COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nationwide continues its busy year of introducing several new and enhanced annuity and life insurance products with the launch of Nationwide Destination Freedom+SM (Freedom+), an investment-focused variable annuity built for clients looking for a low-cost solution with the flexibility to choose from more than 130 funds.
“Nationwide has been a leader in investment-only variable annuities since their introduction,” said Eric Henderson, senior vice president of life insurance and annuities at Nationwide. “Freedom+ builds upon that expertise to provide advisors and clients with an investment-focused solution in a low-cost structure that minimizes fee impact on portfolio performance.”
Higher annuity fees can drag down the potential performance of investments. Freedom+ offers a 1 percent base cost, helping to reduce the overall fee-drag on a portfolio’s performance.
Freedom+ provides clients with a tax-deferred investment option for their portfolio, potentially helping to create more retirement income. It also offers more 4- and 5-star Morningstar rated funds than the leading competitor1 among the more than 130 available fund investment options, allowing advisors and clients to choose their own investment strategy mix for broader diversification.
Nationwide offers clients a unique combination of features on its variable annuities. Clients can choose between the Standard Return of Contract Value Death Benefit or two optional death benefits, the Return of Premium Enhanced Death Benefit or the Highest Anniversary Enhanced Death Benefit2, to provide a financial foundation for their family’s future. The Nationwide spousal protection feature, available at no additional cost when an enhanced death benefit is elected, provides a death benefit for both spouses, regardless of who passes away first. The surviving spouse can receive the death benefit or continue the contract at the higher of the death benefit or contract value.
The Enhanced Surrender Value for Terminal Illness (ESVTI) feature is also available on Freedom+. ESVTI offers terminally ill owner-annuitants access to their full death benefit value prior to passing away3. The patent-pending feature is included in new contracts at no additional cost. Nationwide is the only provider to offer this type of feature on a variable annuity4.
Visit nationwidefinancial.com/freedom or 1-800-321-6064 for more information about Freedom+.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, commercial, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; banking and mortgages; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
Variable annuities are sold by prospectus. The product prospectus and underlying fund prospectuses can be obtained by writing to Nationwide Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 182021, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2021 or by visiting nationwide.com. Carefully consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Prospectuses contain this and other important information — your clients should read them carefully before investing.
Annuities are long-term, tax-deferred investments from an insurance company intended for retirement purposes; annuities will fluctuate in value and their rate of return will vary with the performance of the underlying investment options. As with most things in life, annuities do have limitations. If clients decide to take their money out early, they may face surrender charges. If they’re not 59½, they may also have to pay an additional 10 percent tax penalty on top of ordinary income taxes and their death benefit and contract value will be reduced. Clients should know that annuities contain guarantees and protections that are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuer. But these guarantees don’t cover the investment performance of the variable accounts, which are subject to investment risk. Remember, investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. The use of diversification and asset allocation as part of an overall investment strategy does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.
Nationwide Destination Freedom+ variable annuities are issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. The general distributor is Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA.
Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, Nationwide is on your side and Nationwide Destination Freedom+ are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2015 Nationwide
1Morningstar (June 2015). Unrated funds do not have enough performance history to rate.
2Enhanced death benefit options available at an additional cost.
3Withdrawals taken prior to age 59½ may incur a 10 percent early withdrawal federal tax penalty in addition to ordinary income taxes
4Source: Morningstar/VARDS
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