ADVERTORIAL

Until now , annuities haven ’ t really focused on these moving parts . The usual approach to annuities is to flip a switch . One day , you ’ re accumulating and the next , you ’ re turning on income . That all changed with Protective ® Aspirations variable annuity .

“ It ’ s a powerful income solution built to pivot when life does ,” says Steve Cramer , Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer , Retirement Division with Protective .

Let ’ s explore how it works .

Q : The need for more income earlier in retirement is common for many retirees . How exactly does this new tool provide advance payout options that aid retiree income ?

Protective ® Aspirations variable annuity offers a range of income features so investors can adjust the amount of annuity income they need when they need it .

One of its most powerful features is the optional SecurePay SM Protector income benefit , soon to include new advance payout options .

“ It ’ s built to serve those who want income guarantees and protection through a death benefit yet still desire flexibility to adapt as needs change ,” says Cramer .

Starting in October , Protective will roll out these new features financial professionals can use to help clients who want to build smooth retirement transitions . They can adjust for needed income during the active years , bridging an income gap , or strategically deferring Social Security benefits to that all-important Social Security milestone of 70 years , when they can claim greater income for life . SecurePay Protector ’ s multiple advance payout options can adapt to meet a client ’ s unique needs by letting them take a guaranteed increased withdrawal for 3 , 5 , 8 or 10 years regardless of their contract value . That is followed by a lifetime annual withdrawal amount that provides a guaranteed income stream clients can ’ t outlive — even if the contract value falls to zero as a result of benefit withdrawals and / or market performance .

Q : How does Protective ensure its variable annuity products remain competitive and valuable to clients ?

“ We have a great team of cross-functional experts that continuously evaluates our products based on market trends and financial professional feedback . This proactive approach allows us to incorporate features like the advance payout options , but also filter out other ideas that create distractions and noise . Our goal is to make financial professionals even more useful for their clients by providing innovative yet practical and valuable tools that enhance

retirement planning and bolster the efficiency of other retirement strategies . We know retirement planning is not a one-size-fits-all approach , and that ’ s why having features that can flex with life ’ s twists and turns is extremely important .”

Q : In an industry dominated by a small number of carriers , how has Protective ® Aspirations variable annuity been engineered to be competitive ? What are some of the standout features that advisors should be aware of ?

SecurePay Protector income benefit lets clients “ adjust the income they ’ re getting once they start , through a couple of different features ,” Cramer explains . That is in sharp contrast to more typical income benefits , that set in stone the amount that a contract holder may receive .

Protective ® Aspirations variable annuity with SecurePay Protector aligns with clients ’ longheld expectations , offering a secure and reliable way to tap into the retirement income they ’ ve been cultivating for decades . The SecurePay

Reserve feature empowers clients to reserve and later take more income when needed , while SecurePay NH allows them to potentially double their withdrawal rate up to a certain allowable amount , making it a practical and accessible tool to support their financial goals during retirement .

In October , Protective will introduce new tools that enable financial professionals to run comparisons that explore the different income options available with the Protective ® Aspirations variable annuity .

“ The calculator will help financial professionals become more comfortable with the advance payout options concepts and visualize how

“ A plan is great until it needs to change . Flexibility is what I like most about Protective ® Aspirations variable annuity . It ’ s a powerful income solution designed to pivot when needed . The SecurePay Protector income benefit offers customizable income options that can adjust as clients ’ needs change .”

Steve Cramer

Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer Retirement Division with Protective

they can be used to plan for retirement income ,” says Cramer .

They can present clients with a full slate of options for the difficult income landscape of the early retirement years .

Each client can review the options most relevant and appropriate for their needs .

“ It ’ s not like other annuities — and that ’ s the point ,” says Cramer . “ Knowing there is no standard solution that will meet all varying clients ’ goals , we ’ ve purposefully designed this product to be adaptable to many clients ’ needs and be flexible once purchased .”

Find the product resources and additional information at protective . com / aspirations-va .