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Along with providing a death benefit to protect beneficiaries, most variable life products offer the potential for policy growth through market exposure, since premiums are invested in variable portfolios. Now, with the Market Stabilizer Option (MSO) on its Incentive Life Optimizer® product, AXA Equitable offers both policy growth potential and downside protection. The MSO is a policy investment option that offers a rate of return tied to the S&P 500 Price Return index*, up to a growth cap. It also provides a downside buffer of up to 25% if there is a decline in the performance of the index. The growth cap and downside buffer work in tandem to capture a portion of the index's upside potential while protecting policy values from the adverse effects of volatility.
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"The last two years have been among the most turbulent periods ever for equity investors. The related economic insecurity has actually increased consumer awareness of the need for life insurance," said Christopher M. "Kip" Condron, chairman and chief executive officer of AXA Equitable. "We're pleased that our Incentive Life Optimizer Market Stabilizer Option now offers in one product a way to help shield clients from significant loss while also easing them back into equity-based investing."
How the Market Stabilizer Option Works
Using a 15 percent growth cap rate as a hypothetical example, here is how the MSO operates to stabilize volatility:
"The balance between a growth cap and downside protection in the MSO may help calm nerves and stabilize long-term returns," said Andrew McMahon, president of AXA Equitable's Financial Protection and Wealth Management business. "By reducing or in some cases, eliminating losses, it offers policyholders the stability needed to remain invested, even during periods of volatility, and the confidence to allocate remaining funds more aggressively."
AXA Equitable's MSO, an optional feature available for an additional fee, is offered in addition to more than 50 other investment options currently available with IL Optimizer. Gains from other policy investment portfolios can be swept into a new MSO segment, without triggering a taxable event.
Mechanically, the MSO functions in segments:
"AXA Equitable has provided Americans with confidence for 150 years by helping them navigate through all types of market conditions," said Mr. McMahon. "Our new MSO option demonstrates our commitment to prudent risk management and an ongoing pledge to bring innovative strategies to the marketplace."
For more information on IL Optimizer's Market Stabilizer Option, visit www.axa-equitable.com
About Incentive Life Optimizer® and the Market Stabilizer Option(sm)
Incentive Life Optimizer® is an innovative flexible premium variable life insurance policy issued by AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (AXA Equitable), New York, NY 10104.
A variable life insurance policy is a contractual agreement in which premiums are paid to an insurance company. In return for these premiums, the insurance company will provide a benefit to a named beneficiary upon proof of the insured's death and a policy cash value. Net premiums (after insurance-related charges) are invested in a variety of investment portfolios. Amounts in the investment options are subject to fluctuation in value and market risk, including loss of principal. Life insurance policies have exclusions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force.
Please consider the charges, risks, expenses and investment objectives carefully before purchasing a variable life insurance. Contact a financial professional for a prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully before purchasing a policy or sending money.
Policy form #08-200 or state variations. Rider form #ICC-09R09-30; R09-30
Life insurance products are issued by AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company. 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY. Variable life insurance is co-distributed by AXA Advisors, LLC and AXA Distributors, LLC. AXA Equitable, AXA Advisors, and AXA Distributors are affiliated companies.
About AXA Equitable
In business since 1859, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (NY, NY) is a leading financial protection company and one of the nation's premier providers of life insurance and annuity products, as well as investment products and services through its affiliates, including, AXA Advisors, LLC. The company's products and services are distributed to individuals and business owners through its retail distribution channel, AXA Advisors and to the financial services market through its wholesale distribution channel, AXA Distributors, LLC.
AXA Equitable, a subsidiary of AXA Financial Inc., is part of the global AXA Group, a worldwide leader in financial protection strategies and wealth management. "AXA Group" refers to AXA, a French holding company for an international group of insurance and financial services companies, together with its direct and indirect consolidated subsidiaries. For more information, visit www.axa-equitable.com. Guarantees are backed solely by the claims-paying ability of AXA Equitable.
*The S&P Price Return index is a passively managed index which contains 500 of the largest U.S. industrial, transportation, utility and financial companies deemed by Standard and Poor's to be representative of the larger capitalization portion of the U.S. stock market.
S&P®, Standard & Poor's®, S&P 500® and Standard & Poor's 500(TM) are trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services, LLC ("Standard & Poor's") and have been licensed for use by AXA Equitable. The Market Stabilizer Option(sm) is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's and Standard & Poor's does not make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Market Stabilizer Option(sm).
** Transfers must be made in accordance with AXA Equitable's procedures, which are subject to change. They may be limited in certain circumstances, and restrictions may apply to prevent disruptive transfer activities. AXA Equitable reserves the right to restrict or terminate future allocations to the MSO at any time.
The AXA ordinary share is listed on compartment A of Euronext Paris under the ticker symbol CS (ISIN FR0000120628 -Bloomberg: CS FP - Reuters: AXAF.PA).
If the S&P 500 Price Return The Market Stabilizer Option indexed- index rate of return linked rate of return on the Segment (excluding dividends): then Maturity Date will: Increases 15 percent or more Equal 15 percent Increases less than 15 Equal the index performance, excluding percent dividends Stays flat or declines 25 percent or less Equal zero Decline by only 5 percent, not by 30 Declines 30 percent percent
SOURCE AXA Equitable
