ADVERTORIAL
Managing the variables of life with Protective ® Aspirations variable annuity *
FINANCIAL ADVISOR MAGAZINE INTERVIEWED Matt Emanuel, Regional Vice President, Retirement Division at Protective, a carrier seeking to innovate in the variable annuity marketplace. Since 2023, Protective has seen a 53 % increase in variable annuity sales, positioning itself as an emerging carrier in the category and ranking third in growth among the top 20 variable annuity providers. 1
FA: What makes Protective Aspirations variable annuity different from other income solutions in the market?
Matt: Protective Aspirations variable annuity is all about resilience and adaptability. Rarely is retirement a straight path from point A to point B, and neither are clients’ financial needs. This variable annuity is designed to support clients when the variables of life come into play, offering guaranteed income, control over how their money is invested, and flexible options that adapt to life’ s twist and turns. It’ s built to help clients transition into retirement with more confidence and security.
FA: Why is the flexibility for life’ s twists and turns so crucial in today’ s retirement landscape and how does Protective address this particular need?
Matt: At Protective, we know that retirement is dynamic. It’ s often filled with changing needs and opportunities. That’ s why the Protective Aspirations variable annuity is designed not just for guaranteed income, but for flexibility. There are several features included with the optional income benefit that provide future adaptability.
FA: Why might a consumer consider adding the optional, additional‐cost SecurePay ® Protector℠ benefit to the Protective ® Aspirations variable annuity for retirement income planning?
Matt: The optional SecurePay Protector benefit provides strong guaranteed lifetime income, ensuring that clients can receive up to 6 % income at age 65, even if the value of their contract goes to zero 2. This is supported by a 7 % compounding roll-up for each year of deferred income and annual step-ups that lock in market gains. The withdrawal rates are not age-banded, but rather increase at every age, offering consistent and higher income, the longer clients delay retirement.
FA: Protective recently launched advance payout options with Protective Aspirations variable annuity. How do these options help
Matt Emanuel Regional Vice President, Retirement Division Protective
For more information: www. protective. com
clients who want more flexibility in their retirement income, especially when planning for Social Security?
Matt: The advance payout options are featured as part of the SecurePay Protector benefit. These payout options give clients the opportunity to take more income upfront if needed. If clients are interested in Social Security planning, the advance payout options may help them bridge an income gap and maximize their Social Security benefit. For example, a client retires at 62 but wants to wait until age 70 to start receiving their maximum Social Security benefit. They could choose the eight-year payout option to provide increased withdrawals upfront for eight years. After the advanced payout period of eight years expires, their annuity income will be lower. However, this reduction in annuity income occurs at the exact same time that they start receiving their maximized Social Security benefit, which means that their overall income between the two sources could be significantly higher than if they had started Social Security earlier.
FA: How does the Maximum Daily Value death benefit help clients focused on legacy planning?
Matt: This optional enhanced death benefit might be an appropriate vehicle for clients who are concerned with leaving a legacy or who may not have sufficient life insurance. The Maximum Daily Value death benefit is a powerful wealth transfer solution. This feature locks in the highest daily contract value up to age 83, ensuring that the client’ s beneficiaries receive the maximum possible benefit, even if the market experiences downturns later.
FA: How does the SecurePay NH SM benefit help clients prepare for this uncertainty?
Matt: The SecurePay NH SM benefit is a less common feature in the variable annuity marketplace. It allows clients to double their annual withdrawal rate up to a maximum of 15 % for up to five years if they are confined 3 to a nursing home and meet the eligibility requirements. This offers clients a critical financial resource to help cover nursing home costs. It’ s an important feature for clients who are concerned about the rising cost of healthcare and retirement, providing an additional layer of protection when they need it most. It is included at no additional cost with the optional income benefits.
Protective refers to Protective Life Insurance Company( PLICO) and its affiliates, including Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company( PLAIC). PLICO, founded in 1907, is located in Omaha, NE, and is licensed in all states excluding New York. PLAIC is located in Birmingham, AL, and is licensed in New York. Securities offered by Investment Distributors, Inc.( IDI), a registered broker-dealer and principal underwriter for registered products issued by PLICO, its affiliate. IDI is located in Birmingham, AL.
Product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims‐paying ability of the issuing company.
Protective Aspirations variable annuity is a flexible premium deferred variable and fixed annuity contract issued by PLICO in all states except New York under policy form series VDA-P-2006. SecurePay Investor benefits issued under rider form number
VDA-P-6063. SecurePay Protector benefits issued under rider form number VDA-P-6061. SecurePay Nursing Home benefits issued under form number VDA-P-5072R, in all states except in California where issued under form number IPV-2159.
Protective Aspirations NY variable annuity is a flexible premium deferred variable annuity contract issued by PLAIC in New York under policy form series NY-VDA-A-2024. SecurePay Investor benefits issued under rider form number NY-VDA-A-6075. SecurePay Protector benefits provided by rider form number NY-VDA-A-6073.
Variable annuities are long-term investments intended for retirement planning and involve market risk and the possible loss of principal. Investments in variable annuities are subject to fees and charges from the insurance company and the investment managers.
Withdrawals reduce the annuity’ s remaining death benefit, contract value, cash surrender value and future earnings. Withdrawals may be subject to income tax and, if taken prior to age 59½, an additional 10 % IRS tax penalty may apply. More frequent withdrawals may reduce earnings more than annual withdrawals. During the withdrawal charge period, withdrawals in excess of the penalty-free amount may be subject to a withdrawal charge.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of a variable annuity, any optional protected lifetime income benefit, and the underlying investment options before investing. This and other information is contained in the prospectus for a variable annuity and its underlying investment options. Investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. Prospectus may be obtained by contacting Protective at 800‐456‐6330.
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2024 LIMRA VA sales data 2 If the contract value is reduced to zero due to benefit withdrawals, the contract will be annuitized and the client will begin receiving monthly income payments in an amount equal to their last Annual Withdrawal Amount, divided by 12. If the contract value falls to zero due to excess withdrawals the rider will terminate, and payments will end. 3
If the sole covered person( or both covered persons) is confined to a Nursing Home, the current withdrawal rate may double, not to exceed 15 % of the benefit base for up to 5 years. If only one of the two covered persons is confined to a Nursing Home, we will multiply the withdrawal rate by 125 %, not to exceed 15 % of the benefit base for up to 5 years. In California, the withdrawal rate under SecurePay NH has a maximum of 10 %, and no enhanced benefit is available if joint coverage is elected and only one covered person is confined to a nursing home. Qualifications must be met. May not be available in all states and state variations may apply. * The product offered in New York is the Protective Aspirations NY variable annuity.
MAY / JUNE 2026 | FINANCIAL ADVISOR MAGAZINE | 3