Shield Level Pay PlusSM annuities are built to help meet an
important need in retirement planning – income that lasts for
life
Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (“Brighthouse Financial” or the
“company”) (Nasdaq: BHF) announced today the expansion of its
flagship Brighthouse Shield® Level Annuities suite with the launch
of Brighthouse Shield Level Pay PlusSM Annuities, which are
designed to help strengthen clients’ retirement portfolios by
providing a stream of guaranteed lifetime income.1,2 Shield Level
Pay Plus annuities also offer clients opportunities to participate
in market growth combined with a level of protection against market
volatility — both key design features of Shield® Level
annuities.
“The financial impact of longevity has made guaranteed lifetime
income an important consideration for retirees who want to help
secure their financial future,” said Myles Lambert, chief
distribution and marketing officer, Brighthouse Financial. “By
providing a permanent source of retirement income, Shield Level Pay
Plus annuities are built to add a measure of certainty to clients’
retirement lifestyles.”
According to the Social Security Administration,3 about one in
three 65-year-olds will live to at least age 90 and about one in
seven 65-year-olds will live to at least age 95. Not surprisingly,
many investors express strong interest in annuities that provide
guaranteed lifetime income. A recent study4 from the Alliance for
Lifetime Income, in partnership with CANNEX, found a significant
majority (85%) of investors are interested in owning an annuity
that guarantees lifetime income or already own one.
Shield Level Pay Plus annuities are index-linked annuities,
which are a type of annuity that allows clients to participate in
growth opportunities up to a certain percentage by tracking the
performance of one or more market indices, rather than investing
directly in the markets, while providing a level of protection in
down markets.
Other key features of Shield Level Pay Plus annuities
include:
Two versions of an income rider
Clients have the flexibility to choose between two versions of a
built-in income rider,5 depending on their specific risk tolerance
and income needs. Both versions of the rider use a Benefit Base6
which is multiplied by the applicable withdrawal rate to determine
the stream of lifetime income. The choice of two versions of the
rider means clients can decide how they want their Benefit Base,
which initially equals the purchase payment, to build value. The
Benefit Base cannot go down because of market losses, but it can
grow.
For clients who want to participate in the growth opportunities
equities can provide, the Market Growth version of the income rider
offers the potential to build benefit amounts faster than some
other guaranteed income products. For clients who prefer the
comfort and reliability of guaranteed growth of the Benefit Base,
no matter the market conditions, the Market Growth with Rollup
version of the income rider can be a valuable portfolio
addition.7
Lower fee
The features of a Shield Level Pay Plus annuity are provided in
a way that will not heavily impact a client’s portfolio because of
higher fees and costs. With no base contract fees, clients pay an
annual charge of 1.50%,8 which is a lower fee than some traditional
variable annuities that have an income rider – and can help clients
keep more of their money working for them.
Flexibility to suit individual needs and goals
Shield Level Pay Plus annuities continue Brighthouse Financial’s
history of building flexibility into each of its products to suit
clients’ individual needs and goals. In addition to the product’s
flexible features mentioned above, Shield Level Pay Plus annuities
are designed to provide married couples of any gender with
advantages that not all similar products may offer. These
advantages include the ability for clients to choose which income
option they prefer when they are ready to start taking income,
rather than having to choose single or joint life income at
contract issue.
Shield Level Pay Plus annuities enhance Brighthouse Financial’s
portfolio of products that are designed to help people protect what
they’ve earned and ensure it lasts. In addition, Shield Level Pay
Plus annuities reflect Brighthouse Financial’s ongoing focus to
help meet the evolving needs of clients as the company continues to
deliver on its mission to help people achieve financial
security.
“Financial security, especially in retirement, is top of mind
for many people and their families today. Brighthouse Financial
specifically designed Shield Level Pay Plus annuities to help meet
the need for reliable retirement income, and we are very pleased to
add this new product to our suite of Shield Level annuities,”
concluded Lambert.
More information on Shield Level Pay Plus annuities is available
at brighthousefinancial.com.
About Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (Brighthouse Financial) (Nasdaq:
BHF) is on a mission to help people achieve financial security. As
one of the largest providers of annuities and life insurance in the
U.S.,9 we specialize in products designed to help people protect
what they’ve earned and ensure it lasts. Learn more at
brighthousefinancial.com.
1 Guaranteed lifetime income depends upon
staying within the parameters of the rider.
2 Early or excess withdrawals may affect
the amount or ability to receive lifetime income. All guarantees
are subject to the claims-paying ability and financial strength of
the issuing insurance company. If the account value reduces to zero
due to a non-excess withdrawal, or if there are insufficient funds
to deduct the rider charge, lifetime income payments will be
calculated using the applicable lifetime guarantee rate. If the
account value is reduced to zero due to early or excess
withdrawals, lifetime income payments will not be received.
3 Retirement Information for Medicare
Beneficiaries. Social Security Administration, January 2022.
4 Alliance for Lifetime Income and CANNEX
Protected Retirement Income and Planning Study, 2021.
5 The income rider is referred to as the
Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) Rider in the
prospectus.
6 Benefit Base is referred to as the GLWB
Base in the prospectus. The Benefit Base may be reduced by early
and excess withdrawals. The Benefit Base cannot be withdrawn as a
lump sum or paid as a death benefit and is not the amount that is
guaranteed to be returned to you if you surrender your contract.
See the prospectus for more details.
7 The Benefit Base will not increase by
the Rollup Rate if a withdrawal is taken in a contract year.
8 The rider fee rate is multiplied by the
Benefit Base and is considered the rider charge. This amount is
deducted from your account value for the prior contract year on
each contract anniversary.
9 Ranked by 2021 admitted assets. Best’s
Review®: Top 200 U.S. Life/Health Insurers. AM Best, 2022.
Brighthouse Shield Level Pay Plus Annuity and Brighthouse Shield
Level Pay Plus Advisory Annuity, collectively referred to as
“Shield Level Pay PlusSM annuities,” are part of the Shield annuity
suite of single premium deferred index-linked annuity products that
are referred to as “Shield® Level annuities” or “Shield®
annuities.”
Brighthouse Shield Level Pay PlusSM Annuity and Brighthouse
Shield Level Pay PlusSM Advisory Annuity, collectively referred to
as “Shield Level Pay PlusSM annuities,” are index-linked annuities
issued by, and product guarantees are solely the responsibility of,
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, Charlotte, NC 28277, on Policy
Form L-22494 (09/12)-AV (“Brighthouse Financial”). These products
are distributed by Brighthouse Securities, LLC (member FINRA). All
are Brighthouse Financial affiliated companies. The contract
prospectus and contract contain information about the contract’s
features, risks, charges, expenses, exclusions, limitations,
termination provisions, and terms for keeping the contract in
force. The prospectus and complete details about the contract are
available from your financial professional and should be read
carefully. Product availability and features may vary by state
or firm. These products are not available in New York.
Brighthouse Financial® and its design are registered trademarks
of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and/or its affiliates.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220808005059/en/
FOR MEDIA Deon Roberts (980) 949-3071
deon.roberts@brighthousefinancial.com
Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ:BHF)
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