Retirement Stages 7®

Retirement Stages 7® is a fixed index annuity that offers growth potential, principal protection and income options to help you reach your retirement goals.

 
When market index is up, the annuity account value can rise. But when market index is down or flat, the annuity does not lose value.

This chart is a hypothetical representation of fixed index annuity growth under varying market/index conditions and is not meant to represent the performance of any Delaware Life fixed index annuity (FIA) product. It does not reflect any potential withdrawals or associated surrender charges. Interest credited to a FIA is subject to caps, spreads and/or participation rates that affect the proportion of index gains the annuity captures. Account value is the sum of all premiums, plus accumulated interest, and minus the amount of any withdrawals. This is not a guarantee of performance and does not predict performance. Annuities do not participate directly in the stock market or any index. It is an insurance product designed to help you prepare for the future.


Like all fixed index annuities (FIAs), Retirement Stages 7® offers growth potential and principal protection—plus a choice of income options when you’re ready to retire. With the optional Stacked Accumulation Income Rider® (STAIR®), available for an additional fee1, the power of time and compounding interest are on your side to grow your benefit base faster. Each year (for up to 15 years), your account will grow by both the interest credit from your index allocation(s) PLUS an additional 4% credit added (“stacked”) to your benefit base. And your STAIR® fee is based and charged on your account value, not your benefit base. Your benefit base is left alone to grow until you’re ready to take income payments. STAIR® guarantees that you (or you and your spouse) will get retirement income payments for life, even if the annuity account value drops to zero.

The benefit base is the amount used to calculate your income payments. It is not available as a surrender value or death benefit.

Withdrawals prior to your income start date will impact your future income payments.

How the STAIR® Roll-up Can Help Your Future Income Grow. A $100,000 Initial Premium credited with hypothetical interest of 4% plus 4% roll-up in year one would grow the benefit base to $108,000. The account value would be $103,012. In year two the 4% roll-up plus 0% hypothical interest credit would grow the benefit base to $112,320. The account value would then be $102,033. If year 3 brought a hypothetical interest credit of 5% plus the 4% roll-up, the benefit base would rise to $122,429. The benefit base is credited with the 4% roll-up after any interest credit is added to the account (cash) value. The account value would be $106,017. The Rider cost of 0.95% is deducted from the account value on each contract anniversary.

The hypothetical chart above shows how the benefit base can grow under varying market/index conditions with the purchase of the STAIR® optional guaranteed minimum lifetime withdrawal benefit rider. It does not represent the performance of any Delaware Life Fixed Index Annuity. The interest credit will be subject to caps, spreads and/or participation rates.


Ways to grow your savings: fixed account option and/or index-linked option(s)

Fixed rate

Payments allocated to this option will be credited with a fixed interest rate that is specified on the date the contract is effective. Each year, Delaware Life will declare new interest rates to reflect current conditions, but never less than a minimum guaranteed rate. If you want more certainty about the amount of interest that will be credited to your account value, this may be the choice for you.

Morgan Stanley Global Opportunities Index

This index uses a rules-based, multi-asset strategy and a trend-following methodology to make allocations to global equities, interest rates and commodities. This approach diversifies risk and balances exposure to various market risk factors to reduce the portfolio’s natural volatility. The index is managed to a 5% target volatility over the long term and may also include a cash allocation to reduce overall volatility.

Watch a video about the Morgan Stanley Global Opportunities Index

S&P 500®

The S&P 500® Index option may be a good choice for those who want to earn interest based on the performance of a range of large U.S. businesses. The index is widely regarded as a premier benchmark for the domestic stock market. It contains stocks from 500 leading companies in various industries.

CROCI Sectors III USD 5.5% Volatility Control Index

This index, sponsored by Deutsche Bank, represents an array of global equity/stock markets and selected industry sectors, balanced by a cash component to help limit overall volatility. It offers a significant amount of global exposure, because the index tracks stocks in the U.S., Europe and Japan.2

Watch a video about CROCI

View current fixed index annuity prices See prices
 

Ways to access your income:

Bailout

Retirement Stages 7® includes a “bailout” benefit. The bailout provision allows you to withdraw the entire contract value of the annuity, without a surrender charge or market value adjustment, if the renewal cap for the 1-year point-to-point S&P 500® Index falls below the contract's issue cap rate, which is is declared at contract issue and will not change during the life of the contract. No allocation to the S&P 500® index is required to receive the bailout protection.

The 1-year point-to-point with cap strategy is crediting method whereby interest is credited annually based on the index return from one point in time to another, up to a maximum called the cap.

Stacked Accumulation Income Rider® (STAIR®)

The optional Stacked Accumulation Income Rider® (STAIR®), available for an additional fee, guarantees that you (or you and your spouse) will receive retirement income payments for life, even if the annuity account value drops to zero.

Free/periodic withdrawals3

After the first contract year, you can withdraw up to the greater of 10% of the last anniversary value of your account or required minimum distributions (RMDs) without surrender charges or market value adjustment (MVA).

MVA is an adjustment to account for changes in the interest rate credited to the contract since inception that is applied to withdrawals and surrenders that exceed the 10% free withdrawal amount during the first 7 contract years. The exceptions to paying the surrender charges for early withdrawal are:

  • If you are required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) starting at age 72
  • If, after first contract anniversary, you need to make a one-time withdrawal to pay for nursing home, hospice care or a terminal illness subject to restrictions
  • If you qualify for the “bailout” provision that allows for free withdrawals if the S&P 500® Index performs poorly (see bailout endorsement)

Surrender charges are paid on early withdrawals and surrenders based on a gradually decreasing schedule for each guarantee period year. Please see your product brochure or contract for more details about the 7-year surrender charge schedule.

MVA does not apply upon payment of a death benefit. MVA is subject to state availability and restrictions.

Withdrawals will reduce your future retirement earnings potential.

Minimum guaranteed surrender value

If you cash in or “surrender” your contract early (before the contract’s 7-year maturity date) you will be subject to surrender charges based on the surrender charge schedule in your contract. However, your contract’s value (“surrender value”) will never be less than your Minimum Guaranteed Surrender Value (MGSV) or the Enhanced Guaranteed Surrender Value (EGSV), whichever is greater, minus any withdrawals and applicable withdrawal assessments. The EGSV equals 100% of your premium payments, plus interest credited at the minimum guaranteed rate stated in the contract. MGSV and EGSV end upon the annuity date or contract termination.

Annuity payments

For guaranteed income for life or for a specified period, you can choose from among several annuity payment options for you and your spouse (if you purchase a joint contract).

Other features:

Return of premium option

This optional rider—available for an additional fee—allows you to discontinue your annuity at the end of the surrender charge period, at any time before its renewal or termination date—and limits the amount of surrender charge paid. This rider guarantees that you will receive at least 100% of the premiums you paid, minus prior withdrawals, withdrawal assessments, and fees paid for rider benefits.4

Reallocation

You have the flexibility to reallocate your index strategies at the end of the crediting method term if your needs, goals or risk tolerance shift over time. With a range of choices, this also gives you the ability to diversify in changing markets.

Guaranteed death benefit

If you die before you begin receiving annuity income payments, Retirement Stages 7® guarantees that your beneficiary will receive the greatest of the account value, Enhanced Guaranteed Surrender Value or Minimum Guaranteed Surrender Value, minus any withdrawals and applicable withdrawal assessments, without going through probate.5

Index-linked Options Sponsored by Global Leaders

Deutsche Bank

Founded in 1870 and headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Deutsche Bank offers the sales, trading and structuring of a wide range of financial markets’ products including index-based swaps, notes and certificates.

Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm with offices in in New York City, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and other world financial centers. The firm provides investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services to clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals.

More about Retirement Stages 7®:

Guaranteed principal to protect your retirement money

Unlike other retirement products, a fixed index annuity is not an investment in individual securities.

Retirement Stages 7® documentation

Videos

Footnotes

1 Rider cost - 0.95% of the year-end account value, deducted annually.

2 “Deutsche Bank” means Deutsche Bank AG and its affiliated companies, as context requires. Deutsche Bank does not render legal or tax advice and information in this communication should not be regarded as such. While volatility control may result in less fluctuation in rates of return as compared to indexes without volatility controls, they may also reduce the overall rate of return as compared to products not subject to volatility controls. Obligations to make payments under the annuity are solely the obligation of Delaware Life and are not the responsibility of Deutsche Bank. The selection of an index as a crediting option under the annuity does not obligate Delaware Life or Deutsche Bank to invest annuity payments in the components of any Index.

3 If you withdraw your assets, your principal may be reduced by withdrawal and surrender charges, rider fees and a market value adjustment. Charges will apply to the excess amount withdrawn in that contract year. Withdrawals may be subject to a market value adjustment, which may decrease or increase your surrender value depending on how interest rates have changed since you first purchased your annuity (not applicable in every state). A market value adjustment (MVA) is an adjustment applied to withdrawals and surrenders in excess of the free annual withdrawal amount during the first 7 contract years. MVA does not apply upon payment of death benefit. State variations may apply. Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and you may have to pay a 10% federal tax penalty if you are younger than age 59 ½.

4 Rider cannot be canceled before the end of the 7-year surrender charge period. the rider fee will be deducted until the earliest of: the end of the 7-year surrender charge period, the annuity date, or termination of the contract.

5 The death benefit amount is the greatest of the account value, Enhanced Guaranteed Surrender Value or minimum guaranteed surrender value. The death benefit is subject to adjustments for applicable charges and taxes.

Retirement Stages 7® Legal Disclosure

All products and/or options may not be available in all states. Annuity contracts contain exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms for keeping them in force. Your licensed financial professional can provide you with complete details. For use with policy forms ICC15-DLIC-FIA-07 or DLIC-FIA-7 and rider forms ICC15-DLIC-GLWB-01, ICC15-DLIC-NHW, ICC15-DLIC-TIW, ICC15-DLIC-ROPR-01 and ICC16-DLIC-TBOUT.

Retirement Stages 7® is currently approved for sale in all states EXCEPT: NY

This Product (the “Product”) is not sponsored, endorsed, managed, sold or promoted by Deutsche Bank AG (DB AG) or any subsidiary or affiliate of DB AG. The Deutsche Bank Indices are the exclusive property of DB AG. “Deutsche Bank” and “CROCI” are proprietary marks of DB AG and its affiliates that have been licensed for certain uses and purposes to Delaware Life Insurance Company (DLIC). Neither DB AG, CROCI, nor any affiliate of DB AG, nor any other party involved in, or related to, making or compiling the Deutsche Bank Indices: (1) is acting in a fiduciary or product management capacity or providing any endorsement of the Product or investment advice of any kind; (2) has any obligation to take the needs of DLIC, the sponsor of the Product, or its clients into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Deutsche Bank Indices; (3) is responsible for or has participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, quantities or valuation of the Product; (4) WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE DEUTSCHE BANK INDICES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN OR THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR TRADING OF THE PRODUCT. The CROCI Indices have been built on the premise that the CROCI Economic P/E is an effective indicator of inherent value. This premise may not be correct, and prospective investors must form their own view of the CROCI methodology and evaluate whether CROCI is appropriate for them. Please see the Disclosure Statement and Annuity Illustration for more information about the Deutsche Bank Indices and the Product. Obligations to make payments under the Product are solely the obligation of Delaware Life Insurance Company and are not the responsibility of DB AG. The selection of one or more of the Deutsche Bank Indices as a crediting option under the Product does not obligate Delaware Life Insurance Company or DB AG to invest annuity payments in the components of any of the Deutsche Bank Indices.

There are risks associated with the CROCI methodology, the CROCI Sectors III Index and the CROCI Sectors III USD 5.5% Volatility Control (”CROCI Sectors 5.5% VC”) Index:

  • No assurance can be given that the CROCI methodology will be successful at identifying undervalued companies;
  • There is no assurance that (i) the three industry sectors chosen will outperform the other industry sectors or (ii) the 30 chosen stocks will outperform the remaining stocks in the component indices;
  • Even if the strategy of the CROCI Sectors III Index is successful and it outperforms the component indices, the level of the CROCI Sectors 5.5% VC may decline;
  • Because the CROCI Sectors 5.5% VC is subject to a maximum notional exposure of 100% to the CROCI Sectors III Index and will not adjust its exposure to the CROCI Sectors III Index by more than 10% on any day, the CROCI Sectors 5.5% VC may not be able to maintain a fixed target volatility level of 5.5%;
  • If the realized volatility of the CROCI Sectors III Index is less than 5.5%, the CROCI Sectors 5.5% VC may have a 100% exposure to the CROCI Sectors III Index, but a target volatility level less than 5.5%;
  • Because the CROCI Sectors 5.5% VC’s exposure to the CROCI Sectors III Index on each day is calculated based on the historical realized volatility the CROCI Sectors III Index, the realized volatility of the CROCI Sectors 5.5% VC could differ significantly from the target volatility level;
  • The CROCI Sectors 5.5% VC is subject to currency exchange rate risk; and
  • Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as the sponsor and calculation agent of the Index, may adjust the Index and/or its components in a way that affects their respective levels and may have conflicts of interest.

This product is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morgan Stanley or any of its affiliates. Neither Morgan Stanley nor any other party (including, without limitation, any calculation agents or data providers) makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the advisability of purchasing this product. The Morgan Stanley Global Opportunities Index (the “Index”) is the exclusive property of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley and the Index are service marks of Morgan Stanley and have been licensed for use by Delaware Life Insurance Company for certain purposes. Morgan Stanley will not have any obligation or liability to owners of this product in connection with the administration or marketing of this product, and neither Morgan Stanley nor any other party guarantees the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Index or any data included therein. Morgan Stanley and its affiliates may engage in transactions involving components of the Index for their proprietary accounts and/or for accounts of their clients, which may affect the value of such components and the level of the Index.

Risk Factors:

There are risks associated with any product linked to this Index:

  • Allocation to a crediting method using the Index provides the potential for interest to be credited based in part on the performance of the Index.
  • The Index may not increase in value due to a number of factors and as a result there may be no interest credited to the annuity contract.
  • Because the Index is managed to a volatility target, the Index performance will not match the performance of the underlying Index components and may dampen the performance of the Index in rising markets.
  • The Index has a limited performance history and past performance is no indication of future performance.
  • The Index may be comprised of a small number of index components at any given time and the performance of the index involves risk associated with international and U.S. equities and bonds, commodities and precious metals, which may impact the Index value and the interest credited to the annuity contract.
  • Premium allocated to a crediting method using the Index is not a direct investment in the stock markets, bond markets, commodities, precious metals or in the index.
  • Purchasers of products linked to the index will have no access to the components underlying the Index.
  • The Index is calculated on excess return basis.

The Standard & Poor’s 500® (”S&P 500®“) is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates (”SPDJI”) and has been licensed for use by Delaware Life Insurance Company (”Delaware Life”). Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (”S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (”Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Delaware Life. Retirement Stages 7® is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, or their respective affiliates and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P 500®.

Annuity withdrawals and other distributions of taxable amounts, including death benefit payouts, will be subject to ordinary income tax. For nonqualified contracts, an additional 3.8% federal tax may apply on net investment income. If withdrawals and other distributions are taken prior to age 59½, an additional 10% federal tax may apply. A withdrawal charge and a market value adjustment (MVA) also may apply. Withdrawals will reduce the contract value and the value of the death benefits, and also may reduce the value of any optional benefits.

Fixed index annuities are not securities and do not participate directly in the stock market or any index, and are not investments. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Riders are available for additional expenses.