Athene Adds Non-Variable Indexed Contract: Annuity Moves

Transamerica has started selling the Transamerica Principal Optimizer variable annuity rider.

The optional rider can provide a variable annuity holder with the ability to put 70% of premiums in any investment choice available within the annuity, along with some or total protection against loss of contract value.

Transamerica will put 30% of the annuity holder's premiums in a stable value fund, which will offer a guaranteed interest rate, Transamerica says.

A rider purchaser can choose between a seven-year or 10-year waiting period.

If an investor chooses and completes the seven-year waiting period, the investor is guaranteed to get 90% of the initial premium back, according to Transamerica.

Investors who choose the 10-year waiting period "are guaranteed to receive 100% of their initial premium back if they elect and complete the 10-year waiting period," Transamerica says.

Transamerica issues annuities through Transamerica Life Insurance Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in most states and through Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company of Harrison, New York, in New York state.

Security Benefit has added index accounts based on the S&P 500 Factor Rotator Daily RC2 7% Index and the S&P Multi-Asset Risk Control 5% Index to the crediting rate choices available with its Strategic Growth Annuity contracts.

The Security Benefit team in charge of the S&P 500 Factor Rotator Index will aim to use the past risk-adjusted returns of the S&P 500 Excess Return Index, the S&P GSCI Gold Excess Return Index and the S&P 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures Excess Return Index to rebalance the assets.

Managers of the S&P MARC 5% index will aim to hold the index volatility level to 5%, the company says.

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