Compare Fixed/Equity-Indexed Annuities

Annuity FYI strongly recommends against the purchase of fixed/equity-indexed annuities. We believe that they are among the worst annuity investments. Before investing in a fixed-indexed annuity, read “Fixed-Indexed Annuities: Questions to Ask Before Purchasing”, as well as our archived article “Take Care When Buying Equity-indexed Annuities.” If you are attracted to investments that link your return to a market index, consider equity linked CDs -- they guarantee your principal, are FDIC insured, and give you stock market upside linked to a particular market index.

What is a fixed-indexed annuity?
Criteria for evaluating these annuities/riders.
For financial strength ratings on companies below, click here.

For Comparison Purposes Only -- We Do Not Recommend Purchase of Fixed/Equity-Indexed Annuities

Company & Product Name Click below to order a free info kit!	Index	Guaranteed Principal Amount What’s this?	Index Crediting Method What’s this?	Surrender Period What’s this?
The following fixed-indexed annuities are popular in the industry, but Annuity FYI believes that they do not represent the best annuity investments. We include them here for comparison purposes -- we do not recommend them.
ING Secure Index Five Annuity investors kit or call 866-223-2121	S&P 500® Disclosures	1.5% on 100% of premium less withdrawals, surrender charges, and premium taxes, if any	Annual point-point with a cap Fixed account Monthly cap	5 years: 8%, 7.5, 6.5, 5.5, 4.5%
New Directions 6 / 8 investors kit or call 866-223-2121	S&P 500®	1.75% / 2% on 100% of principal (less withdrawals)	1-year point-to-point 2-year point-to-point fixed account	6 years: 9%, 8, 7, 6, 4.75, 3.5% 8 years: 9%, 8, 7, 6, 4.75, 3.5, 2, 0.75%
Market Power Bonus investors kit or call 866-223-2121	S&P 500®	87.5% compounded at 1-3% +10% first-year bonus	1-year point-to-point with cap 1-yr monthly average with participation rate 1-year monthly point-to-point annual reset daily averaging w/ cap fixed account	Long surrender period: Varies by state but typically 14 years: 20%, 20, 19, 19, 18, 17, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2%
American Equity Bonus Gold investors kit or call 866-223-2121	S&P 500® DJIA	80% compounded at least 1% +10% first-year bonus	annual monthly average annual point-to-point monthly point-to-point fixed rate	Long surrender period: 16 years: 20%, 19.5, 19, 18.5, 18. 17.5, 17, 16, 15, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2%
Endurance Plus investors kit or call 866-223-2121	S&P 500® Nasdaq 100® FTSE 100 Blended index Fixed interest	90% compounded at 1.5 - 3% + 20% bonus	Annual point-to-point with annual reset Monthly sum with annual reset Monthly average no cap with spread	Varies by state, but typically 10 years: 10%,10,10,8.75,7.5,6.25,5,3.75,2.5,1.25%
Master Dex 10 Plus investors kit or call 866-223-2121	S&P 500® Nasdaq 100® FTSE 100 Blended index Fixed interest	87.5% compounded at 1-3%, + 10% bonus	Annual point-to-point with annual reset Monthly sum with annual reset Monthly average no cap with spread	To recieve the annuitization value, the contract must be held in deferral for a minimum of five years, and annuity payments must be taken over a minimum of ten years. If this requirement is not met, you will receive your contract's cash surrender value, which will result in a loss of bonus, indexed interest, fixed interest, and a partial loss of principal

Updated: 03/15/10. Reviewed 05/05/09.