Segment using the replaced Index up until the replacement date and the new Index thereafter through the Segment Maturity Date. This will be accomplished by multiplying 1 plus the Index rate of return prior to the substitution by 1 plus the Index rate of return after the substitution, and then subtracting one. For example, if substitution of an Index for a three year Segment takes place at the end of the first year and the Index rate of return at the end of the first year is 10 percent, and the Index rate of return for the two years after the substitution is 20 percent, we would multiply 1.1 by 1.2 which results in 1.32. After subtracting one, this results in an Index rate of return of 32 percent. We will not change the Crediting Method, Buffer, or Trigger applicable to a Segment if We substitute the Index.
We can substitute an Index at any time. We will always offer at least 5 Indexed Accounts (but they may be different than the ones currently offered and offer substantially less downside protection). We only guarantee that We will never offer a Buffer lower than -2.5% for the life of Your Contract. In such case, if You invest in an Indexed Account with a -2.5% Buffer and hold the Segment until the maturity date, You could lose up to 97.5% of Your investment, including any prior earnings. There is no guarantee a Trigger protection option will always be available, but if it is offered We guarantee that We will always offer a Trigger of at least -10%. In such case, if You invest in an Indexed Account with a -10% Trigger and hold the Segment until the maturity date, You could lose up to 100% of Your investment in that Segment, including any prior earnings. Consider Your risk tolerance before You invest.
We reserve the right to add or discontinue Indexed Accounts at any time. Any existing Segments with the discontinued Indexed Account will continue until their Segment Maturity Date. On the Segment Maturity Date, the Segment Value in any discontinued Indexed Accounts will need to be transferred to a different Indexed Account or the Interim Account. If We do not receive transfer instructions from You, the Segment Value will be transferred to the Interim Account.
We will send You written notification showing the available Indexed Accounts at least 14 days before the Contract Anniversary if You have Contract Value that can be transferred on that Contract Anniversary. Your requested transfer must be received within the 30-day transfer window. See “Transfers” for additional information.
Additional Information About the Indexes
Currently, the rate of return for each Indexed Account is based on the performance of one or two of the following Indexes, each covering different asset classes.
S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index includes 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy, capturing 80% coverage of U.S. equities. We use the price return Index. The Index returns do not include dividends from underlying companies of the Index and, therefore, do not reflect the full investment performance of the underlying securities.
Russell 2000® Index. Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 2000® Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current Index membership. We use the price return Index. The Index returns do not include dividends from underlying companies of the Index and, therefore, do not reflect the full investment performance of the underlying securities.
MSCI EAFE Index. The MSCI EAFE Index is an equity index which captures large and mid-cap representation across 21 Developed Markets countries around the world, excluding the US and Canada. With 923 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. Developed Markets countries in the MSCI EAFE Index as of the date of this prospectus include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. We use the price return Index. The Index returns do not include dividends from underlying companies of the Index and, therefore, do not reflect the full investment performance of the underlying securities.
MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large and mid-cap representation across 26 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. With 1,194 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. EM countries as of the date of this prospectus include: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. We use the price return Index. The Index returns do not include dividends from underlying companies of the Index and, therefore, do not reflect the full investment performance of the underlying securities.
NASDAQ-100 Index. The Nasdaq-100 Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial companies listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization. The Index reflects companies across major industry groups including computer hardware and software, telecommunications, retail/wholesale trade and biotechnology. It does not contain securities of financial companies including investment companies. We use the price return Index. The Index returns do not include dividends from underlying companies of the Index and, therefore, do not reflect the full investment performance of the underlying securities.