The Phoenix Companies Launches Protected Solutions Annuity

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (NYSE:PNX) today announced the introduction of the Protected Solutions Annuity, the newest offering developed through its strategic alliance with The AltiSure Group.

“Roughly 70 percent of Americans age 65 or older will need chronic care services at some point in their lifetime”

The product is a single premium fixed indexed annuity that offers two indexed accounts and a fixed account, principal protection from investment loss and, for an additional fee, a guaranteed chronic care and enhanced death benefit. Designed for individuals approaching or already in retirement, the Protected Solutions Annuity provides benefits that can be applied to chronic (or confinement) care within the home, an assisted living facility or nursing home. If the chronic care benefits go unused, the beneficiary is entitled to an enhanced death benefit.

The product, issued by PHL Variable Insurance Company, a Phoenix subsidiary, is available exclusively through The AltiSure Group.

“As the Baby Boomer generation ages and transitions into retirement, there is a growing need for protection against the costs of chronic care and confinement,” said Dana Pedersen, vice president and product officer for Phoenix. “Traditional financial vehicles that protect against the cost of extended care can be expensive. In addition, they often have a ‘use it or lose it’ element that prohibits a contract holder from recouping premium for unused benefits. Protected Solutions is different, providing chronic care benefits while hedging against the possibility that the benefits will go unused.”

Protected Solutions offers the unique “SafetyGuard Benefit” which provides both the chronic care benefit, as well as an enhanced death benefit. The Guaranteed Chronic Care Benefit can be activated when the covered individual is unable to perform at least two of the six Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, continence, and eating) and provides benefits up to 400% of premium paid out over five years. If the covered individual never uses the chronic care benefit, upon death, the beneficiary can choose the Guaranteed Enhanced Death Benefit as an alternative to the standard lump-sum death benefit provided by the annuity account value.

The Guaranteed Enhanced Death Benefit provides a death benefit, payable monthly over five years, equal to a guaranteed multiple, ranging from 125% to 200%, of the original premium reduced for withdrawals. The guaranteed multiple varies by issue age and year of death.

Both the Guaranteed Chronic Care Benefit and the Guaranteed Death Benefit become available after the fifth contract year and until activated, can continue to grow for another ten years. Additionally, if no withdrawals have been made from the annuity contract, a return of premium death benefit is available in all contract years. This feature provides a return of the additional fees paid for the SafetyGuard Benefit.

“Roughly 70 percent of Americans age 65 or older will need chronic care services at some point in their lifetime,” said Niju Vaswani, President of The AltiSure Group. “There is a clear and present need to help these individuals meet the financial burden associated with this longer-term care, and we believe Protected Solutions can help ease this hardship.”

Vaswani went on to comment: “In addition to unique benefits of the product, Protected Solutions offers a simplified application process. By asking a few comprehensive questions, we are able to quickly and accurately walk viable applicants through what is normally a complex process.”

Additional information about The Protected Solutions Annuity can be found on The AltiSure Group’s website at www.altisure.com.

BACKGROUND ON INDEXED ANNUITIES

An indexed annuity allows individuals to benefit from growth in the market without the risk of direct investment in the market. When the index shows a positive performance above a specified threshold, “index credits” that are based on that performance are added to the account value. Unlike direct investments, the account does not lose any value when the index goes down because the index credit can never be negative – keeping the account value intact.

ABOUT PHOENIX

The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (NYSE:PNX) is a boutique life insurance and annuity company serving customers’ retirement and protection needs through select independent distributors. Headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, Phoenix has a history of keeping its promises since 1851. For more information, visit www.phoenixwm.com.

ABOUT THE ALTISURE GROUP

The AltiSure Group is an annuity and life insurance product design and distribution company. They design innovative annuity and life insurance products for exclusive distribution through their network of select Independent Marketing Organizations (IMOs). The IMOs in The AltiSure Group network were responsible for a collective annuity premium of more than $5 billion in 2010. The AltiSure Group was founded and is currently managed by Niju Vaswani, President. Prior to starting The AltiSure Group, Mr. Vaswani was Chief Executive Officer of Transamerica Life Bermuda.

The Protected Solutions Annuity (10FIA, 11EWB, 11GMDB-A.1, and 11RSP) is a single-premium indexed annuity issued by PHL Variable Insurance Company (“PHLVIC”), Hartford, CT, a subsidiary of The Phoenix Companies, Inc. This annuity is offered exclusively through The AltiSure Group. PHLVIC and The AltiSure Group are not affiliated. Product features and availability may vary by state. PHLVIC is not authorized to conduct business in NY and ME.

Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of PHL Variable Insurance Company.

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