Explore the latest Structured Capital Strategies® enhancements
From broader diversification opportunities and enhanced downside protection choices, to shorter time horizons and added flexibility, these enhancements give you more ways to align investment strategies with client goals.
A premier suite of benefits that address growth potential, levels of protection and legacy planning
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Frequently asked questions about Structured Capital Strategies® Premier:
An indexed variable annuity is a long-term financial product designed for retirement that offers market-linked growth potential, tax deferral and a level of protection against certain market declines.
With Structured Capital Strategies® Premier, clients can allocate to Structured Investment Options, called Segments. Each Segment has a defined duration, benchmark, growth method and Segment Buffer. Returns are subject to the Segment’s applicable rates, limits, contract fee and terms. Clients do not invest directly in an index, and loss of principal is possible.
Tax deferral allows earnings to remain invested without being taxed each year. Taxes are generally due when a client takes a withdrawal, and taxable amounts are treated as ordinary income.
Withdrawals before age 59½ may also be subject to an additional federal tax. An annuity held in an IRA or qualified retirement plan does not provide additional tax deferral beyond the plan’s existing tax treatment.
SCS Premier offers a range of Segment Options and Segment Buffers designed to provide market-linked growth potential and a level of protection against certain market declines.
A Segment Buffer absorbs losses up to a stated percentage at Segment maturity, subject to the Segment’s terms and contract fee. If the benchmark declines beyond the Segment Buffer, the client absorbs the remaining loss, and substantial loss of principal is possible.
Optimal Mix Segments combine multiple equity indices into a single Segment outcome at maturity.
Optimal Mix US combines the S&P 500, Russell 2000® and NASDAQ 100®. Optimal Mix Global includes those three indices and adds the MSCI EAFE Index. At Segment maturity, the indices are ranked by performance and assigned predetermined weightings to calculate one blended Segment return, subject to the applicable Participation Rate, Performance Cap Rate, Segment Buffer, contract fee and Segment terms.
The Dual Direction Downside Advantage Segment offers the potential for a positive return equal to double the absolute value of a negative benchmark return when the return remains within the Segment Buffer.
The resulting return is subject to the Segment’s terms and contract fee. If the benchmark declines beyond the Segment Buffer, the client absorbs losses beyond the protected amount.
The new 100% Segment Buffer choices are available on select 1- and 6-year Standard Segments and apply at Segment maturity.
Transfers or withdrawals before Segment maturity are based on the Segment Interim Value, which may be lower than the original Segment Investment even when the benchmark is higher at the time of the transaction.
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1 You cannot transfer into an active Segment. Any new investment into the SIO would be processed through the Segment Type Holding Account and transfer into a Segment at the next Segment Start Date. If you transfer out of a Segment prior to the Segment Maturity Date, you will receive the Segment Interim Value, which may be lower than your original investment in the Segment even where the index is higher at the time of withdrawal.
Structured Capital Strategies® Premier is a variable and index-linked deferred annuity contract and a long-term financial product designed for retirement purposes. Equitable Financial and Equitable America, upon advance notice to the investor, may discontinue, suspend or change contributions and transfers into investment options or make other changes in contribution and transfer requirements and limitations. Equitable Financial and Equitable America, upon advance notice to the investor, reserves the right to discontinue, suspend or change Segment offerings. Certain features and benefits described herein may not be available in all jurisdictions. In addition, some distributors may eliminate and/or limit the availability of certain features or options, based on annuitant issue age or other criteria.
This page does not cover all material provisions of the Structured Capital Strategies® Premier contract. This must be preceded or accompanied by a current Structured Capital Strategies® Premier prospectus, which contains detailed information about the Structured Capital Strategies® Premier contract, including risks, charges, expenses, investment objectives, limitations and restrictions. Investors should carefully read the prospectus before purchasing a contract. You can access the prospectus through the tools and resources section. Investors purchasing an annuity contract as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) should be aware that such annuities do not provide tax-deferral benefits beyond those already provided by the Internal Revenue Code. Before purchasing one of these annuities, investors should consider whether its features and benefits beyond tax deferral meet their needs and goals. They may also want to consider the relative features, benefits and costs of these annuities with any other investment that they may use in connection with their retirement plan or arrangement.
Equitable Financial and Equitable America may at any time exercise their rights to discontinue, suspend or change acceptance of contributions/transfers, as well as change minimum and maximum contribution requirements and limitations. Please see the prospectus and supplemental materials for details.
Not all types of contracts, features and benefits are available in all jurisdictions and all markets. We offer other variable annuity contracts with different fees, charges and features. Not every contract is available through the same selling broker/dealer. You can contact us at (212) 554-1234 to find out the availability of other contracts.
When distributed outside of New York state by Equitable Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN) through Equitable Advisors Financial Professionals whose business address is not in New York state, or when distributed by Equitable Distributors, LLC through financial professionals of unaffiliated broker-dealers when the solicitation state is not New York, Structured Capital Strategies® Premier variable annuity is issued by Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America), an AZ stock company with an administrative office located in Charlotte, NC. When offered by Equitable Advisors Financial Professionals whose business address is in New York state, or when distributed by Equitable Distributors, LLC through financial professionals of unaffiliated broker-dealers when the solicitation state is New York, Structured Capital Strategies® Premier is issued by Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) (NY, NY). The obligations of Equitable America and Equitable Financial are backed solely by their own claims-paying abilities.
Equitable is the brand name of the retirement and protection subsidiaries of Equitable Holdings, Inc., including Equitable Financial, Equitable America and Equitable Distributors, LLC. Equitable Advisors is the brand name of Equitable Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN).
Structured Capital Strategies® is a registered service mark of Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (NY, NY).
Idaho contract form #s: ICC25-BASE3, ICC25-BASE3-Z, ICC25-BASE4, ICC25-BASE4-Z. All other states: ICC25-BASE3, ICC25-BASE3-Z, ICC25-BASE4, ICC25-BASE4-Z, 2025- BASE3, 2025-BASE3-Z, 2025-BASE4, 2025-BASE4-Z and any state variations.
GE-9040347.1 (07/2026) (Exp. 07/2030)
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