Index-linked annuities
What’s an index-linked annuity?
An index-linked annuity is a long-term insurance product designed to provide growth potential for your money. It has some downside risk, but less risk than other strategies.
What does “index-linked” mean?
The growth potential of your money is based on the performance of one or more market indexes, but your growth may be limited by a "cap", or based on a "participation rate" or "trigger rate."
What's an index?
An index is a collection of securities whose performance (or change in value) is used to benchmark the performance of a specific market segment or the overall stock or bond market. An index only measures market performance. It is not possible to invest in an index.
Key features
Growth potential based on the performance of an index, limited by a cap, or based on a participation rate or trigger rate.
Account options designed to provide some protection against market losses.
You can take withdrawals at any time, so you always have access to your money.
You can increase your growth potential by selecting indexed accounts with
an annual charge.1
Growth is tax-deferred (it’s not taxed until you take it out), so it can compound over time.1
You can convert your money into a series of income payments in retirement.
How do index-linked annuities work?
You put money in
You purchase the annuity contract with a lump sum.
Has growth potential
The interest you earn is tied to a fixed interest rate or the performance of an index, or both. You choose.
- A fixed interest rate means the interest you earn is predetermined each interest term.
- An index-linked interest rate has more growth potential, but it is also subject to potential downside.
And pays you back later
You can get your money back, including interest, after the surrender charge period. Your payment can happen in a number of ways, including a lump sum or regular payments that can continue for life.
What’s a surrender charge period?
Most annuities allow you to withdraw a certain percentage of your contract free of charge from the start. However, because annuities are designed as long-term products, if you withdraw more than the free withdrawal percentage early on, you will incur a penalty known as a surrender charge. The surrender charge period is the length of time you need to wait before you can withdraw additional money without incurring surrender charges.
Consider an indexed-linked annuity if:
You want more growth potential for your money than other indexed annuity strategies and some protection from downside market risk, and you are willing to accept potential losses.
Symetra Life Insurance Company products and resources
Symetra Trek® Plus
Opportunity to grow your money based on the performance of up to five market indexes, three upside potential options and three interest term lengths. This provides the tools you need to respond to different market situations in exchange for some downside risk.
Index-linked annuity rates, prospectuses and more
Learn more about Symetra's index-linked annuities.
Next steps
Symetra offers a variety of annuities. Ask your financial professional, registered representative or [insurance producer] if an annuity is right for you.
Are you a registered representative? Click here to visit the Financial Professionals site for more information.
Securities are offered through Symetra Securities, Inc. (SSI). Member FINRA.
Annuities are issued by Symetra Life Insurance Company (SLIC). Products, features, terms and conditions may vary by state and may not available in all U.S. states or any U.S. territory. SSI and SLIC are affiliates and are both located at 777 108th Avenue NE, Suite 1200, Bellevue, WA 98004-5135. Each company is responsible for its own financial obligations.
Symetra Trek is an individual single-premium deferred annuity contract with index-linked interest options. Contract form number is RSC-0536 4/18 in most states. In Idaho, contract form number is RSC-0536/ID 3/21.
Symetra Trek Plus is an individual single-premium deferred annuity contract with index-linked interest options. Contract form number is RSC-0559 3/21 in most states. In Idaho, contract form number is RSC-0559/ID 3/21.
Annuity contracts have terms and limitations for keeping them in force. Contact your registered representative for complete details.
Guarantees and benefits are subject to the claims-paying ability of Symetra Life Insurance Company.
Symetra index-linked annuities have indexed accounts and a fixed account. Interest credited to the indexed accounts is affected by the value of outside indexes. Values based on the performance of any index are not guaranteed, and the contract value may decrease. The contract does not directly participate in any outside investment.
For Trek Plus, the indexed accounts with a charge will incur an annual charge that will reduce the contract value, and do not guarantee performance any greater than the indexed accounts without a charge. The indexed account charge will not be refunded regardless of the amount of indexed interest, whether positive or negative that is credited to the indexed account.
Indexed interest is calculated and credited (if applicable) at the end of an annual interest term. Indexed interest may be positive, negative, or zero. Amounts withdrawn from the indexed account before the end of an annual interest term will not receive indexed interest for that term. For Trek Plus, withdrawals may result in a loss of principal due to adjustments and charges that may be imposed even if index account(s) performance has been positive.
If the contract is being funded with multiple purchase payments (e.g., 1035 exchanges) funds will be held and the contract will not be issued until all purchase payments have been received. Interest is not credited between the dates the purchase payments are received and the date the contract is issued.
The performance of an index does not reflect the payment or reinvestment of dividends.
It is not possible to invest in an index.
Symetra reserves the right to add, remove or replace indexes or crediting methods subject to applicable regulatory approval.
The fixed account interest rate and indexed interest caps are reset at the beginning of each interest term. Additionally, for Trek Plus, the participation rates and trigger rates are reset at the beginning of each interest term. Subsequent rates and caps may be higher or lower than the initial rates and caps, but they will never be less than the guaranteed minimums stated in the contract.
SYMETRA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (“Symetra”) has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for Symetra Trek and Symetra Trek Plus. For more complete information about Symetra, Symetra Trek and Symetra Trek Plus, you should read the prospectus and other documents Symetra has filed with the SEC before purchasing. These documents are available for free by visiting EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Symetra or your registered representative will provide the prospectus by request. Contact Symetra toll-free at 1-800-796-3872 ext. 22136.
Symetra Trek and Symetra Trek Plus are long-term investments designed for retirement purposes. There is a risk of substantial loss of principal. Please refer to the prospectus for more details.
Tax-qualified contracts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, etc., are tax-deferred regardless of whether or not they are funded with an annuity. If you are considering funding a tax-qualified retirement plan with an annuity, you should know that an annuity does not provide any additional tax-deferred treatment of earnings beyond the tax-qualified plan or program itself. However, annuities do provide other features and benefits such as death benefits and income payment options.
Contracts not owned for the benefit of natural persons, e.g., contracts owned by trusts, corporations or certain other entities, are generally not treated as annuities for federal income tax purposes and any interest are taxed as ordinary income in the current year. Exceptions may apply. Prospective Owners that are not natural persons should consult their tax professionals before purchasing the Contract.
Neither Symetra Life Insurance Company nor its employees provide investment, tax, or legal advice or endorse any particular method of investing. Please consult your attorney or tax professional before making savings and investing decisions.
This is not a complete description of Symetra Trek or Symetra Trek Plus. For a complete description, please ask your registered representative for a copy of the prospectus.
Symetra Trek® is a registered service mark of Symetra Life Insurance Company.
1 While nonqualified annuities offer the added benefit of tax deferral, in the case of qualified annuities, the tax deferral is provided by the retirement plan itself. No additional tax benefit is provided by placing qualified funds in an annuity. In the case of qualified annuities, you should focus on the benefits offered by the annuity itself to determine if the annuity is right for you.