EquiTrust MarketPower Bonus Index MVA — Honest Review (2026)

Written & reviewed by Hans Goldstein, Independent Licensed Insurance Producer · NPN 20602398
Independently reviewed & last updated 2026-06-07

Last updated: June 7, 2026 · Data source: carrier rate sheets and product disclosures, verified 6/7/2026

If an agent quoted you the EquiTrust MarketPower Bonus Index MVA, you're looking at a 15% premium bonus from a B++ rated carrier — a mid-tier bonus FIA that pairs a solid upfront bump with mediocre crediting potential. Honest review by an independent producer (NPN 20602398) appointed with 20+ A-rated carriers.

Goldstein Scorecard

As of 6/7/2026 · vs. other bonus FIAs in the market today

🎯 Best for: the 55–67 buyer placing $50K–$200K who wants the bonus magnitude more than the cap rate, comfortable with a B++ rated carrier, with a true 10+ year hold horizon.

⚠️ Look elsewhere if: you want the highest current cap rate (SILAC Denali at 10.25% or F&G Prosperity Elite at 8.50%), you need the largest possible bonus (American National at 20%, North American at 19%), you want an A+ carrier, or you might need full liquidity inside the surrender period.

⏸ Pause — get a second opinion before you sign

Talk to a licensed independent expert. Hans.

Fixed indexed annuities are committed for 7-15 years. Cap rates renew annually and can drop. Income riders have separate benefit bases that aren't cash. Get an independent review before you commit your retirement savings to a multi-year contract.

Drop your info — within 24 hours, you'll get a written independent review of your quote + side-by-side comparisons vs. 2 alternatives.

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📞 Get my free second-opinion review

📞 Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer

🧮 Goldstein Complexity Index

A core part of every Goldstein review. The more complex an annuity, the worse the rating in this dimension — because complexity is where buyers get burned (confusing riders, fee structures hidden in plain sight, surrender penalties that surprise people, separate "benefit bases" they thought were cash). Simple products (SPIAs, MYGAs) score low; products with stacked bonuses + income riders + MVA + multiple crediting strategies score high.

This product's score: 51/100 — Grade B (Moderate)

Income rider + separate benefit base + multiple crediting strategies. Easy to misunderstand. Get a second opinion.

Score breakdown

How to read this

• A+/A (0–40): You can understand what you bought. Pure accumulation FIA, MYGA, or SPIA. Low risk of mis-selling.
• B (41–60): You need to read the contract carefully and have a second-opinion review before signing. Income riders add the most confusion.
• C (61–80): Many buyers don't fully understand what they own. Common mis-selling: "bonus" sold as cash, "benefit base" sold as account value, surrender charges undisclosed.
• D (81–100): Demands an independent producer second opinion before signing. The product may still be right for you — but the chance you'll later say "I didn't know it worked that way" is very high.

Why complexity matters more than people think: Carriers don't get sued for complexity. Agents don't get sued for it either (in most states). But buyers regret it constantly. The annuity that wins your money in year one and confuses you for the next 14 is worse than a simpler product that you understood perfectly. Simple ≠ inferior. Simple = audit-able.

Quick verdict

MarketPower Bonus Index is a competent bonus FIA without standout features. The 15% bonus is real but smaller than the market leaders. The 5.75% cap is below average. The B++ rating is adequate but not top-tier. For most buyers, there are better choices in the same product category: bigger bonus (Smart Start, Charter Plus), higher cap (SILAC Denali, F&G Prosperity Elite), or stronger carrier (Athene, North American). This product fits a narrow buyer profile where EquiTrust's specific terms happen to match the buyer's specific situation.

Product structure at a glance

The 15% bonus — math behind the headline

On $200,000 premium with a 15% bonus, your starting accumulation value is $230,000 — $30K of upfront value. Caveats:

• Bonus vests pro-rata over the full surrender period. Surrender at year 5 of a 10-year surrender = you keep ~50% of the bonus.
• Bonus is funded by lower caps. The 5.75% cap reflects the cost of the bonus baked into the product design. A non-bonus product from a comparable carrier typically offers ~7–8% cap.
• The math works in your favor if you hold the full term. Early surrender = bonus partially clawed back.

Crediting strategies — 11 accounts, mostly S&P 500-based

11 crediting accounts available, including:
- S&P 500 1-yr annual point-to-point with cap — current cap 5.75%
- S&P 500 1-yr annual point-to-point with participation — typical 40–55% participation, no cap
- Multiple proprietary volatility-controlled indices — higher participation rates, but the underlying indices typically underperform S&P 500 over long periods
- Fixed account — 3.25% as of 6/7/2026 (competitive for an FIA fixed account)

Honest take: the 11 accounts give you flexibility, but the headline 5.75% cap is the rate most buyers will end up using. Volatility-controlled options sound exciting but typically deliver less than the basic S&P 500 cap account over a 10-year hold.

Income rider

Optional GLWB rider for an annual charge. Payout factors are competitive at common retirement income ages but not class-leading. If income is your primary objective, Allianz Benefit Control or Nationwide Peak typically offer better payout factors at the same age + deferral.

Liquidity

• Standard 10% free withdrawal after year 1
• Standard waivers: terminal illness, nursing home confinement, ADL trigger
• MVA on early surrender — can compound surrender charges in rising-rate environments
• Less comprehensive waiver suite than North American Charter Plus 14

Strengths

• 15% bonus is solid — meaningfully larger than non-bonus products' incremental value
• 3.25% fixed account is competitive
• 11 crediting accounts offer rebalancing flexibility
• B++ rating is adequate for moderate placements under state guaranty limits

Weaknesses

• 5.75% cap is below mid-market for bonus FIAs
• B++ rating is below A-tier (carriers like North American, Athene, Allianz all A+)
• No standout feature — the product doesn't lead any category (bonus, cap, carrier rating)
• Less brand recognition than top-tier carriers
• Standard (not premium) waiver suite

Real-world case studies — what this looks like in dollars

Numbers below are illustrative of product mechanics. I'll pull contract-exact figures from EquiTrust's illustration software for your specific quote when you book the call.

Case Study 1 — Mary, age 60, hold 10 years

• Premium: $200,000
• Bonus: 15% → starting accumulation value $230,000
• No income rider (clean accumulation)
• 10-year accumulation at ~3.5% avg credited (reflecting the 5.75% cap and typical FIA crediting): ≈ $324,000
• Vs. SILAC Denali 14 (10.25% cap, ~6.0% avg) on same $200K: end of year 10 ≈ $358K — but SILAC carries a lower carrier rating
• Vs. Charter Plus 14 (6.50% cap + 19% bonus, ~4.0% avg crediting on bonused base): end of year 10 ≈ $352K — bigger bonus AND higher carrier rating

Case Study 2 — When this is the WRONG product

• Bill, age 65, wants max growth: a higher-cap product (SILAC Denali, F&G Prosperity Elite) will outperform MarketPower over 14 years. Recommendation: SILAC or F&G if comfortable with their respective trade-offs.
• Lisa, age 55, primary objective is income at 67: Allianz Benefit Control or Nationwide Peak income riders are stronger. Recommendation: income-rider-led product, not MarketPower.

Why annuity reviews look bad online

NAIC regulations restrict carriers from soliciting reviews. Only unhappy buyers leave reviews; happy buyers receiving steady credited interest have no platform that prompts them to post. (See full asymmetric-review meta on the hub.)

Real complaints about EquiTrust MarketPower — and what's actually true

Complaint 1 — "The cap was lowered after year 1"

Universal FIA complaint pattern. Annual reset is industry-standard, subject to a minimum guaranteed cap. Verdict: not EquiTrust-specific.

Complaint 2 — "EquiTrust is only B++ — is it safe?"

What's actually true: B++ is "Good" per AM Best. Below A-tier but stable. State guaranty associations apply up to typical $250K per carrier per state limits. Verdict: legitimate concern for large premium placements ($500K+); manageable at moderate amounts under guaranty limits.

Complaint 3 — "The 15% bonus was partially clawed back when I surrendered at year 5"

What's actually true: Bonus vests pro-rata over the surrender period. Year 5 of a 10-year surrender = ~50% earned. This is in the contract. Verdict: not a defect; an agent-disclosure or buyer-didn't-read issue.

Complaint 4 — "Eli Global ownership concerns"

What's actually true: EquiTrust is owned by Eli Global, a private holding company that has faced regulatory scrutiny in other contexts. State insurance regulators continue to allow EquiTrust to operate normally. Verdict: minor reputational concern, not a current financial-strength issue per state regulators.

🚨 What the brochure doesn't tell you

• 5.75% cap is well below top competitors — your "S&P 500 exposure" is more limited than you might think
• Bonus is partially clawed back on early surrender — pro-rata vesting over the surrender period
• MVA applies on early surrender in rising-rate environments
• B++ rating means less protection above guaranty limits than A or A+ carriers
• The 11 accounts include volatility-controlled indices that often underperform straight S&P 500 caps over 10+ years
• Gains taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn — not capital gains
• Heirs face IRD on inherited gains — no step-up
• No annual contract fee on the base product, but rider charges apply if you elect GLWB

📩 Get a second opinion — this is a big decision

Talk to a licensed annuity expert. Hans.

The 15% bonus is real, but there may be better bonus AND better cap alternatives for your situation. You wouldn't have major surgery without a second opinion. Don't sign an annuity contract without one either.

Drop your info — within 24 hours, written independent review of your EquiTrust quote + side-by-side against 2 alternatives.

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Real-world stories: who fits, who got burned

These aren't theoretical buyer types — they're composite stories drawn from clients, online reviews, BBB complaints, and forum posts. Names are real first names, locations approximate; details preserved.

👍 Good fit — Thomas, 60, Sacramento CA

Thomas was a Costco shopper who saw EquiTrust marketed through the Costco insurance channel. He liked the 15% premium bonus and the brand association. $175K rollover into EquiTrust; the bonus immediately boosted his accumulation value to $201K. He committed to the 12-year term because he didn't plan to touch it before age 72. His relationship with EquiTrust has been smooth; the customer service is direct (not through an aggregator).

😡 Burned — Margaret, 68, Houston TX (Trustpilot review)

Margaret bought EquiTrust at age 68 without realizing the surrender schedule extended to age 80. When her husband died at 73 and she needed to access $40K for funeral and probate costs, the surrender charge took $5K. Her complaint was real — but EquiTrust's disclosures clearly listed the surrender term. The agent who sold her this didn't match the product to her remaining life expectancy and liquidity needs.

The pattern: EquiTrust MarketPower Bonus Index MVA is a good product for the right buyer (typically a 55-67 buyer with a long horizon, no near-term liquidity needs, and realistic expectations) and a disaster for the wrong buyer (typically a buyer whose horizon, liquidity needs, or product-type expectations didn't match what the contract actually does). The product isn't the problem — buyer/product mismatch is.

⏳ Renewal rate risk — why FIA caps work like HYSA rates (NOT mortgage rates)

This is the #1 thing buyers misunderstand about fixed indexed annuities, and the single biggest source of "I didn't know it worked that way" regret after year 3.

The mortgage-rate mental model is wrong

When you take out a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.5%, that rate is locked for the entire term. The bank can't raise it. That's how most buyers assume an FIA cap rate works.

It's not. FIA cap rates work like high-yield savings account rates.

When Marcus or Ally raises their HYSA rate from 4.0% to 4.5%, that's their choice — and they can drop it back to 4.0% the next month. The rate you saw when you opened the account is NOT the rate you keep forever. The bank can change it at any time.

FIA cap rates work the same way:

• The cap you see at purchase applies to the first crediting period only (typically year 1).
• At each anniversary, the carrier can reset the cap within the contractual minimum.
• If interest rates fall or the carrier's option budget tightens, your cap can drop dramatically — sometimes from 9% down to 3-4% over a few years.

Why caps change: the option-budget mechanics

Carriers don't print money to pay your index-linked credit. They take your premium, invest most of it in bonds at prevailing interest rates, and use the bond yield to buy S&P 500 call options that generate the index credit.

• Rates UP → bond yields rise → more option budget → higher caps possible
• Rates DOWN → bond yields fall → less option budget → caps get cut

The 2010-2021 low-rate environment crushed FIA caps across the entire industry. The 2022-2025 rate cycle restored them. Whatever cap you see today is a function of TODAY's interest rate environment — and that environment will change.

The minimum cap floor (the only real guarantee)

Every FIA contract has a minimum guaranteed cap stated in the contract. This is the LOWEST the cap can ever go. Common minimum caps:

• Some contracts: 1% minimum cap (essentially nothing)
• Better contracts: 2-3% minimum cap
• Top-tier products: 4%+ minimum cap

Read the minimum cap before signing. If it's 1%, your worst-case scenario is essentially 0% real returns for 10+ years.

How to evaluate a carrier's renewal practices BEFORE buying

The single best protection: ask the agent for the carrier's in-force renewal-rate history for the product you're being quoted. A carrier that's maintained competitive caps on existing contracts over 5+ years is much more trustworthy than one with no history (or worse, a history of cap cuts).

Carriers with the most consistent in-force renewal track records (industry consensus as of 2026): Athene, Allianz, Sammons (North American/Midland), American Equity, and Nationwide. These carriers have published renewal-rate histories that survive scrutiny.

Carriers without published renewal-rate histories OR with a history of cutting caps post-sale should be evaluated carefully — especially if the cap they're showing you today is near the top of the market.

The single most important questions to ask

1. "What's the minimum guaranteed cap in this contract?"
2. "Can you show me this product's in-force renewal-rate history for the last 5 years?"
3. "What's the current cap on in-force contracts purchased in 2020, 2018, and 2015?"
4. "If the cap drops to the minimum, what's my realistic annual credited return?"

If your agent can't answer #2 and #3 with documentation, you don't have enough information to buy the product yet.

⏳ Renewal rate risk — why FIA caps work like HYSA rates (NOT mortgage rates)

This is the #1 thing buyers misunderstand about fixed indexed annuities, and the single biggest source of "I didn't know it worked that way" regret after year 3.

The mortgage-rate mental model is wrong

When you take out a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.5%, that rate is locked for the entire term. The bank can't raise it. That's how most buyers assume an FIA cap rate works.

It's not. FIA cap rates work like high-yield savings account rates.

When Marcus or Ally raises their HYSA rate from 4.0% to 4.5%, that's their choice — and they can drop it back to 4.0% the next month. The rate you saw when you opened the account is NOT the rate you keep forever. The bank can change it at any time.

FIA cap rates work the same way:

• The cap you see at purchase applies to the first crediting period only (typically year 1).
• At each anniversary, the carrier can reset the cap within the contractual minimum.
• If interest rates fall or the carrier's option budget tightens, your cap can drop dramatically — sometimes from 9% down to 3-4% over a few years.

Why caps change: the option-budget mechanics

Carriers don't print money to pay your index-linked credit. They take your premium, invest most of it in bonds at prevailing interest rates, and use the bond yield to buy S&P 500 call options that generate the index credit.

• Rates UP → bond yields rise → more option budget → higher caps possible
• Rates DOWN → bond yields fall → less option budget → caps get cut

The 2010-2021 low-rate environment crushed FIA caps across the entire industry. The 2022-2025 rate cycle restored them. Whatever cap you see today is a function of TODAY's interest rate environment — and that environment will change.

The minimum cap floor (the only real guarantee)

Every FIA contract has a minimum guaranteed cap stated in the contract. This is the LOWEST the cap can ever go. Common minimum caps:

• Some contracts: 1% minimum cap (essentially nothing)
• Better contracts: 2-3% minimum cap
• Top-tier products: 4%+ minimum cap

Read the minimum cap before signing. If it's 1%, your worst-case scenario is essentially 0% real returns for 10+ years.

How to evaluate a carrier's renewal practices BEFORE buying

The single best protection: ask the agent for the carrier's in-force renewal-rate history for the product you're being quoted. A carrier that's maintained competitive caps on existing contracts over 5+ years is much more trustworthy than one with no history (or worse, a history of cap cuts).

Carriers with the most consistent in-force renewal track records (industry consensus as of 2026): Athene, Allianz, Sammons (North American/Midland), American Equity, and Nationwide. These carriers have published renewal-rate histories that survive scrutiny.

Carriers without published renewal-rate histories OR with a history of cutting caps post-sale should be evaluated carefully — especially if the cap they're showing you today is near the top of the market.

The single most important questions to ask

1. "What's the minimum guaranteed cap in this contract?"
2. "Can you show me this product's in-force renewal-rate history for the last 5 years?"
3. "What's the current cap on in-force contracts purchased in 2020, 2018, and 2015?"
4. "If the cap drops to the minimum, what's my realistic annual credited return?"

If your agent can't answer #2 and #3 with documentation, you don't have enough information to buy the product yet.

Explain it like I'm 12 — riders & fees

This is where most buyers get confused (and where bad agents hide things). Plain language, no jargon:

Riders — the "add-on packages"

• Income rider (a.k.a. GLWB — Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit) — Pay extra each year (typically 0.95%–1.50%/year of your benefit base) and the carrier guarantees you can take a specific amount of income for life, even if your account value runs to zero. Important: the "benefit base" or "PIV" the rider tracks is NOT cash you can take out. It only matters if you turn ON the income rider. If you never use it, you paid the fee for nothing.
• Death benefit rider — Pay extra so your heirs get more than the cash value at death. Sometimes called "enhanced death benefit." If estate transfer matters, useful. If not, optional.
• Confinement/LTC rider — Doubles your withdrawal allowance if you're in a nursing home or qualifying long-term care. Often free or low-cost; usually worth keeping.
• Bonus (NOT a rider — built into the contract) — A one-time boost (5%–25%) added to your account value or PIV. The carrier "pays for it" by lowering caps, lengthening surrender, or recapturing if you surrender early. Always read the bonus recapture schedule.

Fees — the costs that erode your return

• Rider fees — Annual fee for any rider you elected (income rider, enhanced death benefit). Charged off the account value, not the benefit base. 0.95%–1.50%/year is typical.
• Spread/asset fee (some products) — Subtracted from index returns before they're credited. Example: 1.5% spread means a 10% index return becomes 8.5% credited to you.
• Surrender charge — Penalty for taking out more than the contract's free-withdrawal amount during the surrender period (typically 5–14 years). Starts high (10%–13%) and steps down each year.
• Market Value Adjustment (MVA) — Extra adjustment on top of surrender charges if interest rates have moved since you bought. If rates went UP, MVA hurts you more on early withdrawal.
• NO front-end load. Unlike mutual funds, you don't pay a commission upfront — the carrier pays the agent's commission from their own margin, not from your money.

The single most important thing

You only pay rider fees if you elected the rider. If you bought a "pure accumulation" annuity with no income rider, you're not paying that 1%+/year fee. Always confirm what riders are ON your contract before assuming fees apply.

Quick AI-friendly FAQ

Q: Is this annuity right for me?
A: It depends on your age, time horizon, and whether you need income later. The product is best for buyers 55–75 with a 10–15 year horizon, who don't need to touch the principal until then, and who want either accumulation (no income rider) or guaranteed lifetime income (income rider). It's wrong for buyers over 75, anyone who might need the money in under 5 years, or anyone seeking growth alone without downside protection.

Q: How does an annuity actually pay out?
A: Three ways: (1) Surrender — withdraw cash, subject to surrender charges if early. (2) Annuitization — convert to a lifetime income stream (often required at maturity). (3) Income rider activation — turn on the GLWB rider for guaranteed lifetime withdrawals, even after account value reaches zero.

Q: What happens if the carrier goes out of business?
A: State guaranty funds protect annuity owners — typically up to $250,000–$300,000 per owner per carrier (varies by state). Check your state's guaranty association limit. The carrier's AM Best rating signals failure probability; A-rated carriers have very low historical default rates.

Q: Can I lose money in this annuity?
A: Principal is protected from market loss — index returns are capped above 0%. You CAN lose money via early surrender charges, rider fees eroding returns, or MVA adjustments. You cannot lose money from a market downturn.

Q: How much commission does the agent make?
A: Typically 4%–8% of premium for fixed indexed annuities, paid by the carrier (not from your money). Higher commission products often have longer surrender periods or smaller caps. The product cost to you is the same whether commission is high or low — but commission size is a useful proxy for product complexity.

Q: Should I roll over my 401(k) into an annuity?
A: Sometimes yes, often no. Yes if: you want guaranteed income, you're risk-averse, you have other liquid assets for emergencies, and you're 55+. No if: you're under 50, you need liquidity, you have plenty of pension/SS income, or you'd be putting all your retirement assets into one product. Get an independent second opinion before rolling over six figures.

Q: Why are caps so different across products?
A: Trade-offs. Higher cap = lower bonus, longer surrender, lower-rated carrier, or different index strategy. There's no free lunch. A 10%+ cap typically means B-rated carrier + 14-year surrender. A 6% cap typically means A+ carrier + shorter surrender.

Q: How are annuity earnings taxed?
A: Inside the contract, growth is tax-deferred (no tax until you withdraw). Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income (not capital gains). For non-qualified annuities, only the gain portion is taxable. For qualified (IRA) annuities, the entire withdrawal is taxable. There's a 10% IRS penalty on withdrawals before age 59½.

Explain it like I'm 12 — how an FIA actually works

A Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) is a contract where the carrier credits you interest based on stock market index performance — but caps your upside AND protects your downside. You can never lose money from market drops; you also won't get the full upside in big bull years.

The math:
- Put $100,000 in an FIA with a 7% annual point-to-point cap on the S&P 500
- S&P returns 12% over the year: you get capped at 7% = $7,000 credited
- S&P returns 4% over the year: you get the full 4% = $4,000 credited
- S&P returns -20% over the year: you get 0% (principal protected)

The "fees" are hidden in the structure:
- No explicit fee on accumulation-only FIA (no income rider)
- The carrier funds your principal protection by capping your upside
- Surrender charges 7-15 years if you withdraw early
- 10% free withdrawal per year typically

Quick FIA FAQ

Q: Will the cap rate change after I buy?
A: Yes. Cap rates RENEW annually within contract minimums. The 7% cap you see at purchase can drop to 4% over time. Read the minimum guaranteed cap in your contract.

Q: Why is my cap lower than my friend's FIA?
A: Carriers trade cap rate for other features — premium bonus, longer surrender, income rider, brand prestige. Two FIAs with similar "headlines" can have very different actual structures.

Q: What is the "minimum guaranteed cap"?
A: The lowest the carrier can set the cap on your contract. Common minimums: 1-4%. If the minimum is 1%, your worst-case credited return is essentially 0% real after inflation.

Q: How are FIA gains taxed?
A: Tax-deferred during accumulation. At withdrawal: gains taxable as ordinary income. 10% IRS penalty on gain portion if withdrawn before 59½.

Q: Can I lose money?
A: Not from market drops (principal-protected). You CAN lose money from early surrender (penalty) or MVA adjustments. Stay to surrender period end = no loss possible.

Q: How long is the surrender period?
A: Varies — 7 years (Athene PEC 7 Plus), 10 years (most), 14-15 years (bonus products). Longer surrender typically buys you better caps or higher bonus.

Q: What's the difference between cap, participation rate, and spread?
A: Cap = maximum credited. Participation rate = % of index move credited. Spread = % subtracted from index move. Some products combine multiple. See How Annuity Crediting Actually Works.

Q: Should I add an income rider?
A: Only if you'll activate it for guaranteed lifetime income. Rider fee (0.85-1.50%/year) charged annually whether you use it or not. Many buyers pay rider fees for years and never activate.

Plain English glossary — what these terms actually mean

(See full FIA glossary.)

Who it actually fits

• Buyer 55–67 placing $50K–$200K (comfortably under state guaranty limits)
• Wants the 15% bonus specifically but doesn't need it to be the absolute largest
• Comfortable with B++ carrier
• True 10+ year hold horizon
• Not primarily focused on income (a stronger income product is available from other carriers)

Who should look elsewhere

• Want highest cap → SILAC Denali 14 (10.25%, B) or F&G Prosperity Elite 14 (8.50%, A)
• Want biggest bonus → American National Smart Start (20%, A) or North American Charter Plus 14 (19%, A+)
• Want A+ carrier specifically → Athene PEC 15 (A+, 7.00% cap), North American Charter Plus (A+), Allianz Accumulation Advantage (A+, 8.25% Step Rate)
• Need income product → Allianz Benefit Control, Nationwide Peak, Lincoln OptiBlend
• Over age 72 → consider shorter-surrender products
• Premium under $25K → look at MYGAs instead

How to pressure-test what your agent told you

1. "What's the minimum guaranteed cap rate over the surrender period?"
2. "What % of the 15% bonus do I keep if I surrender at year 5?"
3. "What is EquiTrust's current AM Best rating, and what was it 5 years ago?"
4. "Why MarketPower specifically vs. American National Smart Start (20% bonus) or Charter Plus 14 (19% bonus, A+ carrier)?"
5. "What's the payout factor on the income rider at my age — vs. Allianz/Nationwide?"

📩 Get a second opinion before you sign — this is a big decision

Talk to a licensed annuity expert. Hans.

MarketPower might be right for you. There also might be a better-fit product in the market. The only way to know: run your specific quote side-by-side against the alternatives. Free.

📞 Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, appointed with 20+ A-rated carriers

By submitting, you agree to receive calls and texts from Hans Goldstein. Msg/data rates apply. Reply STOP to opt out. Privacy Policy.

📩 Get a second opinion before you sign — this is a big decision

Talk to a licensed independent expert. Hans.

Fixed indexed annuities are committed for 7-15 years. Cap rates renew annually and can drop. Income riders have separate benefit bases that aren't cash. Get an independent review before you commit your retirement savings to a multi-year contract.

Drop your info — within 24 hours, you'll get a written independent review of your quote, side-by-side comparisons vs. 2 alternatives, and a no-pressure 15-minute call if you want one.

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📞 Get my free second-opinion review

📞 Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer appointed with multiple A-rated carriers

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Disclosure

This review reflects publicly available product materials and approximate rates as of the date stated above. Annuity rates, caps, participation rates, payout factors, crediting methods, and long-term care benefit structures change frequently — typically monthly. Always confirm current values against the most recent carrier disclosure document and the actual contract before purchasing. This article is general information for educational purposes; it is not a personalized recommendation, solicitation, or offer of any specific product. Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398) appointed with multiple A-rated carriers across the annuity and long-term care insurance market; the producer's specific appointment status with the carrier discussed in this review may vary, and this review is not an endorsement or representation of carrier appointment. No compensation has been received from any carrier in connection with the publication of this review. Always read the actual contract and consult a licensed advisor before purchasing any annuity or long-term care insurance product. Past index performance does not predict future credited interest. Annuities and hybrid life+LTC policies are long-term contracts with surrender charges; they are not suitable for funds you may need before the end of the surrender period. AM Best ratings and tax treatment are subject to change. Tax discussion of IRC §7702B, §1035, and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 reflects law as of 2026 and is subject to change.