Performance Rate. The rate credited at the Term End Date and is based on the Index Performance, adjusted for the applicable Shield Rate, Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Edge Rate. The Performance Rate can be positive, zero or negative. At the Term End Date, any increase or reduction in the Investment Amount in a particular Shield Option is determined by multiplying the Performance Rate by the Investment Amount of the Shield Option on the last day of the Term.
Performance Rate Adjustment. The adjustment made to the Investment Amount for each Shield Option on the Term End Date. This adjustment is based on the Performance Rate. This adjustment can be positive, zero or negative. When the Performance Rate Adjustment is positive we may also refer to this adjustment as “earnings.” When the Performance Rate Adjustment is negative we may also refer to this adjustment as “losses.”
Premium Tax. The amount of tax, if any, charged by the state or municipality.
Purchase Payment. The amount paid to us under the Contract as consideration for the benefits it provides.
Rate Crediting Type. Either the Cap Rate, Step Rate, or Step Rate Edge.
RMD. Required Minimum Distribution.
SEC. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Separate Account. The separate account is Brighthouse Separate Account SA.
Shield 10. The Contract provides downside protection through the Shield 10, which is a Shield Rate where negative Index Performance of up to 10% of your Investment Amount is absorbed by us at the Term End Date, which would leave you to absorb any remaining negative Index Performance of up to 90% of your Investment Amount.
Shield 15. The Contract provides downside protection through the Shield 15, which is a Shield Rate where negative Index Performance of up to 15% of your Investment Amount is absorbed by us at the Term End Date, which would leave you to absorb any remaining negative Index Performance of up to 85% of your Investment Amount.
Shield 25. The Contract provides downside protection through the Shield 25, which is a Shield Rate where negative Index Performance of up to 25% of your Investment Amount is absorbed by us at the Term End Date, which would leave you to absorb any remaining negative Index Performance of up to 75% of your Investment Amount.
Shield Rate. A limited buffer where we absorb part of any negative Index Performance at the Term End Date. Any negative Index Performance beyond the Shield Rate will reduce the Investment Amount associated with the Shield Option. The Shield Rate may vary between Shield Options and, unless you have a Shield Option with a 1-year Term, is not an annual rate. We currently offer the following Shield Rates: Shield 10, Shield 15 and Shield 25.
Shield Option. You may allocate your Purchase Payment or transfer your Investment Amount to one or more of the available Shield Options. Each Shield Option offered through this Contract has an associated Term, Index, Shield Rate and a Rate Crediting Type.
Step Rate. The rate credited at the Term End Date if the Index Performance is equal to or greater than zero. The Step Rate may vary between Shield Options and, unless you have a Shield Option with a 1-year Term, is not an annual rate.
Surrender. A full withdrawal of your Account Value.
Term. The Term is the number of years that the Shield Option is in effect. We currently offer Terms of 1 year, 2 years, 3 years or 6 years. The initial Term(s) begin on the Issue Date.
Term End Date. The Contract Anniversary on which a Shield Option ends.
Term Start Date. The Contract Anniversary on which a Shield Option is established. The initial Term Start Date(s) begins on the Issue Date, and thereafter, will be the Contract Anniversary coinciding with the duration of the current Term you have selected.
Transfer Period. The five (5) calendar days following the Contract Anniversary coinciding with the Term End Date for each applicable Shield Option and/or the Fixed Account Term End Date for the Fixed Account, during the Accumulation Period.
Withdrawal Charge. A charge applied to the percentage of the amount withdrawn from your Account Value in a Contract Year in excess of the Free Withdrawal Amount.