Compare Guaranteed Account Value Riders

Annuity FYI Pick:

The Allianz GAV rider is one of the few GAV riders that allow you to take a lump sum payment (less withdrawals and surrender charges) after a 5-year waiting period (most GAVs make you wait 10 years). Furthermore, there is no additional charge for this rider --it is included in the M&E fee of the core annuity, High Five. We also feature this rider because it automatically locks in gains on each contract anniversary. In fact, you can even choose to lock in gains as often as every 90 days (although this would reset the 5-year waiting period).

However, asset allocation has restrictions -- Allianz has the right to move funds to the fixed account at their discretion -- as much as 50% in the 1st 2 years, and 100% thereafter.

The Prudential GRO Plus rider is one of the few GAV riders that allow you to take a lump sum payment (less withdrawals and surrender charges) after a 7-year waiting period (most GAVs make you wait 10 years). We also feature this rider because gains automatically lock in on each contract anniversary if growth exceeds 7% (or manually if less than 7%). In fact, you can even choose to lock in gains as often as twice within a contract year (although this would reset the 7-year waiting period).

However, asset allocation has restrictions -- Prudential has the right to move funds to the fixed account at their discretion.

The Ohio National Guaranteed Principal Protection rider GAV rider allows you to take a lump sum payment of the initial premium and deposits made in the first 6 months (less withdrawals and surrender charges) after a 10-year waiting period, which is fairly standard. We feature this GAV rider because of the uniquely flexible asset allocation options -- you can invest in any of Ohio National's asset allocation models. Furthermore, the rider is relatively low cost, and we believe the core annuities to which the rider can be added to be very good. Also, gains can be locked-in on or after the 5th anniversary (although this would reset the 10-year waiting period).

MetLife Investors GPO GAV rider allows you to take a lump sum payment of the initial premium and deposits made in the first 120 days (less withdrawals and surrender charges) after a 10-year waiting period, which is fairly standard. We feature this GAV rider because it comes at no additional cost with the GMIB Plus rider. If you have the GMIB Plus rider and, after 10 years, your account value has dropped and you decide you’d rather not take the GMIB Plus lifetime income benefit, you may cancel it and elect the GPO. In essence, if you purchase the GMIB Plus rider, you get the GAV safety net at no additional charge.

The AXA Principal Guarantee Benefit GAV rider is featured here not so much because it is unique, but because it is a very well-publicized GAV from a highly reputable company. As such it is included here for comparison purposes. The rider allows you to take a lump sum payment (less withdrawals and surrender charges) after a 10-year waiting period, and allows you to lock-in gains after 5 years (resetting the 10-year waiting period), both of which are fairly standard. You have the option of a 100% guarantee of premium, or a 125% guarantee of premium, both at a relatively high cost.

We do like the asset allocation options for this GAV rider: for the 100% guarantee of premium, you can choose any of the 5 AXA Allocation Models (although for the 125% guarantee of premium, you must choose the AXA Moderate Allocation Model).

100% premium guarantee: 0.50%

125% premium guarantee: 0.75%

The Pacific Life GPA 5 GAV rider is featured here not so much because it is unique, but because it is a very well-publicized GAV from a reputable company. As such it is included here for comparison purposes. The rider allows you to take a lump sum payment of the initial premium and deposits made in the first year (less withdrawals and surrender charges) after a 10-year waiting period, and allows you to lock-in gains after 5 years (resetting the 10-year waiting period), both of which are fairly standard.

We do like the asset allocation options for this GAV rider: you can choose any of the five Pacific Life Portfolio Optimization Models.