The Standard Adds New Features to Enhanced Choice Index Plus Annuity

More guarantees and choices offer greater flexibility for annuity clients

The Standard recently added new features to its flagship Fixed Index Annuity product, the Enhanced Choice Index Plus. The additions are built-in guarantees, innovative crediting strategies and the introduction of the S&P 500^® Dynamic Intraday TCA Index. The ECI Plus is a single-premium, deferred index annuity designed for clients seeking growth, protection and guarantees with the opportunity to maximize their legacy.

“We’re incredibly excited to expand The Standard’s already strong portfolio of annuity product options,” said Alan Assner, assistant vice president and head of Individual Annuities at The Standard. “With new crediting strategies and additional guarantees, clients can further customize their annuity to meet their financial needs.”

The ECI Plus now offers 10 allocation options with guaranteed rates for 5 to 10 years, depending on the selected strategy. This includes fixed interest crediting, now enhanced with a multiyear rate guarantee. Additionally, the newly added Locked Cap Rate and Locked Trigger Rate strategies allow clients to secure an annual locked rate on the S&P 500^® that will not change for 5 or 7 years. These rate guarantees help provide clients with added confidence and stability, even in volatile market conditions.

The newly introduced Trigger Rate and Trigger Rate Plus strategies help clients achieve dependable growth — even when an index underperforms. With the Trigger Rate strategy, clients benefit from any flat or positive movement in the index, while the Trigger Rate Plus strategy offers built-in growth, even when index performance declines.

The S&P 500 Dynamic Intraday TCA Index introduces a simple, innovative approach to volatility control, adapting quickly to changing rate environments. Rebalanced up to 13 times a day, the index responds more efficiently to market fluctuations. A 15% volatility target allows for greater exposure to the S&P 500 while maintaining more stable volatility compared to traditional risk control indices. Clients can access this newly added index using a Cap Rate, Participation Rate, Trigger Rate or Trigger Rate Plus strategy — all of which offer guaranteed rates throughout the withdrawal charge period.

The Standard has a legacy of offering consumer-friendly annuity products backed by financial strength and time-tested service practices. With more than a century of consistently strong ratings — including more than 100 years with an “A” rating or higher — third of 13 ratings — from A.M. Best Company — The Standard continues its commitment to delivering annuity solutions that safeguard and grow clients’ financial futures.

About The Standard

The Standard is a family of companies dedicated to helping customers achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. In business since 1906, we are a leading provider of financial protection products and services for employers and individuals. Our products include group and individual disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group dental and group vision insurance, absence management and paid family leave services, retirement plans products and services and annuities for employers and individuals. For more information about The Standard, visit standard.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

The S&P 500^® and S&P 500^® Dynamic Intraday TCA Index are products of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates and have been licensed for use by Standard Insurance Company. S&P^®, S&P 500^®, US 500™, The 500™, iBoxx^®, iTraxx^® and CDX^® are trademarks of S&P Global, Inc., or its affiliates; Dow Jones^® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. The Standard’s annuity products based on SPDJI’s indices are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P or their respective affiliates, and none such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of the Indices.

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“We’re incredibly excited to expand The Standard’s already strong portfolio of annuity product options,” said Alan Assner, assistant vice president and head of Individual Annuities at The Standard.