One-Year Monthly Point-to-Point
The monthly point-to-point index change is determined by
subtracting the prior month's index value from current
month's index value and dividing it by the prior month's
index value. If this results in a positive monthly point-to-point
index change and is not more than the declared cap, then it is
used as the capped index change for that month. If it is more than
the declared cap, then we use the declared cap as the capped index
change for that month.
A negative monthly point-to-point index change is not subject
to a cap.
A "capped index change" for each month is captured over a
12-month period. The sum of the 12 monthly "capped index
changes" will be the index credit rate on the index crediting
date. The index credit rate is multiplied by the option's account
value to determine the index credit.
One-Year Annual Point-to-Point
The annual point-to-point index change is determined by subtracting
the prior year's index value from the current year's index value and dividing
it by the prior year's index value. If this results in a positive annual point-to-point
index change and is not more than the declared cap, then it is used as the
index change for that year. If it is more than the declared cap, then we use
the declared cap as the index change for that year.
A negative annual point-to-point index change is not subject to a cap.
The index change will be the index credit rate on the index crediting
date. The index credit rate is multiplied by the option's account value
to determine the index credit.
Participation Rate
The participation rate may very greatly from one annuity to another
and from time to time within a particular annuity. Therefore, it is
important for you to know how your annuity's participation rate
works with the indexing method. A high participation rate may be
offset by other features, such as simple interest, averaging, or a
point-to-point indexing method. On the other hand, an insurance
company may offset a lower participation rate by also offering a
feature such as an annual reset indexing method.
Jeff McLeod is a fixed index-linked retirement income annuity specialist.
To get a copy of the Buyer's Guide visit
http://HappyRetiree.com/
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