New Heights 10 by Nationwide Financial is a ten year single-purchase payment fixed, tax deferred indexed annuity. It provides a 10 year CDSC (Contingent Deferred Sales Charge) Schedule. This is also known as a surrender charge schedule in CA. The annuity is aimed at annuitants who fear the volatility in markets but still seek growth to account for inflation and increased expenses.
Nationwide New Heights 10 Details
Return of payment purchase guarantee
This guarantees that at least 100% of the annuitant’s purchase payments less their gross withdrawals will be available in case of contract surrender, death benefit payment, terminal illness or long-term care.
Issue age
The issue age is 0-80 years for annuitants. Owners may be of any age.
Minimum initial investment
- Minimum qualified payment- $25,000
- Minimum non-qualified payment- $25,000
Rider availability
There are two riders available for living and death benefit. The Nationwide High Point 365 Lifetime Income Benefit Rider and the Nationwide High Point Enhanced Death Benefit Rider.
Balanced Allocation Value
This monitors the daily changes in the annuity strategy option. It is usually the greater of the contract value plus unrealized earnings or the return of purchase payment guarantee amount.
Available indices
For the New Heights 10 annuity, include the S&P 500 Composite Index, JP Morgan MOZAIC II Index, NYSE Zebra Edge and the MSCI EAFE. A Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) is however not a stock market investment.
Surrender charges
Also known as CDSC charge, this will be a 10-year declining charge. The charge is a percentage charged on withdrawals above the free value amount. This starts at 10% for the first year then 10%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% and 0% for the eleventh year onwards. The exact amount charged will be the percentage multiplied by the amount above the free withdrawal figure.
Free withdrawals
Annuitants can withdraw up to 7% of their contract value at the start of each term. Free withdrawals are however not available for the first year. After the 10th year, the annuitant can withdraw up to 10% of their account value without incurring withdrawal charges.
Death benefit
The death benefit will be the greater of the balanced allocation value or the surrender value of the contract. A joint death benefit option is also available. This ensures that a surviving joint annuitant receives the benefit or continues with the annuity contract.
Waivers
The annuity provides waivers for withdrawals made in case an annuitant encounters a long term care or is diagnosed with a terminal condition from which they are not expected to recover.
Potential advantages
- Tax deferrals provide growth potential
- Guaranteed income with optional rides
- Potential benefits of positive index performance
- Opportunity to lock in the index value
