We and/or our affiliates pay the Selling Broker-Dealers compensation for the promotion and sale of the Contract. The Selling Agents who solicit sales of the Contract typically receive a portion of the compensation paid by the Company to the Selling Broker-Dealers in the form of commissions or other compensation, depending on the agreement between the Selling Broker-Dealer and the Selling Agent. The Selling Agents are also licensed as insurance agents by applicable state insurance authorities and appointed as agents of the Company. Selling Agents are also eligible for various cash benefits, such as bonuses, insurance benefits and financing arrangements, and non-cash items. Non-cash items include conferences, seminars and trips (including travel, lodging and meals in connection therewith), entertainment, merchandise and other similar items. Sales of the Contracts may help registered representatives qualify for such benefits.
The amount and timing of commissions we may pay to Selling Broker-Dealers may vary depending on the selling agreement and the contract sold but is not expected to be more than 8% of the Purchase Payment. We may pay or allow other promotional incentives or payments in the form of cash or other compensation to the extent permitted by FINRA rules and other applicable laws and regulations.
We also pay compensation to wholesaling broker-dealers or other firms or intermediaries, including payments to affiliates of ours, in return for wholesaling services such as providing marketing and sales support, product training and administrative services to the Selling Agents of the Selling Broker-Dealers. These allowances may be based on a percentage of the Purchase Payment.
In addition to the compensation described above, we may make additional cash payments, in certain circumstances referred to as “override” compensations or reimbursements to Selling Broker-Dealers in recognition of their marketing and distribution, transaction processing and/or administrative services support. These payments are not offered to all Selling Broker-Dealers, and the terms of any particular agreement governing the payments may vary among Selling Broker-Dealers depending on, among other things, the level and type of marketing and distribution support provided. Marketing and distribution support services may include, among other services, placement of the Company’s products on the Selling Broker-Dealers’ preferred or recommended list, increased access to the Selling Broker-Dealers’ registered representatives for purposes of promoting sales of our products, assistance in training and education of the Selling Agents, and opportunities for us to participate in sales conferences and educational seminars. The payments or reimbursements may be calculated as a percentage of the particular Selling Broker-Dealer’s actual or expected aggregate sales of our index-linked annuity contracts (including the Contract) and/or may be a fixed dollar amount. Broker-dealers receiving these additional payments may pass on some or all of the payments to the Selling Agent.
You should ask your Selling Agent for further information about what commissions or other compensation he or she, or the Selling Broker-Dealer for which he or she works, may receive in connection with your purchase of a Contract.
Commissions and other incentives or payments described above are not charged directly to you. We intend to recoup commissions and other sales expenses through fees and charges deducted under the Contract.
We have entered into an underwriting agreement with GWFS Equities, Inc. for the distribution and sale of the Contracts. Pursuant to this agreement, GWFS Equities, Inc. serves as principal underwriter for the Contracts, offering them on a continuous basis. GWFS Equities, Inc. is located at 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. GWFS Equities, Inc. will use its best efforts to sell the Contracts, but is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of Contracts.
GWFS Equities, Inc. was organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1984 and is a wholly-owned affiliate of ours. GWFS Equities, Inc. is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under the 1934 Act, as well as with the securities administrators in the states in which it operates, and is a member of FINRA.
GWFS Equities, Inc. offers the Contracts through registered representatives who are registered with FINRA and with the states in which they do business. More information about GWFS Equities, Inc. and the registered representatives is available athttp://www.finra.org or by calling 800-289-9999. You can also obtain an investor brochure from FINRA describing its Public Disclosure Program. Registered representatives with GWFS Equities, Inc. are also licensed as insurance agents in the states in which they do business and are appointed with us. In addition, registered representatives of GWFS Equities, Inc. may be eligible for non-cash compensation programs offered by GWFS Equities, Inc. or an affiliated company, such as conferences, trips, prizes, and awards.
GWFS Equities, Inc. may also enter into selling agreements with unaffiliated broker-dealers to sell the Contract. The registered representatives of these selling firms are registered with FINRA and with the states in which they do business, are licensed as insurance agents in the states in which they do business, and are appointed with us. We and GWFS Equities, Inc. may provide non-cash compensation to these registered representatives, but such non-cash compensation is limited to small gifts, occasional