The 5-Minute Advisor – September 18, 2026
Nationwide’s CareMatters Annuity cleared Connecticut approval on September 14. It’s a linked-benefit LTC solution built on an annuity chassis, and it’s a new lever in a state where LTC planning conversations stall out constantly on underwriting.
If you have a client sitting on a nonqualified annuity or life policy they don’t need for income, call us this week. That asset can convert tax-free into guaranteed LTC coverage with no health interview and no para-med exam.
CareMatters Annuity is a single-premium deferred fixed annuity with cash indemnity LTC benefits. Clients fund it via a tax-free 1035 exchange of an existing nonqualified annuity or life policy, or a single payment, and receive 2x to 3x their contract value in LTC benefits depending on underwriting class (five knockout questions plus one rate-class question). Max issue age is 80. Before you can write it, Nationwide requires product-specific annuity and LTC training through an approved vendor (RegEd, Kaplan, or iCapital, product code CMANNUITY), completed before any application is submitted.
Why CareMatters Annuity:
- Triple tax efficiency: grows tax-deferred, LTC benefits pay out tax-free, funded via tax-free exchange.
- Guarantees: contract value never drops below the client’s initial investment, fixed crediting rate is locked in, unused LTC value passes to beneficiaries as a death benefit.
- Retroactive benefit: once a client qualifies for care, day 91 pays out four months of benefits in one lump sum, covering the elimination period.
- International payability: 100% of the LTC benefit pays out if the client lives abroad, which most LTC-linked products don’t offer.
If you have a client between 55 and 80 with an old annuity or life policy just sitting there, call us this week. We’ll run the exchange numbers and tell you what LTC benefit they’d actually qualify for.
Learn More About CareMatters!Life Insurance Awareness Month
September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, and we’re sharing powerful stories as part of our 2026 campaign, Real stories. Real impact. These stories highlight the importance of life insurance and how it can help set up loved ones for financial success. Agents are encouraged to share these stories throughout the month using our shareable content page, which includes social media posts and images.
Agent ResourcesWhat’s new this week:
The 5-year and 7-year categories saw the most movement. The 5-year now has six options across five carriers — North American and Athene both entered at 5.65%, joining Protective Life at the same rate. The 7-year expanded to seven options, with Athene’s MaxRate 7 climbing to 5.75%* and two Symetra tiers entering the mix. If you have clients sitting on either term, this week’s sheet is worth a second look.
Thompson Agency — Rates Effective 9/15/26 — For Agent Use Only
Highest Rate in Year 1 (Guarantee Years & Surrender Years Match)
| Guarantee / Surrender | AM Best | Carrier | Product | 1st Yr Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year | A+ | Athene | MaxRate 3 ($100K+) | 5.40% |
| 4-year | A | Corebridge Financial | AP Vision MYG 4 ($100K+) | 5.05% |
| 5-year | A+ | Protective Life | Secure Saver 5 ($75K+) | 5.65% |
| 6-year | A | American National | Palladium MYG 6 ($100K–$249,999) | 9.60% |
| 7-year | A+ | Athene | MaxRate 7 ($100K+) | 5.75%* |
| 8-year | A | American National | Palladium MYG 8 ($100K–$249,999) | 5.15% |
| 9-year | A | American National | Palladium MYG 9 ($100K–$249,999) | 5.15% |
| 10-year | A | Lincoln Financial Group | MYGuarantee Plus 10 ($100K+) | 5.50% |
Highest Average Yield with Equal Surrender & Guarantee Period
| Guarantee / Surrender | AM Best | Carrier | Product | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year | A | American National | Palladium MYG 3 ($5K–$99,999) | 5.20% |
| A+ | Athene | MaxRate 3 ($100K+) | 5.40% | |
| 4-year | A | Corebridge Financial | AP VisionMYG 4 ($100K+) | 5.05% |
| 5-year | A | American National | Palladium MYG 5 ($5K–$99,999) | 5.45% |
| A+ | Cincinnati Life | MYGA 5 SPDA ($10K+) | 5.50% | |
| A+ | Protective Life | Secure Saver 5 ($75K+) | 5.65% | |
| A+ | North American | Guarantee Plus 5 ($100K+) | 5.65% | |
| A+ | Athene | MaxRate 5 ($100K+) | 5.65%* | |
| A | American National | Palladium MYG 5 ($250K+) | 5.70% | |
| 6-year | A | American National | Palladium MYG 6 ($5K–$99,999) | 9.50/4.50 · Avg 5.32% |
| A | American National | Palladium MYG 6 ($100K–$249,999) | 9.60/4.60 · Avg 5.42% | |
| A | American National | Palladium MYG 6 ($250K+) | 9.75/4.75 · Avg 5.57% | |
| 7-year | A | American National | Palladium MYG 7 ($5K–$99,999) | 5.20% |
| A+ | Athene | MaxRate 7 ($10K–$99,999) | 5.45%* | |
| A | Symetra | Select Max 7 ($10K–$99,999) | 5.45% | |
| A+ | Mutual/United of Omaha | Ultra-Premier 7 ($25K+) | 5.55% | |
| A+ | Protective Life | Secure Saver 7 ($75K+) | 5.55% | |
| A | Symetra | Select Max 7 ($100K+) | 5.65% | |
| A+ | Athene | MaxRate 7 ($100K+) | 5.75%* | |
| 8-year | A | American National | Palladium MYG 8 ($5K–$99,999) | 5.05% |
| A | American National | Palladium MYG 8 ($100K–$249,999) | 5.15% | |
| A | American National | Palladium MYG 8 ($250K+) | 5.30% | |
| 9-year | A | American National | Palladium MYG 9 ($5K–$99,999) | 5.05% |
| A | American National | Palladium MYG 9 ($100K–$249,999) | 5.15% | |
| A | American National | Palladium MYG 9 ($250K+) | 5.30% | |
| 10-year | A | American National | Palladium MYG 10 ($5K–$99,999) | 5.05% |
| A | Lincoln Financial Group | MYGuarantee Plus 10 ($100K+) | 5.50% |
*Athene MaxRate — see product rate sheet as some states differ in rate %.
American National (ANICO) offers higher interest rate for the Palladium MYG MAX (No Liquidity, except RMD’s). Be sure to check ANICO current rate sheet.
A seamless experience from quote to application
Banner Life’s new Quote-to-Apply tool gives your clients a personalized link where they build their own quote, adjust coverage amount and term to see premium in real time, then move straight into a two-factor digital application. No paperwork mailed back and forth. You’re notified when a client starts, and the case stays tied to you for commission if the application is approved.
Simply share your personal link. Your client will take it from there.
Email Peter to Learn More and Get Set Up
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