The Standard Enhances Enhanced Choice Index Plus Fixed Index Annuity

The Standard has enhanced its Enhanced Choice Index Plus (ECI Plus) Fixed Index Annuity with new features that provide greater flexibility and protection for annuity clients. These enhancements include additional built-in guarantees, innovative crediting strategies, and the introduction of the S&P 500® Dynamic Intraday TCA Index. The ECI Plus is a single-premium, deferred index annuity designed to offer growth potential, principal protection, and legacy maximization opportunities for clients.

The updated product now offers 10 allocation options with guaranteed interest rates ranging from 5 to 10 years, incorporating fixed interest crediting with multiyear rate guarantees. New crediting strategies such as Locked Cap Rate and Locked Trigger Rate allow clients to lock in annual S&P 500® index rates for 5 or 7 years, providing stability through various market conditions. Additional Trigger Rate and Trigger Rate Plus strategies enable clients to achieve consistent growth, including built-in growth even during periods of negative market performance.

A notable addition is the S&P 500 Dynamic Intraday TCA Index, designed for more efficient volatility control by rebalancing up to 13 times daily. This index targets 15% volatility, maintaining greater exposure to the S&P 500 while managing risk better than traditional indices. Clients can access this index through multiple crediting strategies with guaranteed rates during the withdrawal charge period.

The Standard brings over a century of industry experience and financial strength to its annuity offerings, supported by an A rating or higher from A.M. Best Company for more than 100 years. This positions the ECI Plus product as a robust solution for financial professionals seeking stable and customizable annuity options for their clients.

Overall, these enhancements reinforce The Standard’s commitment to providing annuities that balance growth opportunities with protection and stability, addressing evolving client needs amid fluctuating financial markets. The introduction of dynamic index options and diverse crediting strategies enhances the product’s appeal in a competitive fixed indexed annuity market.