Fixed index annuity review and rates

NWL ChoiceOptimizer 7

The NWL ChoiceOptimizer is a deferred annuity, meaning that income payments don’t start immediately after you pay the premium. Instead, your money may accumulate on a tax-deferred basis until a later date, when you may take it as a lump sum or in the form of regular payments.
It is a single premium annuity, meaning that you pay a one-time premium payment.
It is a Fixed Indexed Annuity, meaning that the value is subject to fixed minimum guarantees, and will never decline due to index movement alone. 
All guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability and financial strength of the issuing insurance company 
Available in states: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY

Allocation Accounts

Name Type Rates
1-Year Fixed Account
Fixed
4.3% Fixed
1-Year S&P 500 PTP Cap
Point to Point
Annual
10.9% Cap
1-Year S&P 500 PTP Participation Rate
Point to Point
Annual
37% Participation
1-Year S&P 500 PTP Monthly Average Participation Rate
Point to Point
Annual
Monthly average
60% Participation
1-Year S&P 500 PTP Monthly Sum Cap
Point to Point
Annual
Monthly sum
2.67% Cap
1-Year S&P 500 LV DRC 5% ER PTP Participation Rate
Point to Point
Annual
181% Participation
2-Year S&P 500 LV DRC 8% ER PTP Participation Rate
Point to Point
Biennial
168% Participation
1-Year S&P 500 Performance Trigger
Performance Triggered
Annual
7.35% Performance triggered
1-Year Fixed Account
Fixed
4.55% Fixed
1-Year S&P 500 PTP Cap
Point to Point
Annual
11.45% Cap
1-Year S&P 500 PTP Participation Rate
Point to Point
Annual
39% Participation
1-Year S&P 500 Performance Trigger
Point to Point
Annual
7.75% Performance triggered
1-Year S&P 500 PTP Monthly Average Participation Rate
Point to Point
Annual
Monthly average
63% Participation
1-Year S&P 500 PTP Monthly Sum Cap
Point to Point
Annual
Monthly sum
3.11% Cap
1-Year S&P 500 LV DRC 5% ER PTP Participation Rate
Point to Point
Annual
191% Participation
2-Year S&P 500 LV DRC 8% ER PTP Participation Rate
Point to Point
Biennial
176% Participation

Surrender schedule

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Penalty 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3%
National Western Life Insurance Company
Founded: 1956
A.M. Best: A
S&P: A
Carrier details
Free withdrawal
1st year: 0%
2nd+ year: 5%
Surrender schedule
7 years
Return of premium
Market value adjustment
Minimum contribution
$25,000
Types of funds
Non-Qualified, IRA, Spousal IRA, SEP IRA, IRA-Roth, and NQ Stretch