Equitable has launched Structured Capital Strategies Premier, a new solution within its portfolio of registered index-linked annuities. The new offering offers greater upside potential in the market while maintaining a level of downside protection. It also adds several death benefit options designed to help clients leave a legacy.
“Our research shows that fewer than half of Americans feel prepared to navigate financial challenges in today’s unpredictable economic environment,” said Steve Scanlon, Equitable’s head of Individual Retirement. “SCS Premier helps individuals plan with confidence — bolstering their ability to build a secure financial future, weather potential market volatility and leave a legacy for loved ones.”
SCS Premier offers 120 investment options that allow clients to accumulate assets based on the performance of indices like the S&P 500, including uncapped segment options. Additionally, SCS Premier includes two new investment options:
- Best Entry – This “do-over” feature aims to ease concerns about investing at the wrong time. If the index value is lower on the same day of the month as when the client first invested over the next four months, the client’s starting investment value is reset to the lowest of those days. This provides greater potential for growth and limits the percentage of downside risk.
- Dual Step Tier – Designed to help clients weather all market environments, this feature flips investment losses within the buffer to a predetermined positive rate of return. If the market performs well, clients can also benefit from higher returns based on the index’s performance above that rate, up to a cap.
Financial professionals and their clients can also change the asset allocation weekly, rather than waiting until an investment segment reaches maturity after one or six years.
SCS Premier also includes a death benefit option for the RILA market. It provides either a 5% interest roll-up or the highest anniversary value over the life of the contract, whichever is greater. Alternatively, clients can choose only the highest anniversary value death benefit or a traditional return-of-premium death benefit.
“Our added death benefit options help ensure their loved ones receive the greatest possible benefit, all within the same solution designed to accumulate assets and manage investment risk,” added Scanlon.