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Independent Objective Review of the Jackson National Life MarketProtector 7 Year Annuity

What will you learn in this Jackson National annuity review?

In this review, we will be discussing the following information about the Jackson National Life MarketProtector 7 Year annuity:
  • Type of annuity
  • How the annuity works Independent Review of the Jackson National Life OptiMAX 100 Fixed Annuity
  • Charges and fees
  • Where the annuity may fit based on your objectives
  • Where the annuity may not fit

Annuities can be complex. That’s where having an Annuity Investigator who loves math comes in. We make the complex, simple.

If you have been thinking about purchasing a fixed indexed annuity because you’ve heard that they provide growth opportunities, but without all of the market risk, it’s likely that somewhere along the line you’ve seen information on the Jackson National Life Insurance Company’s Market Protector annuities.

Initially introduced in March 2018, these annuities provide index-linked growth, along with a nice combination of protection from market risk, and the flexibility to adapt to changing needs in retirement.

In fact, according to Jackson National, the Market Protector annuity provides the ability for your assets to grow and to ultimately create a guaranteed income for life, along with an opportunity to provide for your loved ones through a death benefit.

But, before you run out and purchase this – or any – annuity, it is important that you first have a good understanding of how the product works, so that you can anticipate any of the fees that you may incur, as well as knowing the ins and outs of the crediting of returns. That way, you won’t be disappointed if the annuity does not perform the way you anticipated that it would.

Annuity and Retirement Income Planning Information You Can Trust

If you have never been to our website before, please allow us to officially welcome you here to Annuity Gator.

Who exactly are we?

At Annuity Gator, we are a team of experienced financial and annuity professionals who focus on providing in-depth, and unbiased, annuity reviews on the Internet. We have been at this for quite a while now – far longer than our competitors have – even though there are now a number of “copycat” websites that are popping up. (Imitation is a form of flattery, isn’t it?!)

It is our mission to provide in-depth information and reviews about annuities to consumers – as well as to financial professionals – so that they know exactly what they may (or may not!) be getting into when considering and/or selling an annuity.

These products can be highly complex, so it helps to have someone who is adept in how annuities work, and who can pare down the massive amount of “fine print” into something that is more easily understood.

That’s where Annuity Gator comes in!

When looking for annuity information online, it is essential that you know who is trying to provide education on the products, and who is simply trying to sell you something…regardless of whether or not it is the right financial vehicle for you. It’s easy to be lulled into some of the other websites out there in cyberspace – especially when they make bold claims, like:

  •  Lowest fees
  •  High income
  •  Top-rated annuity carriers
  •  Income stream for life

Does this look at all familiar?

In addition, the more “bells and whistles” an annuity has, the more “small print” you are likely to come across that “explains” to you how it works. Not that it’s a bad thing – the more information, the better – but it can make shopping for the right annuity much more cumbersome.

That being said, if you have landed here on our website in search of more details on the Jackson National MarketProtector 7-Year Annuity, you are definitely in the right place. In fact, we dare say that this is the only website where you can find all of the information you need.

This includes an honest review of the good, the bad, and yes, even the ugly about this annuity. But that way, you will be able to make a much better decision regarding whether or not this is truly the best annuity for you.

So, if you’re ready to get started, let’s dive right in!

The Jackson National MarketProtector 7 Year Annuity at a Glance

Product NameMarket Protector 7
IssuerJackson National Life Insurance Company
Type of AnnuityFixed Indexed Annuity
A.M. Best RatingA (Excellent) as of March 19, 2020
Phone Number(877) 565-2968
Websitehttps://jackson.com

Opening Thoughts on the Jackson National MarketProtector 7-Year Annuity

For more than 50 years, Jackson National has been in the business of helping individuals, couples, and families grow and protect wealth. As one of America’s top annuity providers, Jackson has a focus on educating people about how annuities work, and how they may – or may not – be right for everyone.

The company ended the 2019 year with more than $22 billion in total sales and deposits, with fixed indexed annuities making up approximately $3.8 billion of that, and fixed annuities coming in with an additional $1.2 billion. In total, Jackson held nearly $298 billion in total IFRS assets.

Jackson National has accumulated some nice achievements, too, particularly in the life insurance and annuity arena, including the ranking of the:

  •  Number 1 seller of annuities in the U.S. during 2019
  •  Number 1 ranking in variable annuity sales in the U.S. during 2019
  •  Number 12 largest seller of fixed-rate deferred annuities in the U.S. during 2019
  •  Number 7 largest seller of fixed indexed annuities in the U.S. during 2019

The company also holds a high ranking position in terms of asset rankings, being the:

  •  7th largest U.S. life insurance company (as ranked by total statutory assets)
  •  15th largest U.S. life insurance company (as ranked by general account assets)
  •  21st largest U.S. life insurance company (as ranked by statutory surplus plus asset valuation reserve and interest maintenance reserve)

Given that fixed indexed annuities have become a financial solution of choice for many retirees and those who are approaching retirement, many insurance carriers have been adding to their index annuity product lineup. This, however, may or may not be an advantage because sometimes having “too many” choices can make things even more confusing.

A fixed indexed annuity is oftentimes touted as the “best of all worlds,” because they allow their owners a way to secure a positive return in good times, and to hang on to their principal value during market downturns.

But it is essential to know all of the in-depth details about a fixed indexed annuity you are considering before you move ahead with depositing a large chunk of your money into one – as it can be difficult, and costly, for you to get out if you later realize that it really isn’t the best option for you.

You can access our Annuity Buyers Guide here for more information on how fixed index annuities work, and to help you determine whether or not this type of annuity would be right for you and your specific objectives.

Before we get into the gritty details, here are some legal disclosures we need to provide…

This is an independent product review, not a recommendation to buy or sell an annuity. Jackson National has not endorsed this review in any way, nor do we receive any type of compensation for providing this review. This review is meant to be an independent review at the request of readers so that they may see our perspective when breaking down the positives and negatives of this particular annuity. Prior to purchasing any type of investment or insurance product, it is important that you do your own due diligence and that you consult a properly licensed professional if you should have any specific questions that relate to your individual circumstances. All names, marks, and materials that were used for this review are the property of their respective owners.

How Jackson National Describes the MarketProtector 7 Annuity

Jackson National does a great job of providing numerous resources regarding their annuities. In fact, you can find a lot of updated rate and index information, as well as more in-depth information on how the return on this annuity may be credited, based on your personal choices.

But in a nutshell, the MarketProtector 7 from Jackson is described as a fixed indexed annuity that allows you to combine the advantages of a traditional fixed annuity – such as safety – with the potential for additional interest, which is linked to the return of a chosen index (or even more than one index). In the case of the MarketProtector annuity, you can allocate funds to the S&P 500 index and/or the MSCI EAFE index.

You can choose an indexed option for seven years. (Although Jackson National also offers the MarketProtector 5 and 10, in which the indexed period corresponds with your choice of either five or ten years).

It is important to note, though, that the longer your indexed period is, the longer the surrender charge will also be – meaning that you could be penalized with a surrender charge if you withdraw more than 10% of the contract’s value within that given time period. So just keep in mind that if you get a little more, you also have to give a little more!

There are actually three different crediting methods that you can choose from with the Jackson National MarketProtector 7-year annuity. These include:

  •  Annual Reset Point to Point Cap
  •  Annual Reset Point to Point Participation Rate with Spread
  •  Annual Reset Point to Point Performance Trigger

In all of these cases, there are some definite pros and cons, depending on what exactly it is you want the annuity to do for you. In general, here are some guidelines provided by Jackson National with regard to the MarketProtector annuity’s crediting methods:

Crediting MethodAnnual Reset Point to Point CapAnnual Reset Point to Point Participation Rate with SpreadAnnual Reset Point to Point Performance Trigger
Ideal Market EnvironmentRisingBullFlat
How It WorksReceive the percentage increase in an index up to the annual capReceive the partial percentage of an index minus an annual spreadReceive the crediting rate with a flat or positive return in an index
Contract Value ProtectionYesYesYes
In any case, though, just be aware that there is some give and take with any of the annuity crediting methods. So, you could consider the “drawbacks” to be tradeoffs for the various advantages you want to attain. You can find more info on the Jackson National MarketProtector 7 annuity’s crediting methods by going HERE. Certainly, one of the other reasons people purchase annuities is to lock in an income in retirement. This is possible to do for a certain number of years, or even for the remainder of your life (and another person’s life, if applicable), regardless of how long it is needed. This alone can remove a great deal of stress in retirement. There is an add-on income rider available (for an additional cost). The IncomeAccelerator provides guaranteed income every year for the rest of your life. It also offers several ways for you to grow your income, including options that let you decide how much you would like to bring in. For instance, you can set your income baseline by deciding when to sign up for IncomeAcceletator. This establishes your starting Lifetime Annual Income Payment, or LAIP percentage. This is then the percentage of the annuity contract value that you can withdraw when you are ready to take income. The age at which you elect the Income Accelerator will also determine your “Annual Deferral Credit” percentage. These credits represent additional amounts that combine with the LAIP percentage each year that you defer income payments. Once you have started taking your Lifetime Annual Income Payment, you also have the potential for annual “step-ups,” which will automatically lock in gains for the lifetime of the annuity contract. To see the Income Accelerator brochure in its entirety, you can go HERE. There are a few more “bells and whistles” that can be found on the MarketProtector 7 annuity from Jackson National, including a(n):
  •  Extended Care Waiver
  •  Terminal Illness Waiver
  •  Death Benefit
For instance, with the extended care waiver, if you (or your joint owner, if applicable) are confined to a nursing home or a hospital for a medically necessary purpose for 90 or more consecutive days, then you may withdraw up to 100% of the annuity’s account value without incurring a surrender charge (even if the annuity is still in the surrender charge period). Note, though, that this is just a one-time withdrawal, so if you choose this option down the road, just know that you won’t be able to take any additional withdrawals from the annuity without incurring a penalty. With regard to the terminal illness waiver, if you become diagnosed with a medical condition that is expected to result in death within 12 months, you may withdraw up to 100% of the contract’s value without penalty. However, similar to the extended care waiver, your terminal illness withdrawal is also just a one-time deal. Nobody wants to lose money. So, if you pass away before you’ve received income from the Jackson National MarketProtector 7 annuity, your loved ones can receive a lifetime income check the annuity that can help them to fare better financially in case of the unexpected. There is oftentimes confusion over which annuity benefits can kick in when. But seeing your options laid out similar to a score card can help. With that in mind, you can view the Jackson National MarketProtector consumer brochure HERE. It can also be helpful to get any additional questions answered, as well as to determine whether or not an annuity might be right for you, by talking to a third-party objective annuity specialist. So, feel free to contact us either by phone or online and set up a time to chat. We can also provide side-by-side annuity comparisons for you – right on the spot – so you can see the difference between an annuity you’re considering, or even an annuity you’ve already purchased – up against other possibilities.

How a Financial Advisor Might Present the MarketProtector Annuity to You

Fixed indexed annuities like the MarketProtector 7 from Jackson National can provide a nice list of benefits. But they can also contain a great deal of “moving parts,” as well as fine print that can oftentimes lead to even more confusion. This is true for both consumers and some financial professionals. Typically, even though insurance and financial advisors truly want to help their clients, they will gloss over some pertinent information – either because they don’t fully understand how the product works (and are afraid that they’ll be asked a question that they can’t answer) – or because they want you to see the nice rosy picture without all of the corresponding thorns. If you’ve been presented the Jackson National MarketProtector 7 annuity by your current advisor, or though one that you met at an educational lunch or dinner seminar – it is probable that he or she pointed out the fact that you can maintain protection of your principal in any type of market. (This alone could be enticing after suffering large market losses during the 2008 recession and/or the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic). You also have the opportunity for market-linked growth. But, depending on the crediting strategy you choose, this annuity may use an annual index rate cap, which is another way of saying that there is a maximum amount of return you can earn each year – even if the underlying index(s) have a stellar performance. There may also be limited return due to the use of a participation rate. In this case, if the annuity has a participation rate of 80%, your account will only be credited with 80% of what the underlying index returned for a given time period. So, in this instance, if the tracked index returns 6% in a given period, an 80% participation rate would only provide you with a 4.8% return on your account. (80% of 6% = 4.8%). The advisor may also have highlighted the fact that you can count on an income stream for life. And this, too, could have peaked your attention, because running out of money in retirement is a fear that is high on all retirees’ lists these days. With that in mind, the guaranteed income concept of the MarketProtector annuity is another area where an insurance or financial advisor might focus when presenting this annuity to clients or prospects. But here again, an advisor who is being paid via a commission for selling you an annuity may or may not take the time to show you examples of how it could work (so that you know what to anticipate going forward). They may also not have the ability to show you a comparison of how an annuity like the Jackson National MarketProtector fares against other annuities. But Annuity Gator can! To check out the Jackson National MarketProtector consumer brochure, go HERE.

What About Fees on the Jackson National MarketProtector 7 Annuity?

Fees with any type of investment can drag down your overall return. The same holds true with annuities. In the case of the MarketProtector annuity from Jackson National, there are a few areas you need to be mindful of. For instance, adding the Income Accelerator income benefit can cost you an annual charge of 1.25%. If you and another individual are both covered by the rider, the annual charge jumps to 1.40%. There are also surrender charges that could be incurred if you access more than 10% of your annuity contract balance within the first seven years of owning it. (If you choose the MarketProtector 5 or 10 annuity, the surrender charge period can differ).

Jackson National MarketProtector Annuity Surrender Charge Schedule

Completed Years012345678910+
5-Year Option9%8.25%7.25%6.5%5.5%0%0%0%0%0%0%
7-Year Option9%8.25%7.25%6.5%5.5%4.5%
3.75%0%0%0%0%
10-Year option*9%8.25%7.25%6.5%5.5%4.5%3.75%2.75%1.75%.75%0%
Note: At this time, the Jackson National MarketProtector 10 Annuity is not currently being offered for sale.

There Annuity Gator’s End Take on the Jackson National MarketProtector 7 Annuity

Where this annuity might fit the best: Although this indexed annuity offers many nice benefits, it will typically work the best for those who are seeking the following attributes:
  •  Safety of principal
  •  Tax-deferred growth
  •  The opportunity for additional, index-linked growth, which can provide a higher return than a regular fixed annuity
  •  Guaranteed income for life
Who may not necessarily benefit from owning this annuity: Conversely, there are some areas where this particular annuity may not be the best option. That may be for people who:
  •  Will need access to their funds within the annuity’s surrender charge period
  •  Do not intend to use the lifetime income feature
If you are still considering the purchase of the MarketProtector 7 annuity from Jackson National, but you’re currently on the proverbial fence regarding whether or not it will be right for you, we can help you to “test” it, based on your specific scenario, at no cost or obligation. Just let us know if this is something that you are interested in doing, and we’ll get on the case right away!

In Summary

While there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when you are buying an annuity, one of the biggest concerns is making sure that the annuity is truly right for what you want – and need – it to do. With regard to the MarketProtector fixed index annuity from Jackson National Life Insurance Company, you can rest assured that you will have an income for life. But at the same time, depending on your other goals and needs, this product may still fall a bit short – and there quite frankly could very well be something else out there that is a better fit for you. If you have any additional questions on this, or other income related products, we are here to help. We can also run side by side annuity comparisons in order to determine how various annuities might perform. So please feel free to contact us directly via our secure online contact form here.

Do You Have Any Additional Questions About this Annuity? Did You Happen to Notice Any Mistakes on this Annuity Review?

We realize that this annuity review may have run a bit long. But quite frankly, we would much rather that you have “too much” information on this annuity than to not have enough. So, if you found this annuity review to be beneficial, please feel free to pass it on and to share it with other people who could also find value in it. (And, if you found it to be confusing, please also let us know that, too.) In addition, we are aware that information regarding annuities can, and often does, change. So, if you happened to notice anything in this review that should be updated or revised, let us know and we will be happy to make the necessary edits. Are there any other annuities that you would like to learn more about? If so, just give us a shout and let us know, and our team will get to working on them right away. Best, The Annuity Gator. P.S. If you would like to read more of our Jackson National Life annuity reviews here are some links to check out: Review of the Jackson National Life Market Protector 7 Year Annuity      
1 Comment
  • Kevin Konway
    10:26 PM, 4 September 2023

    Thank you for your objective review and background info on Jackson insurance and annuity options.
    One important feature not focused on here is tax deferred growth in an annuity is the same as in a 401k or IRA.
    This gives you another way to grow savings without annual taxes.

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