The NationWide Defender - Everything You Need to Know.
The Nationwide Defender® Annuity is a registered index-linked annuity (RILA) designed to balance growth potential with market risk protection. This financial product offers a customizable approach, allowing investors to align their investment strategies with personal financial goals and risk tolerance.
Key Features of the Nationwide Defender® Annuity
Growth Potential Through Diverse Index Options
Investors can choose from a selection of market indices, including:
- S&P 500®: Represents 500 large U.S. companies, serving as a primary indicator of the U.S. stock market.
- MSCI EAFE: Covers large companies across 21 developed markets in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East, excluding the U.S. and Canada.
- S&P MidCap 400®: Focuses on mid-cap U.S. equities, reflecting the performance of medium-sized companies.
- Russell 2000®: Comprises 2,000 small-cap companies, offering insights into the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market.
- Nasdaq-100®: Includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
These options enable investors to tailor their portfolios based on market preferences and growth objectives.
Buffer Protection Against Market Downturns
The annuity offers buffer protection choices to shield investments from a portion of market losses:
- 10% Buffer: Protects against the first 10% of an index loss.
- 20% Buffer: Protects against the first 20% of an index loss.
Investors are responsible for any losses exceeding the selected buffer percentage.
Flexible Strategy Terms
The annuity provides various strategy term lengths, allowing investors to adjust their approaches based on market conditions and financial timelines. Shorter terms offer more frequent adjustment opportunities, while longer terms may capture extended growth potential.
Death Benefit Options
To support legacy planning, the Nationwide Defender® Annuity includes death benefit features, ensuring that beneficiaries receive a guaranteed amount. Investors can select from different death benefit options to align with their estate planning objectives.
Considerations
Fees: The annuity carries an annual product fee of 1.10%. Optional riders, such as the Return of Premium Death Benefit and Performance Lock, are available at additional costs.
Surrender Charges: Withdrawals made before the end of the surrender charge period may incur charges, starting at 8% and decreasing over time.
- Market Risk: While buffer protection mitigates some losses, investors are still exposed to market risks beyond the selected buffer percentage.
In summary, the Nationwide Defender® Annuity offers a blend of growth opportunities and protective features, making it a viable option for investors seeking to participate in market gains while managing exposure to potential losses. As with any financial product, it's essential to assess individual financial goals, risk tolerance, and consult with a financial professional to determine suitability.
We'll end with a note that we are an independent firm which gives us the advantage of being entirely objective when it comes to recommending a product or service, so if you feel like you would like a second opinion from us regarding this annuity, or something else, fell free to contact us for a nice chat.
Best Regards,
Derek Notman & Drew Faloon
