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The Power of Zero

Oak Harvest Insurance Services, LLC believes the most powerful feature Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) products is their guarantee against losing money if the associated index, such as the S&P 500, goes down. This means that even if the S&P 500, or other linked index, were to go down by 10%, 20% or even 50%, the value of the FIA will not decline due to market fluctuations.

We believe that the second most powerful feature of an FIA is the “Reset Feature.” The Reset Feature automatically resets the annuity’s index value at the end of each contract period. When the index value resets, interest you’ve earned during the period is “locked in” and cannot be lost. Additionally, if the index – for example the S&P 500 – is down for that period, no interest will be credited to your account for the period. In other words, your account value does not decline, and further, when the index value resets, your account will start tracking the index from that low point. There is no need to wait for the index to “get back to even” before you begin earning interest.

All FIAs have a reset feature, but not all of them are reset annually. We prefer the annual reset design because we feel it gives the best long-term growth potential.

These are two features that can be tremendously beneficial for appropriate investors:

  1. Downside protection of your money
  2. Upside participation in the equity markets without the risk of market loss.

 

Fixed Index Annuity with Annual ResetAbove is a hypothetical comparison of the following:

1. Red line represents a $100,000 investment in the stock market that tracks the year-end point-to-point performance of the S&P 500 index, excluding dividends. 2. Green line represents the $100,000 used to purchase a fixed index annuity with a 50% Par rate index interest crediting method – based on the performance of the S&P 500 Index – with an interest rate floor of 0%. 3. Blue line represents the $100,000 initial premium compounding at a fixed interest rate of 2% Fixed per year. 4. Yellow line represents the contract’s Minimum Guaranteed Surrender Value (MGSV), which is equal to 87.5% of the initial premium accumulated at an interest rate of 1.00%.

This illustration is for informational purposes and intended only to demonstrate how a hypothetical fixed index annuity might have performed had it existed over the period depicted in the chart and based on the stated assumptions. Actual performance would have been higher or lower than assumed, and likely would have fluctuated based on product guarantees and carrier rate-setting procedures. This illustration does not represent any specific product, and does not reflect the costs of any optional riders or the effects of any withdrawals on contract values. Fixed index annuities are not a direct investment in the stock market. They are long-term insurance products with guarantees backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing company. They provide the potential for interest to be credited based in part on the performance of specific indexes, without the risk of loss of premium due to market downturns or fluctuation. They may not be appropriate for everyone. This information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. Please note, it is not possible to invest directly into the S&P 500® Index; this measure is provided solely as a benchmark of overall market performance. Past performance of the S&P 500® is not an indication of future performance and is not guaranteed. Standard & Poor’s: “Standard & Poor’s®,” “S&P®,” and “S&P 500®” are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). S&P 500® returns based on information obtained from https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/%5EGSPC/history?p=%5EGSPC. Any references to guarantees or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products

Source: American Equity Funds

An Example of The Power of Zero

Modern FIAs can be used to provide principal protected growth, guaranteed lifetime income, or both growth and income. The below charts show the “Power of Zero” when using a fixed indexed annuity for principal protection and growth. The below charts compare 12 years’ worth of annual returns of the S&P 500 vs. a Fixed Indexed Annuity linked to the S&P 500 with a 50% participation rate and no cap on earnings.

 

Power of Zero: 2023 index return

 

And here is what the growth of a $500,000 investment looks in the S&P 500 and in a Fixed Indexed Annuity looks like, based on the above criteria and returns.

 

2023 Investment Return and the Power of Zero

 

FIAs vs. The Stock Market

Fixed Indexed Annuities aren't designed to outperform the market. They are designed to protect your principal while allowing you to participate in the positive movement of the stock market.

We don’t like to compare them to the stock market because we believe they aren’t designed to compete with the stock market. They are designed to compete with bonds, CDs and other historically less volatile investments. Having your “safe” money (i.e., money you are less comfortable putting at risk) indexing the S&P 500 while still having principal protection can provide the potential for higher annual returns than other less volatile investments, such as bonds or CDs.

The above example demonstrates the “Power of Zero,” and how a financial tool like a fixed indexed annuity has the potential to provide higher returns compared to bonds or CDs, without taking on stock market volatility.

In most years, the FIA would not keep up with the S&P 500 returns. However, in 2008, 2011, 2015 and 2018 the S&P 500 had negative returns. In all those years, an FIA would have lost nothing from market movements.

If the S&P 500 rebounds, your account grows in value based on earning a portion of that positive movement in the index. In the above example, the portion you earn is subject to a 50% participation rate, no cap and an annual reset. The principal protection feature means that you do not participate in market declines, but you start tracking the market from where it is on your contract anniversary due to the “Reset Feature”.

Some financial commentators, consumers and journalists may espouse an anti-annuity position. We believe they fail to grasp the “Power of Zero.” They may also confuse Fixed Indexed Annuities with Variable Annuities. Variable Annuities have been around for much longer than FIAs and do have several layers of fees as well as exposure to market risk.

On the contrary, the vast majority of FIAs have no annual fees taken from the account balance, and all FIA products carry no exposure to downside market risk.

In our view, the above example puts forth a strong argument that the right fixed indexed annuity can provide safety of principal, higher returns relative to fixed income products like bonds, and may be considered for being a core part of a retirement plan.

FIAs in a Retirement Plan

Many of the retirees we speak to appreciate knowing that a portion of their money is not exposed to market risk, but still has more growth potential than just holding it in cash or CDs. Considering longer life expectancies, we believe that retirees may need a specific plan to help grow their retirement assets as well as preserve them. Unfortunately, many people are also afraid of the stock market, and potentially losing large sums if they invest directly in the stock market.

In response to this, some investment management firms offer investment strategies which may move investors in and out of the markets based on market volatility, with the goal of avoiding exposure to market crashes. This is a form of “market timing.” Strategies that attempt to outperform or reduce volatility for investors by timing the market are often ineffective or costly.

To protect your money in retirement, our view is that investors should focus on asset allocation. Proper asset allocation can help align your portfolio to your vision, goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Our Core4 planning and investment framework is how we help our clients accomplish this.

Pillar One of the Core4 includes financial tools such as Fixed Indexed Annuities. We focus on products that are uncapped, protect principal against loss, participate in the upside of the stock market, and have an annual reset feature.

The FIA is a tool that may help to bring peace of mind, security and growth potential to your retirement. While we believe that investors should be cautious against over-allocating funds to Fixed Indexed Annuities as this could decrease overall returns, we also believe that many retirees will be able to take comfort in knowing that a part of their portfolio is protected by the insurance company with potential for growth.

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Summary
Article Name
The Power of Zero
Description
We believe the most powerful feature Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) products is their guarantee against losing money if the associated index, such as the S&P 500, goes down.
Publisher Name
Oak Harvest Financial Group
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