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Securian’s New Annuity Product Well-Positioned For Inflationary Times
Contact: Maggie Jensen, Media Relations Consultant, 651-665-7558
St. Paul, MN, January 25, 2012 – Securian’s first annuity product designed for nationwide distribution – SecureOption Focus – positions the company for strong sales on the inevitable day when interest rates start rise.
“The fixed sales success we had in 2008 and 2009 showed us that fixed annuities from a company with our ratings strength play well in the marketplace,” says Dan Kruse, second vice president and actuary, Individual Annuity Products. “Interest rates are low now, but they will rise and we are ready for it.”
SecureOption Focus is designed to appeal to advisors as well as clients.
“It’s a fixed deferred annuity with features and a compensation structure we anticipate advisors will appreciate,” says Kerry Geurkink, director, Individual Annuity Marketing. “And for clients, it offers a choice of initial guarantee periods, a return of premium guarantee and a bonus interest rate in the one year guarantee period.”
Geurkink says SecureOption Focus’ basic design is common in the bank channel. Making it available in all US jurisdictions provides opportunities for Securian to open new marketing channels to add to its existing career and independent marketing organization (IMO) distribution.
“Combined with the product’s design, Securian’s reputation will give the product strong appeal in new channels,” says Geurkink. “Our story of financial strength and the fact that we’ve been around for more than 131 years show that we are here to provide products and services for the long run.”
Securian Financial Group helps provide financial security for individuals and businesses in the form of insurance, retirement plans and investments. Securian has more than $770 billion of life insurance in force and nearly $33 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2011, and a nationwide work force of 3,500 employees. Securian serves more than 9,000,000 individuals in the U.S. Annuities are marketed through Securian Retirement Distributors, 1-866-335-7355.
Minnesota Life Insurance Company and Securian Life Insurance Company, subsidiaries of Securian Financial Group, Inc., are highly rated by the major independent rating agencies that analyze the financial soundness and claims-paying ability of insurance companies. For more information about the rating agencies and to see where Securian’s ratings rank relative to others, go to securian.com/financials.
SecureOption Focus may pay an interest rate enhancement or bonus interest on certain purchase payments. Renewal rates may be reduced as a result of the interest rate enhancement such that the additional interest may or may not increase the total amount of interest your contract earns over the life of the contract. Whether or not it does depends on multiple factors, including the length of time you hold the contract. We consider many factors when setting interest crediting rates for your contract including the cost of the interest rate enhancement or bonus interest, sales commissions paid to sales representatives, administrative costs, and current investment and market conditions.
The guarantees in SecureOption Focus are based solely on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing company. Individuals should thoroughly review the contract for specific details of the product features and costs. Income payments and withdrawals from deferred annuities are generally taxable as ordinary income in the year they are taken.
When purchased as part of an IRA or other qualified plan, the annuity contract does not provide tax deferred treatment of earnings in addition to those offered by the IRA or qualified plan. Withdrawals taken from a qualified plan prior to age 59½ may incur a 10% federal tax penalty.
This information should not be considered tax advice. Individuals should consult a tax advisor regarding their own situation. SecureOption Focus may not be approved in all states and features may vary by state.
Products are not federally (FDIC/NCUA) insured, carry no financial institution guarantee and may lose value.
For Financial Advisor use only. This material may not be reproduced in any form where it is accessible to the general public.