November 4, 2008
Mr. Craig Ruckman
Office of Insurance Products
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
| Re: | Transamerica Life Insurance Company |
| Separate Account VA Y |
| Flexible Premium Variable Annuity—J |
| File Nos. 333-131987/811-21858 |
Dear Mr. Ruckman:
This letter responds to oral comments that you provided with respect to the above-referenced post-effective amendment filing for Separate Account VA Y of Transamerica Life Insurance Company (“Transamerica” or “we”).1 For your convenience, I have restated those comments below (as best we understand them), and followed each comment with our response.
1.The SEC staff is following up on Comment 2. (b)(3) from the verbal comments made on 9-26-2008.Further, please change the order of presentation of current and maximum charges so that the maximum charge is listed first.
Response: In response to your comments, we have revised the order of presentation of current and maximum charges to present the maximum charge first.
2.The SEC staff is asking for clarification of the Fund Facilitation Fee. Please state clearly whether the fund facilitation fee charges are based on the separate account value or based on the assets invested in the underlying fund portfolio.
Response: The Fund Facilitation Fee is an annual service charge based upon the investment values in the underlying fund portfolios. This disclosure is referenced in the Fund Facilitation Fee endnote to the Annuity Policy Fee Table and Expense Examples as well as in the Fund Facilitation Fee disclosure in section 5. Expenses.
3.The SEC staff is following up on Comment 4(d) from the verbal comments made on 9-26-2008.First bullet point on page 5—The supplement notes that an investor cannot choose both this rider and the Double Enhanced Death Benefit Rider, please note this fact in a footnote to the fee table.
1 | You shared your comments with my colleague, Alaina Conrad, on October 31, 2008. |
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Response:In response to this comment, we have revised the endnote concerning the Retirement Income Choice Rider and the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider – base benefit as follows:
Retirement Income Choice Rider and Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider – base benefit: The annual fee is a percentage of the Withdrawal Base. The Withdrawal Base on the rider date is the policy value (less any premium enhancement if the rider is added in the first policy year). During any rider year, the Withdrawal Base is equal to the Withdrawal Base on the rider date or most recent rider anniversary, plus subsequent premium payments, less subsequent Withdrawal Base adjustments.Note:If you elect this rider, then you cannot also elect the Double Enhanced Death Benefit.
* * * * *
Pursuant to our conversation on October 31, 2008 we will submit revised fees (and examples, if necessary) under separate cover.
I trust that the responses provided in this letter address your comments adequately. If you have any questions regarding these responses, please contact the undersigned at 319-355-8330. Thank you very much for your assistance with this filing.
| Sincerely, |
| /s/ Darin D. Smith |
| Darin D. Smith |
| General Counsel |
| Transamerica Capital Management Division |
| Transamerica Life Insurance Company |
| cc: | Frederick R. Bellamy |
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FLEXIBLE PREMIUM VARIABLE ANNUITY-J
Issued by
TRANSAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Supplement dated November 10, 2008
to the
Prospectus dated May 1, 2008
This supplement describes three new investment choices available under the policy and the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider, which provides you with a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit if you invest only in certain designated funds and meet other conditions.
The following investment choices are generally available to policies on or after November 10, 2008:
TRANSAMERICA SERIES TRUST
Subadvised by AEGON USA Investment Management
Transamerica Efficient Markets VP – Service Class
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND, INC.
Managed by AllianceBernstein L.P.
AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio – Class B
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST
Fund Administrator: Franklin Templeton Services, LLC
Franklin Templeton VIP Founding Funds Allocation Fund – Class 4
Please note:
| • | The AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio and the Franklin Templeton VIP Founding Funds Allocation Fund have a Fund Facilitation Fee. |
| • | These investment choices have been added as Designated Investment Choices under the Double Enhanced Death Benefit, the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider, and the Retirement Income Choice Rider. |
| • | These investment choices may vary for certain policies and may not be available for all policies. |
The following hereby amends, and to the extent inconsistent replaces, the corresponding paragraphs in the SUMMARY section in the prospectus.
| 5. | EXPENSES |
We deduct a daily fund facilitation fee from the assets in certain investment choices at an annual rate (as a percentage of the subaccount’s value) as follows:
| • | 0.20% if you choose the AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio |
| • | 0.15% if you choose the Franklin Templeton VIP Founding Funds Allocation Fund |
This Prospectus Supplement must be accompanied or preceded
by the Prospectus for the
Flexible Premium Variable Annuity – J dated May 1, 2008
If you elect the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider, then there is an annual rider fee during the accumulation phase of 0.75% of the withdrawal base on each rider anniversary. For each additional option you elect with the rider, you will be charged an annual fee during the accumulation phase that is also a percentage of the withdrawal base; this fee is in addition to the rider fee for the base benefit.
The following hereby replaces the corresponding ANNUITY POLICY FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLES in the prospectus.
ANNUITY POLICY FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLES
The following describes the fees and expenses that you will pay when buying, owning, and surrendering the policy.Please be certain to review the notes following the fee table and expense examples for further information about the fees and charges presented. The order of the notes follows the order in which the fees and charges under the policy are presented in the fee table and the expense examples.
The first section describes the fees and expenses that you will pay at the time that you buy the policy, surrender the policy, or transfer cash value between investment choices. State premium taxes may also be deducted. Excess interest adjustments may be made to amounts surrendered or applied to annuity payment options from cash value from the fixed account.
Policy Owner Transaction Expenses: | |||
Sales Load On Purchase Payments | 0 | % | |
Maximum Surrender Charge (as a % of premium payments surrendered) | |||
Base Policy | 5 | % | |
Transfer Fee | $0 - $10 | ||
Special Service Fee | $0 - $25 |
The next section describes the fees and expenses that you will pay periodically during the time that you own the policy, not including portfolio fees and expenses.
Annual Service Charge | $0 - $35 per policy | ||
| Separate Account Annual Expenses (as a percentage, annually, of average separate account value): | |||
Base Separate Account Expenses: | |||
Mortality and Expense Risk Fee | 0.85 | % | |
Administrative Charge | 0.15 | % | |
Total Base Separate Account Annual Expenses | 1.00 | % | |
Optional Separate Account Expenses: | |||
Double Enhanced Death Benefit | 0.80 | % | |
Annual Step-Up Death Benefit | 0.35 | % | |
Return of Premium Death Benefit | 0.15 | % | |
Fund Facilitation Fee | 0.20 | % | |
Access Rider | 0.20 | % | |
Total Separate Account Annual Expenses with Highest Optional Separate Account Expenses | 2.20 | % |
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Optional Rider Fees: | |||
Additional Death Distribution Rider (annual charge based on policy value) | 0.25 | % | |
Additional Death Distribution + Rider (annual charge based on policy value) | 0.55 | % | |
Living Benefits Rider (annual charge – a % of Total Withdrawal Base) | 0.60 | % | |
Retirement Income Choice Rider – Single Life Option (annual charge - a % of Withdrawal Base): | |||
Base Benefit (Current) | 0.60 | % | |
Base Benefit (Maximum) | 1.35 | % | |
Additional Benefits available with the Retirement Income Choice Rider: | |||
Death Benefit | 0.25 | % | |
Income Enhancement Benefit | 0.15 | % | |
Maximum Total Retirement Income Choice Rider Fees (Single Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits | 1.75 | % | |
Current Total Retirement Income Choice Rider Fees (Single Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits | 1.00 | % | |
Retirement Income Choice Rider – Joint Life Option (annual charge - a % of Withdrawal Base): | |||
Base Benefit (Current) | 0.90 | % | |
Base Benefit (Maximum) | 1.65 | % | |
Additional Benefits available with the Retirement Income Choice Rider: | |||
Death Benefit | 0.20 | % | |
Income Enhancement Benefit | 0.30 | % | |
Maximum Total Retirement Income Choice Rider Fees (Joint Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits | 2.15 | % | |
Current Total Retirement Income Choice Rider Fees (Joint Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits | 1.40 | % | |
Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider – Single Life Option (annual charge - a % of Withdrawal Base): | |||
Base Benefit (Current) | 0.75 | % | |
Base Benefit (Maximum) | 1.50 | % | |
Additional Benefits available with the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider: | |||
Death Benefit | 0.25 | % | |
Income Enhancement Benefit | 0.15 | % | |
Maximum Total Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider Fees (Single Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits | 1.90 | % | |
Current Total Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider Fees (Single Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits | 1.15 | % | |
Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider – Joint Life Option | |||
(annual charge - a % of Withdrawal Base): | |||
Base Benefit (Current) | 0.75 | % | |
Base Benefit (Maximum) | 1.50 | % | |
Additional Benefits available with the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider: | |||
Death Benefit | 0.20 | % | |
Income Enhancement Benefit | 0.30 | % | |
Maximum Total Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider Fees (Joint Life) withHighest Combination of Benefits | 2.00 | % | |
Current Total Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider Fees (Joint Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits | 1.25 | % |
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The next section shows the lowest and highest total operating expenses charged by the underlying fund portfolios for the year ended December 31, 2007 (before any fee waiver or expense reimbursements). Expenses may be higher or lower in future years. More detail concerning each portfolio’s fees and expenses is contained in the prospectus for each portfolio.
Total Portfolio Annual Operating Expenses (Expenses that are deducted from portfolio assets, including management fees, distribution and/or service 12b-1 fees, and other expenses):
Lowest Gross | 0.65 | % | |
Highest Gross | 1.43 | % |
The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the policy with the cost of investing in other variable annuity policies. These costs include policy owner transaction expenses, policy fees, separate account annual expenses, and portfolio fees and expenses.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the policy for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, the highest fees and expenses of any of the portfolios for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the base policy with the combination of available optional features or riders with the highest fees and expenses including the Fund Facilitation Fee, Annual Step-Up Death Benefit, Additional Death Distribution+ Rider, and Retirement Income Choice Rider – Joint Life with additional Death Benefit and Income Enhancement options. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Expense Examples:
If the policy is surrendered at the end of the applicable time period (without Access Rider):
1 Year | $ | 958 | |
3 Years | $ | 1815 | |
5 Years | $ | 2701 | |
10 Years | $ | 5412 |
If the policy is annuitized at the end of the applicable time period or if you do not surrender your policy
(without Access Rider):
1 Year | $ | 508 | |
3 Years | $ | 1545 | |
5 Years | $ | 2611 | |
10 Years | $ | 5412 |
If the policy is surrendered at the end of the applicable time period (with Access Rider):
1 Year | $ | 527 | |
3 Years | $ | 1602 | |
5 Years | $ | 2702 | |
10 Years | $ | 5573 |
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If the policy is annuitized at the end of the applicable time period or if you do not surrender your policy (with Access Rider):
1 Year | $ | 527 | |
3 Years | $ | 1602 | |
5 Years | $ | 2702 | |
10 Years | $ | 5573 |
Please remember that the Example is an illustration and does not represent past or future expenses. Your actual expenses may be lower or higher than those reflected in the Example. Similarly, your rate of return may be more or less than the 5% assumed in the Example.
For information concerning compensation paid for the sale of the policies, see “Distributor of the Policies.”
NOTES TO FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLES
Annuity Policy Fee Table and Expense Examples: The fee table applies only to the accumulation phase and reflects the maximum charges unless otherwise noted. During the income phase the fees may be different than those described in the Fee Table. See Section “5. Expenses.”
Maximum Surrender Charge: The surrender charge, if any is imposed, applies to each premium, regardless of how policy value is allocated among the investment choices. The surrender charge decreases based on the number of years since the premium payment was made.
If you select the Life with Emergency Cash® annuity payment option, you will be subject to a surrender charge after the annuity commencement date. See section “5. Expenses.”
Transfer Fee: The transfer fee, if any is imposed, applies to each policy, regardless of how the policy value is allocated among the investment choices. There is no fee for the first 12 transfers per policy year. For additional transfers, the Company may charge a fee of $10 per transfer.
Annual Service Charge: The annual service charge is assessed on each policy anniversary and at surrender. The charge is waived if your policy value, or the sum of your premiums less all partial surrenders, is at least $50,000.
Special Service Fees: We may deduct a charge for special services, such as overnight delivery.
Mortality and Expense Risk Fee: The mortality and expense risk fee shown is for the accumulation phase with the base death benefit.
Optional Separate Account Expenses: Any optional separate account expense is in addition to the mortality and expense risk and administrative fees.
Fund Facilitation Fee: This daily fee is applied only to policy value in the subaccounts invested in the AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio (0.20%) and the Franklin Templeton VIP Founding Funds Allocation Fund (0.15%). See section “5. Expenses.”
Access Rider: The fee is a percentage of the daily net asset value in the separate account.
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Total Separate Account Annual Expenses with Highest Optional Separate Account Expenses: This reflects the base separate account expenses plus any optional separate account expenses, but does not include any annual optional rider fees.
Optional Rider Fees: In some cases, riders to the policy are available that provide optional benefits. There are additional fees (each year) for those riders.
Additional Death Distribution Rider and Additional Death Distribution+ Rider: This fee is a percentage of the policy value and is only deducted during the accumulation phase.
Living Benefits Rider: The annual fee is a percentage of the “principal back” Total Withdrawal Base. The “principal back” Total Withdrawal Base on the rider date is the policy value (less premium enhancements if the rider is added in the first policy year). After the rider date, the “principal back” Total Withdrawal Base is equal to: the “principal back” Total Withdrawal Base on the rider date; plus subsequent premium payments; less subsequent “principal back” adjusted partial withdrawals.
Retirement Income Choice Rider and Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider – base benefit: The annual fee is a percentage of the Withdrawal Base. The Withdrawal Base on the rider date is the policy value (less any premium enhancement if the rider is added in the first policy year). During any rider year, the Withdrawal Base is equal to the Withdrawal Base on the rider date or most recent rider anniversary, plus subsequent premium payments, less subsequent Withdrawal Base adjustments.Note: If you elect this rider, then you cannot also elect the Double Enhanced Death Benefit.
Retirement Income Choice Rider and Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider – Additional Benefits (Single Life and Joint Life Options): You may elect the Retirement Income Choice Rider or the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider with one or more of the following options – Death Benefit or Income Enhancement Benefit. The charge for each of these options is a percentage of the Withdrawal Base and is in addition to the base benefit fee.
Maximum Total Retirement Income Choice Rider Fees with Highest Combination of Benefits and Maximum Total Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider Fees with Highest Combination of Benefits: After the fifth rider anniversary, the base benefit rider fees can increase when there is an automatic step-up. These fee totals reflect the maximum fee increase resulting from an automatic step-up of the Withdrawal Base while the rider is in effect.
Total Portfolio Annual Operating Expenses: The fee table information relating to the underlying fund portfolios was provided to the Company by the underlying fund portfolios, their investment advisors or managers, and the Company has not and cannot independently verify the accuracy or completeness of such information. Actual future expenses of the portfolios may be greater or less than those shown in the Table.
Expense Examples: The Example does not reflect premium tax charges or transfer fees. Different fees and expenses not reflected in the Example may be assessed during the income phase of the policy.
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The following hereby amends, and to the extent inconsistent replaces, the corresponding paragraphs in the “5. EXPENSES” section in the prospectus.
Fund Facilitation Fee
We charge a fund facilitation fee in order to make certain funds available as investment choices under the policies. This fee is assessed daily based on the net asset value of only the subaccounts that we specify. The fund facilitation fee, expressed as an annual rate is:
| • | 0.20% if you choose the AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio |
| • | 0.15% if you choose the Franklin Templeton VIP Founding Funds Allocation Fund |
Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider and Additional Option Fees
If you elect the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider, then for the base benefit (for single life or joint life), there is an annual fee of 0.75% of the withdrawal base charged on each rider anniversary prior to annuitization. If you elect options with the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider, then for each option you elect, you will be charged a fee that is a percentage of the withdrawal base on each rider anniversary prior to annuitization and is in addition to the rider fee for the base benefit. The additional fees are as follows:
Options | Single Life Option | Joint Life Option | ||||
Death Benefit | 0.25 | % | 0.20 | % | ||
Income Enhancement | 0.15 | % | 0.30 | % |
We will also deduct any rider fee pro rata upon full surrender of the policy or other termination of the rider. The rider fee(s) is deducted from each investment choice in proportion to the amount of policy value in each investment choice.
The following hereby amends the corresponding paragraphs in “10. ADDITIONAL FEATURES” section in the prospectus.
GUARANTEED LIFETIME WITHDRAWAL BENEFITS
You may elect one of the following optional riders under the policy that offers guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits—the Living Benefits Rider, the Retirement Income Choice Rider, or the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider. Important aspects of each of these riders are summarized in the Appendix – Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Comparison Table and are described in more detail below.You should consult with tax and financial professionals to determine which of these riders is appropriate for you.
Note: The Income Select for Life Rider is no longer available for new sales, but if you have previously elected this rider you can still upgrade.
RETIREMENT INCOME CHOICE WITH DOUBLE WITHDRAWAL BASE BENEFIT RIDER
You may elect to purchase the optional Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider which, provides you with: (1) a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit; and (2) an opportunity to increase the withdrawal base if no withdrawals have been made before the 10th rider anniversary or before the anniversary following the annuitant’s (or the annuitant’s spouse if younger and the joint life option is elected) attaining age 67, whichever is later. This rider is
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available during the accumulation phase, and requires that you invest only in certain investment choices. The tax rules for qualified policies may limit the value of this rider. Please consult a qualified tax advisor before electing the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider for a qualified policy.
Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit – Base Benefit
This benefit is intended to provide a level of cash withdrawals regardless of the performance of the designated investment choices you select. Under this benefit, you can withdraw up to the rider withdrawal amount each rider year, starting with the rider year immediately following the annuitant’s (or the annuitant’s spouse if younger and the joint life option is elected) 59th birthday and lasting until the annuitant’s death (unless your withdrawal base is reduced to zero because of “excess withdrawals”; see Withdrawal Base Adjustments, and Rider Death Benefit Adjustments, below). A rider year begins on the rider date (the date the rider becomes effective) and on each anniversary thereafter. All withdrawals before the annuitant (or the annuitant’s spouse if younger and the joint life option is elected) is 59 are excess withdrawals; a penalty tax may be assessed on amounts withdrawn from the policy before the owner reaches age 59 1/2.
Example. Assume you are the owner and annuitant and you make a single premium payment of $100,000 when you are 56 years old. Further assume that you do not make any withdrawals or additional premium payments, no automatic step-ups occurred, but that after five years your policy value has declined to $90,000 solely because of negative investment performance. With an annual growth rate percentage of 5.0%, after 5 years the withdrawal base is equal to $127,628 ($100,000 x 1.055). You could withdraw up to $6,381 which is the applicable withdrawal percentage of 5.0% for the single life option multiplied by the withdrawal base of $127,628, each rider year for the rest of your life (assuming that you take your first withdrawal when you are age 61, that you do not withdraw more than the rider withdrawal amount in any one year and there are no future automatic step-ups.)
Of course, you can always withdraw an amount up to your cash value pursuant to your rights under the policy at your discretion.
Example continued. Assume the same facts as above, but you withdraw $10,000 when you are 61 years old. That excess withdrawal decreases your future rider withdrawal amount to $6,105.
See the “Appendix - Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Adjusted Partial Surrenders - Retirement Income Choice and Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Riders” for examples showing the effect of hypothetical withdrawals in more detail.
Please note:
| • | If you elect this rider, then you cannot also elect the Double Enhanced Death Benefit guaranteed minimum death benefit option. |
| • | You will begin paying the rider charge as of the date the rider takes effect, even if you do not begin taking withdrawals for many years, or ever. We will not refund the charges you have paid under the rider if you never choose to take withdrawals and/or if you never receive any payments under the rider. |
| • | We have designed this rider for you to take withdrawals each rider year that are less than or equal to the rider withdrawal amount. You should not purchase this rider if you plan to take withdrawals in excess of the rider withdrawal amount, because such excess withdrawals may significantly reduce or eliminate the value of the guarantees provided by the rider. |
| • | The longer you wait to start making withdrawals under the benefit, the less time you have to benefit from the guarantee because of decreasing life expectancy as you age. On the other hand, the longer you wait to begin making withdrawals, the higher your withdrawal percentage may be and the more opportunities you will have to lock in a higher withdrawal base. You should carefully consider when to begin making withdrawals. There is a risk that you will not begin making withdrawals at the most financially beneficial time for you. |
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| • | Because the guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit under this rider is accessed through regular withdrawals that do not exceed the rider withdrawal amount, the rider may not be appropriate for you if you do not foresee a need for liquidity and your primary objective is to take maximum advantage of the tax deferral aspect of the policy. |
| • | All policy value must be allocated to a limited number of specified funds (see “Designated Investment Choices”). You should consult with your registered representative to assist you in determining whether these investment restrictions are suited for your financial needs and risk tolerance. |
| • | Cumulative withdrawals in any rider year that are in excess of the rider withdrawal amount are excess withdrawals. |
| • | An excess withdrawal may impact the rider withdrawal amount, withdrawal base, and rider death benefit (if applicable) on a greater than dollar-for-dollar basis. |
| • | Any withdrawal will reduce your rider death benefit (if applicable). |
| • | Upon the death of the annuitant, the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider terminates and there are no more additional guaranteed withdrawals. |
Like all withdrawals, withdrawals under this benefit also:
| • | reduce your policy value; |
| • | reduce your base policy death benefit and other benefits; |
| • | may be subject to surrender charges and excess interest adjustments; |
| • | may be subject to income taxes and federal tax penalties; and |
| • | may be limited or restricted under certain qualified policies. |
Rider Withdrawal Amount. You can withdraw up to the rider withdrawal amount (after age 59) in any rider year without causing an excess withdrawal. See “Withdrawal Base Adjustments” and “Rider Death Benefit Adjustments”, below.
The rider withdrawal amount is zero if the annuitant is not 59 years old on the rider date and remains zero until the first day of the rider year after the annuitant’s 59th birthday. If the annuitant (or the annuitant’s spouse if younger and the joint life option is elected) is at least 59 years old on the date that the rider is elected (“rider date”), then the rider withdrawal amount is equal to the withdrawal base multiplied by the withdrawal percentage (see below).
For qualified policies: If the plan participant (generally the annuitant) is at least 70 1/2 years old, the rider withdrawal amount for that rider year (and each subsequent rider year) is equal to the greater of:
| • | the rider withdrawal amount described above; or |
| • | an amount equal to a minimum required distribution amount calculated using only: (1) the living annuitant’s age, (2) the IRS Uniform Lifetime table or, if applicable, the Joint Life and Survivor Expectancy table, (3) the policy value of the base policy, (including the present value of any additional benefits provided under the policy to the extent required to be taken into account under IRS guidance) and (4) amounts from the current calendar year (no carry-over from past years). |
| • | Only amounts calculated as set forth above can be used as the rider withdrawal amount. If the minimum required distribution amount (determined as set forth above) exceeds the rider withdrawal amount, the excess will not be treated as an excess withdrawal under the rider. |
Once your policy value reaches zero, you cannot make premium payments and all other policy features, benefits, and guarantees (except those provided by this rider) are terminated. In order to receive withdrawals guaranteed by this rider after your policy value reaches zero, you must select the frequency of future withdrawals. Once selected, the amount and frequency of future withdrawals after your policy value reaches zero cannot be changed.
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Please note:
| • | If the rider is added prior to the annuitant’s 59th birthday, the rider withdrawal amount will be zero until the beginning of the rider year after the annuitant’s 59th birthday, however, you will still be charged a rider fee prior to this time. |
| • | You cannot carry over any portion of your rider withdrawal amount that is not withdrawn during a rider year for withdrawal in a future rider year. This means that if you do not take the entire rider withdrawal amount during a rider year, you cannot take more than the rider withdrawal amount in the next rider year and maintain the rider’s guarantees. |
| • | Excess withdrawals may cause you to lose the benefit of the rider. |
| • | All policy value must be allocated to a limited number of specified funds (See “Designated Investment Choices” below). |
Withdrawal Percentage. We use the withdrawal percentage to calculate the rider withdrawal amount. The withdrawal percentage is determined by the annuitant’s age (or the annuitant’s spouse if younger and the joint life option is elected) at the time of the first withdrawal taken on or after the rider anniversary immediately following the annuitant’s (or the annuitant’s spouse if younger and the joint life option is elected) 59th birthday. The withdrawal percentage is as follows:
Age at time of first withdrawal | Withdrawal Percentage – Single Life Option | Withdrawal Percentage – Joint Life Option | ||||
0-58 | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | ||
59-69 | 5.0 | % | 4.5 | % | ||
70-79 | 6.0 | % | 5.5 | % | ||
³ 80 | 7.0 | % | 6.5 | % |
Please note, once established, the withdrawal percentage will not increase even though the annuitant’s age increases.
Withdrawal Base. We use the withdrawal base to calculate the rider withdrawal amount. The withdrawal base on the rider date is the policy value (less any premium enhancement, if the rider is added in the first policy year). During any rider year, the withdrawal base is equal to the withdrawal base on the rider date or most recent rider anniversary, plus subsequent premium payments, less subsequent withdrawal base adjustments.
Please note:
| • | We determine the withdrawal base solely to calculate the rider withdrawal amount. Your withdrawal base is not a cash value, a surrender value, or a death benefit. It is not available for withdrawal, it is not a minimum return for any subaccount, and it is not a guarantee of policy value. |
| • | Because the withdrawal base is generally equal to the policy value on the rider date, the rider withdrawal amount may be lower if you delay electing the rider and the policy value decreases before you elect the rider. |
On each rider anniversary, the withdrawal base will equal the greatest of:
| • | Current withdrawal base; |
| • | The withdrawal base immediately before the rider anniversary increased by the growth credit (see “Growth” below); |
| • | The policy value on any monthiversary, including the current rider anniversary (see “Automatic Step-Up” below). |
Growth. On each of the first ten rider anniversaries, we will add an annual growth credit to your withdrawal base if no withdrawal occurred during the preceding rider year. The annual growth credit is equal to 5% of the withdrawal base immediately before the rider anniversary (i.e., withdrawal base x 0.05).
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Please note: Because a withdrawal will eliminate a potential growth credit for that rider year, you should consider your need or possible need to take withdrawals within 10 rider years in deciding whether to purchase the rider.
Automatic Step-Up. On each rider anniversary, we will automatically step-up the withdrawal base to an amount equal to the greater of (1) the highest policy value on any monthiversary during the preceding rider year if no excess withdrawal occurred or (2) the policy value on the rider anniversary, if the withdrawal base after any annual growth credit is applied is less than that amount.
Beginning on the fifth rider anniversary, the rider fee percentage may increase (or decrease) at the time of any automatic step-up. The rider fee percentage will not exceed the maximum rider fee percentage in the fee table.
Automatic Step-Up Opt Out. Each time an automatic step-up results in a rider fee percentage increase, you have the option to reject the automatic step-up and reinstate the withdrawal base and rider fee percentage to their respective amounts immediately before the automatic step-up, provided that you do so within 30 days after a rider anniversary on which the automatic step-up occurred. We must receive your rejection (each time you elect to opt out), in a form satisfactory to us, at our administrative and service office within the same 30 day period after the rider anniversary on which the automatic step-up occurred. Opting out of one step-up does not operate as an opt-out of any future step-ups.
Double Withdrawal Base Benefit. If no withdrawals have been made 1) before the 10th rider anniversary, or 2) before the rider anniversary following the annuitant (or annuitant’s spouse if younger and the joint life option is elected) attaining age 67, whichever is later, then the withdrawal base on that rider anniversary will be the greater of 1) the withdrawal base as calculated above or 2) the result of the withdrawal base on the rider date plus any premiums received within 90 days of the rider date, multiplied by 2. See “Appendix - Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Adjusted Partial Surrenders - Retirement Income Choice and Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Riders – Example 5 (no excess withdrawals) and Example 6 (excess withdrawals).”
Withdrawal Base Adjustments. Cumulative gross partial withdrawals up to the rider withdrawal amount in any rider year will not reduce the withdrawal base. Cumulative gross partial withdrawals in excess of the rider withdrawal amount in any rider year (“excess withdrawals”) will reduce the withdrawal base, however, by the greater of the dollar amount of the excess withdrawal or a pro rata amount (in proportion to the reduction in the policy value), possibly to zero. Withdrawal base adjustments occur immediately following excess withdrawals. See “Appendix - Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Adjusted Partial Surrenders - Retirement Income Choice and Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Riders” for examples showing the effect of hypothetical withdrawals in more detail including an excess withdrawal that reduces the withdrawal base by a pro rata amount. Excess withdrawals may eliminate any guarantee offered by this rider.
Designated Investment Choices. If you elect this rider, you must allocate 100% of your policy value to one or more of the following “designated investment choices:”
Transamerica Asset Allocation – Conservative VP – Service Class
Transamerica Asset Allocation – Moderate VP – Service Class
Transamerica Asset Allocation – Moderate Growth VP – Service Class
Transamerica International Moderate Growth VP – Service Class
Transamerica Efficient Markets VP – Service Class
Transamerica Balanced VP – Service Class
Transamerica Money Market VP – Service Class
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Designated Investment Choices Continued:
Transamerica U.S. Government Securities VP – Service Class
Transamerica Index 50 VP – Service Class
Transamerica Index 75 VP – Service Class
Transamerica Value Balanced VP – Service Class
Fidelity – VIP Balanced Portfolio – Service Class 2
Transamerica PIMCO Total Return VP – Service Class
AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio – Class B
Franklin Templeton VIP Founding Funds Allocation Fund – Class 4
Fixed Account
If you elect this rider, you may transfer amounts among the designated investment choices (subject to the terms and conditions stated in the prospectus); however, you cannot transfer any amount (or allocate premium payments) to any other subaccount. After the fifth rider anniversary (and each successive fifth rider anniversary), you can terminate this rider. Starting the next business day, you may transfer to a non-designated investment choice. Terminating the rider will result in losing all your benefits under the rider.
Please note:
| • | The earliest you can transfer to a non-designated investment choice is the first business day after the fifth rider anniversary. You will be required to terminate the rider first. |
| • | We can eliminate a designated investment choice at any time. If a designated investment choice is eliminated, then a policy owner will be given the option to reallocate the value in the eliminated designated investment choice to other designated investment choices. |
Manual Upgrades. You can upgrade the withdrawal base to equal the policy value during the 30-day period following each successive fifth rider anniversary by sending us written notice in a form acceptable to us, as long as the rider issue requirements for a new rider are met. At this time the rider withdrawal amount and, if applicable, the rider death benefit will be recalculated. If an upgrade is elected, your current rider will terminate and a new rider will be issued with a new rider date, its own rider fee percentage, and growth rate (which may be higher or lower than your current rider fee percentage and growth rate); and any options you elect to change or add to the rider base benefit. The new rider date will be the date the Company receives all necessary information. You cannot elect a manual upgrade if the annuitant (or the annuitant’s spouse if younger and the joint life option is elected) is 86 or older.
Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit – Additional Options
You may elect the following options with this rider (the options are not mutually exclusive):
| • | Death Benefit; |
| • | Joint Life; and |
| • | Income Enhancement. |
There is an additional fee if you elect the Death Benefit and/or the Income Enhancement Benefit option(s) under the rider. If you elect the Joint Life option, then the withdrawal percentage (used to calculate the rider withdrawal amount) is lower. Furthermore, if you elect the Joint Life option in combination with the Death Benefit and/or the Income Enhancement Benefit option(s), then the fee for each of those additional options will be different than under the single life option. See “Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider and Additional Option Fees”.
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1. Death Benefit. If you elect this rider, you can also elect to add an additional amount to the death benefit payable under the base policy, upon the death of the annuitant (or if the joint life option is selected, the annuitant’s spouse). The additional amount will be equal to the excess, if any, of the rider death benefit over the greater of any optional guaranteed minimum death benefit or the base policy death benefit. The additional amount can be zero. If you elect this rider, then you cannot also elect the Double Enhanced Death Benefit guaranteed minimum death benefit option. See “Section 8. Death Benefit.”
Rider Death Benefit. The rider death benefit on the rider date is the policy value (less any premium enhancement if the rider is added in the first policy year). After the rider date, the rider death benefit is equal to:
| • | the rider death benefit on the rider date; plus |
| • | subsequent premium payments; less |
| • | adjustments for withdrawals (as described under “Rider Death Benefit Adjustments,” below). |
Rider Death Benefit Adjustments. Gross partial withdrawals up to the rider withdrawal amount in a rider year will reduce the rider death benefit on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Gross partial withdrawals in excess of the rider withdrawal amount in a rider year will reduce the rider death benefit by the greater of the dollar amount of the excess withdrawal or a pro rata amount (in proportion to the reduction in policy value) possibly to zero. See “Appendix - Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Adjusted Partial Surrenders - Retirement Income Choice and Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Riders” for examples showing the effect of hypothetical withdrawals in more detail, including any excess withdrawal that results in pro rata adjustments. Rider death benefit adjustments occur immediately following all withdrawals.
Please note:
| • | No additional death benefit is payable if the base policy death benefit (including the guaranteed minimum death benefit) exceeds the rider death benefit. The greater the death benefit payable under the guaranteed minimum death benefit selected, the more likely it is that an additional amount will not be payable under the rider death benefit option. |
| • | Excess withdrawals may eliminate the additional death benefit available with this rider. You will continue to pay the fee for this option, even if the additional death benefit available under the rider is $0. |
| • | Manual upgrades to the withdrawal base will result in a recalculation of the rider death benefit. However, automatic step-ups will not reset the rider death benefit. |
| • | If an owner who is not the annuitant dies and the surviving spouse continues the policy, no additional amount is payable. If the policy is not continued, the surviving owner (who is also the sole beneficiary) may elect to receive lifetime income payments equal to the rider withdrawal amount divided by the number of payments each year instead of receiving the policy’s cash value. |
The additional death benefit payment option may be referred to as “minimum remaining withdrawal amount” on your policy statement and other documents.
2. Joint Life Benefit. If you elect this rider, you can also elect to postpone termination of the rider until the later of the annuitant or annuitant’s spouse’s death. This allows the rider withdrawal amount to be withdrawn until the death of the annuitant or the annuitant’s spouse (only if the annuitant’s spouse continues the policy), whichever is later.
Please note:
| • | The withdrawal percentage for each “age at time of first withdrawal” is lower if you elect this option. |
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| • | The annuitant’s spouse must be either a joint owner along with the annuitant or the sole primary beneficiary (and there is no joint owner), if you elect this option. |
| • | A former spouse of the annuitant cannot continue to keep the policy in force if no longer married to the annuitant at the time of the annuitant’s death. In that event, the rider will terminate and no additional withdrawals under the rider will be permitted. |
| • | The annuitant’s spouse for purposes of this rider cannot be changed to a new spouse. |
| • | The rider withdrawal percentage is based on the age of the younger of the annuitant and annuitant’s spouse, if you elect this option. |
| • | The rider death benefit is not payable until the death of the surviving spouse, if you elect this option. |
| • | You cannot elect a manual upgrade if the annuitant or annuitant’s spouse is 86 or older (lower if required by state law). |
3. Income Enhancement Benefit. If you elect this rider, you can also elect to have your withdrawal percentage double if either the annuitant (or the annuitant’s spouse if the joint life option is elected) is confined, due to a medical necessity, in a hospital or nursing facility and has been so confined for the elimination period (180 days within the last 365 days). Benefits from this option are not available unless the rider has been in effect for 12 months (the “waiting period”). The elimination period and waiting period can, but do not need to, run concurrently.
Please note:
| • | You cannot elect the Income Enhancement Option if the qualifying person or persons is/are already confined in a hospital or nursing facility. |
| • | The increase to the withdrawal percentage stops when the qualifying person or persons is/are no longer confined as described above. |
We will require confirmation of confinement while benefits are being received. Confirmation of confinement may be a physician’s statement, a statement from a hospital or nursing facility administrator, or any other information satisfactory to us. If confinement ceases, you may re-qualify by satisfying a 180-day elimination period requirement.
Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider and Additional Option Fees. A rider fee, 0.75% of the withdrawal base on each rider anniversary, is charged annually prior to annuitization for the base benefit.
If you elect options with this rider, then you will be charged a fee for each option you elect that is in addition to the rider fee for the base benefit. Each additional fee is charged annually prior to annuitization and is a percentage of the withdrawal base on each rider anniversary. The additional fees are as follows:
Option | Single Life | Joint Life | ||||
Death Benefit | 0.25 | % | 0.20 | % | ||
Income Enhancement Benefit | 0.15 | % | 0.30 | % |
We will also deduct all rider fees pro rata upon full surrender of the policy or other termination of the rider. The rider fees are deducted from each investment choice in proportion to the amount of policy value in that investment choice.
Please Note: Because the rider fee is a percentage of your withdrawal base on each rider anniversary, the fee can be substantially more than 0.75% of your policy value if that withdrawal base is higher than your policy value.
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Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit Rider Issue Requirements
The Company will not issue the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider unless:
| • | the annuitant is not yet age 86 (lower if required by state law); |
| • | the annuitant is also an owner (except in the case of non-natural owners); |
| • | there are no more than two owners; and |
| • | if the joint life option is elected, the annuitant’s spouse is also not yet 86 (lower if required by state law) and (1) is a joint owner along with the annuitant or (2) is the sole primary beneficiary (and there is no joint owner). |
Termination
The Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider and any additional options will terminate upon the earliest of the following:
| • | the date we receive written notice from you requesting termination of the rider if such notice is received by us during the 30 days following the fifth rider anniversary or every fifth rider anniversary thereafter; |
| • | the death of the annuitant (or if the joint life option was elected, the death of the annuitant’s spouse if that spouse continued the policy as the surviving spouse); |
| • | annuitization (however, if you have reached your mandatory annuitization date you may choose an annuitization option which guarantees you lifetime payments in an amount equal to your rider withdrawal amount); or |
| • | termination of your policy. |
Please note: This rider terminates upon annuitization and there is a mandatory annuitization date at which time your policy will be annuitized according to its terms. However, if you have reached your mandatory annuitization date, we will allow you to annuitize your policy and elect to receive lifetime annuity payments which are at least equal to your rider withdrawal amount. Please contact us for more information concerning your options.
The Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider and additional options may vary for certain policies, may not be available for all policies, and may not be available in all states. This disclosure explains the material features of the Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider. The application and operation of the rider are governed by the terms and conditions of the rider itself.
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The following APPENDIX - GUARANTEED LIFETIME WITHDRAWAL BENEFIT COMPARISON TABLE hereby amends the prospectus.
APPENDIX
GUARANTEED LIFETIME WITHDRAWAL BENEFIT COMPARISON TABLE
Living Benefits Rider | Retirement Income Choice Rider | Retirement Income Choice with Double | ||
Benefit:
• Provides:
(1)Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefit(“GMAB”)—Ten years after you elect the rider (“guaranteed future value date”), your policy value will equal your guaranteed future value (calculated as described below). After that date, the guaranteed future value equals zero.
(2)Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (“GMWB”)—a maximum annual withdrawal amount (calculated as described below) regardless of your policy value; we account for withdrawals you take under the rider by applying two different withdrawal guarantees,“principal back,” for withdrawals of up to 7% of your total withdrawal base, or“for life,” for withdrawals up to 5% of your total withdrawal base.
• Upgrades:
(1) Before the annuitant’s 86th birthday, you can upgrade the total withdrawal base (for | Benefit:
• Provides:
(1)Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal benefit (“GLWB”)—i.e., a level of cash withdrawals regardless of the performance of the designated investment choices that you select—if you invest in certain designated investment choices.
(2)Growth—On each of the first 10 rider anniversaries, we add an annual growth credit (0.05% of the withdrawal base immediately before the rider anniversary) to the withdrawal base if no withdrawals have occurred during the preceding rider year.
(3)Automatic Step-Up—We will automatically step-up the withdrawal base on each rider anniversary. You can opt out of the automatic step-up if the automatic step-up would result in an increase in the rider fee percentage.
• Upgrades:
You may request by sending us written notice. If you upgrade, the current rider | Benefit:
• Provides:
(1)Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal benefit (“GLWB”)—i.e., a level of cash withdrawals regardless of the performance of the designated investment choices that you select—if you invest in certain designated investment choices.
(2)Growth—On each of the first 10 rider anniversaries, we add an annual growth credit (0.05% of the withdrawal base immediately before the rider anniversary) to the withdrawal base if no withdrawals have occurred during the preceding rider year.
(3)Automatic Step-Up—We will automatically step-up the withdrawal base on each rider anniversary. You can opt out of the automatic step-up if the automatic step-up would result in an increase in the rider fee percentage.
(4)Double Withdrawal Base Benefit—If you have not taken any withdrawals by the later of (A) during the first 10 rider years or (B) before the rider | ||
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Living Benefits Rider | Retirement Income Choice Rider | Retirement Income Choice with Double | ||
GMWB) and the guaranteed future value (for GMAB) by sending us written notice.
(2) If you upgrade, the current rider terminates and a new rider is issued (which may have a higher rider fee). | terminates and a new rider is issued (which may have a higher rider fee). If you have elected the joint life option under the rider, you cannot elect a manual upgrade if the annuitant or an annuitant’s spouse is 86 or older (lower if required by state law).
• Additional Options:
(1)Death Benefit Option—You may add an amount to the death benefit payable under the base policy.
(2)Joint Life Option—You may elect to postpone termination of the rider until the later of the death of the annuitant or the death of the annuitant’s spouse. The annuitant’s spouse must be either a joint owner (along with the annuitant) or the sole primary beneficiary (without a joint owner).
(3)Income Enhancement Option—If the rider has been in effect for at least 12 months, then you may elect to have your withdrawal percentage double if either the annuitant or the annuitant’s spouse, if the joint life option is elected, is confined in a hospital or nursing facility because of a medical necessity, and has been so confined for an “elimination period” (i.e., 180 days within the last 365 days).
You cannot elect this option if | anniversary following the annuitant’s (or, the annuitant’s spouse, if younger and the joint life option is elected) attaining age 67, the withdrawal base on that rider anniversary will be the greater of (i) the withdrawal base as calculated under the rider or (ii) twice the sum of the withdrawal base on the rider date and any premiums received within 90 days of the rider date.
• Upgrades:
You may request by sending us written notice. If you upgrade, the current rider terminates and a new rider is issued (which may have a higher rider fee). If you have elected the joint life option under the rider, you cannot elect a manual upgrade if the annuitant or an annuitant’s spouse is 86 or older (unless state law requires a lower maximum age).
• Additional Options:
(1)Death Benefit Option—You may add an amount to the death benefit payable under the base policy.
(2)Joint Life Option—You may elect to postpone termination of the rider until the later of the death of the annuitant or the death of the annuitant’s spouse. The annuitant’s spouse must be either a joint owner (along |
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Living Benefits Rider | Retirement Income Choice Rider | Retirement Income Choice with Double | ||
the qualifying person(s) is/are already confined in a hospital or nursing facility when the rider is elected. In addition, the increase to the withdrawal percentage stops when the qualifying person(s) is/are no longer confined. | with the annuitant) or the sole primary beneficiary (without a joint owner).
(3)Income Enhancement Option—If the rider has been in effect for at least 12 months, then you may elect to have your withdrawal percentage double if either the annuitant or the annuitant’s spouse, if the joint life option is elected, is confined in a hospital or nursing facility because of a medical necessity, and has been so confined for an “elimination period” (i.e., 180 days within the last 365 days).
You cannot elect this option if the qualifying person(s) is/are already confined in a hospital or nursing facility when the rider is elected. In addition, the increase to the withdrawal percentage stops when the qualifying person(s) is/are no longer confined. | |||
Availability:
• 0 - 80 (unless state law requires a lower maximum issue age);
• You cannot also elect the Double Enhanced Death Benefit guaranteed minimum death benefit option. |
Availability:
• Younger than age 86 (unless state law requires a lower maximum issue age);
• You cannot also elect the Double Enhanced Death Benefit guaranteed minimum death benefit option. |
Availability:
• Younger than age 86 (unless state law requires a lower maximum issue age);
• You cannot also elect the Double Enhanced Death Benefit guaranteed minimum death benefit option. | ||
Charge: 0.60% of total withdrawal base on each rider anniversary under the “principal back” withdrawal guarantee under the rider. |
Charges:
(1)for Base Benefit only—0.60% (single life) or 0.90% (joint life) of withdrawal base on each rider anniversary; |
Charges:
(1)for Base Benefit only—0.75% (single life and joint life) of withdrawal base on each rider anniversary; |
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Living Benefits Rider | Retirement Income Choice Rider | Retirement Income Choice with Double | ||
(2)with Death Benefit Option—0.25% (single life) or 0.20% (joint life) of withdrawal base on each rider anniversary, in addition to the base benefit fee;
(3)with Income Enhancement—0.15% (single life) or 0.30% (joint life) of withdrawal base on each rider anniversary, in addition to the base benefit fee. | (2)with Death Benefit Option—0.25% (single life) or 0.20% (joint life) of withdrawal base on each rider anniversary, in addition to the base benefit fee;
(3)with Income Enhancement—0.15% (single life) or 0.30% (joint life) of withdrawal base on each rider anniversary, in addition to the base benefit fee. | |||
Investment Restrictions:
• Portfolio Allocation Method (“PAM”)—We monitor your policy value and, as we deem necessary to support the guarantees under the rider, may transfer amounts between investment options that we designate and the variable investment choices that you select. |
Investment Restrictions:
• You must allocate 100% of your policy value to one or more investment options that we designate. |
Investment Restrictions:
• You must allocate 100% of your policy value to one or more investment options that we designate. |
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The following hereby amends the disclosure under the heading “APPENDIX – GUARANTEED LIFETIME WITHDRAWAL BENEFIT ADJUSTED PARTIAL SURRENDERS – RETIREMENT INCOME CHOICE RIDER” section in the prospectus.
APPENDIX
GUARANTEED LIFETIME WITHDRAWAL BENEFIT
ADJUSTED PARTIAL SURRENDERS – RETIREMENT INCOME CHOICE AND
RETIREMENT INCOME CHOICE WITH DOUBLE WITHDRAWAL BASE BENEFIT RIDERS
When a withdrawal is taken, three parts of the guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit can be affected:
| 1. | Withdrawal base (“WB”) |
| 2. | Rider withdrawal amount (“RWA”) |
| 3. | Rider death benefit (“RDB”) |
Withdrawal Base. Gross partial withdrawals in a rider year up to the rider withdrawal amount will not reduce the withdrawal base. Gross partial withdrawals in a rider year in excess of the rider withdrawal amount will reduce the withdrawal base by an amount equal to the greater of:
| 1) | the excess gross partial withdrawal amount; and |
| 2) | a pro rata amount, the result of (A / B) * C, where: |
A) is the excess gross partial withdrawal (the amount in excess of the guaranteed annual withdrawal amount remaining prior to the withdrawal);
B) is the policy value after the rider withdrawal amount has been withdrawn, but prior to the withdrawal of the excess amount; and
C) is the withdrawal base prior to the withdrawal of the excess amount.
Rider Death Benefit. Gross partial withdrawals in a rider year up to the rider withdrawal amount will reduce the rider death benefit by the amount withdrawn (dollar-for-dollar). Gross partial withdrawals in a rider year in excess of the rider withdrawal amount will reduce the rider death benefit by an amount equal to the greater of:
| 1) | the excess gross partial withdrawal amount; and |
| 2) | a pro rata amount, the result of (A / B) * C, where: |
A) is the excess gross partial withdrawal (the amount in excess of the guaranteed annual withdrawal amount remaining prior to the withdrawal);
B) is the policy value after the rider withdrawal amount has been withdrawn, but prior to the withdrawal of the excess amount; and
C) is the rider death benefit after the rider withdrawal amount has been withdrawn, but prior to the withdrawal of the excess amount.
The following demonstrates, on a purely hypothetical basis, the effects of partial withdrawals under this guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit.
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Example 1 (Base):
Assumptions:
Withdrawal Base (“WB”) = $100,000
Rider Withdrawal Amount (“RWA”) = 5% withdrawal would be $5,000 (5% of the current $100,000 withdrawal base)
Gross partial withdrawal (“GPWD”) = $5,000
Excess withdrawal (“EWD”) = None
Policy Value (“PV”) = $100,000
You = owner and annuitant, age 66 at time withdrawals begin, which means withdrawal percentage is 5%.
Question: Is any portion of the withdrawal greater than the rider withdrawal amount?
No. There is no excess withdrawal under the rider since no more than $5,000 is withdrawn.
Result. In this example, because no portion of the withdrawal was in excess of $5,000, the withdrawal base does not change.
Example 2 (Excess Withdrawal):
Assumptions:
WB = $100,000
RWA = 5% withdrawal would be $5,000 (5% of the current $100,000 withdrawal base)
GPWD = $7,000
EWD = $2,000 ($7,000 - $5,000)
PV = $90,000
You = owner and annuitant, age 66 at time withdrawals begin, which means withdrawal percentage is 5%.
Result. For the guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit, because there was an excess withdrawal amount, the withdrawal base needs to be adjusted and a new lower rider withdrawal amount calculated. Had the withdrawal for this example not been more than $5,000, the withdrawal base would remain at $100,000 and the rider withdrawal amount would be $5,000. However, because an excess withdrawal has been taken, the withdrawal base is also reduced (this is the amount the 5% is based on).
New withdrawal base:
Step One. The withdrawal base is reduced only by the amount of the excess withdrawal or the pro rata amount, if greater.
Step Two. Calculate how much the withdrawal base is affected by the excess withdrawal.
| 1. | The formula is (EWD / (PV - 5% withdrawal)) * WB before any adjustments |
| 2. | ($2,000 / ($90,000 - $5,000)) * $100,000 = $2,352.94 |
Step Three. Which is larger, the actual $2,000 excess withdrawal or the $2,352.94 pro rata amount? $2,352.94 pro rata amount.
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Step Four. What is the new withdrawal base upon which the rider withdrawal amount is based? $100,000—$2,352.94 = $97,647.06
Result. The new withdrawal base is $97,647.06
New rider withdrawal amount:
Because the withdrawal base was adjusted (due to the excess withdrawal) we have to calculate a new rider withdrawal amount for the 5% guarantee that will be available starting on the next rider anniversary. This calculation assumes no more activity prior to the next rider anniversary.
Question: What is the new rider withdrawal amount?
$97,647.06 (the adjusted withdrawal base) * 5% = $4,882.35
Result. Going forward, the maximum you can take out in a year without causing an excess withdrawal and further reduction of the withdrawal base (assuming there are no future automatic step-ups) is $4,882.35.
Example 3 (Base demonstrating growth):
Assumptions:
WB = $100,000
Automatic step-up never occurs and no withdrawals are taken in the first 10 rider years.
WB in 8 years (assuming an annual growth rate percentage of 5.0%) = $100,000 * (1 + .05) ^ 8 = $147,745
RWA = 5% withdrawal beginning 8 years from the rider date would be $7,387 (5% of the then-current $147,745 withdrawal base)
GPWD = $7,387
EWD = None
PV = $90,000 in 8 years
You = owner and annuitant, age 58 on rider issue; age 66 at time withdrawals begin, which means Withdrawal Percentage is 5%.
Question:Is any portion of the withdrawal greater than the rider withdrawal amount?
No. There is no excess withdrawal under the guarantee if no more than $7,387 is withdrawn in a rider year.
Result.In this example, because no portion of the withdrawal was in excess of $7,387, the withdrawal base does not change.
Example 4 (Base demonstrating WB growth with Additional Death Payment Option):
Assumptions:
You = owner and annuitant, age 58 on rider issue; age 66 at time withdrawals begin, which means Withdrawal Percentage is 5%.
WB at rider issue = $100,000
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Automatic step-up never occurs and no withdrawals are taken in the first 10 rider years.
WB in 8 years (assuming an annual growth rate percentage of 5.0%) = $100,000 * (1 + .05) ^ 8 = $147,745
Rider Death Benefit (“RDB”) (optional additional death benefit for additional cost) = $100,000
RWA = 5% withdrawal beginning 8 years from the rider date would be $7,387 (5% of the then-current $147,745 withdrawal base)
GPWD = $7,387
EWD = None
PV = $90,000 in 8 years
Step One. Is any portion of the withdrawal greater than the rider withdrawal amount?
No. There is no excess withdrawal under the guarantee if no more than $7,387 is withdrawn.
Step Two. What is the rider death benefit after the withdrawal has been taken?
| 1. | Total to deduct from the rider death benefit is $7,387 (there is no excess to deduct) |
| 2. | $100,000 - $7,387 = $92,613. |
Result.In this example, because no portion of the withdrawal was in excess of $7,387, the total withdrawal base does not change and the rider death benefit reduces to $92,613.
Example 5 (For Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Benefit Base rider only—Base demonstrating doubling of WB with Additional Death Payment Option):
Assumptions:
You = owner and annuitant, age 58 on rider issue; age 69 at time withdrawals begin, which means Withdrawal Percentage is 5%.
WB at rider issue = $100,000
Automatic step-up never occurs and no withdrawals are taken in the first 10 rider years.
WB in 10 years (assuming an annual growth rate percentage of 5.0%) = the greater of $100,000 * (1 + .05) ^ 10 = $162,889, or $100,000 * 2 = $200,000 (premiums applied within 90 days of rider date).
RDB (optional additional death benefit for additional cost) = $100,000
RWA = 5% withdrawal beginning 10 years from the rider date would be $10,000 (5% of the then-current $200,000 withdrawal base)
GPWD = $10,000
EWD = $0
PV = $90,000 in 10 years
Step One. Is any portion of the total withdrawal greater than the rider withdrawal amount?
No, there is no excess withdrawal under the guarantee since no more than $10,000 is withdrawn.
Result.In this example, because no portion of the withdrawal base was in excess of $10,000, the withdrawal base does not change.
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Example 6 (Retirement Income Choice with Double Withdrawal Base Benefit rider only - Base with WB growth with Additional Death Payment Option illustrating excess withdrawal):
Assumptions:
You = owner and annuitant, age 56 on rider issue; age 69 at time withdrawals begin, which means Withdrawal Percentage is 5%.
WB at rider issue = $100,000
Automatic step-up never occurs and no withdrawals are taken in the first 10 rider years.
WB in 10 years (assuming an annual growth rate percentage of 5.0%) = greater of $100,000 * (1 + .05) ^ 10 = $162,889, or $100,000 (premiums applied within 90 days of the rider) * 2 = $200,000.
RDB (optional additional death benefit for additional cost) = $100,000
RWA = 5% withdrawal beginning 10 years from the rider date would be $10,000 (5% of the then-current $200,000 withdrawal base)
GPWD = $15,000
EWD = $5,000 ($15,000 - $10,000)
PV = $90,000 in 10 years
Step One. Is any portion of the total withdrawal greater than the rider withdrawal amount?
Yes. $15,000 - $10,000 = $5,000 (the excess withdrawal amount)
Step Two. Calculate how much of the rider death benefit is affected by the excess withdrawal.
| 1. | Formula for pro rata amount is: (EWD / (PV - 5% withdrawal)) * (RDB - 5% withdrawal) |
| 2. | ($5,000 / ($90,000 - $10,000)) * ($100,000 - $10,000) = $5,625 |
Step Three. Which is larger, the actual $5,000 excess withdrawal amount or the $5,625 pro rata amount?
$5,625 pro rata amount
Step Four. What is the rider death benefit after the withdrawal has been taken?
| 1. | Total to deduct from the rider death benefit is $10,000 (RWA) + $5,625 (pro rata excess) = $15,625 |
| 2. | $100,000 - $15,625 = $84,375. |
Result.The rider benefit is $84,375.
NOTE.Because there was an excess withdrawal amount in this example, the withdrawal base needs to be adjusted and a new lower rider withdrawal amount calculated. Had the withdrawal for this example not been more than $10,000, the withdrawal base would remain at $200,000 and the rider withdrawal amount would be $10,000. However, because an excess withdrawal has been taken, the withdrawal base is also reduced.
New withdrawal base:
Step One. The withdrawal base is reduced only by the amount of the excess withdrawal or the pro rata amount if greater.
Step Two. Calculate how much the withdrawal base is affected by the excess withdrawal.
| 1. | The formula is (EWD / (PV - 5% withdrawal)) * WB before any adjustments |
| 2. | ($5,000 / ($90,000 - $10,000)) * $200,000 = $12,500 |
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Step Three. Which is larger, the actual $5,000 excess withdrawal amount or the $12,500 pro rata amount?
$12,500 pro rata amount.
Step Four. What is the new withdrawal base upon which the rider withdrawal amount is based?
$200,000 - $12,500 = $187,500
Result.The new withdrawal base is $187,500
New rider withdrawal amount:
Because the withdrawal base was adjusted (due to the excess withdrawal) we have to calculate a new rider withdrawal amount for the 5% withdrawal percentage guarantee that will be available starting on the next rider anniversary. This calculation assumes no more activity prior to the next rider anniversary.
Step One. What is the new rider withdrawal amount?
$187,500 (the adjusted withdrawal base) * 5% = $9,375
Result.Going forward, the maximum you can take out in a year without causing an excess withdrawal and further reduction of the withdrawal base is $9,375.
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