. The excludable portion of each annuity payment is the return of investment in the Contract and it is excludable from your taxable income until your investment in the Contract is fully recovered. We will make this calculation for you. However, it is possible that the IRS could conclude that the taxable portion of Annuity Payments under a non-qualified Contract is an amount greater—or less—than the taxable amount determined by us and reported by us to you and the IRS.
Once you have recovered the investment in the Contract, further
annuity payments are fully taxable. If you die before your investment in the Contract is fully recovered, the balance may be deducted on your last tax return, or if annuity
payments continue after your death, the balance may be deducted by your beneficiary.
The IRS has not furnished explicit guidance as to how the excludable amount is to be determined each year under variable income annuities that permit transfers between a fixed annuity option and variable investment options, as well as transfers between investment options after the Annuity Starting Date. Once annuity payments have commenced, you may not be able to transfer to another non-qualified annuity contract or a long-term care contract as part of a tax-free exchange.
If you receive payments that you intend to qualify for the “substantially equal periodic payments” exception noted above, any modifications (except due to death or disability) to your payment before age 59½ or within five (5) years after beginning these payments, whichever is later, will result in the retroactive imposition of the 10% Federal income tax penalty with interest. Such modifications may include additional purchase payments or withdrawals (including tax-free transfers or rollovers of Annuity Payments) from the Contract.
If the Contract
allows, you may elect to convert less than the full value of your Contract to an annuity form of pay-out (i.e., “partial annuitization.”) In this case, your
investment in the Contract will be pro-rated between the annuitized portion of the Contract and the deferred portion. An exclusion ratio will apply to the annuity payments
as described above, provided the annuity form you elect is payable for at least 10 years or for the life of one or more individuals.
3.8% Tax on Net Investment Income
Federal tax law imposes a 3.8% Net Investment Income tax on the
lesser of:
(1)
the taxpayer’s “net investment income,” (from non-qualified
annuities, interest, dividends, and other investments, offset by specified allowable deductions); or
(2)
the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income in excess of a specified income
threshold ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly and qualifying surviving spouses, $125,000 for married couples filing separately, and $200,000 for single filers).
“Net investment income” in Item 1
above does not include distributions from tax qualified plans, (i.e., arrangements described in Code Sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A or 457(b)), but such income
will increase modified adjusted gross income in Item 2 above.
You should consult your tax adviser regarding the
applicability of this tax to income under your annuity Contract.
Qualified Annuity Contracts
Currently, the Contract is available for use in connection with Non-Qualified Plans, Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. In general, annuity contracts purchased through certain types of retirement plans receive favorable treatment under the Code (“tax qualified plans” or “qualified plans”). Tax-qualified plans include arrangements described in Code Sections 401(a), 401(k), 403(a), 403(b) or tax sheltered annuities (“TSA”), 408 or “IRAs” (including SEP and SIMPLE IRAs), 408A or “Roth IRAs” and 457(b) plans. Extensive special tax rules apply to qualified plans and to the annuity Contracts used in connection with these plans. Therefore, the following discussion provides only general information about the use of the Contract with the various types of qualified plans. Adverse tax consequences may result if you do not ensure that contributions, distributions and other transactions with respect to the Contract comply with the law.
The rights to any benefit under the plan will be subject to the
terms and conditions of the plan itself as well as the terms and conditions of the Contract.
We exercise no control over whether a particular retirement plan or a particular contribution to the plan satisfies the applicable requirements of the Code, or whether a particular individual is entitled to participate or benefit under a plan.
All qualified plans and arrangements receive tax deferral under the Code. Since there are no additional tax benefits in funding such retirement arrangements with an annuity, there should be reasons other than tax deferral for acquiring the annuity within the plan. Such non-tax benefits may include additional insurance benefits, such as the availability of a guaranteed income for life.
The tax rules applicable to qualified plans vary according to the type of plan and the terms and conditions of the plan itself. Both the amount of the contribution that may be made and the tax deduction or exclusion that you may claim for that contribution under qualified plans are limited under the Code.
Purchase payments or contributions to IRAs or tax qualified
retirement plans of an employer may be taken from current income on a before tax basis or after tax basis. Purchase payments made on a “before tax” basis entitle
you to a tax deduction or are not subject to current income tax. Purchase payments made on an “after tax” basis do not reduce your taxable income or give you a tax deduction. Contributions may also consist of transfers or rollovers as described below and are not subject to the annual limitations on contributions.
An IRA Contract will accept as a single purchase payment a
transfer or rollover from another IRA (including a SEP or SIMPLE IRA) or rollover from an eligible retirement plan of an employer (i.e., 401(a), 401(k), 403(a), 403(b) or
governmental 457(b) plans.) A rollover or transfer from a SIMPLE IRA is allowed provided that the taxpayer has participated in such arrangement for at least two years. As part of the single purchase payment, the IRA Contract will also accept an IRA contribution subject to the Code limits for the year of purchase.
Taxation of Annuity
Distributions
If contributions are made on a “before tax” basis, you generally pay income taxes on the full amount of money you receive under the Contract. Withdrawals attributable to any after-tax contributions are your basis in the Contract and not subject to income tax (except for the portion of the withdrawal allocable to earnings if any). Under current Federal income tax rules, the taxable portion of distributions under annuity contracts and qualified plans (including IRAs) is not eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains and qualifying dividends.
If you meet certain requirements, your Roth
IRA earnings can be received free of Federal income taxes.
With respect to IRA Contracts, we will withhold a portion of the taxable amount of your withdrawal for income taxes, unless you elect otherwise. The amount we will withhold is determined by the Code.
Withdrawals Prior to Age 59½
A taxable withdrawal from a qualified Contract which is subject to income tax may also be subject to a 10% Federal income tax penalty for “early” distribution if taken prior to age 59½, unless an exception described below applies.
Exceptions to the early distribution penalty for qualified plans include withdrawals or distributions made:
(a)
on account of your death or disability,
(b)
as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments payable for your life
(or life expectancy) or joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of you and your designated beneficiary and (in the case of certain employer-sponsored qualified plans) you are separated from employment,
(c)
on
separation from service after age 55. This rule does not apply to IRAs (including SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs),
(d)
pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order (“QDRO”). This rule
does not apply to IRAs (including SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs),
(e)
to pay
IRS levies (and made after December 31, 1999),
(f)
to pay deductible medical expenses, or
(g)
in the case of IRAs only, to pay for medical insurance (if you are unemployed),
qualified higher education expenses, or for a qualified first time home purchase up to $10,000.
Other exceptions may be applicable under certain circumstances and special rules apply or may become applicable in connection with the exceptions enumerated above. Other exceptions include certain provisions under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 which may provide the ability to recontribute an “early” distribution to an IRA or employer sponsored qualified plan (subject to the provisions of the Code, the qualified plan/IRA, the Contract and our administrative rules.) You should consult your tax adviser to confirm whether an exception applies.
If you receive systematic payments or any other payments that you
intend to qualify for the “substantially equal periodic payments” exception noted above, any modifications (except due to death or disability) to your payment
before age 59½ or within five years after beginning these payments, whichever is later, will result in the retroactive imposition of the 10% Federal income tax penalty with interest. Such modifications may include but are not limited to additional purchase payments to the Contract (including tax-free transfers or rollovers) and additional withdrawals from the Contract.
Your Contract is non-forfeitable (i.e., not subject to the claims of your creditors) and non-transferable (i.e., you may not transfer it to someone else).
Under certain circumstances, you may be able to transfer amounts
distributed from your Contract to another eligible retirement plan or IRA.
Generally, a distribution may be eligible
for rollover. Certain types of distributions cannot be rolled over, such as distributions received on account of:
(a)
minimum distribution requirements, or
(b)
financial hardship; or
(c)
for a period of ten or more years or for life.
Federal income tax law
allows you to make only one rollover from an IRA to another (or the same) IRA in any 12-month period, regardless of the number of IRAs you own. Generally, this limit
does not apply to trustee-to-trustee transfers between IRAs. Because the rollover rules are complex, please consult with your tax adviser before making an IRA
rollover.
20% Withholding on Eligible Rollover Distributions
For certain qualified employer plans, we are
required to withhold 20% of the taxable portion of your withdrawal that constitutes an “eligible rollover distribution” for Federal income taxes. The amount we
withhold is determined by the Code. You may avoid withholding if you directly transfer a withdrawal from this Contract to another IRA or other qualified plan. Similarly, you may be able to avoid withholding on a transfer into this Contract from an existing qualified plan you may have with another provider by arranging to have the transfer made directly to us. For taxable withdrawals that are not “eligible rollover distributions,” the Code imposes different withholding rules to determine the withholding percentages.
The death benefit in a qualified Contract is taxable to the recipient in the same manner as if paid to the Contract owner or plan participant (under the rules for withdrawals or Annuity Payments, whichever is applicable).
RMD amounts are required to be distributed from a Qualified annuity Contract (including a contract issued as a Roth IRA) following your death. Congress recently changed the RMD rules for individuals who die after 2019. The after-death RMD rules are complex, and you should consult your tax adviser about how they may apply to your
situation.
Effective January 1, 2020, when an IRA owner or participant in a defined contribution plan dies, any remaining interest generally must be distributed within 10 years (or in some cases five years) after his or her death, unless an exception applies. An exception permits an “eligible designated beneficiary” to take distributions over life or a period not exceeding life expectancy, subject to special rules and limitations. An “eligible designated beneficiary” includes: the IRA owner/participant’s spouse or minor child (until the child reaches age of majority), certain disabled or chronically ill individuals, and an individual who is not more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner/participant. We may limit any payment option over life, or a period not exceeding life expectancy, to certain categories of eligible designated beneficiary.
Generally, distributions under this
exception must start by the end of the year following your death. However, if your surviving spouse is the sole designated beneficiary, distributions may generally be
delayed until December 31 of the year you would have attained the Applicable Age (as defined in the chart below), if your Contract permits.
If you die after annuity payments have already begun under a Qualified Contract, any remaining payments under the contract also must be made in accordance with the RMD rules. In some cases, those rules may require that the remaining payments be made over a shorter period than originally elected or otherwise adjusted to comply with the tax law.
If your surviving spouse is the sole designated beneficiary of your Traditional or Roth IRA, then your surviving spouse may elect to treat the Traditional or Roth IRA as his or her own.
Your designated beneficiary is the person to whom benefit rights
under the Contract pass by reason of death. The beneficiary generally must be a natural person in order to elect a periodic payment option based on life expectancy or a
period exceeding five years. Different tax rules may apply if your Beneficiary is not a natural person, such as your estate.
Alternatively, your spouse may be able to roll over the death proceeds into another eligible retirement plan in which he or she participates, if permitted under the receiving plan, or he or she may elect to rollover the death proceeds into his or her own IRA, or he or she may elect to transfer the death proceeds into an inherited IRA.
If your beneficiary is not your spouse and
your plan and Contract permit, your beneficiary may be able to rollover the death proceeds via a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer into an inherited IRA. However, a
non-spouse beneficiary may not treat the inherited IRA as his or her own IRA.
Additionally, for contracts issued in
connection with qualified plans subject to ERISA, the spouse or ex-spouse of the participant may have rights in the contract. In such a case, the participant may need the
consent of the spouse or ex-spouse to change annuity options or make a withdrawal from the contract.
Applicable Age for
Required Minimum Distributions (RMD)
As used in this prospectus, “Applicable Age” means the following:
| |
Your “Applicable Age”
is… |
Were born on or before June 30, 1949 |
|
Were born on or after July 1, 1949 (and attain age 72 prior to
January 1, 2023) |
|
Attain age 72 on or after January 1, 2023 (and attain age 73 on or
before December 31, 2032) |
|
Attain age 74 on or after January 1, 2033 |
|
*If you were born in 1959, you should consult your tax adviser regarding your “Applicable Age,” because it is not clear under the SECURE 2.0 Act whether your Applicable Age is age 73 or age 75.
Required Minimum Distributions During the Owner’s
Life
Generally, you must begin receiving RMD amounts from your qualified Contract by the Required Beginning Date. Generally, for retirement plans, the “Required Beginning Date” is April 1 following the latter of:
(a)
the calendar year in which you reach the Applicable Age; or
(b)
the calendar year you retire, provided you do not own more than 5% of the
outstanding stock, capital, or profits of your employer.
For
IRAs (including SEPs and SIMPLEs) the Required Beginning Date by which you must begin receiving withdrawals is the year in which you attain the Applicable Age even if you
have not retired, taking your first distribution no later than April 1 of the year after you reach the Applicable Age.
For all subsequent years, including the first year in which you took your RMD by April 1, you must take the required minimum distribution for the year by December 31st. This will require you to take two distributions in the same calendar year if you wait to take your first distribution until April 1 of the year after attaining the Applicable Age.
A tax penalty (an excise tax) of up to 25% applies to the shortfall of any required minimum distributions you fail to receive.
The minimum required distribution is calculated with respect to
each IRA, but the aggregate distribution may be taken from any one or more of your IRAs.
The regulations also require that the value of benefits under a deferred annuity including certain death benefits in excess of Contract value must be added to the amount credited to your account in computing the amount required to be distributed over the applicable period. We will provide you with additional information regarding the amount that is subject to minimum distribution under this rule. You should consult your own tax adviser as to how these rules affect your own distribution under this rule.
If you intend to receive your minimum distributions in the form
of Annuity Payments that are payable over the joint lives of you and a beneficiary or over a guaranteed duration of more than 10 years, be advised that Federal tax law rules
may require that, after your death, any remaining payments be made over a shorter period or be reduced after your death to satisfy the RMD rules and avoid the up to 25% excise tax. Other complex rules also apply to RMDs taken in the form of Annuity Payments. You should consult your own tax adviser as to how these rules affect your own Contract.
Required minimum distribution rules that apply to other types of IRAs while you are alive do not apply to Roth IRAs. However, in general, the IRA post-death rules with respect to minimum distributions do apply to beneficiaries of Roth IRAs. Effective in 2024, similar rules apply to Roth account balances maintained in employer-sponsored qualified plans. As a result, required minimum distribution rules that generally apply under an employer-sponsored qualified plan once you attain your Applicable Age, will not apply to any Roth account balance while you are alive. However, in general, post-death rules with respect to minimum distributions do apply to beneficiaries upon your death.
Additional Information
regarding IRAs
Traditional IRA purchase payments (except for permissible
rollovers and direct transfers) are limited in the aggregate to the lesser of 100% of compensation or the deductible amount established each year under the Code. A purchase
payment up to the deductible amount can also be made for a non-working spouse provided the couple’s compensation is at least equal to their aggregate contributions. Individuals age 50 and older are permitted to make additional “catch-up” contributions if they have sufficient compensation. If you or your spouse are an active participant in a retirement plan of an employer, your deductible contributions may be limited. If you exceed purchase payment limits you may be subject to a tax penalty.
Roth IRA purchase payments for individuals are non-deductible (made on an “after tax” basis) and are limited to the lesser of 100% of compensation or the annual deductible IRA amount. Individuals age 50 and older can make an additional “catch-up” purchase payment each year (assuming the individual has sufficient compensation). You may contribute up to the annual purchase payment limit if your modified adjusted gross income does not exceed certain limits. If you exceed purchase payment limits, you may be subject to a tax penalty.
If and to the extent that Traditional IRA purchase payments are made on an “after tax” basis, withdrawals would be included in income except for the portion that represents a return of non-deductible purchase payments. This portion is generally determined based upon the ratio of all non-deductible purchase payments to the total value of all your Traditional IRAs (including SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs). We withhold a portion of the amount of your withdrawal for income taxes, unless you elect otherwise. The amount we withhold is determined by the Code.
Generally, withdrawal of earnings from Roth IRAs are free from
Federal income tax if (1) they are made at least five taxable years after the tax year for which you made your first purchase payment to a Roth IRA; and (2) they are made on
or after the date you reach age 59½ or upon your death, disability or for a qualified first-home purchase (up to $10,000). Withdrawals from a Roth IRA are made first from purchase payments and then from earnings. We may be required to withhold a portion of your withdrawal for income taxes, unless you elect otherwise. The amount will be determined by the Code.
Traditional IRAs may be converted to Roth IRAs. Except to the
extent you have non-deductible contributions, the amount converted from an existing Traditional IRA into a Roth IRA is taxable. Generally, the 10% Federal income tax penalty
does not apply. However, the taxable amount to be converted must be based on the fair market value of the entire annuity contract being converted into a Roth IRA. Such fair market value, in general, is to be determined by taking into account the value of all benefits (both living benefits and death benefits) in addition to the account balance; as well as adding back certain loads and charges incurred during the prior twelve month period. Your Contract may include such benefits and applicable charges. Accordingly, if you are considering such conversion of your annuity Contract, please consult your tax adviser. The taxable amount may exceed the account balance at the date of conversion.
Prior to 2018, contributions made to a Traditional IRA that were
converted to a Roth IRA could be recharacterized as made back to the Traditional IRA, if certain conditions were met. Under a provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,
recharacterization cannot be used to unwind a conversion from a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. For conversions made to a Roth IRA in 2017, the IRS has issued guidance allowing
recharacterizations to be made in 2018. Please consult your tax adviser.
Additional Federal Tax Considerations
Non-Qualified Annuity Contracts
Changes to Tax Rules and Interpretations
Changes to applicable tax rules and interpretations can adversely affect the tax treatment of your Contract. These changes may take effect retroactively.
We reserve the right to amend your Contract where necessary to
maintain its status as an Annuity Contract under Federal tax law and to protect you and other Contract owners from adverse tax consequences.
Qualified Annuity
Contracts
Annuity contracts purchased through tax qualified plans are subject to limitations imposed by the Code and regulations as a condition of tax qualification. There are various types of tax qualified plans which have certain beneficial tax consequences for Contract owners and plan participants.
The following includes individual account-type plans which may hold an annuity Contract as described in the Prospectus.
A traditional IRA is established by an individual, under Section 408(a) or 408(b) of the Code. See also Roth IRAs below.
Individual or employee plan contributions made to certain plans
on an after-tax basis. An IRA may be established as a Roth IRA under Section 408A, and 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans may provide for Roth accounts. Contributions to a Roth
IRA are limited based on the level of your modified adjusted gross income.
Comparison of Plan Limits for
Individual Contributions:
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Dollar limits are for 2024 and subject to cost-of-living adjustments in future years. Employer-sponsored individual account plans (other than 457(b) plans) may provide for additional employer contributions not to exceed the lesser of $69,000 and 100% of an employee’s compensation for 2024.
While no attempt is being made to discuss the Federal estate tax
implications of the Contract, you should bear in mind that the value of an annuity contract owned by a decedent and payable to a beneficiary by virtue of surviving the
decedent is included in the decedent’s gross estate. Depending on the terms of the annuity contract, the value of the annuity included in the gross estate may be the value of the lump sum payment payable to the designated beneficiary or the actuarial value of the payments to be received by the beneficiary. Consult an estate planning adviser for more information.
Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax
Under certain circumstances, the Code may impose a
“generation-skipping transfer tax” when all or part of an annuity contract is transferred to, or a death benefit is paid to, an individual two or more
generations younger than the contract owner. Regulations issued under the Code may require us to deduct the tax from your contract, or from any applicable payment, and
pay it directly to the IRS.
SECURE 2.0 Act Considerations
As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Congress passed the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (the “Act”) which was signed into law on December 29, 2022. The Act includes many provisions updating the Code affecting employer
sponsored qualified plans and IRAs, including provisions that become effective immediately and provisions which become effective in later years through 2033. For example, the Act includes provisions affecting required minimum distributions (RMD), certain contribution and other limits affecting IRAs and qualified plans, as well as provisions providing new exceptions to the 10% federal income tax penalty for “early” distributions which may also provide for the ability to recontribute such early distributions to an IRA or qualified plan (subject to the provisions of the Code, the qualified plan/IRA, the Contract and our administrative rules.) This prospectus does not attempt to provide a complete discussion of the Act and its provisions. Individuals should consult with a qualified tax adviser.
Annuity Purchase Payments
by Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities
The discussion above provides general information regarding U.S. Federal income tax consequences to annuity purchasers that are U.S. citizens or residents. Purchasers that are not U.S. citizens or residents will generally be subject to U.S. Federal withholding tax on taxable distributions from annuity contracts at a 30% rate, unless a lower treaty rate applies. In addition, purchasers may be subject to state and/or municipal taxes and taxes that may be imposed by the purchaser’s country of citizenship or residence. Prospective purchasers are advised to consult with a qualified tax adviser regarding U.S., state and foreign taxation with respect to an annuity contract purchase.
YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL (FREE LOOK)
If you change your mind about owning the Contract, you can cancel it within a certain time period after receiving it. This is known as a “Free Look.” This Free Look period typically lasts 10 days, but this can change from state to state because each state has its own rules. We ask that you submit your request to cancel in writing, signed by you, to us (e.g., the Annuity Service
Office) or to the financial representative who sold it. When you cancel the Contract within this Free Look period, we will not assess a Withdrawal Charge. Unless otherwise required by state law, you will receive whatever your Contract is worth on the day that we receive your cancellation request. The amount you receive for a cancellation request submitted to your financial representative will depend on the day that such request is, in turn, provided to us. The amount you receive may be more or less than your Purchase Payment depending upon the Shield Options you allocated your Purchase Payment to during the Free Look period. This means that you bear the risk of any decline in the Account Value of your Contract during the Free Look period. We do not refund any charges or deductions assessed during the Free Look period. In certain states, we are required to give back your Purchase Payment if you decide to cancel your Contract during the Free Look period.
Owner. You, as the Owner, have all the interest and rights under the Contract. Subject to our administrative
procedures, we may also permit ownership by a corporation (a type of non-natural person) or other legal entity.
These rights include the right to:
(a)
change the Beneficiary.
(b)
change the Annuitant before the Annuity Date (subject to our underwriting and
administrative rules).
(c)
assign the Contract (subject to limitation).
(d)
change the Annuity Payments option before the Annuity Date.
(e)
exercise all other rights, benefits, options and privileges permitted by the Contract
or us.
The Owner is as designated at the time the Contract is issued, unless changed. You may change the Owner at any time. Any change of Owner is subject to our underwriting requirements in effect at the time of the request. A change of Owner will automatically revoke any prior designation of the Owner.
Joint Owner. The Contract can be owned by Joint Owners, limited to natural persons. Either Joint
Owner can exercise all rights under the Contract unless you inform us otherwise as indicated on the Contract Schedule or in a Notice to us. Upon the death of either Owner, the surviving Joint Owner will be the primary Beneficiary, unless you inform us otherwise. Any other Beneficiary designation will be treated as a contingent Beneficiary unless otherwise indicated on the Contract Schedule or in a Notice to us.
Annuitant. The Annuitant is the natural person(s) on whose life we base Annuity Payments. The
Annuitant is the person designated by you on the Issue Date. You can change the Annuitant at any time prior to the Annuity Date, unless an Owner is not a natural person. Any reference to Annuitant includes any joint Annuitant under an Annuity Option. The Owner and the Annuitant do not have to be the same person except as required under certain sections of the Code. Any change of the Annuitant is subject to our underwriting requirements in effect at the time of the request.
Beneficiary. The person(s) or entity(ies) you name to receive a death benefit payable under the
Contract upon the death of the Owner or a Joint Owner, or in certain circumstances, an Annuitant. The Beneficiary is named at the time the Contract is issued unless changed at a later date. Unless an irrevocable Beneficiary has been named, you can change the Beneficiary at any time before you die by filing a Notice with us. If Joint Owners are named, and unless you tell us otherwise, the surviving Joint Owner will be the primary Beneficiary. Any other primary Beneficiary designation will be treated as the contingent Beneficiary.
Assignment. Our rights as evidenced by a Contract may not be assigned without our written consent
and is subject to
our approval
and underwriting requirements. You may not assign your rights under the Contract after the start of Annuity Payments. In certain tax markets, assignment of the Contract
is prohibited by the Code. If the Contract is assigned absolutely, we will treat it as a change of ownership and all rights will be transferred. We are not bound by any
assignment request unless it is in writing and until it is received at our Annuity Service Office. We assume no responsibility for the validity or effect of any assignment. We will not be liable for any payment or other action we take in accordance with the Contract before we record the assignment. Assignments will be effective as of the date the written notice of assignment was signed, subject to all payments made and actions taken by us before a copy of the signed assignment form is received by us at our Annuity Service Office. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax consequences of an assignment.
An assignment may be a taxable event.
ABANDONED PROPERTY
REQUIREMENTS
Every state has unclaimed property laws that generally declare non-ERISA annuity contracts to be abandoned after a period of inactivity of three to five years from the contract’s maturity date, the date the death benefit is due and payable, or such other date as required by state law. Contracts purchased through certain qualified plans, including IRAs and Roth IRAs, may be subject to special or additional abandoned property rules under state law. For example, if the payment of a death benefit has been triggered, but, if after a thorough search, we are still unable to locate the Beneficiary of the death benefit, or the Beneficiary does not come forward to claim the death benefit in a timely manner, the death benefit will be paid to the abandoned property division or unclaimed property office of the state in which the Beneficiary or you last resided, as shown on our books and records, or to our state of domicile. (Escheatment is the formal, legal name for this process.) However, the state is obligated to pay the death benefit (without interest) if your Beneficiary steps forward to claim it with the proper documentation. To prevent your Contract’s proceeds from being paid to the state abandoned or unclaimed property office, it is important that you update your Beneficiary designations, including addresses, if and as they change. Please call
1-888-243-1932 to make such changes.
SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS OR TRANSFERS
We may be required to suspend or delay the payment of death benefits and the calculation of Annuity Payments, withdrawals and transfers when we cannot obtain an Index Value under the following circumstances:
(i)
the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings);
(ii)
trading on the NYSE is restricted;
(iii)
an emergency exists such that we cannot value Investment Amounts; or
(iv)
during any other period when a regulator by order, so permits.
WHEN WE CAN CANCEL YOUR CONTRACT
We may terminate your Contract by paying you the Account Value in one sum if, prior to the Annuity Date the Minimum Account Value after any partial withdrawal is less than $2,000 or any lower amount required by Federal tax laws. Accordingly, no Contract will be terminated due solely to negative Index Performance. We will only do so to the extent allowed by law. If we do so, we will return the full Account Value. Federal tax law may impose additional restrictions on our right to cancel your Traditional IRA or Roth IRA Contract. We will not terminate any Contract if at the time the termination would otherwise occur the guaranteed amount under any death benefit is greater than the Account Value. For all other Contracts, we reserve the right to exercise this termination provision, subject to obtaining any required regulatory approvals. State variations may apply.
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (“BLIC”)
BLIC is a Delaware stock insurance company
originally incorporated in Connecticut in 1863. BLIC is licensed to conduct business in all states of the United States (except New York), the District of Columbia, the
Bahamas, Guam, Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. BLIC is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of, and ultimately controlled by, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (“BHF”), a publicly-traded company. BHF, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the largest providers of annuities and life insurance in the U.S.
BLIC’s executive offices are located at 11225 North
Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277.
THE SEPARATE
ACCOUNT
The assets of the Separate Account are held in our name on behalf of the Separate Account and legally belong to us. We are obligated to pay all money we owe under the Contracts—such as death benefits and Annuity Payments—even if that amount exceeds the assets in the Separate Account. Any such amount that exceeds the assets in the Separate Account is paid from our General Account. Amounts paid from the General Account are subject to the financial strength and claims paying ability of BLIC and our long term ability to make such payments and are not guaranteed by any other party. We issue other annuity contracts and life insurance policies where we pay all money we owe under those contracts and policies from our General Account. BLIC is regulated as an insurance company under state law, which includes, generally, limits on the amount and type of investments in its General Account. However, there is no guarantee that we will be able to meet our claims paying obligations; there are risks to purchasing any insurance product.
A Purchase Payment made to the Contract is allocated to the
Separate Account. We have exclusive and absolute ownership and control of the assets of the Separate Account. It is a non-unitized separate account. You do not share in the
investment performance of assets allocated to the Separate Account. All investment income, gains and losses, whether or not realized, from assets allocated to the Separate Account are borne by BLIC. The obligations under the Contract are independent of the investment performance of the Separate Account and are our obligations.
We will maintain in the Separate Account assets with an
aggregate value at least equal to the reserves for all contracts allocated under the Separate Account.
If the aggregate value of such assets in the Separate Account should fall below such amount, we will transfer assets into the Separate Account so that the value of the Separate Account’s assets is at least equal to such amount. Assets supporting reserves for annuity benefits under such contracts, in the course of payment, will not be maintained in the Separate Account.
We must invest our assets according to applicable state laws regarding the nature, quality and diversification of investments that may be made by life insurance companies. In general, these laws permit investments, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in Federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common stocks, real estate mortgages, real estate and certain other investments. Purchase Payments made to these Contracts issued by BLIC are invested in the Separate Account. The Separate Account is a non-unitized separate account. Owners do not share in the investment performance of assets allocated to the Separate Account. The obligations under the Contract are independent of the investment performance of the Separate Account and are the obligations of BLIC.
At least once each calendar year, we will
send you a statement that will show:
(ii)
all transactions regarding your Contract during the year; and
(iii)
the Investment Amount and interest credited to your Contract.
Such statements will be sent to your last known address on our records. You will have sixty (60) days from the date you receive such statement to inform us of any errors, otherwise such statement will be deemed final and correct.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE
CONTRACTS
Brighthouse Securities, LLC (“Brighthouse Securities”) is the principal underwriter and distributor of the securities offered through this prospectus. Brighthouse Securities is our affiliate and its principal executive offices are located at 11225 North Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277. Both we and Brighthouse Securities are indirect, wholly owned
subsidiaries of BHF. Brighthouse Securities is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA provides background information about broker-dealers and their registered representatives through FINRA BrokerCheck. You may contact the FINRA BrokerCheck Hotline at 1-800-289-9999, or log on to www.finra.org. An investor brochure that includes information describing FINRA BrokerCheck is available through the Hotline
or on-line.
Brighthouse Securities is not obligated to take and pay for, and is not required to sell, any specific number or dollar amount of Contracts. Brighthouse Securities, and in certain cases, we, have entered into selling agreements with unaffiliated selling firms for the sale of the Contracts. No selling firms are affiliated with us or Brighthouse Securities. We pay compensation to Brighthouse Securities for sales of the Contracts by selling firms. We also pay amounts to Brighthouse
Securities that may be
used for its operating and other expenses, including the following sales expenses: compensation and bonuses for Brighthouse Securities’ management team, advertising
expenses and other expenses of distributing the Contracts. Brighthouse Securities’ management team and registered representatives also may be eligible for non-cash
compensation items that we may provide jointly with Brighthouse Securities. Non-cash items include conferences, seminars and trips (including travel, lodging and meals in connection therewith), entertainment, merchandise and other similar items.
As noted above, Brighthouse Securities, and in certain cases, we,
have entered into selling agreements with selling firms for the sale of the Contracts. Selling firms receive commissions, and may receive some form of non-cash compensation.
Certain selected selling firms receive additional compensation (described below under “Additional Compensation for Selected Selling Firms”). These commissions and other incentives or payments are not charged directly to Owners. We intend to recoup commissions and other sales expenses through the charges and deductions under the Contract. A portion of the payments made to selling firms may be passed on to their financial representatives in accordance with the selling firms’ internal compensation programs. Those programs may also include other types of cash and non-cash compensation and other
benefits. Financial representatives of the selling firms may also receive non-cash compensation, pursuant to their firm’s guidelines, directly from us or Brighthouse Securities.
Compensation Paid to Selling
Firms. Brighthouse Securities pays compensation to all selling firms in the form of
commissions and may also provide certain types of non-cash compensation. The maximum commission payable is 3% of the Purchase Payment. Some selling firms may elect to receive a lower commission when the Purchase Payment is made, along with annual trail commissions up to 1% of Account Value for so long as the Contract remains in effect or as agreed in the selling agreement. We also pay commissions when an Owner elects to begin receiving regular Annuity Payments. (See “ANNUITY PAYMENTS—(THE ANNUITY PERIOD).”) Brighthouse Securities may also provide non-cash compensation items that we may provide jointly with Brighthouse Securities. Non-cash items may include expenses for conference or seminar trips, certain gifts, prizes and awards.
Ask your financial representative for further information about
what payments your financial representative and the selling firm for which he or she works may receive in connection with your purchase of a Contract.
Additional Compensation for Selected Selling Firms. Brighthouse
Securities has entered into distribution arrangements with certain selected unaffiliated selling firms. Under these arrangements Brighthouse Securities may pay additional compensation to selected selling firms, including marketing allowances, introduction fees, persistency payments, preferred status fees and industry conference fees. Marketing allowances are periodic payments to certain selling firms, the amount of which may be an annual flat fee, or in some cases depends on cumulative periodic (usually quarterly) sales of our insurance contracts (including the Contracts) and may also depend on meeting thresholds in the sale of certain of our insurance contracts (other than the Contracts). They may also include payments we make to cover the cost of marketing or other support services provided for or by registered representatives who may sell our products. Introduction fees are payments to selling firms in connection with the addition of our products to the selling firm’s line of investment products, including expenses relating to establishing the data communications systems necessary for the selling firm to offer, sell and administer our products. Persistency payments are periodic payments based on account values of our insurance contracts (including Account Values of the Contracts) or other persistency standards. Preferred status fees are paid to obtain preferred treatment in selling firms’ marketing programs, which may include marketing services, participation in marketing meetings, listings in data resources and increased access to their financial representatives. Industry conference fees are amounts paid to cover in part the costs associated with sales conferences and educational seminars for selling firms’ financial representatives.
The additional types of compensation discussed above are not
offered to all selling firms. The terms of any particular agreement governing compensation may vary among selling firms and the amounts may be significant. The prospect of
receiving, or the receipt of, additional compensation as described above may provide selling firms and/or their financial representatives with an incentive to favor sales of the Contracts over other annuity contracts (or other investments) with respect to which selling firm does not receive additional compensation, or lower levels of additional compensation. You may wish to take such payment arrangements into account when considering and evaluating any recommendation relating to the Contracts. For more information about any such additional compensation arrangements, ask your financial representative.
Wholesaling Firms
In addition to the distribution arrangements discussed above, Brighthouse Securities has entered into wholesaling agreements with wholesaling firms to provide marketing and training support services to selling firms and the registered representatives of selling firms. These services may include, but not be limited to, training and promotional support for the solicitation, sale and on-going servicing of the Contracts by the selling firms. Brighthouse Securities pays compensation to wholesaling firms in connection with these services.
We may
offer our Fixed Account as a funding option. Please refer to your Contract and Appendix D for more information.
There are certain circumstances where we will transfer amounts to the Holding Account. Please refer to your Contract and Appendix E for more information.
RESTRICTIONS ON FINANCIAL
TRANSACTIONS
Federal laws designed to counter terrorism and prevent money laundering might, in certain circumstances, require us to block an Owner’s ability to make certain transactions and thereby refuse to accept any request for transfers, withdrawals, Surrenders, or death benefits, until instructions are received from the appropriate regulator. We may also be required to provide additional information about you and your Contract to government regulators.
We will treat your request for a Contract transaction, or your submission of the Purchase Payment, as received by us if we receive a request conforming to our administrative procedures or the Purchase Payment at our Annuity Service Office on any Business Day before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time or when the NYSE closes, whichever is earlier. We will treat your submission of the Purchase Payment as received by us if we receive it at our Annuity Service Office (or a designee receives it in accordance with the designee’s administrative procedures) on any Business Day before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time or when the NYSE closes, whichever is earlier. If we receive the request, or if we (or our designee) receive the Purchase Payment, on any Business Day on or after 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time or when the NYSE closes, whichever is earlier, then the request or payment will be treated as received on the next day. If you send your Purchase Payment or transaction requests to an address other than the one we have designated for receipt of such Purchase Payment or requests, as indicated in the chart below, we may return the Purchase Payment to you, or there may be a delay in applying the Purchase Payment or processing the transaction.
Specific to the Performance Lock, all notifications to or other
communication with us concerning the Performance Lock--including, to submit a Notice of election to lock the Interim Value for your Shield Option or to transfer the
Performance Lock Value—may be made by you or through your financial representative. Note that any Notice of your election to transfer Performance Lock Value after Performance Lock takes effect must be received prior to or on any Contract Anniversary by 4 PM Eastern Standard Time or when the NYSE closes, whichever is earlier. Please direct your requests and elections under your Contract, and inquiries about your Contract, to us as
directed below.
Applications when purchasing the Contract, including
initial Purchase Payment |
P.O. Box 4365
Clinton, IA 52733-4365 Fax: (877) 245-2964
Or through your financial representative |
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P.O. Box 4330
Clinton, IA 52733-4330 Fax: (877) 245-8163 |
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•Requests to receive regular Annuity Payments
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P.O. Box 4365 Clinton, IA 52733-4365
Telephone: (800) 882-1292 Fax: (877) 246-8424 |
•Death Claims for Contracts receiving Annuity Payments |
P.O. Box 4364
Clinton, IA 52733-4364 Telephone: (800) 882-1292
Fax: (877) 245-8163 |
•General requests and elections for Contracts receiving Annuity Payments |
P.O. Box 4363
Clinton, IA 52733-4363 Telephone: (800) 882-1292
Fax: (877) 246-8424 |
All other requests and elections and general inquiries (except requests for a transaction or other notification related to the Performance Lock must be submitted in writing, by telephone or by fax) |
P.O. Box 4301 Clinton, IA 52733-4301
Telephone: (888) 243-1932
Fax: (877) 246-8424 |
Some of the requests for service that may be made by telephone or
Internet (www.brighthousefinancial.com) include transfers of your Account Value into Shield Option(s) or the Fixed Account. We may from time to time permit requests for
other types of transactions to be made by telephone or Internet. All transaction requests must be in a form satisfactory to us. Contact us for further information. Some selling firms may restrict the ability of their financial representatives to convey transaction requests by telephone or Internet on your behalf.
We are not a fiduciary and do not provide investment advice or
make recommendations regarding insurance or investment products. Ask your financial representative for guidance regarding any requests or elections and for information
about your particular investment needs. Please bear in mind that your financial representative, or any financial firm or financial professional with whom you consult for advice, acts on your behalf, not ours. We are not party to any agreement between you and your financial representative. We do not recommend and are not responsible for any securities transactions or investment strategies involving securities.
A request or transaction generally is considered in Good Order if
it complies with our administrative procedures and the required information is complete and accurate. A request or transaction may be rejected or delayed if not in Good
Order. If you have any questions, you should contact us or your financial representative before submitting the form or request.
We will use reasonable procedures such as requiring certain identifying information, recording the telephone instructions, and providing written confirmation of the transaction, in order to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone, fax, Internet or other means are genuine. Any telephone, fax or Internet instructions reasonably believed by us to be genuine will be your responsibility, including losses arising from any errors in the communication of instructions. As a result of this policy, you will bear the risk of loss. If we do not employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone, fax or Internet are genuine, we may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. All other requests and elections under your Contract must be in writing signed by the proper party, must include any necessary documentation and must be received at our Annuity Service Office to be effective. If acceptable to us, requests or elections relating to Beneficiaries and Ownership will take effect as of the date signed unless we have already acted in reliance on the prior status. We are not responsible for the validity of any written request or action.
Telephone and computer systems may not always be available. Any telephone or computer system, whether it is yours, your service provider’s, your financial representative’s, or ours, can experience outages or slowdowns for a variety of reasons. These outages or slowdowns may delay or prevent our processing of your request. Although we have taken precautions to help our systems handle heavy use, we cannot promise complete reliability under all circumstances. If you experience technical difficulties or problems, you should make your transaction request in writing to our Annuity Service Office.
We will send out written statements confirming that a transaction was recently completed. Unless you inform us of any errors within 60 days of receipt, we will consider these communications to be accurate and complete.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the ordinary course of business, BLIC, similar
to other life insurance companies, is involved in lawsuits (including class action lawsuits), arbitrations and other legal proceedings. Also, from time to time, state and
Federal regulators or other officials conduct formal and informal examinations or undertake other actions dealing with various aspects of the financial services and insurance industries. In some legal proceedings involving insurers, substantial damages have been sought and/or material settlement payments have been made.
It is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome
of any pending legal proceeding or regulatory action. However, BLIC does not believe any such action or proceeding will have a material adverse effect upon the Separate
Account or upon the ability of Brighthouse Securities to perform its contract with the Separate Account or of BLIC to meet its obligations under the contracts.
Legal matters in connection with Federal laws and regulations affecting the issue and sale of the Contracts described in this prospectus and the organization of BLIC, its authority to issue such Contracts under Delaware law and the validity of the forms of the Contracts under Delaware law have been passed on by legal counsel for BLIC.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The financial statements of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial
statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm, given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Contracts issued in your state may provide different features and benefits from, and impose different costs than, those described in this prospectus because of state law variations. These differences include, among other things, Free Look rights, age issuance limitations, transfer rights and limitations, the right to reject a Purchase Payment, the requirements for unisex annuity rates and the general availability of certain features. This prospectus describes all the material features of the Contract. If you would like to review a copy of the Contract and any endorsements, contact our Annuity Service Office.
As Owner you may elect to receive electronic delivery of current prospectuses related to the Contract and other Contract related documents. Contact us at our website at www.brighthousefinancial.com for more information and to enroll.
AMENDMENT OF THE CONTRACT
We reserve the right to amend the Contracts to comply with applicable Federal or state laws or regulations. We will notify you in writing of any such amendments.
We may require proof of the age or sex (where permitted) of the Annuitant, Owner and/or the Beneficiary before making any payments under the Contract that are measured by the Annuitant’s, Owner’s or Beneficiary’s life. If the age or sex of the measuring life has been misstated, the amount payable will be the amount that would have been provided at the correct age and sex.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Under the Securities Act of 1933, BLIC has filed with the SEC a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) relating to the Contracts offered by this prospectus. This prospectus has been filed as a part of the Registration Statement and does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and reference is hereby made to such Registration Statement and exhibits for further information relating to BLIC and the Contracts.
We incorporate
by reference BLIC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC on
February 29, 2024 via EDGAR File No. 033-03094 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended on March 31, 2024 as filed with the SEC on
May
9, 2024 via EDGAR File No. 033-03094. The Annual Report contains additional information about BLIC, including audited financial statements for BLIC’s latest fiscal year. In addition, all documents subsequently filed by BLIC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) prior to the termination of the offering, are also incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We are not incorporating by reference any documents or information deemed to have been furnished instead of filed under SEC rules, such as current reports on Form 8-K furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01.
If requested, BLIC will furnish, without
charge, a copy of any and all of the reports or documents that have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may direct your requests to BLIC at 11225 North
Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277. The telephone number is 1-888-243-1932. You may also access the incorporated reports and other documents at www.brighthousefinancial.com.
BLIC files periodic reports as required under the Exchange Act (including Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K). You may also read and copy any materials that BLIC files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. The
SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at
http://www.sec.gov.
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION
FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Pursuant to applicable provisions of
BLIC’s by-laws or internal corporate policies adopted by BLIC or its ultimate parent, the directors, officers and other controlling persons of BLIC and of BLIC’s
affiliate and principal underwriter, Brighthouse Securities, who are made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, may be eligible to obtain indemnification against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred as a result of such action or proceeding. Under the principal underwriting agreement between BLIC and Brighthouse Securities, the parties have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities and expenses from legal proceedings arising out of Brighthouse Securities’ distribution of the Contracts.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling BLIC pursuant to the foregoing provisions, BLIC has been informed that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable.
Appendix A
BLIC uses the Indices under license from the Indices’ respective publishers. The following information about the Indices is included in this prospectus in accordance with BLIC’s license agreements with the publishers of the Indices:
S&P Opco, LLC requires that the following disclaimer be included in this prospectus:
The S&P 500® is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates
(“SPDJI”) and has been licensed for use by affiliates of Brighthouse Financial, Inc., including Brighthouse Services, LLC and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(collectively, “Brighthouse Financial”).
S&P®, S&P 500®, US 500, The 500, iBoxx®, iTraxx® and CDX® are trademarks of S&P Global, Inc. or its affiliates (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks
have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Brighthouse Financial. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Brighthouse
Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity particularly or the ability of the S&P
500® to track general market performance. Past performance of an index is not an indication or guarantee of future results. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to Brighthouse Financial with respect to the S&P 500® is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones
Indices and/or its licensors. The S&P 500® is determined,
composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to Brighthouse Financial or Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take the needs of Brighthouse Financial or the owners of Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500®. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity. There is no assurance that investment products based on the S&P 500® will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC
is not an investment adviser, commodity trading advisory, commodity pool operator, broker dealer, fiduciary, promoter” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended), “expert” as enumerated within 15 U.S.C. § 77k(a) or tax advisor. Inclusion of a security, commodity, crypto currency or other asset
within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, commodity, crypto currency or other asset, nor is it considered to be investment advice or commodity trading advice.
NEITHER S&P DOW JONES INDICES NOR THIRD
PARTY LICENSOR GUARANTEES THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500® INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT
THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES
NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY BRIGHTHOUSE FINANCIAL, OWNERS OF BRIGHTHOUSE
SHIELD® LEVEL II 3-YEAR ANNUITY, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S&P
500® OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO.
WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF
PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. S&P DOW JONES INDICES HAS NOT
REVIEWED, PREPARED AND/OR CERTIFIED ANY PORTION OF, NOR DOES S&P DOW JONES INDICES HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER, THE LICENSEE BRIGHTHOUSE SHIELD® LEVEL II 3-YEAR ANNUITY REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROSPECTUS OR OTHER OFFERING MATERIALS. THERE ARE NO
THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND BRIGHTHOUSE FINANCIAL, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES
INDICES.
Frank Russell Company requires that the following disclaimer be included in this prospectus:
The Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by
Frank Russell Company (“Russell”). Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity particularly or the ability of the Russell
2000® Index to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same. Russell’s publication of the Russell 2000® Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or all of the securities upon which the Russell 2000® Index is based. Russell’s only relationship to affiliates of Brighthouse Financial, Inc., including Brighthouse Services, LLC and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (collectively, “Brighthouse Financial”) is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of Russell and of the Russell 2000® Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Russell without regard to
Brighthouse Financial or
the Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity. Russell is
not responsible for and has not reviewed the Brighthouse
Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity nor any associated literature
or publications and Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the Russell 2000® Index. Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity.
RUSSELL DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE RUSSELL 2000® INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND RUSSELL SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN.
RUSSELL MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY BRIGHTHOUSE FINANCIAL, INVESTORS, OWNERS OF THE BRIGHTHOUSE SHIELD® LEVEL II 3-YEAR ANNUITY OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE RUSSELL 2000® INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. RUSSELL MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE RUSSELL 2000® INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL RUSSELL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
MSCI Inc. requires that the following disclaimer be included in this prospectus:
THE BRIGHTHOUSE SHIELD® LEVEL II 3-YEAR ANNUITY IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY
MSCI INC. (“MSCI”), ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, ANY OF ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, COMPILING, COMPUTING OR CREATING ANY MSCI INDEX (COLLECTIVELY, THE “MSCI PARTIES”). THE MSCI INDEXES ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE MSCI INDEX NAMES ARE SERVICE MARK(S) OF MSCI OR ITS
AFFILIATES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR USE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES BY AFFILIATES OF BRIGHTHOUSE FINANCIAL, INC. INCLUDING BRIGHTHOUSE SERVICES, LLC, BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF NY (COLLECTIVELY, “BRIGHTHOUSE FINANCIAL”). NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THIS PRODUCT OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY
REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN PRODUCTS GENERALLY OR IN THIS PRODUCT PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF ANY MSCI INDEX TO TRACK CORRESPONDING STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE. MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES ARE THE LICENSORS OF
CERTAIN TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE MSCI INDEXES WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD TO THIS PRODUCT OR THE ISSUER
OR OWNERS OF THIS PRODUCT OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THIS PRODUCT OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING,
COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE MSCI INDEXES. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF THIS PRODUCT TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE
DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY OR THE CONSIDERATION INTO WHICH THIS PRODUCT IS
REDEEMABLE. FURTHER, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THIS PRODUCT OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR OFFERING OF
THIS PRODUCT.
ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI INDEXES FROM SOURCES THAT MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE
ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ISSUER OF THE
PRODUCT, OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS
OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FURTHER, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, AND THE MSCI
PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO EACH MSCI INDEX AND ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY OF THE
MSCI PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF SUCH DAMAGES.
No purchaser, seller or holder of the Brighthouse
Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity, or any other person or
entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trademark or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market or promote this security without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI’s permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.
Nasdaq, Inc. requires that
the following disclaimer be included in this prospectus:
Brighthouse
Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity is not sponsored, endorsed,
sold or promoted by Nasdaq, Inc. or its affiliates (Nasdaq, Inc. with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”). The Corporations have not passed on
the legality or suitability of, or the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and disclosures relating to, Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity. The Corporations make no representation or warranty, express or implied to the owners of Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity particularly, or the ability of the Nasdaq-100
Index® to track general stock market performance. The Corporations' only relationship to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (“Licensee”) is in the licensing of the Nasdaq-100 Index®, and certain trade names of the Corporations and the use of the Nasdaq-100
Index® which is determined, composed and calculated by Nasdaq® without regard to Licensee or Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity. Nasdaq® has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of
Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Nasdaq-100
Index®. The Corporations are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity is to be converted into cash. The Corporations have no liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity.
THE CORPORATIONS DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR
UNINTERRUPTED CALCULATION OF NASDAQ-100 INDEX® OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE
OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF BRIGHTHOUSE SHIELD® LEVEL II
3-YEAR ANNUITY, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE NASDAQ-100 INDEX® OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE NASDAQ-100
INDEX® OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE CORPORATIONS HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
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Appendix B
Index
Substitution Investment Amount Example
The following example illustrates how we would calculate your Investment Amount on a Term End Date when there is an Index substitution. We assume no withdrawals and a $100,000 Purchase Payment into a Shield Option with a 1-Year Term / Shield 10 / S&P 500® Index with a Cap Rate of 10%.
Investment Amount at Term Start Date |
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Index Value on Term Start Date for S&P 500® Index |
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On date of Index Substitution halfway through the Term:
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Number of days since Term Start Date |
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Index Value for S&P 500® Index |
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Index Performance for S&P 500® Index(1) |
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Index Value for Russell 2000® Index on substitution
date |
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Calculation of Investment Amount at Term End Date:
Index Value for Russell 2000® Index |
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Index Performance for S&P 500® Index(1) |
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Index Performance for Russell 2000® Index(2) |
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Total Index Performance for the Term(3) |
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Performance Rate Adjustment(5) |
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Investment Amount at Term End Date(6) |
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The following notes to the tables above provide important calculations showing how certain values are determined.
(1)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured
from the Term Start Date to the date of the Index substitution. Index Performance is calculated as follows:
(1330 [Index Value at date of substitution] — 1400 [Index Value at Term Start Date])
÷ 1400 [Index Value at Term Start Date]) = –5%
(2)
Index Performance is equal to the percentage change in the Index Value measured
from the date of the Index substitution to the Term End Date. Index Performance is calculated as follows:
(1375 [Index Value at Term End Date] — 1250 [Index Value at date of the substitution])
÷ 1250 [Index Value at date of substitution]) = 10%
(3)
Since there was an Index substitution from the S&P 500® Index (initial Index) to the Russell 2000® Index (substituted Index), the total Index Performance for the Term is equal to the S&P
500® Index Value at the Index substitution date
divided by the S&P 500® Index Value at the Term Start Date multiplied by the Russell 2000® Index Value at the Term End Date divided by the Russell 2000® Index Value at the substitution date –1. Total Index Performance for the Term is calculated as
follows:
(1330 [initial Index at Index substitution date] ÷ 1400 [initial Index at Term Start Date])
x (1375 [substituted Index at Term End Date] ÷ 1250 [substituted Index at substitution date]) –1 = 4.5%
(4)
The Performance Rate is equal to the Index Performance (4.5%) because the total
Index Performance for the Term is greater than zero and less than the Cap Rate.
(5)
The Performance Rate Adjustment is equal to the product of the Investment Amount at the Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge) (there are no withdrawals in the example) multiplied by the Performance Rate. The Performance Rate Adjustment is calculated as follows:
$100,000 [Investment Amount at Term Start Date] x 4.5% [Performance Rate] = $4,500
(6)
The Investment Amount at Term End Date is equal to the Investment Amount at the
Term Start Date adjusted for any withdrawals (including any applicable Withdrawal Charge) (there are no withdrawals in the example) plus the Performance Rate Adjustment. The Investment Amount at Term End Date is calculated as follows:
$100,000 [Investment Amount at Term Start Date] + $4,500 [Performance Rate Adjustment] = $104,500
Appendix C
Return of
Premium Death Benefit Example
The purpose of this example is to illustrate the operation of the Return of Premium death benefit. The investment results shown are hypothetical and are not representative of past or future performance. Actual investment results may be more or less than those shown and will depend upon a number of factors, including the allocation made by an Owner and the Index Performance for the Shield Options chosen. The examples do not reflect the deduction of fees
and charges, if any, Withdrawal Charges or income taxes and tax penalties.
Return of Premium Death Benefit
The purpose of this example is to show how partial withdrawals
reduce the Return of Premium death benefit proportionally by the percentage reduction in Account Value of the Shield Option(s) and the Fixed Account for each partial withdrawal.
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First Contract Anniversary |
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First Contract Anniversary |
$100,000
(= greater of A and B) |
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One Day after the First Contract Anniversary |
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Percentage Reduction in Account
Value |
One Day after the First Contract Anniversary |
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Account Value after Withdrawal |
One Day after the First Contract Anniversary |
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Purchase Payment Reduced for
Withdrawal |
One Day after the First Contract Anniversary |
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One Day after the First Contract Anniversary |
$90,000 (=
greater of F and G) |
Purchaser is age 60 at issue.
The Account Values on the First Contract Anniversary and One Day after the First Contract Anniversary are assumed to be equal prior to the withdrawal.
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Appendix D
The Fixed Account is a funding option that may be available and is part of BLIC’s General Account assets. These General Account assets include all assets of BLIC other than those held in the Separate Accounts sponsored by BLIC or its affiliates.
Any interest in the Fixed Account is not a security under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Fixed Account is not registered under or regulated by the Investment Company Act of 1940. Accordingly, the Fixed Account is not offered by virtue of the prospectus. The staff of the SEC does not generally review the disclosure in the prospectus relating to the Fixed Account. Disclosure regarding the Fixed Account and the General Account may, however, be subject to certain provisions of the Federal securities laws relating to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in the prospectus.
Under the Fixed Account, BLIC assumes the risk of investment gain or loss, guarantees a specified interest rate, and guarantees a specified periodic Annuity Payment. We guarantee that, at any time, the Fixed Account Value will not be less than the amount of the Purchase Payments allocated to the Fixed Account, plus interest credited as described below, less any applicable Premium Taxes or prior withdrawals.
Account Value allocated to the Fixed Account and any transfers
made to the Fixed Account become part of BLIC’s General Account, which supports insurance and annuity obligations. Where permitted by state law, we reserve the right
to restrict Investment Amounts into the Fixed Account whenever the credited interest rate on the Fixed Account is equal to the Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate specified in your Contract. Because of exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in the Fixed Account have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, neither the Fixed Account nor the General Account is registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We will invest the assets of the Fixed Account at our discretion. Investment income from such Fixed Account assets will be allocated to us and to the Contracts participating in the Fixed Account.
Investment income from the Fixed Account allocated to us
includes compensation for risks borne by us in connection with Fixed Account Contracts. The amount of such investment income allocated to the Contracts will vary from year
to year in our sole discretion at such rate or rates as we prospectively declare from time to time.
We guarantee that for the life of the Contract interest credited to your Fixed Account Value during the Fixed Account Term beginning on the Issue Date will not be accumulated at less than the Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate allowed by state law. The current Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate applicable to any Contract will not be less than 1%. We reserve the right to change the rate subject to applicable state law. We will determine any interest we credit to amounts allocated to the Fixed Account in excess of the Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate at our sole discretion. You assume the risk that interest credited to the Fixed Account may not exceed the Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate for any given year. We have no specific formula for determining the interest rate. Some factors we may consider are regulatory and tax requirements, general economic trends and competitive factors.
For renewals into the Fixed Account, the new guaranteed interest
rate will be declared for each subsequent Fixed Account Term. At the Fixed Account Term End Date, the Fixed Account Value will automatically be renewed into the same Fixed
Account Term, with the new interest rate, unless otherwise instructed by you. If the Fixed Account is not available at the end of the existing Fixed Account Term, these amounts will automatically transfer into the Holding Account at the end of the Fixed Account Term unless otherwise instructed by you to transfer into one or more available Shield Options. You have the Transfer Period to notify us that you want to transfer some or all of your Fixed Account Value
to a new Shield Option(s).
Fixed Account Value. We credit interest to the portion of the Account
Value allocated to the Fixed Account. (See “Interest Crediting” below.) The Fixed Account is part of our General Account. We guarantee that the interest credited
to your initial allocation to the Fixed Account during the Fixed Account Term beginning on the Issue Date will not be accumulated at less than the Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate. Thereafter, we will declare an interest rate as of each Contract Anniversary for the duration of the Fixed Account Term and such rate will not be less than the Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate. If the declared interest rate equals the Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate, we reserve the right to restrict transfers and allocations into the Fixed Account.
The initial Fixed Account Value is the amount initially allocated
to the Fixed Account. Thereafter, the Fixed Account Value equals: (a) the initial Fixed Account Value or the Fixed Account Value on the most recent Contract Anniversary, as
applicable, including any transfers; plus (b) any interest credited by us; less (c) the amount of any withdrawals (including any Withdrawal Charges); and less (d) any Premium Tax or other taxes, if applicable.
Interest Crediting. Interest will be compounded and credited daily to the Fixed Account at an annual effective interest rate
declared by us. Interest will be credited on amounts allocated to the Fixed Account through the effective date such amounts are withdrawn or transferred from the Fixed
Account.
Important terms that will
help you understand this Appendix D:
Fixed Account Term. The length of time over which the current Fixed
Account interest rate is guaranteed. No Fixed Account Term will extend beyond the Annuity Date. The minimum Fixed Account Term depends on the date your Contract is issued but will not be less than one (1) year.
Fixed Account Value. The Fixed Account Value at the end of the Fixed Account Term.
Transfers. During the Accumulation Period you may only make a transfer to or from the Fixed Account and/or to or from a
new Shield Option(s) during the Transfer Period. Once we receive allocation instructions from you, we will transfer the amounts in the Fixed Account to the Shield Option(s) on the next Contract Anniversary. The effective date of
such transfer is the first day of the Fixed Account Term and/or a Term(s) in which the transfer is made.
Appendix E
The Holding Account is part of our General Account. You may not allocate your Purchase Payment or Account Value to the Holding Account. The Holding Account is a limited purpose account and only under certain circumstances will we transfer amounts to the Holding Account. If you have a Shield Option that has reached its Term End Date, the amount in that Shield Option will be automatically renewed into the same Shield Option unless you instruct us to transfer such amount into a different Shield Option(s) or the Fixed Account. If the same Shield Option is no longer available, the amount will automatically transfer into the Fixed Account at the Term End Date. If the Fixed Account is not available, the amount will automatically transfer into the Holding Account. If you are allocated to a Shield Option that will not be available at the end of the existing Term, we will send a notification, written or electronic depending on your selected preference, describing any changes to the Shield Option, as required by law. If the Fixed Account is not available, this notification will also inform you of the current interest rate for the Holding Account and that on the Term End Date, the amounts in the discontinued Shield Option will be transferred to the Holding Account, unless otherwise instructed by you.
The amounts will remain in the Holding Account
until you provide us new allocation instructions. Once we receive allocation instructions from you, we will transfer the amounts in the Holding Account to the Shield
Option(s) on the next Contract Anniversary. During the Transfer Period, we will allow you to make
transfers, and we will treat the transfer as if it occurred on the Contract Anniversary. Before the amounts in the Holding Account are transferred into the Shield
Option(s), you can change your allocation instructions.
The Holding Account has its own Holding Account interest rate and interest is credited daily at an effective annual rate that we declare periodically. The Holding Account guaranteed minimum interest rate will not be less than 1%. The Holding Account guaranteed minimum interest rate can be found on your Contract Schedule. Your financial representative can tell you the current and guaranteed minimum interest rate. We reserve the right to change the Holding Account interest rate.
Thirty (30) days before the current Term expires, we will send you a notification, written or electronic depending on your selected preferences, indicating your maturing Shield Options and how you can obtain the new Cap Rates, Step Rates, and Edge Rates. You may also access our website at https://www.brighthousefinancial.com/products/annuities/shield-annuities/shield-rates/ where at least two months of renewal rates for the Rate Crediting Types, the Fixed Account and, if applicable, the interest rate for the Holding Account are posted – i.e., for the current month and the following month. See “RATE CREDITING TYPES.”
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Appendix F
Interim
Value of Shield Options
Below is additional information regarding the Interim Value calculation.
The Interim Value for each Shield Option is equal to the sum of (1) and (2), where:
(1) Is the market value of the Fixed
Income Asset Proxy on the Business Day the Interim Value is calculated. It is determined as (A – B) multiplied by [(1 + C) divided by (1 + D)]E, where:
A. Is the Investment Amount on the Business Day the Interim Value is calculated;
B. Is the market value of
the Derivative Asset Proxy (as defined below) under initial market conditions, with straight-line amortization to the end of the Term;
C. Is the Market Value Rate (as defined below) on the Term Start Date;
D. Is the Market Value Rate on the Business Day the Interim Value
is calculated; and
E. Is the total days remaining in the Term divided by 365.
(2) Is the current market value of the Derivative Asset Proxy.
The Fixed Income Asset Proxy is meant to represent the market value of the fixed income assets supporting each Shield Option.
The Market Value Rate change (C and D in the formula) is intended to
apply a Market Value Adjustment to address any changes in interest rates from the Term Start Date to the day the Interim Value is calculated. In short, if interest rates
have increased since the Term Start Date, the change in the Market Value Rate will result in a reduction of the fair value of the Investment Amount. Conversely, if interest rates have decreased since the Term Start Date, the change in the Market Value Rate will result in an increase of the fair value of the Investment Amount.
The Market Value Rate will apply on a uniform basis for a
class of Contract Owners in the same Shield Option and will be administered in a uniform and non-discriminatory manner.
The Market Value Rate is the Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT) rate with a maturity equal to that of the Term. If a maturity of the CMT rate is not available that equals the Term, then the Market Value Rate will be linearly interpolated between the two closest available CMT maturities.
If the (CMT) rate is no longer published, or is discontinued, then
we may substitute another suitable method for determining the Market Value Rate.
For the current market value of the Derivative
Asset Proxy, we utilize a fair market value methodology, the Black-Scholes Model, to value the replicating portfolio of options that support the Interim Value. The
Derivative Asset Proxy is meant to represent the replicating portfolio of options designated by us and is used to estimate the market value of the possibility of gain or loss on the Term End Date. The value may be positive or negative.
For each Shield Option, we solely designate and value options
using the Black-Scholes Model, each of which is tied to the performance of the underlying Index associated with the Shield Option. We use derivatives to provide an estimate
of the gain or loss on the Investment Amount allocated to the Shield Option that could occur on the Term End Date. This estimate also reflects the impact of the Cap Rate, Step Rate, Edge Rate, and Shield Rate at the end of the Term as well as the estimated cost of exiting the replicating options prior to the Term End Date.
The valuation of the options is based on the Black-Scholes Model, which is one of the standard methods for valuing derivatives based on inputs from third party vendors. The methodology used to value these options as described above is determined solely by us and may vary, higher or lower, from other estimated valuations or the actual selling price of identical derivatives. Any variance between our estimated fair value price and other estimated or actual prices may be different from Shield Option type to Shield Option type and may also change from day to day.
When we calculate the Interim Value, we will obtain
market data for derivative pricing each Business Day from outside vendors. If these values are available and we are delayed in receiving these values, and cannot calculate a
new Interim Value, we will use the prior Business Day’s Interim Value.
The fair value of the replicating portfolio of options for each
Shield Option is determined according to the following formulas:
For Shield Options with a Cap Rate:
The replicating portfolio of options is = ATMC – OTMC –
OTMP
With respect to our
hypothetical portfolio formula, we designed the at-the-money call and out-of-the-money call to value the potential for a positive Performance Rate subject to any applicable
Cap Rate. The out-of-the-money put is designed to value the potential for negative Index Performance in excess of the applicable Shield Rate for the Shield Option. It is
important to note that the out-of-the-money put will almost always reduce the Interim Value, even when the current Index Value on a Business Day is higher than the Index Value on the Term Start Date. This is due to the risk that the Index Value could be lower on the Term End Date whether or not the current Index Value on a Business Day is lower than the Index Value on the Term Start Date. For purposes of the Interim Value formula, the value of the out-of-the-money call will be zero if a Cap Rate Shield Option is uncapped.
For Shield Options with a Step Rate:
The replicating portfolio of options is = [Step Rate x ATMBC] – OTMP
With respect to our hypothetical portfolio formula, we
designed the at-the-money binary call to value the potential for gains equal to the Step Rate, if on the Term End Date, the Index Value is greater than or equal to the Index
Value on the Term Start Date. The out-of-the-money put is designed to value the potential for a negative Performance Rate in excess of the applicable Shield Rate for the Shield Option. It is important to note that the out-of-the-money put will almost always reduce the Interim Value, even when the current Index Value on a Business Day is higher than the Index Value on the Term Start Date.
For Shield Options with Step Rate Edge:
The replicating portfolio of options is = [Edge Rate x ITMBC] –
OTMP
With respect to our hypothetical portfolio formula, we designed the in-the-money binary call to value the potential for gains equal to the Edge Rate if on the Term End Date, the Index Value is greater than or equal to the Shield Rate on the Term Start Date, and the out-of-the-money put to value the potential for negative Index Performance in excess of the applicable Shield Rate for the Shield Option. It is important to note that the out-of-the-money put will almost always reduce the Interim Value, even when the current Index Value on a Business Day is higher than the Index Value on the Term Start Date.
•
ATMC is an at-the-money call option,
•
OTMC is an out-of-the-money call option,
•
OTMP is an out-of-the-money put option,
•
ATMBC is an at-the-money binary call option, and
•
ITMBC is an in-the-money binary call option.
Part
II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following is an itemized list of the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection
with the securities being offered:
Accountant’s Fees and Expenses: $7,950
Legal Fees and Expenses: $10,000
Printing Expenses: $6,200
Registration Fee: $169,182.51
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Pursuant to applicable provisions of the Registrant’s by-laws or internal corporate
policies adopted by the Registrant or its ultimate parent, the directors, officers and other controlling persons of the Registrant who are made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, may be eligible to obtain indemnification against judgments, fines, amounts paid
in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred as a result of such action or proceeding. Under the principal underwriting agreement between the
Registrant and the Underwriter, the parties have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities and expenses from legal proceedings arising out of the Underwriter’s distribution of the Contracts. BLIC also maintains insurance policies insuring its directors and officers
against certain liabilities they may incur in their capacity as such.
Exhibit
Number
Description
Exhibit
NumberDescription
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows, pursuant to Item 512 of Regulation S-K:
1.
To file, during any period in which offers or sales of the registered securities are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
i.
to include any
prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
ii.
to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase
or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end
of the
estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price set represent no more than
20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration
Fee” table in the effective registration statement, and
iii.
to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
Provided, however, that Paragraphs 1.i, 1.ii, and 1.iii do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a
form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
2.
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
3.
To remove from
registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
4.
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in
reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made
in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with
a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
5.
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the
initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration
statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered
to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
i.
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the
offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
ii.
Any free writing
prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
iii.
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material
information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
iv.
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to
the purchaser.
6.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
7.
Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will,
unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Charlotte, State of North Carolina, on
June 3, 2024.
BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Registrant)
Donald A. Leintz
Vice President Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following
persons in the capacities indicated on June 3, 2024.
| |
Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director |
| |
Director and Vice President |
| |
Director and Vice President |
| |
Director, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer |
| |
Director, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
| |
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer |
/s/ Gianna H. Figaro-Sterling*
Gianna H. Figaro-Sterling |
Vice President and Controller |
*By: /s/ Michele H. Abate
Michele H. Abate, Attorney-In-Fact
June 3, 2024 |
|
*Brighthouse Life Insurance Company. Executed by
Michele H. Abate, Esquire, on behalf of those indicated pursuant to powers of attorney filed herewith.
INDEX TO
EXHIBITS
5.
Opinion and Consent of Counsel
23.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Opinion and Consent of Counsel
Nancy H. Badeer
Head of
Insurance Products Law
Associate General Counsel
285 Madison
Avenue
New York, NY 10017
T:
980-949-3600
June 6, 2024
Board of Directors
Brighthouse
Life Insurance Company
1209 Orange Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
|
|
|
| Re: |
|
Opinion of Counsel |
|
|
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
|
|
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company |
|
|
File No. 333-279302 |
|
|
Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am Head of Insurance Products Law and an Associate General Counsel in the Law and Compliance Department and provide legal counsel to
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company. This opinion is furnished in connection with the proposed offering of a certain single premium deferred index-linked annuity contract (the Contract) issued by Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
(Company) under Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-279302,
filed on June 3, 2024 (the Registration Statement) and described therein, filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
I have made such examination of law and examined such records of the Company and other documents as in my judgment are necessary or
appropriate to render the opinion expressed below.
I am of the following opinions:
1. The Company is duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has been duly authorized to do business
and to issue annuity contracts by the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Delaware.
2. The Annuity Contract covered by
the above Registration Statement, and all amendments relating thereto, when delivered and when the first purchase payment made by an owner all in accordance with the prospectus (the Prospectus) included in the Registration Statement and
in compliance with the applicable local law, will be a legal and binding obligation of the Company in accordance with its terms. Owners of annuity contracts, as such, will not be subject to any deductions and charges by the Company other than those
described in the Annuity Contract and as referred to in the Prospectus.
I hereby consent to the use of this opinion letter, or a copy
thereof, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Sincerely,
/s/ Nancy H. Badeer
Nancy H. Badeer
Head of
Insurance Products Law
Associate General Counsel
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference
in this Pre-Effective Amendment to Registration Statement File No. 333-279302 on Form S-3 of our report dated February 29, 2024, relating to the financial statements of Brighthouse
Life Insurance Company, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company for the
year ended December 31, 2023. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina
June 6, 2024
Powers of Attorney
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Eric Steigerwalt
Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, Eric Steigerwalt, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Brighthouse Life Insurance
Company, a Delaware company (the Company), do hereby constitute and appoint Michele H. Abate, Allie Lin, and Alexander Ulianov, as my attorney-in-fact and
agent, each of whom may act individually and none of whom is required to act jointly with any of the others, to sign and file on my behalf and to execute and file any instrument or document required to be filed as part of or in connection with or in
any way related to, the Registration Statements and any and all amendments thereto filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, pertaining to:
Brighthouse Fund UL for Variable Life Insurance (811-03927)
File No. 002-88637 MarketLifeSM and Invest
File No. 333-152219 MarketLifeSM
File No. 333-56952 Brighthouse Variable Survivorship Life II
File No. 333-69771 Brighthouse Variable Survivorship Life
File No. 333-96515 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator and Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator -
Series 2
File No. 333-96519 Brighthouse Variable Life
File No. 333-113109 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 3
File No. 333-152216 Portfolio Architect Life
File No. 333-152217 VintageLife,
Brighthouse Fund UL III for Variable Life Insurance (811-09215)
File No. 333-71349 Corporate Owned VUL Series 1
File No. 333-94779 Corporate Owned VUL 2000 and Corporate Owned VUL III
File No. 333-105335 Corporate Select Policy
File No. 333-113533 Corporate Owned VUL IV,
Brighthouse Separate Account A (811-03365)
File No. 333-200231 Series VA (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200232 Series S (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016) and Series S-L Share Option
(offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200233 Series VA-4 (offered between October 7,
2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200234 Series O (offered between April 30, 2012 and
July 19, 2015)
File No. 333-200236 Series L - 4 Year (offered on and after April 29, 2013)
File No. 333-200237 PrimElite IV
File No. 333-200238 Marquis Portfolios (offered on and after April 30, 2012)
File No. 333-200239 Brighthouse Growth and Income
File No. 333-200240 Group Flexible Payment Variable Annuity (Flexible Bonus/Retirement Companion/Smart
Choice)
File No. 333-200243 PrimElite III
File No. 333-200246 Brighthouse Simple SolutionsSM
File No. 333-200250 Marquis Portfolios (offered between November 7, 2005 and April 30, 2012)
File No. 333-200253 Series XC
File No. 333-200256 Series VA (offered between March 22, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200259 Series L and Series L - 4 Year (offered between November 22, 2004 and
October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200261 Series C (offered between September 4, 2001 and
October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200263 Series XTRA
File No. 333-200265 Series S and Series S-L Share Option (offered
between April 30, 2007 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200268 Series L - 4 Year (offered
between October 7, 2011 and April 28, 2013)
File No. 333-200270 Group Annuity SF 101
File No. 333-200272 Ultimate Annuity FSL 224
File No. 333-200275 Foresight SF 137
File No. 333-200277 SecurAnnuity (CLICO) 224/ SF 1700
File No. 333-200278 Group VA SF 234 (Texas)
File No. 333-200280 Sunshine SF 236 FL
File No. 333-200281 Flexible Value SF 230
File No. 333-200282 Investors Choice Annuity, Capital Strategist Annuity, Imprint Annuity and Strive Annuity
File No. 333-200283 Protected Equity Portfolio (PEP)
File No. 333-200284 Vintage L and Vintage XC
File No. 333-200285 Series XTRA 6
File No. 333-200286 Series VA - 4 (offered between May 1, 2011 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200287 Series C (offered on and after October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200288 Pioneer PRISM
File No. 333-200289 Pioneer PRISM L
File No. 333-200290 Pioneer PRISM XC
File No. 333-200323 Brighthouse Investment Portfolio
ArchitectSM - Standard Version
and Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - C Share Option
File No. 333-203748 Series O
(offered on and after July 20, 2015)
File No. 333-209053 Series VA (offered on and after
May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209054 Series VA- 4 (offered on
and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209055 Series S (offered on and after May 2, 2016) and
Series S-L Share Option
(offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209411 Brighthouse Prime Options,
Brighthouse Separate Account Eleven for Variable Annuities (811-21262)
File Nos. 333-101778 and 333-152234 Pioneer AnnuiStar Plus Annuity,
Portfolio Architect Plus Annuity
and Scudder Advocate Rewards Annuity
File No. 333-152189 Universal Annuity
File No. 333-152190 Universal Select Annuity
File No. 333-152191 Universal Annuity Advantage
File Nos. 333-152192 and 333-152193 Brighthouse Retirement Account
File No. 333-152194 Gold Track and Gold Track Select
File Nos. 333-152197 and 333-152198 Brighthouse Access Annuity and
Brighthouse Access Select Annuity
File Nos. 333-152199 and
333-152200 Vintage Annuity
File Nos. 333-152201 and 333-152202 Index Annuity
File Nos. 333-152232 and 333-152233 Portfolio Architect Annuity, Portfolio Architect Select Annuity,
Premier Advisers Annuity (Class
I) and Premier Advisers Annuity (Class II)
File Nos. 333-152235 and
333-152236 Pioneer AnnuiStar Annuity, Portfolio Architect II Annuity
and Pioneer AnnuiStar Value
Annuity
File Nos. 333-152237 and 333-152238 Premier Advisers II
Annuity, Premier Advisers III (Series I)
and Premier Advisers III Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152239 and 333-152240 Premier Advisers AssetManager
Annuity, Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series I)
and Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152255 and 333-152265 Vintage XTRA Annuity, Portfolio
Architect XTRA Annuity
and Vintage XTRA Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152256 and 333-152292 Vintage 3 Annuity, Portfolio
Architect 3 Annuity, Portfolio Architect L Annuity,
Vintage L Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Flex Annuity
File Nos. 333-152258 and 333-152261 PrimElite Annuity
File Nos. 333-152259 and 333-152262 PrimElite II Annuity
File Nos. 333-152260 and 333-152266 Protected Equity Portfolio Annuity
File Nos. 333-152263 and 333-152269 Marquis Portfolios
File Nos. 333-152264 and 333-152270 Vintage Access,
Portfolio Architect Access, Scudder Advocate Advisor
and Scudder Advocate Advisor - ST1 Annuity
File Nos. 333-152267 and 333-152268 Vintage II Annuity
and Vintage II Annuity (Series II)
File No. 333-197658 Brighthouse Accumulation
Annuity
File No. 333-208464 Brighthouse Premier Variable AnnuitySM,
Brighthouse Separate Account QPN for Variable Annuities
File No. 333-156867 Unallocated Group Variable Annuity
File No. 333-156911 Brighthouse Retirement Perspectives,
Brighthouse Variable Annuity Account C (811-05200)
File No. 333-200244 Class XC
File No. 333-200247 Class VA, Class AA and Class B
File No. 333-200249 Class L and Class L - 4 Year
File No. 333-200252 Class A
File No. 333-200255 COVA VA, Firstar Summit VA, Premier Advisor VA, Destiny Select VA and
Prevail VA
File No. 333-200258 COVA VA SPDA
File No. 333-200260 COVA Series A
File No. 333-200262 Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select
File No. 333-200264
Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select (CA)
File No. 333-200266 COVA VA and
Premier Advisor (CA)
File No. 333-200267 COVA Series A (CA)
File No. 333-200269 Class C
File No. 333-200271 Class VA (CA), Class AA (CA), and Class B (CA)
File No. 333-200273 Class XC (CA)
File No. 333-200274 Class L (CA) and Class L - 4 Year (CA)
File No. 333-200276 Class A (CA)
File No. 333-200279 Class C (CA),
Brighthouse Variable Life Account A (811-21851)
File No. 333-200241 Equity Advantage Variable Universal Life,
Brighthouse Variable Life Account One (811-07971)
File No. 333-200242 Class VL
File No. 333-200245 Class VL (CA)
File No. 333-200248 Modified Single Premium Variable Life
File No. 333-200251 Custom Select and Russell Select Variable Life
File No. 333-200254 Modified Single Premium Variable Life (CA)
File No. 333-200257 Custom Select Variable Life,
And pertaining to:
File No. 333-268618 Brighthouse SmartGuard PlusSM
File No. 333-262390 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Annuity and Brighthouse Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-259505 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity v.3
File No. 333-233240 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-268427 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select Advisory Annuity
File No. 333-263492 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-263495 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-238213 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Annuity
File
No. 333-208664 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® Annuity
File No. 333-207091 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276468 Registered Fixed Account Option
File
No. 333-276469 Fixed Annuity (Strategic Value Annuity)
File No. 333-276470 Brighthouse Retirement Account Liquidity Benefit
File No. 333-276599 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276762 Brighthouse
Shield® Level II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-276763 Brighthouse Shield Level Pay Plus® II Annuity and Brighthouse Shield Level Pay
Plus® II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-279302 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity
T-Mark Fixed Annuity
Target Maturity,
And new annuities and life
products such as:
Brighthouse Shield Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 3-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 6-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Index-linked Life Insurance Policy,
and to have full power and authority to do or cause to be done in my name, place and stead each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate
the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, may do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney does not revoke any prior powers of attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
30th day of May 2024.
/s/ Eric Steigerwalt
Eric Steigerwalt
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Myles Lambert
Director and Vice President
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE
PRESENTS, that I, Myles Lambert, a Director and Vice President of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, a Delaware company (the Company), do hereby constitute and appoint Michele H. Abate, Allie Lin, and Alexander Ulianov, as my attorney-in-fact and agent, each of whom may act individually and none of whom is required to act jointly with any of the others, to sign and file on my behalf and to execute
and file any instrument or document required to be filed as part of or in connection with or in any way related to, the Registration Statements and any and all amendments thereto filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the
Investment Company Act of 1940, pertaining to:
Brighthouse Fund UL for Variable Life Insurance (811-03927)
File No. 002-88637 MarketLifeSM
and Invest
File No. 333-152219
MarketLifeSM
File No. 333-56952
Brighthouse Variable Survivorship Life II
File No. 333-69771 Brighthouse Variable
Survivorship Life
File No. 333-96515 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator and
Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 2
File No. 333-96519 Brighthouse
Variable Life
File No. 333-113109 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 3
File No. 333-152216 Portfolio Architect Life
File No. 333-152217 VintageLife,
Brighthouse Fund UL III for Variable Life Insurance (811-09215)
File No. 333-71349 Corporate Owned VUL Series 1
File No. 333-94779 Corporate Owned VUL 2000 and Corporate Owned VUL III
File No. 333-105335 Corporate Select Policy
File No. 333-113533 Corporate Owned VUL IV,
Brighthouse Separate Account A (811-03365)
File No. 333-200231 Series VA (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200232 Series S (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1,
2016) and Series S-L Share Option (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200233 Series VA-4 (offered between
October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200234 Series O (offered
between April 30, 2012 and July 19, 2015)
File No. 333-200236 Series L - 4
Year (offered on and after April 29, 2013)
File No. 333-200237 PrimElite IV
File No. 333-200238 Marquis Portfolios (offered on and after April 30, 2012)
File No. 333-200239 Brighthouse Growth and Income
File No. 333-200240 Group Flexible Payment Variable Annuity (Flexible Bonus/Retirement
Companion/Smart Choice)
File No. 333-200243 PrimElite III
File No. 333-200246 Brighthouse Simple SolutionsSM
File No. 333-200250 Marquis
Portfolios (offered between November 7, 2005 and April 30, 2012)
File
No. 333-200253 Series XC
File
No. 333-200256 Series VA (offered between March 22, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200259 Series L and Series L - 4 Year (offered between November 22, 2004
and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200261 Series C (offered between
September 4, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200263 Series XTRA
File No. 333-200265 Series S and Series S-L Share
Option (offered between April 30, 2007 and October 7, 2011)
File
No. 333-200268 Series L - 4 Year (offered between October 7, 2011 and April 28, 2013)
File No. 333-200270 Group Annuity SF 101
File No. 333-200272 Ultimate Annuity FSL 224
File No. 333-200275 Foresight SF 137
File No. 333-200277 SecurAnnuity (CLICO) 224/ SF 1700
File No. 333-200278 Group VA SF 234 (Texas)
File No. 333-200280 Sunshine SF 236 FL
File No. 333-200281 Flexible Value SF 230
File No. 333-200282 Investors Choice Annuity, Capital Strategist Annuity, Imprint Annuity
and Strive Annuity
File No. 333-200283 Protected Equity Portfolio (PEP)
File No. 333-200284 Vintage L and Vintage XC
File No. 333-200285 Series XTRA 6
File No. 333-200286 Series VA - 4 (offered between May 1, 2011 and October 7,
2011)
File No. 333-200287 Series C (offered on and after October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200288 Pioneer PRISM
File No. 333-200289 Pioneer PRISM L
File No. 333-200290 Pioneer PRISM XC
File No. 333-200323 Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - Standard Version
and Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - C Share Option
File
No. 333-203748 Series O (offered on and after July 20, 2015)
File No. 333-209053 Series VA (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209054 Series VA- 4 (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209055 Series S (offered on and after May 2, 2016) and Series S-L Share Option (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File
No. 333-209411 Brighthouse Prime Options,
Brighthouse Separate Account Eleven for Variable Annuities (811-21262)
File Nos. 333-101778 and 333-152234 Pioneer AnnuiStar Plus Annuity, Portfolio Architect Plus Annuity and Scudder Advocate Rewards Annuity
File No. 333-152189 Universal Annuity
File No. 333-152190 Universal Select Annuity
File No. 333-152191 Universal Annuity Advantage
File Nos. 333-152192 and 333-152193 Brighthouse
Retirement Account
File No. 333-152194 Gold Track and Gold Track Select
File Nos. 333-152197 and 333-152198 Brighthouse Access
Annuity and Brighthouse Access Select Annuity
File Nos. 333-152199 and 333-152200 Vintage Annuity
File Nos. 333-152201 and 333-152202 Index Annuity
File Nos. 333-152232 and 333-152233 Portfolio Architect Annuity, Portfolio Architect Select Annuity,
Premier
Advisers Annuity (Class I) and Premier Advisers Annuity (Class II)
File Nos. 333-152235 and
333-152236 Pioneer AnnuiStar Annuity, Portfolio Architect II Annuity
and Pioneer
AnnuiStar Value Annuity
File Nos. 333-152237 and
333-152238 Premier Advisers II Annuity, Premier Advisers III (Series I)
and Premier
Advisers III Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152239 and
333-152240 Premier Advisers AssetManager Annuity, Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series I)
and Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152255 and 333-152265 Vintage XTRA
Annuity, Portfolio Architect XTRA Annuity
and Vintage XTRA Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152256 and 333-152292 Vintage 3 Annuity,
Portfolio Architect 3 Annuity, Portfolio Architect L Annuity,
Vintage L Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Flex Annuity
File Nos. 333-152258 and 333-152261 PrimElite Annuity
File Nos. 333-152259 and 333-152262 PrimElite II
Annuity
File Nos. 333-152260 and 333-152266
Protected Equity Portfolio Annuity
File Nos. 333-152263 and
333-152269 Marquis Portfolios
File Nos. 333-152264
and 333-152270 Vintage Access, Portfolio Architect Access, Scudder Advocate Advisor
and Scudder Advocate Advisor - ST1 Annuity
File Nos. 333-152267 and 333-152268 Vintage II Annuity
and Vintage II Annuity (Series II)
File No. 333-197658 Brighthouse Accumulation
Annuity
File No. 333-208464 Brighthouse Premier Variable AnnuitySM,
Brighthouse Separate Account QPN for Variable Annuities
File No. 333-156867 Unallocated Group Variable Annuity
File No. 333-156911 Brighthouse Retirement Perspectives,
Brighthouse Variable Annuity Account C (811-05200)
File No. 333-200244 Class XC
File No. 333-200247 Class VA, Class AA and Class B
File No. 333-200249 Class L and Class L - 4 Year
File No. 333-200252 Class A
File No. 333-200255 COVA VA, Firstar Summit VA, Premier Advisor VA, Destiny Select VA and
Prevail VA
File No. 333-200258 COVA VA SPDA
File No. 333-200260 COVA Series A
File No. 333-200262 Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select
File No. 333-200264
Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select (CA)
File No. 333-200266 COVA VA and
Premier Advisor (CA)
File No. 333-200267 COVA Series A (CA)
File No. 333-200269 Class C
File No. 333-200271 Class VA (CA), Class AA (CA), and Class B (CA)
File No. 333-200273 Class XC (CA)
File No. 333-200274 Class L (CA) and Class L - 4 Year (CA)
File No. 333-200276 Class A (CA)
File No. 333-200279 Class C (CA),
Brighthouse Variable Life Account A (811-21851)
File No. 333-200241 Equity Advantage Variable Universal Life,
Brighthouse Variable Life Account One (811-07971)
File No. 333-200242 Class VL
File No. 333-200245 Class VL (CA)
File No. 333-200248 Modified Single Premium Variable Life
File No. 333-200251 Custom Select and Russell Select Variable Life
File No. 333-200254 Modified Single Premium Variable Life (CA)
File No. 333-200257 Custom Select Variable Life,
And pertaining to:
File No. 333-268618 Brighthouse SmartGuard PlusSM
File No. 333-262390 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Annuity and Brighthouse Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-259505 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity v.3
File No. 333-233240 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-268427 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select Advisory Annuity
File No. 333-263492 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-263495 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-238213 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Annuity
File
No. 333-208664 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® Annuity
File No. 333-207091 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276468 Registered Fixed Account Option
File
No. 333-276469 Fixed Annuity (Strategic Value Annuity)
File No. 333-276470 Brighthouse Retirement Account Liquidity Benefit
File No. 333-276599 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276762 Brighthouse
Shield® Level II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-276763 Brighthouse Shield Level Pay Plus® II Annuity and Brighthouse Shield Level Pay
Plus® II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-279302 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity
T-Mark Fixed Annuity
Target Maturity,
And new annuities and life
products such as:
Brighthouse Shield Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 3-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 6-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Index-linked Life Insurance Policy,
and to have full power and authority to do or cause to be done in my name, place and stead each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate
the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, may do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney does not revoke any prior powers of attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
22nd day of May 2024.
/s/ Myles Lambert
Myles Lambert
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
POWER OF ATTORNEY
David A. Rosenbaum
Director and Vice President
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I,
David A. Rosenbaum, a Director and Vice President of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, a Delaware company (the Company), do hereby constitute and appoint Michele H. Abate, Allie Lin, and Alexander Ulianov, as my attorney-in-fact and agent, each of whom may act individually and none of whom is required to act jointly with any of the others, to sign and file on my behalf and to execute
and file any instrument or document required to be filed as part of or in connection with or in any way related to, the Registration Statements and any and all amendments thereto filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the
Investment Company Act of 1940, pertaining to:
Brighthouse Fund UL for Variable Life Insurance (811-03927)
File No. 002-88637 MarketLifeSM
and Invest
File No. 333-152219
MarketLifeSM
File No. 333-56952
Brighthouse Variable Survivorship Life II
File No. 333-69771 Brighthouse Variable
Survivorship Life
File No. 333-96515 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator and
Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 2
File No. 333-96519 Brighthouse
Variable Life
File No. 333-113109 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 3
File No. 333-152216 Portfolio Architect Life
File No. 333-152217 VintageLife,
Brighthouse Fund UL III for Variable Life Insurance (811-09215)
File No. 333-71349 Corporate Owned VUL Series 1
File No. 333-94779 Corporate Owned VUL 2000 and Corporate Owned VUL III
File No. 333-105335 Corporate Select Policy
File No. 333-113533 Corporate Owned VUL IV,
Brighthouse Separate Account A (811-03365)
File No. 333-200231 Series VA (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200232 Series S (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1,
2016) and Series S-L Share Option (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200233 Series VA-4 (offered between
October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200234 Series O (offered
between April 30, 2012 and July 19, 2015)
File No. 333-200236 Series L - 4
Year (offered on and after April 29, 2013)
File No. 333-200237 PrimElite IV
File No. 333-200238 Marquis Portfolios (offered on and after April 30, 2012)
File No. 333-200239 Brighthouse Growth and Income
File No. 333-200240 Group Flexible Payment Variable Annuity (Flexible Bonus/Retirement
Companion/Smart Choice)
File No. 333-200243 PrimElite III
File No. 333-200246 Brighthouse Simple SolutionsSM
File No. 333-200250 Marquis
Portfolios (offered between November 7, 2005 and April 30, 2012)
File
No. 333-200253 Series XC
File
No. 333-200256 Series VA (offered between March 22, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200259 Series L and Series L - 4 Year (offered between November 22, 2004
and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200261 Series C (offered between
September 4, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200263 Series XTRA
File No. 333-200265 Series S and Series S-L Share
Option (offered between April 30, 2007 and October 7, 2011)
File
No. 333-200268 Series L - 4 Year (offered between October 7, 2011 and April 28, 2013)
File No. 333-200270 Group Annuity SF 101
File No. 333-200272 Ultimate Annuity FSL 224
File No. 333-200275 Foresight SF 137
File No. 333-200277 SecurAnnuity (CLICO) 224/ SF 1700
File No. 333-200278 Group VA SF 234 (Texas)
File No. 333-200280 Sunshine SF 236 FL
File No. 333-200281 Flexible Value SF 230
File No. 333-200282 Investors Choice Annuity, Capital Strategist Annuity, Imprint Annuity
and Strive Annuity
File No. 333-200283 Protected Equity Portfolio (PEP)
File No. 333-200284 Vintage L and Vintage XC
File No. 333-200285 Series XTRA 6
File No. 333-200286 Series VA - 4 (offered between May 1, 2011 and October 7,
2011)
File No. 333-200287 Series C (offered on and after October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200288 Pioneer PRISM
File No. 333-200289 Pioneer PRISM L
File No. 333-200290 Pioneer PRISM XC
File No. 333-200323 Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - Standard Version
and Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - C Share Option
File
No. 333-203748 Series O (offered on and after July 20, 2015)
File No. 333-209053 Series VA (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209054 Series VA- 4 (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209055 Series S (offered on and after May 2, 2016) and Series S-L Share Option
(offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209411 Brighthouse Prime Options,
Brighthouse Separate Account Eleven for Variable Annuities (811-21262)
File Nos. 333-101778 and 333-152234 Pioneer AnnuiStar
Plus Annuity, Portfolio Architect Plus Annuity and Scudder Advocate Rewards Annuity
File
No. 333-152189 Universal Annuity
File
No. 333-152190 Universal Select Annuity
File
No. 333-152191 Universal Annuity Advantage
File Nos.
333-152192 and 333-152193 Brighthouse Retirement Account
File No. 333-152194 Gold Track and Gold Track Select
File Nos. 333-152197 and 333-152198 Brighthouse Access
Annuity and Brighthouse Access Select Annuity
File Nos. 333-152199 and 333-152200 Vintage Annuity
File Nos. 333-152201 and 333-152202 Index Annuity
File Nos. 333-152232 and 333-152233 Portfolio Architect Annuity, Portfolio Architect Select Annuity, Premier Advisers Annuity (Class I) and Premier Advisers Annuity (Class II)
File Nos. 333-152235 and 333-152236 Pioneer AnnuiStar
Annuity, Portfolio Architect II Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Value Annuity
File Nos.
333-152237 and 333-152238 Premier Advisers II Annuity, Premier Advisers III (Series I) and Premier Advisers III Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152239 and 333-152240 Premier Advisers
AssetManager Annuity, Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series I) and Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152255 and 333-152265 Vintage XTRA Annuity, Portfolio Architect XTRA Annuity and Vintage XTRA Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152256 and 333-152292 Vintage 3 Annuity,
Portfolio Architect 3 Annuity, Portfolio Architect L Annuity, Vintage L Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Flex Annuity
File Nos. 333-152258 and 333-152261 PrimElite Annuity
File Nos. 333-152259 and 333-152262 PrimElite II Annuity
File Nos. 333-152260 and 333-152266 Protected Equity Portfolio Annuity
File Nos. 333-152263 and 333-152269 Marquis Portfolios
File Nos. 333-152264 and 333-152270 Vintage Access,
Portfolio Architect Access, Scudder Advocate Advisor and Scudder Advocate Advisor - ST1 Annuity
File Nos. 333-152267 and 333-152268 Vintage II Annuity and Vintage II Annuity (Series II)
File No. 333-197658 Brighthouse Accumulation Annuity
File No. 333-208464 Brighthouse Premier Variable AnnuitySM,
Brighthouse Separate Account QPN for Variable Annuities
File No. 333-156867 Unallocated Group Variable Annuity
File No. 333-156911 Brighthouse Retirement Perspectives,
Brighthouse Variable Annuity Account C (811-05200)
File No. 333-200244 Class XC
File No. 333-200247 Class VA, Class AA and Class B
File No. 333-200249 Class L and Class L - 4 Year
File No. 333-200252 Class A
File No. 333-200255 COVA VA, Firstar Summit VA, Premier Advisor VA, Destiny Select VA and
Prevail VA
File No. 333-200258 COVA VA SPDA
File No. 333-200260 COVA Series A
File No. 333-200262 Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select
File No. 333-200264
Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select (CA)
File No. 333-200266 COVA VA and
Premier Advisor (CA)
File No. 333-200267 COVA Series A (CA)
File No. 333-200269 Class C
File No. 333-200271 Class VA (CA), Class AA (CA), and Class B (CA)
File No. 333-200273 Class XC (CA)
File No. 333-200274 Class L (CA) and Class L - 4 Year (CA)
File No. 333-200276 Class A (CA)
File No. 333-200279 Class C (CA),
Brighthouse Variable Life Account A (811-21851)
File No. 333-200241 Equity Advantage Variable Universal Life,
Brighthouse Variable Life Account One (811-07971)
File No. 333-200242 Class VL
File No. 333-200245 Class VL (CA)
File No. 333-200248 Modified Single Premium Variable Life
File No. 333-200251 Custom Select and Russell Select Variable Life
File No. 333-200254 Modified Single Premium Variable Life (CA)
File No. 333-200257 Custom Select Variable Life,
And pertaining to:
File No. 333-268618 Brighthouse SmartGuard PlusSM
File No. 333-262390 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Annuity and Brighthouse Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-259505 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity v.3
File No. 333-233240 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-268427 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select Advisory Annuity
File No. 333-263492 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-263495 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-238213 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Annuity
File
No. 333-208664 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® Annuity
File No. 333-207091 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276468 Registered Fixed Account Option
File
No. 333-276469 Fixed Annuity (Strategic Value Annuity)
File No. 333-276470 Brighthouse Retirement Account Liquidity Benefit
File No. 333-276599 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276762 Brighthouse
Shield® Level II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-276763 Brighthouse Shield Level Pay Plus® II Annuity and Brighthouse Shield Level Pay
Plus® II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-279302 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity
T-Mark Fixed Annuity
Target Maturity,
And new annuities and life
products such as:
Brighthouse Shield Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 3-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 6-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Index-linked Life Insurance Policy,
and to have full power and authority to do or cause to be done in my name, place and stead each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate
the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, may do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney does not revoke any prior powers of attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
21st day of May 2024.
/s/ David A. Rosenbaum
David A. Rosenbaum
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Jonathan Rosenthal
Director, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
KNOW ALL MEN
BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, Jonathan Rosenthal, a Director, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, a Delaware company (the Company), do hereby constitute and appoint Michele H. Abate, Allie Lin,
and Alexander Ulianov, as my attorney-in-fact and agent, each of whom may act individually and none of whom is required to act jointly with any of the others, to sign
and file on my behalf and to execute and file any instrument or document required to be filed as part of or in connection with or in any way related to, the Registration Statements and any and all amendments thereto filed by the Company under the
Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, pertaining to:
Brighthouse Fund UL for Variable Life Insurance (811-03927)
File No. 002-88637 MarketLifeSM and Invest
File No. 333-152219
MarketLifeSM
File No. 333-56952
Brighthouse Variable Survivorship Life II
File No. 333-69771 Brighthouse Variable
Survivorship Life
File No. 333-96515 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator and
Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 2
File No. 333-96519 Brighthouse
Variable Life
File No. 333-113109 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 3
File No. 333-152216 Portfolio Architect Life
File No. 333-152217 VintageLife,
Brighthouse Fund UL III for Variable Life Insurance (811-09215)
File No. 333-71349 Corporate Owned VUL Series 1
File No. 333-94779 Corporate Owned VUL 2000 and Corporate Owned VUL III
File No. 333-105335 Corporate Select Policy
File No. 333-113533 Corporate Owned VUL IV,
Brighthouse Separate Account A (811-03365)
File No. 333-200231 Series VA (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200232 Series S (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1,
2016) and Series S-L Share Option (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200233 Series VA-4 (offered between
October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200234 Series O (offered
between April 30, 2012 and July 19, 2015)
File No. 333-200236 Series L - 4
Year (offered on and after April 29, 2013)
File No. 333-200237 PrimElite IV
File No. 333-200238 Marquis Portfolios (offered on and after April 30, 2012)
File No. 333-200239 Brighthouse Growth and Income
File No. 333-200240 Group Flexible Payment Variable Annuity (Flexible Bonus/Retirement
Companion/Smart Choice)
File No. 333-200243 PrimElite III
File No. 333-200246 Brighthouse Simple SolutionsSM
File No. 333-200250 Marquis
Portfolios (offered between November 7, 2005 and April 30, 2012)
File
No. 333-200253 Series XC
File
No. 333-200256 Series VA (offered between March 22, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200259 Series L and Series L - 4 Year (offered between November 22, 2004
and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200261 Series C (offered between
September 4, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200263 Series XTRA
File No. 333-200265 Series S and Series S-L Share
Option (offered between April 30, 2007 and October 7, 2011)
File
No. 333-200268 Series L - 4 Year (offered between October 7, 2011 and April 28, 2013)
File No. 333-200270 Group Annuity SF 101
File No. 333-200272 Ultimate Annuity FSL 224
File No. 333-200275 Foresight SF 137
File No. 333-200277 SecurAnnuity (CLICO) 224/ SF 1700
File No. 333-200278 Group VA SF 234 (Texas)
File No. 333-200280 Sunshine SF 236 FL
File No. 333-200281 Flexible Value SF 230
File No. 333-200282 Investors Choice Annuity, Capital Strategist Annuity, Imprint Annuity
and Strive Annuity
File No. 333-200283 Protected Equity Portfolio (PEP)
File No. 333-200284 Vintage L and Vintage XC
File No. 333-200285 Series XTRA 6
File No. 333-200286 Series VA - 4 (offered between May 1, 2011 and October 7,
2011)
File No. 333-200287 Series C (offered on and after October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200288 Pioneer PRISM
File No. 333-200289 Pioneer PRISM L
File No. 333-200290 Pioneer PRISM XC
File No. 333-200323 Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - Standard Version
and Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - C Share Option
File
No. 333-203748 Series O (offered on and after July 20, 2015)
File No. 333-209053 Series VA (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209054 Series VA- 4 (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209055 Series S (offered on and after May 2, 2016) and Series S-L Share Option
(offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209411 Brighthouse Prime Options,
Brighthouse Separate Account Eleven for Variable Annuities (811-21262)
File Nos. 333-101778 and 333-152234 Pioneer AnnuiStar
Plus Annuity, Portfolio Architect Plus Annuity and Scudder Advocate Rewards Annuity
File
No. 333-152189 Universal Annuity
File
No. 333-152190 Universal Select Annuity
File
No. 333-152191 Universal Annuity Advantage
File Nos.
333-152192 and 333-152193 Brighthouse Retirement Account
File No. 333-152194 Gold Track and Gold Track Select
File Nos. 333-152197 and 333-152198 Brighthouse Access
Annuity and Brighthouse Access Select Annuity
File Nos. 333-152199 and 333-152200 Vintage Annuity
File Nos. 333-152201 and 333-152202 Index Annuity
File Nos. 333-152232 and 333-152233 Portfolio Architect Annuity, Portfolio Architect Select Annuity, Premier Advisers Annuity (Class I) and Premier Advisers Annuity (Class II)
File Nos. 333-152235 and 333-152236 Pioneer AnnuiStar
Annuity, Portfolio Architect II Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Value Annuity
File Nos.
333-152237 and 333-152238 Premier Advisers II Annuity, Premier Advisers III (Series I) and Premier Advisers III Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152239 and 333-152240 Premier Advisers
AssetManager Annuity, Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series I) and Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152255 and 333-152265 Vintage XTRA Annuity, Portfolio Architect XTRA Annuity and Vintage XTRA Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152256 and 333-152292 Vintage 3 Annuity,
Portfolio Architect 3 Annuity, Portfolio Architect L Annuity, Vintage L Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Flex Annuity
File Nos. 333-152258 and 333-152261 PrimElite Annuity
File Nos. 333-152259 and 333-152262 PrimElite II Annuity
File Nos. 333-152260 and 333-152266 Protected Equity Portfolio Annuity
File Nos. 333-152263 and 333-152269 Marquis Portfolios
File Nos. 333-152264 and 333-152270 Vintage Access,
Portfolio Architect Access, Scudder Advocate Advisor and Scudder Advocate Advisor - ST1 Annuity
File Nos. 333-152267 and 333-152268 Vintage II Annuity and Vintage II Annuity (Series II)
File No. 333-197658 Brighthouse Accumulation Annuity
File No. 333-208464 Brighthouse Premier Variable AnnuitySM,
Brighthouse Separate Account QPN for Variable Annuities
File No. 333-156867 Unallocated Group Variable Annuity
File No. 333-156911 Brighthouse Retirement Perspectives,
Brighthouse Variable Annuity Account C (811-05200)
File No. 333-200244 Class XC
File No. 333-200247 Class VA, Class AA and Class B
File No. 333-200249 Class L and Class L - 4 Year
File No. 333-200252 Class A
File No. 333-200255 COVA VA, Firstar Summit VA, Premier Advisor VA, Destiny Select VA and
Prevail VA
File No. 333-200258 COVA VA SPDA
File No. 333-200260 COVA Series A
File No. 333-200262 Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select
File No. 333-200264
Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select (CA)
File No. 333-200266 COVA VA and
Premier Advisor (CA)
File No. 333-200267 COVA Series A (CA)
File No. 333-200269 Class C
File No. 333-200271 Class VA (CA), Class AA (CA), and Class B (CA)
File No. 333-200273 Class XC (CA)
File No. 333-200274 Class L (CA) and Class L - 4 Year (CA)
File No. 333-200276 Class A (CA)
File No. 333-200279 Class C (CA),
Brighthouse Variable Life Account A (811-21851)
File No. 333-200241 Equity Advantage Variable Universal Life,
Brighthouse Variable Life Account One (811-07971)
File No. 333-200242 Class VL
File No. 333-200245 Class VL (CA)
File No. 333-200248 Modified Single Premium Variable Life
File No. 333-200251 Custom Select and Russell Select Variable Life
File No. 333-200254 Modified Single Premium Variable Life (CA)
File No. 333-200257 Custom Select Variable Life,
And pertaining to:
File No. 333-268618 Brighthouse SmartGuard PlusSM
File No. 333-262390 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Annuity and Brighthouse Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-259505 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity v.3
File No. 333-233240 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-268427 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select Advisory Annuity
File No. 333-263492 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-263495 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-238213 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Annuity
File
No. 333-208664 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® Annuity
File No. 333-207091 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276468 Registered Fixed Account Option
File
No. 333-276469 Fixed Annuity (Strategic Value Annuity)
File No. 333-276470 Brighthouse Retirement Account Liquidity Benefit
File No. 333-276599 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276762 Brighthouse
Shield® Level II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-276763 Brighthouse Shield Level Pay Plus® II Annuity and Brighthouse Shield Level Pay
Plus® II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-279302 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity
T-Mark Fixed Annuity
Target Maturity,
And new annuities and life
products such as:
Brighthouse Shield Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 3-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 6-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Index-linked Life Insurance Policy,
and to have full power and authority to do or cause to be done in my name, place and stead each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate
the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, may do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney does not revoke any prior powers of attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
22nd day of May 2024.
/s/ Jonathan Rosenthal
Jonathan Rosenthal
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Edward A. Spehar
Director, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
KNOW ALL MEN BY
THESE PRESENTS, that I, Edward A. Spehar, a Director, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, a Delaware company (the Company), do hereby constitute and appoint Michele H. Abate, Allie Lin, and
Alexander Ulianov, as my attorney-in-fact and agent, each of whom may act individually and none of whom is required to act jointly with any of the others, to sign and
file on my behalf and to execute and file any instrument or document required to be filed as part of or in connection with or in any way related to, the Registration Statements and any and all amendments thereto filed by the Company under the
Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, pertaining to:
Brighthouse Fund UL for Variable Life Insurance (811-03927)
File No. 002-88637 MarketLifeSM and Invest
File No. 333-152219
MarketLifeSM
File No. 333-56952
Brighthouse Variable Survivorship Life II
File No. 333-69771 Brighthouse Variable
Survivorship Life
File No. 333-96515 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator and
Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 2
File No. 333-96519 Brighthouse
Variable Life
File No. 333-113109 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 3
File No. 333-152216 Portfolio Architect Life
File No. 333-152217 VintageLife,
Brighthouse Fund UL III for Variable Life Insurance (811-09215)
File No. 333-71349 Corporate Owned VUL Series 1
File No. 333-94779 Corporate Owned VUL 2000 and Corporate Owned VUL III
File No. 333-105335 Corporate Select Policy
File No. 333-113533 Corporate Owned VUL IV,
Brighthouse Separate Account A (811-03365)
File No. 333-200231 Series VA (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200232 Series S (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1,
2016) and Series S-L Share Option (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200233 Series VA-4 (offered between
October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200234 Series O (offered
between April 30, 2012 and July 19, 2015)
File No. 333-200236 Series L - 4
Year (offered on and after April 29, 2013)
File No. 333-200237 PrimElite IV
File No. 333-200238 Marquis Portfolios (offered on and after April 30, 2012)
File No. 333-200239 Brighthouse Growth and Income
File No. 333-200240 Group Flexible Payment Variable Annuity (Flexible Bonus/Retirement
Companion/Smart Choice)
File No. 333-200243 PrimElite III
File No. 333-200246 Brighthouse Simple SolutionsSM
File No. 333-200250 Marquis
Portfolios (offered between November 7, 2005 and April 30, 2012)
File
No. 333-200253 Series XC
File
No. 333-200256 Series VA (offered between March 22, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200259 Series L and Series L - 4 Year (offered between November 22, 2004
and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200261 Series C (offered between
September 4, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200263 Series XTRA
File No. 333-200265 Series S and Series S-L Share
Option (offered between April 30, 2007 and October 7, 2011)
File
No. 333-200268 Series L - 4 Year (offered between October 7, 2011 and April 28, 2013)
File No. 333-200270 Group Annuity SF 101
File No. 333-200272 Ultimate Annuity FSL 224
File No. 333-200275 Foresight SF 137
File No. 333-200277 SecurAnnuity (CLICO) 224/ SF 1700
File No. 333-200278 Group VA SF 234 (Texas)
File No. 333-200280 Sunshine SF 236 FL
File No. 333-200281 Flexible Value SF 230
File No. 333-200282 Investors Choice Annuity, Capital Strategist Annuity, Imprint Annuity
and Strive Annuity
File No. 333-200283 Protected Equity Portfolio (PEP)
File No. 333-200284 Vintage L and Vintage XC
File No. 333-200285 Series XTRA 6
File No. 333-200286 Series VA - 4 (offered between May 1, 2011 and October 7,
2011)
File No. 333-200287 Series C (offered on and after October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200288 Pioneer PRISM
File No. 333-200289 Pioneer PRISM L
File No. 333-200290 Pioneer PRISM XC
File No. 333-200323 Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - Standard Version
and Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - C Share Option
File
No. 333-203748 Series O (offered on and after July 20, 2015)
File No. 333-209053 Series VA (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209054 Series VA- 4 (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209055 Series S (offered on and after May 2, 2016) and Series S-L Share Option
(offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209411 Brighthouse Prime Options,
Brighthouse Separate Account Eleven for Variable Annuities (811-21262)
File Nos. 333-101778 and 333-152234 Pioneer AnnuiStar
Plus Annuity, Portfolio Architect Plus Annuity and Scudder Advocate Rewards Annuity
File
No. 333-152189 Universal Annuity
File
No. 333-152190 Universal Select Annuity
File
No. 333-152191 Universal Annuity Advantage
File Nos.
333-152192 and 333-152193 Brighthouse Retirement Account
File No. 333-152194 Gold Track and Gold Track Select
File Nos. 333-152197 and 333-152198 Brighthouse Access
Annuity and Brighthouse Access Select Annuity
File Nos. 333-152199 and 333-152200 Vintage Annuity
File Nos. 333-152201 and 333-152202 Index Annuity
File Nos. 333-152232 and 333-152233 Portfolio Architect Annuity, Portfolio Architect Select Annuity, Premier Advisers Annuity (Class I) and Premier Advisers Annuity (Class II)
File Nos. 333-152235 and 333-152236 Pioneer AnnuiStar
Annuity, Portfolio Architect II Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Value Annuity
File Nos.
333-152237 and 333-152238 Premier Advisers II Annuity, Premier Advisers III (Series I) and Premier Advisers III Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152239 and 333-152240 Premier Advisers
AssetManager Annuity, Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series I) and Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152255 and 333-152265 Vintage XTRA Annuity, Portfolio Architect XTRA Annuity and Vintage XTRA Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152256 and 333-152292 Vintage 3 Annuity,
Portfolio Architect 3 Annuity, Portfolio Architect L Annuity, Vintage L Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Flex Annuity
File Nos. 333-152258 and 333-152261 PrimElite Annuity
File Nos. 333-152259 and 333-152262 PrimElite II Annuity
File Nos. 333-152260 and 333-152266 Protected Equity Portfolio Annuity
File Nos. 333-152263 and 333-152269 Marquis Portfolios
File Nos. 333-152264 and 333-152270 Vintage Access,
Portfolio Architect Access, Scudder Advocate Advisor and Scudder Advocate Advisor - ST1 Annuity
File Nos. 333-152267 and 333-152268 Vintage II Annuity and Vintage II Annuity (Series II)
File No. 333-197658 Brighthouse Accumulation Annuity
File No. 333-208464 Brighthouse Premier Variable AnnuitySM,
Brighthouse Separate Account QPN for Variable Annuities
File No. 333-156867 Unallocated Group Variable Annuity
File No. 333-156911 Brighthouse Retirement Perspectives,
Brighthouse Variable Annuity Account C (811-05200)
File No. 333-200244 Class XC
File No. 333-200247 Class VA, Class AA and Class B
File No. 333-200249 Class L and Class L - 4 Year
File No. 333-200252 Class A
File No. 333-200255 COVA VA, Firstar Summit VA, Premier Advisor VA, Destiny Select VA and
Prevail VA
File No. 333-200258 COVA VA SPDA
File No. 333-200260 COVA Series A
File No. 333-200262 Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select
File No. 333-200264
Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select (CA)
File No. 333-200266 COVA VA and
Premier Advisor (CA)
File No. 333-200267 COVA Series A (CA)
File No. 333-200269 Class C
File No. 333-200271 Class VA (CA), Class AA (CA), and Class B (CA)
File No. 333-200273 Class XC (CA)
File No. 333-200274 Class L (CA) and Class L - 4 Year (CA)
File No. 333-200276 Class A (CA)
File No. 333-200279 Class C (CA),
Brighthouse Variable Life Account A (811-21851)
File No. 333-200241 Equity Advantage Variable Universal Life,
Brighthouse Variable Life Account One (811-07971)
File No. 333-200242 Class VL
File No. 333-200245 Class VL (CA)
File No. 333-200248 Modified Single Premium Variable Life
File No. 333-200251 Custom Select and Russell Select Variable Life
File No. 333-200254 Modified Single Premium Variable Life (CA)
File No. 333-200257 Custom Select Variable Life,
And pertaining to:
File No. 333-268618 Brighthouse SmartGuard PlusSM
File No. 333-262390 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Annuity and Brighthouse Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-259505 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity v.3
File No. 333-233240 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-268427 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select Advisory Annuity
File No. 333-263492 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-263495 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-238213 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Annuity
File
No. 333-208664 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® Annuity
File No. 333-207091 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276468 Registered Fixed Account Option
File
No. 333-276469 Fixed Annuity (Strategic Value Annuity)
File No. 333-276470 Brighthouse Retirement Account Liquidity Benefit
File No. 333-276599 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276762 Brighthouse
Shield® Level II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-276763 Brighthouse Shield Level Pay Plus® II Annuity and Brighthouse Shield Level Pay
Plus® II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-279302 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity
T-Mark Fixed Annuity
Target Maturity,
And new annuities and life
products such as:
Brighthouse Shield Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 3-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 6-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Index-linked Life Insurance Policy,
and to have full power and authority to do or cause to be done in my name, place and stead each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate
the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, may do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney does not revoke any prior powers of attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
30th day of May 2024.
/s/ Edward A. Spehar
Edward A. Spehar
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Kristine Toscano
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE
PRESENTS, that I, Kristine Toscano, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, a Delaware company (the Company), do hereby constitute and appoint Michele H. Abate, Allie Lin, and Alexander Ulianov,
as my attorney-in-fact and agent, each of whom may act individually and none of whom is required to act jointly with any of the others, to sign and file on my behalf and
to execute and file any instrument or document required to be filed as part of or in connection with or in any way related to, the Registration Statements and any and all amendments thereto filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933
and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, pertaining to:
Brighthouse Fund UL for Variable Life Insurance
(811-03927)
File No. 002-88637 MarketLifeSM and Invest
File No. 333-152219
MarketLifeSM
File No. 333-56952
Brighthouse Variable Survivorship Life II
File No. 333-69771 Brighthouse Variable
Survivorship Life
File No. 333-96515 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator and
Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 2
File No. 333-96519 Brighthouse
Variable Life
File No. 333-113109 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 3
File No. 333-152216 Portfolio Architect Life
File No. 333-152217 VintageLife,
Brighthouse Fund UL III for Variable Life Insurance (811-09215)
File No. 333-71349 Corporate Owned VUL Series 1
File No. 333-94779 Corporate Owned VUL 2000 and Corporate Owned VUL III
File No. 333-105335 Corporate Select Policy
File No. 333-113533 Corporate Owned VUL IV,
Brighthouse Separate Account A (811-03365)
File No. 333-200231 Series VA (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200232 Series S (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1,
2016) and Series S-L Share Option (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200233 Series VA-4 (offered between
October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200234 Series O (offered
between April 30, 2012 and July 19, 2015)
File No. 333-200236 Series L - 4
Year (offered on and after April 29, 2013)
File No. 333-200237 PrimElite IV
File No. 333-200238 Marquis Portfolios (offered on and after April 30, 2012)
File No. 333-200239 Brighthouse Growth and Income
File No. 333-200240 Group Flexible Payment Variable Annuity (Flexible Bonus/Retirement
Companion/Smart Choice)
File No. 333-200243 PrimElite III
File No. 333-200246 Brighthouse Simple SolutionsSM
File No. 333-200250 Marquis
Portfolios (offered between November 7, 2005 and April 30, 2012)
File
No. 333-200253 Series XC
File
No. 333-200256 Series VA (offered between March 22, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200259 Series L and Series L - 4 Year (offered between November 22, 2004
and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200261 Series C (offered between
September 4, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200263 Series XTRA
File No. 333-200265 Series S and Series S-L Share
Option (offered between April 30, 2007 and October 7, 2011)
File
No. 333-200268 Series L - 4 Year (offered between October 7, 2011 and April 28, 2013)
File No. 333-200270 Group Annuity SF 101
File No. 333-200272 Ultimate Annuity FSL 224
File No. 333-200275 Foresight SF 137
File No. 333-200277 SecurAnnuity (CLICO) 224/ SF 1700
File No. 333-200278 Group VA SF 234 (Texas)
File No. 333-200280 Sunshine SF 236 FL
File No. 333-200281 Flexible Value SF 230
File No. 333-200282 Investors Choice Annuity, Capital Strategist Annuity, Imprint Annuity
and Strive Annuity
File No. 333-200283 Protected Equity Portfolio (PEP)
File No. 333-200284 Vintage L and Vintage XC
File No. 333-200285 Series XTRA 6
File No. 333-200286 Series VA - 4 (offered between May 1, 2011 and October 7,
2011)
File No. 333-200287 Series C (offered on and after October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200288 Pioneer PRISM
File No. 333-200289 Pioneer PRISM L
File No. 333-200290 Pioneer PRISM XC
File No. 333-200323 Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - Standard Version
and Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - C Share Option
File
No. 333-203748 Series O (offered on and after July 20, 2015)
File No. 333-209053 Series VA (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209054 Series VA- 4 (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209055 Series S (offered on and after May 2, 2016) and Series S-L Share Option
(offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209411 Brighthouse Prime Options,
Brighthouse Separate Account Eleven for Variable Annuities (811-21262)
File Nos. 333-101778 and 333-152234 Pioneer AnnuiStar
Plus Annuity, Portfolio Architect Plus Annuity and Scudder Advocate Rewards Annuity
File
No. 333-152189 Universal Annuity
File
No. 333-152190 Universal Select Annuity
File
No. 333-152191 Universal Annuity Advantage
File Nos.
333-152192 and 333-152193 Brighthouse Retirement Account
File No. 333-152194 Gold Track and Gold Track Select
File Nos. 333-152197 and 333-152198 Brighthouse Access
Annuity and Brighthouse Access Select Annuity
File Nos. 333-152199 and 333-152200 Vintage Annuity
File Nos. 333-152201 and 333-152202 Index Annuity
File Nos. 333-152232 and 333-152233 Portfolio Architect Annuity, Portfolio Architect Select Annuity, Premier Advisers Annuity (Class I) and Premier Advisers Annuity (Class II)
File Nos. 333-152235 and 333-152236 Pioneer AnnuiStar
Annuity, Portfolio Architect II Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Value Annuity
File Nos.
333-152237 and 333-152238 Premier Advisers II Annuity, Premier Advisers III (Series I) and Premier Advisers III Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152239 and 333-152240 Premier Advisers
AssetManager Annuity, Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series I) and Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152255 and 333-152265 Vintage XTRA Annuity, Portfolio Architect XTRA Annuity and Vintage XTRA Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152256 and 333-152292 Vintage 3 Annuity,
Portfolio Architect 3 Annuity, Portfolio Architect L Annuity, Vintage L Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Flex Annuity
File Nos. 333-152258 and 333-152261 PrimElite Annuity
File Nos. 333-152259 and 333-152262 PrimElite II Annuity
File Nos. 333-152260 and 333-152266 Protected Equity Portfolio Annuity
File Nos. 333-152263 and 333-152269 Marquis Portfolios
File Nos. 333-152264 and 333-152270 Vintage Access,
Portfolio Architect Access, Scudder Advocate Advisor and Scudder Advocate Advisor - ST1 Annuity
File Nos. 333-152267 and 333-152268 Vintage II Annuity and Vintage II Annuity (Series II)
File No. 333-197658 Brighthouse Accumulation Annuity
File No. 333-208464 Brighthouse Premier Variable AnnuitySM,
Brighthouse Separate Account QPN for Variable Annuities
File No. 333-156867 Unallocated Group Variable Annuity
File No. 333-156911 Brighthouse Retirement Perspectives,
Brighthouse Variable Annuity Account C (811-05200)
File No. 333-200244 Class XC
File No. 333-200247 Class VA, Class AA and Class B
File No. 333-200249 Class L and Class L - 4 Year
File No. 333-200252 Class A
File No. 333-200255 COVA VA, Firstar Summit VA, Premier Advisor VA, Destiny Select VA and
Prevail VA
File No. 333-200258 COVA VA SPDA
File No. 333-200260 COVA Series A
File No. 333-200262 Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select
File No. 333-200264
Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select (CA)
File No. 333-200266 COVA VA and
Premier Advisor (CA)
File No. 333-200267 COVA Series A (CA)
File No. 333-200269 Class C
File No. 333-200271 Class VA (CA), Class AA (CA), and Class B (CA)
File No. 333-200273 Class XC (CA)
File No. 333-200274 Class L (CA) and Class L - 4 Year (CA)
File No. 333-200276 Class A (CA)
File No. 333-200279 Class C (CA),
Brighthouse Variable Life Account A (811-21851)
File No. 333-200241 Equity Advantage Variable Universal Life,
Brighthouse Variable Life Account One (811-07971)
File No. 333-200242 Class VL
File No. 333-200245 Class VL (CA)
File No. 333-200248 Modified Single Premium Variable Life
File No. 333-200251 Custom Select and Russell Select Variable Life
File No. 333-200254 Modified Single Premium Variable Life (CA)
File No. 333-200257 Custom Select Variable Life,
And pertaining to:
File No. 333-268618 Brighthouse SmartGuard PlusSM
File No. 333-262390 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Annuity and Brighthouse Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-259505 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity v.3
File No. 333-233240 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-268427 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select Advisory Annuity
File No. 333-263492 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-263495 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-238213 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Annuity
File
No. 333-208664 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® Annuity
File No. 333-207091 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276468 Registered Fixed Account Option
File
No. 333-276469 Fixed Annuity (Strategic Value Annuity)
File No. 333-276470 Brighthouse Retirement Account Liquidity Benefit
File No. 333-276599 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276762 Brighthouse
Shield® Level II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-276763 Brighthouse Shield Level Pay Plus® II Annuity and Brighthouse Shield Level Pay
Plus® II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-279302 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity
T-Mark Fixed Annuity
Target Maturity,
And new annuities and life
products such as:
Brighthouse Shield Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 3-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 6-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Index-linked Life Insurance Policy,
and to have full power and authority to do or cause to be done in my name, place and stead each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate
the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, may do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney does not revoke any prior powers of attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
21st day of May 2024.
/s/ Kristine Toscano
Kristine Toscano
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Gianna H. Figaro-Sterling
Vice President and Controller
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that
I, Gianna H. Figaro-Sterling, Vice President and Controller of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, a Delaware company (the Company), do hereby constitute and appoint Michele H. Abate, Allie Lin, and Alexander Ulianov, as my attorney-in-fact and agent, each of whom may act individually and none of whom is required to act jointly with any of the others, to sign and file on my behalf and to execute
and file any instrument or document required to be filed as part of or in connection with or in any way related to, the Registration Statements and any and all amendments thereto filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the
Investment Company Act of 1940, pertaining to:
Brighthouse Fund UL for Variable Life Insurance (811-03927)
File No. 002-88637 MarketLifeSM
and Invest
File No. 333-152219
MarketLifeSM
File No. 333-56952
Brighthouse Variable Survivorship Life II
File No. 333-69771 Brighthouse Variable
Survivorship Life
File No. 333-96515 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator and
Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 2
File No. 333-96519 Brighthouse
Variable Life
File No. 333-113109 Brighthouse Variable Life Accumulator - Series 3
File No. 333-152216 Portfolio Architect Life
File No. 333-152217 VintageLife,
Brighthouse Fund UL III for Variable Life Insurance (811-09215)
File No. 333-71349 Corporate Owned VUL Series 1
File No. 333-94779 Corporate Owned VUL 2000 and Corporate Owned VUL III
File No. 333-105335 Corporate Select Policy
File No. 333-113533 Corporate Owned VUL IV,
Brighthouse Separate Account A (811-03365)
File No. 333-200231 Series VA (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200232 Series S (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1,
2016) and Series S-L Share Option (offered between October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200233 Series VA-4 (offered between
October 7, 2011 and May 1, 2016)
File No. 333-200234 Series O (offered
between April 30, 2012 and July 19, 2015)
File No. 333-200236 Series L - 4
Year (offered on and after April 29, 2013)
File No. 333-200237 PrimElite IV
File No. 333-200238 Marquis Portfolios (offered on and after April 30, 2012)
File No. 333-200239 Brighthouse Growth and Income
File No. 333-200240 Group Flexible Payment Variable Annuity (Flexible Bonus/Retirement
Companion/Smart Choice)
File No. 333-200243 PrimElite III
File No. 333-200246 Brighthouse Simple SolutionsSM
File No. 333-200250 Marquis
Portfolios (offered between November 7, 2005 and April 30, 2012)
File
No. 333-200253 Series XC
File
No. 333-200256 Series VA (offered between March 22, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200259 Series L and Series L - 4 Year (offered between November 22, 2004
and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200261 Series C (offered between
September 4, 2001 and October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200263 Series XTRA
File No. 333-200265 Series S and Series S-L Share
Option (offered between April 30, 2007 and October 7, 2011)
File
No. 333-200268 Series L - 4 Year (offered between October 7, 2011 and April 28, 2013)
File No. 333-200270 Group Annuity SF 101
File No. 333-200272 Ultimate Annuity FSL 224
File No. 333-200275 Foresight SF 137
File No. 333-200277 SecurAnnuity (CLICO) 224/ SF 1700
File No. 333-200278 Group VA SF 234 (Texas)
File No. 333-200280 Sunshine SF 236 FL
File No. 333-200281 Flexible Value SF 230
File No. 333-200282 Investors Choice Annuity, Capital Strategist Annuity, Imprint Annuity
and Strive Annuity
File No. 333-200283 Protected Equity Portfolio (PEP)
File No. 333-200284 Vintage L and Vintage XC
File No. 333-200285 Series XTRA 6
File No. 333-200286 Series VA - 4 (offered between May 1, 2011 and October 7,
2011)
File No. 333-200287 Series C (offered on and after October 7, 2011)
File No. 333-200288 Pioneer PRISM
File No. 333-200289 Pioneer PRISM L
File No. 333-200290 Pioneer PRISM XC
File No. 333-200323 Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - Standard Version
and Brighthouse Investment Portfolio ArchitectSM - C Share Option
File
No. 333-203748 Series O (offered on and after July 20, 2015)
File No. 333-209053 Series VA (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209054 Series VA- 4 (offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209055 Series S (offered on and after May 2, 2016) and Series S-L Share Option
(offered on and after May 2, 2016)
File No. 333-209411 Brighthouse Prime Options,
Brighthouse Separate Account Eleven for Variable Annuities (811-21262)
File Nos. 333-101778 and 333-152234 Pioneer AnnuiStar
Plus Annuity, Portfolio Architect Plus Annuity and Scudder Advocate Rewards Annuity
File
No. 333-152189 Universal Annuity
File
No. 333-152190 Universal Select Annuity
File
No. 333-152191 Universal Annuity Advantage
File Nos.
333-152192 and 333-152193 Brighthouse Retirement Account
File No. 333-152194 Gold Track and Gold Track Select
File Nos. 333-152197 and 333-152198 Brighthouse Access
Annuity and Brighthouse Access Select Annuity
File Nos. 333-152199 and 333-152200 Vintage Annuity
File Nos. 333-152201 and 333-152202 Index Annuity
File Nos. 333-152232 and 333-152233 Portfolio Architect Annuity, Portfolio Architect Select Annuity, Premier Advisers Annuity (Class I) and Premier Advisers Annuity (Class II)
File Nos. 333-152235 and 333-152236 Pioneer AnnuiStar
Annuity, Portfolio Architect II Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Value Annuity
File Nos.
333-152237 and 333-152238 Premier Advisers II Annuity, Premier Advisers III (Series I) and Premier Advisers III Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152239 and 333-152240 Premier Advisers
AssetManager Annuity, Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series I) and Premier Advisers L Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152255 and 333-152265 Vintage XTRA Annuity, Portfolio Architect XTRA Annuity and Vintage XTRA Annuity (Series II)
File Nos. 333-152256 and 333-152292 Vintage 3 Annuity,
Portfolio Architect 3 Annuity, Portfolio Architect L Annuity, Vintage L Annuity and Pioneer AnnuiStar Flex Annuity
File Nos. 333-152258 and 333-152261 PrimElite Annuity
File Nos. 333-152259 and 333-152262 PrimElite II Annuity
File Nos. 333-152260 and 333-152266 Protected Equity Portfolio Annuity
File Nos. 333-152263 and 333-152269 Marquis Portfolios
File Nos. 333-152264 and 333-152270 Vintage Access,
Portfolio Architect Access, Scudder Advocate Advisor and Scudder Advocate Advisor - ST1 Annuity
File Nos. 333-152267 and 333-152268 Vintage II Annuity and Vintage II Annuity (Series II)
File No. 333-197658 Brighthouse Accumulation Annuity
File No. 333-208464 Brighthouse Premier Variable AnnuitySM,
Brighthouse Separate Account QPN for Variable Annuities
File No. 333-156867 Unallocated Group Variable Annuity
File No. 333-156911 Brighthouse Retirement Perspectives,
Brighthouse Variable Annuity Account C (811-05200)
File No. 333-200244 Class XC
File No. 333-200247 Class VA, Class AA and Class B
File No. 333-200249 Class L and Class L - 4 Year
File No. 333-200252 Class A
File No. 333-200255 COVA VA, Firstar Summit VA, Premier Advisor VA, Destiny Select VA and
Prevail VA
File No. 333-200258 COVA VA SPDA
File No. 333-200260 COVA Series A
File No. 333-200262 Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select
File No. 333-200264
Navigator-Select/Custom-Select/Russell-Select (CA)
File No. 333-200266 COVA VA and
Premier Advisor (CA)
File No. 333-200267 COVA Series A (CA)
File No. 333-200269 Class C
File No. 333-200271 Class VA (CA), Class AA (CA), and Class B (CA)
File No. 333-200273 Class XC (CA)
File No. 333-200274 Class L (CA) and Class L - 4 Year (CA)
File No. 333-200276 Class A (CA)
File No. 333-200279 Class C (CA),
Brighthouse Variable Life Account A (811-21851)
File No. 333-200241 Equity Advantage Variable Universal Life,
Brighthouse Variable Life Account One (811-07971)
File No. 333-200242 Class VL
File No. 333-200245 Class VL (CA)
File No. 333-200248 Modified Single Premium Variable Life
File No. 333-200251 Custom Select and Russell Select Variable Life
File No. 333-200254 Modified Single Premium Variable Life (CA)
File No. 333-200257 Custom Select Variable Life,
And pertaining to:
File No. 333-268618 Brighthouse SmartGuard PlusSM
File No. 333-262390 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Annuity and Brighthouse Shield® Level Pay PlusSM Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-259505 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity v.3
File No. 333-233240 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-268427 Brighthouse Shield® Level Select Advisory Annuity
File No. 333-263492 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-263495 Brighthouse
Shield® Level Select 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-238213 Brighthouse
Shield® Level 10 Annuity
File
No. 333-208664 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® Annuity
File No. 333-207091 Brighthouse Shield Level Selector® 3-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276468 Registered Fixed Account Option
File
No. 333-276469 Fixed Annuity (Strategic Value Annuity)
File No. 333-276470 Brighthouse Retirement Account Liquidity Benefit
File No. 333-276599 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 6-Year Annuity
File No. 333-276762 Brighthouse
Shield® Level II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-276763 Brighthouse Shield Level Pay Plus® II Annuity and Brighthouse Shield Level Pay
Plus® II Advisory Annuity
File
No. 333-279302 Brighthouse Shield® Level II 3-Year Annuity
T-Mark Fixed Annuity
Target Maturity,
And new annuities and life
products such as:
Brighthouse Shield Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 3-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Shield 6-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Index-linked Life Insurance Policy,
and to have full power and authority to do or cause to be done in my name, place and stead each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate
the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them, may do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney does not revoke any prior powers of attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
21st day of May 2024.
/s/ Gianna H. Figaro-Sterling
Gianna H. Figaro-Sterling