In this 1:15 Annuities Explained YouTube Short, Jeffrey Scott McLeod, LUTC, covers “What is a spread/margin? Annuities Explained.” What is a margin spread or administrative fee?. When you receive the NAIC guide to annuities, you'll read in some annuities, the index linked interest rate is computed by subtracting a specific percentage from any calculated change in the index. This percentage sometimes referred to as a margin spread or administrative fee might be instead of or in addition to a participation rate Insurance education only—not securities advice.
Key takeaways
When you receive the NAIC guide to annuities, you'll read in some annuities, the index linked interest rate is computed by subtracting a specific percentage from any calculated change in the index.
This percentage sometimes referred to as a margin spread or administrative fee might be instead of or in addition to a participation rate..
What is a margin spread or administrative fee?.
For example, if the calculated change in the index is 10% and your spread might specify 2 and a/4% will be subtracted from.
This Short is a quick overview—confirm features, rates, and charges in the insurance contract and NAIC Buyer’s Guide.
From the NAIC Buyer’s Guide
Index interest formulas may use features such as participation rates, cap rates, and spread/margin rates, so credited interest may reflect only part of an index change. If the index goes down over the period, zero interest is added for that feature and annuity value will not go down from that index change as long as you do not withdraw the money.
Fixed indexed annuities are a type of fixed annuity that earn interest based on changes in a market index; the interest rate is guaranteed never to be less than zero, even if the market goes down. When you buy an indexed annuity, you are not investing directly in the market or the index.
Fees, surrender charges, and any market value adjustment can reduce what you receive. Read the contract for how charges work in your state.
Source: NAIC Buyer’s Guide for Deferred Annuities (2022). The guide does not endorse any company or policy. For your state insurance department, see www.naic.org.
Jeffrey Scott McLeod, LUTC, is a licensed insurance producer. Content on this page is educational and discusses insurance products only—not securities, brokerage, or investment advisory services. Texas license 901162. Arkansas / National Producer Number 558629. Product availability, rates, and features vary by state and insurer. Read the NAIC Buyer’s Guide and the insurance contract before you buy.