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Semester Strategies®
A simplified strategy that helps educators build wealth and manage risk
What is an annuity?
An annuity is a long-term financial product intended to help individuals save for retirement. It is essentially a contract where you make payments to an insurance company, and in return, the company agrees to provide either a stream of income or a lump-sum payment at a future date. Annuities carry investment risks, including potential loss of principal, and often include exclusions and limitations. Investors should fully understand the rules and risks before committing. Withdrawals are generally taxed as ordinary income and may incur an additional 10% federal penalty if taken before age 59½. For complete cost details and guidance, consult a financial professional.
The benefits of Semester Strategies®
Semester Strategies® offers several key benefits that make retirement planning easier and more effective—especially for educators and public employees. Here’s a summary of its main advantages:
1 If the negative return is in excess of the partial downside protection of the Segment Buffer, there is risk of substantial loss of principal.
2 If available under your employer’s plan, you may generally enroll in the model portfolio and investment advisory services program (i.e., Semester Strategies®) of SWBC Investment Advisory Services, LLC (SWBC) to manage your account value. The program will allocate your account value among the variable investment options, guaranteed interest option (GIO) and Segments in the SIO based on your set time horizon, risk tolerance and investment return objectives derived by SWBC from information you provide to SWBC. SWBC Retirement Plan Services is an unaffiliated third party and is a wholly owned subsidiary of SWBC, which was established in 1976. Advisory services are offered by SWBC Investment Advisory Services, LLC, d/b/a SWBC Retirement Plan Services, a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SWBC Retirement Plan Services focuses exclusively on serving the retirement plan market. Equitable has entered into an agreement to make SWBC Retirement Plan Services’ fiduciary services available to EQUI-VEST® clients through Semester Strategies.
Simplify your investment decisions
Making investment choices in your retirement savings plan has never been easier thanks to Semester Strategies®, available within your EQUI-VEST® group variable annuity. Follow the steps below to see how.
Choose your retirement time frame
and your comfort-level with the ups and downs of the market. Remember, your financial professional can help you decide.
Option 1
Semester Strategies®
Invests 20% of your assets in the Structured Investment Option (SIO), which provides growth opportunities up to a cap and protection from market losses up to -10%.
Model portfolios shown above are for illustrative purposes only and intended to demonstrate potential asset allocations at various points before a participant’s planned retirement age. Your actual asset allocations in model portfolios may vary. The exact allocations (percentages) within each model portfolio shown may change at the discretion of SWBC Investment Advisory Services, LLC d/b/a SWBC Retirement Plan Services.
The EQUI-VEST ® variable annuity is offered by prospectus, which provides important information about the annuity’s restrictions, limitations, risks, charges, expenses and investment objectives. Current EQUI-VEST ® contract holders, please consult your prospectus and the prospectus for the underlying portfolios containing this and other important information. Prospective clients, please contact Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) or an Equitable Advisors Financial Professional for these prospectuses and read them carefully before you invest or send money.
Option 2
Semester Strategies® Plus
A more conservative approach. Semester Strategies® PLUS invests a higher percentage of your portfolio in the SIO earlier in your career, which increases as you move closer to retirement, offering some opportunity for growth and greater downside protection.
Model portfolios shown above are for illustrative purposes only and intended to demonstrate potential asset allocations at various points before a participant’s planned retirement age. Your actual asset allocations in model portfolios may vary. The exact allocations (percentages) within each model portfolio shown may change at the discretion of SWBC Investment Advisory Services, LLC d/b/a SWBC Retirement Plan Services.
The EQUI-VEST ® variable annuity is offered by prospectus, which provides important information about the annuity’s restrictions, limitations, risks, charges, expenses and investment objectives. Current EQUI-VEST ® contract holders, please consult your prospectus and the prospectus for the underlying portfolios containing this and other important information. Prospective clients, please contact Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) or an Equitable Advisors Financial Professional for these prospectuses and read them carefully before you invest or send money.
Frequently asked questions
Semester Strategies® is a simplified investment approach available to educators like you within your retirement savings plan at no extra cost. It’s designed to evolve with you throughout your career, with built-in monitoring and adjusting by an independent third party to help ensure you’re achieving your retirement goals. It includes 10% downside protection with the opportunity for growth up to a cap thanks to a Structured Investment Option (SIO).
Semester Strategies® uses a blend of investment options, including stocks, bonds, and allocations to the Guaranteed Interest Option (GIO) and the Structured Investment Option (SIO), to help you build wealth for retirement. Semester Strategies® Plus offers the same investment options as Semester Strategies®, but with a greater allocation to the SIO, meaning more downside protection of up to the first 10% of losses on assets.
As long as Semester Strategies® is available to you through your group retirement plan, you can enroll by using the following methods:
- New clients may select Semester Strategies® during the enrollment process.
- Current clients may change their investment selection online by logging into their account here.
There is no additional cost for enrolling in Semester Strategies®. You will be subject to the same variable annuity costs and charges applicable under your EQUI-VEST® contract.
No. The planned retirement age within Semester Strategies® is not related to the plan’s retirement age or normal retirement age of 65 under IRS regulations, and is used solely to determine your model portfolio within the selected investment strategy.
Yes. You have the flexibility to change your planned retirement age at any point within Semester Strategies®. On request, Equitable will adjust your allocation to the new model portfolio based on your instructions. Your entire account value will then be rebalanced into the new model portfolio on the first Friday of the month following the requested change.
Products funding group retirement plans are issued by Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) (NY, NY) or by Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America), an AZ stock company with an administrative office located in Charlotte, NC. Equitable Financial, Equitable America and Equitable Advisors, LLC are not endorsed by, associated or affiliated with any school district, state agency or program.
A variable deferred annuity, such as EQUI-VEST®, is a long-term financial product that is designed for retirement purposes. In essence, it is a contractual agreement in which payments are made to an insurance company, which agrees to pay an income stream or lump-sum amount at a later date. There are contract limitations, fees and charges associated with variable deferred annuities, which include, but are not limited to, mortality and expense risk charges, withdrawal charges and administrative fees. For costs and complete details, see the prospectus or contact your financial professional. The variable investment options offered in this contract will fluctuate and are subject to market risk, including loss of principal.
As is the case with any investment or investment feature, it’s important for current and prospective EQUI-VEST® variable annuity contract holders to understand all applicable restrictions and limitations associated with Semester Strategies®. As some examples, the EQUI-VEST® variable annuity contract holder’s planned retirement age cannot be later than the maturity date under their contract, and those currently invested in the Personal Income BenefitSM (PIB) are not eligible to participate in Semester Strategies® (Program) at this time. Also, those with current investments in the SIO may not be eligible to participate in the program if their current SIO allocations are higher than the model portfolio allocations to the SIO.
The EQUI-VEST® variable annuity is offered by prospectus, which provides important information about the annuity’s restrictions, limitations, risks, charges, expenses and investment objectives. Current EQUI-VEST® contract holders, please consult your prospectus and the prospectus for the underlying portfolios containing this and other important information. Prospective clients, please contact Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial), Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America) or an Equitable Advisors Financial Professional for these prospectuses, and read them carefully before you invest or send money. Your needs, goals and circumstances are unique, and they require the individualized attention of your financial professional.
EQUI-VEST® is a registered service mark of Equitable Holdings, Inc.
Contract form #s: 2003-GAC 403(b), 2003-GAC-401(a), 2004TSAGAC, 2004TSACERTA/B, 2004EDCGAC, 2004EDCCERT-A/B, 2006BASE-I-A/B, 2006BASE-A/B, 2008EQVTSA201, 2008EQV201, 2008EQVEDC201, 2008EQVBASE201-A, 2008TSAGAC901, 2008TSA901-A/B, 2009EDCGAC901, 2009EDC901-A/B, 2009401aGAC901, 2009401a901-A/B and any state variations. Contract endorsement form #s: 2010SIO201-I/G, 2011SIO901- ENGAC, 2011SIO900-ENGAC, 2012SIO900- ENGAC (NJ ARP) and any state variations. Certificate form #s: 2003NJ401(a) and 2003NJ403(b). Certificate endorsement form #s: 2011SIO901A/B, 2011SIO900-A/B, 2012SIO900-B (NJ ARP) and any state variations.
Equitable is the brand name of the retirement and protection subsidiaries of Equitable Holdings, Inc., including Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (NY, NY); Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America, an AZ stock company with an administrative office located in Charlotte, NC; and Equitable Distributors, LLC. The obligations of Equitable Financial and Equitable America are backed solely by their claims-paying abilities.
Variable Annuities: Are Not a Deposit of Any Bank • Are Not FDIC Insured • Are Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency • Are Not Guaranteed by Any Bank or Savings Association • May Go Down in Value
GE-8280523.11 (08/2025) (Exp. 08/2029)