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Jackson National Perspective II Variable Annuity With Lifeguard Freedom Flex – Pros and Cons | Updated January 2020

As is the case with many annuity products, the Jackson National Perspective II Variable Annuity with Lifeguard Freedom Flex comes with various options – or riders – that can be added to the contract in order to help the product better fit your needs. In this case, the LifeGuard Freedom Flex rider brochure states that it offers guaranteed lifetime income, while also allowing you to customize certain features in order to address your unique retirement needs. In this case, the rider offers the following options that are designed for growing income during the annuity’s “accumulation” period:
  • A variety of different investment options, which include several asset classes
  • Annual step-ups that automatically “lock in” your investment gains
  • A bonus of between 5% and 7% that can offer you growth – even in a down or flat market year
  • A 200% guaranteed withdrawal benefit that guarantees to double your income, provided that you wait until the later of 12 years or age 70 to begin taking your withdrawals
In addition, once you start to take your income stream, the literature claims that you will also receive a number of great benefits at that time, including:
  • Guaranteed withdrawals for life starting at age 59 1/2
  • Annual withdrawals of 3.75% to 6%, depending on your age and the income option that you select
  • An “income upgrade,” which can essentially increase your guaranteed withdrawal percentage even more
But if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. That’s why before you charge full steam ahead with the Jackson National Perspective II annuity and the accompanying Lifeguard Freedom Flex, you should learn, in the famous words of former radio personality Paul Harvey, “the rest of the story.” To take a peek at the most updated “bells and whistles” that you can find with the Jackson National Perspective II Variable Annuity with Lifeguard Freedom Flex, go HERE.

Taking a Look at the Lifeguard Freedom Flex “Fine Print”

Although all of the points above may look enticing, the reality is that there is a great deal of fine print that is included here. For instance, that 5% to 7% bonus that’s referenced above will really only be applied in years when no withdrawals take place. It’s a similar story with the 200% adjustment to the guaranteed withdrawal benefit – it’s basically a no-go if you make any withdrawals prior to the guaranteed withdrawal balance adjustment date. If you do, then no adjustment for you! During the income phase of the annuity, there are also a few rules and regulations that need to be met in order to take advantage of all of the benefits that the Lifeguard Freedom Flex rider has to offer. For instance, even though the product brochure states that you can attain between 3.75% and 6% annual withdrawals – and that you may even be able to increase this percentage as you age – if you end up withdrawing more, then the amount of your guaranteed annual income will be reduced. And when you’re counting on a set amount of income in retirement, taking a pay cut is something that’s usually met with the same enthusiasm as getting a root canal. So, once you’ve actually peeled away the curtain, is the Lifeguard Freedom Flex really all that flexible, then? Jackson National Perspective ll Lifeguard Freedom Flex Our answer in a word is…no.

Want an Unbiased Opinion that Won’t Get You All Twisted Up?

While it is important to look closely at the fine print with any insurance or investment product that you’re considering, doing so can oftentimes make you feel like your head is spinning. Plus, if what you’re reading came from the company that is offering the product, it could be that the details are slightly slanted towards making the products look good in any light. That’s where an unbiased opinion can be beneficial. Even the very best performing financial products may not always be right for certain people. That’s because everyone’s financial goals are different and unique. So, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the Jackson National Perspective II annuity or the Lifeguard Freedom Flex annuity rider, feel free to reach out to us using the form below. Our team of annuity “geeks” can help you to wade through the plethora of numbers and information, and drill down to whether or not this annuity product is truly right for you. Use the form below to get started:
  • We can’t help everyone, but we do our best to always get back in touch within 24 hours.
  • Please be as specific as possible. The more specific and detailed you are, the more likely we’ll be able to help 🙂
  • How do we get in touch with you?
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

10 Comments
  • thomas favata
    12:55 AM, 18 August 2017

    What about the fact if you die before the rider is triggered than you are stuck with the accumulation value of the annuity which could be less than the actual principle that you started with (depending on investment performance and fees).

  • Annuity Gator
    10:35 AM, 22 August 2017

    Hi Thomas,

    You are correct. It would be very difficult for any account with high fees to preserve the principal if the performance of the investments isn’t very good during the same time. Having an account with market risk that also charges a fee to secure an income is definitely not the best option if someone hopes to preserve balance for their heirs.

    Really, there are not too many people out there that DON’T want to preserve their principal at least to some degree. Even if you don’t have heirs in mind. Preserving and growing the value of your investments is important simply because it provides flexibility to change strategy sometime down the line.

    If you forward 15 years and your annuity is paying a fixed income but doesn’t have much value left you’d find yourself with no other option than to keep that annuity (and it’s fixed income) for life.

    Thanks for reading our reviews.

    -AG

  • Susan Douglas
    1:42 PM, 20 April 2018

    After reading the pros and cons you presented I feel our Jackson annuity is still the right choice for us. We have had it for a number of years and do not plan to draw from it for a number more. However our agent has retired and the new agent seems uninterested, at best, in guiding us in managing our annuity. Where do we go to find an agent? Would love to see reviews for agents in our area, Arizona.
    Thank-You!

  • Annuity Gator
    8:29 AM, 22 April 2018

    Hi Susan – Thank you for your comment. Glad to hear that you are with the right annuity, as it can definitely make a big difference having the tools in place that can best fit your specific needs. One way to go about finding more information on Arizona insurance licensees is to go to the website for the Arizona Department of Insurance at: http://insurance.az.gov/consumers/help-life-insurance-and-annuities. From there, click the option on the far left that says: Help with Life Insurance and Annuities. Then, scroll almost to the bottom and click on “Licensee Search.” This will take you to a page that asks for information (name, license type) that will provide you with more information. We can also help. You can contact us directly at (888) 440-2468, or via our secure online contact form at http://www.annuitygator.com./contact/. Best! The Annuity Gator

  • Mary Garlock
    7:37 PM, 3 July 2018

    Where can I find a prospectus for a Jackson Perspective II with LG Freedom Death Benefit 04/09? My mom, who died recently, owned this contract however I cannot find a prospectus online. Thanks!

  • Annuity Gator
    9:52 AM, 10 July 2018

    Hi Mary – Thank you for your message. The link to the most updated prospectus for the Jackson National Perspective ii is here: http://www.jackson.com/static/jwp/pdf/legal/jmv16966.pdf. (You can just copy and paste the link into your browser). There is additional information on this annuity here: http://www.jackson.com/products/variable-annuities/perspective-ii/introduction.xhtml and here: http://www.jackson.com/products/variable-annuities/perspective-ii/disclosure-documentation.xhtml. Please let us know if we can help further, and feel free to reach out to us directly at (888) 440-2468, or via our secure online contact form at http://annuitygator.com/contact/. Best! Annuity Gator

  • Peggy Faso
    10:24 PM, 26 May 2019

    Hello are you required to draw on your annuity at a certain age?

  • Annuity Gator
    3:53 PM, 31 May 2019

    Hi Peggy– Thank you for your message.
    We would be happy to assist you with your question. In order to best support you, we would need some additional information from you. Rather than sending the info back and forth via email, it would be best to discuss by phone. Please feel free to contact us directly, toll-free, at (888) 440-2468 to chat with one of our annuity specialists.
    We look forward to hearing from you.
    Best. Annuity Gator

  • Ashley Duryea
    11:42 AM, 29 October 2019

    How long do you get the 7% bonus with quarterly step ups with the lifeguard freedom flex rider? Is it until you start to withdrawal or is it capped after a certain length of time?

  • Annuity Gator
    2:55 PM, 29 October 2019

    Hi Ashley– Thank you for your message.
    We would be happy to help you understand this product better and get into all its details.
    Please feel free to contact us directly, toll-free, at (888) 440-2468 to chat with one of our annuity specialists or visit http://annuitygator.com/contact/

    We look forward to hearing from you.
    Best. Annuity Gator

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