What is a registered index-linked annuity?

A registered index-linked annuity (RILA) is a tax-deferred long-term savings option that provides the opportunity for growth and limits exposure to downside risk.

Returns are based in part on the performance of an underlying index or indexes, but a RILA is not a stock market investment and does not directly participate in any stock or equity investments. In addition, RILAs also provide an option to convert the annuity into a stream of income payments in retirement through annuitization.1

What registered index-linked annuities offer

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Opportunity for growth2

Your annuity has the potential to grow based on the performance of an index or indexes that you select.

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A level of protection from market downturns2

The money you place into your annuity will be partially protected from market downturns based on the level of protection you select.

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Tax advantages

The value of your annuity grows tax free, so you won’t pay taxes on any growth until you make a withdrawal.

Nationwide registered index-linked annuity products

Nationwide Defender℠ Annuity

This buffer RILA offers the opportunity for growth potential and protects the annuity from index strategy losses up to the selected buffer amount.3

Nationwide Defined Protection® Annuity

This floor RILA offers additional protection from index strategy losses once they reach the selected floor level, with growth potential.2,4
Not sure if a registered index-linked annuity is right for you? Compare all annuity types.

Topics to discuss with your financial professional

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  • Risk tolerance: What type of investor are you?
  • Payout options: What are the different ways you can take income from an annuity?

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[1] A RILA does not directly invest in an index. A RILA includes index strategies which follow market performance; however, they are not actual investments in the stock market.
[2] The contract may gain or lose value before the end of the strategy term. Buffer protection and growth potential are not fully realized until the end of the strategy term. As a result, you may experience a loss even if negative index performance is within the buffer percentage during a strategy term.
[3] There is potential for unlimited losses beyond the buffer amount.
[4] Even if the index losses continue beyond the floor level.

The guarantees and protections offered by the Nationwide Defined Protection Annuity and the Nationwide Defender Annuity are subject to the claims-paying ability of Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

Neither Nationwide nor its representatives give legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney or tax advisor for answers to specific questions.

Withdrawals may be subject to contingent deferred surrender charges (CDSC) and a market value adjustment (MVA) on the withdrawal itself. Withdrawals taken prior to age 59½ may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty in addition to ordinary income taxes. All withdrawals will reduce the death benefit and contract value.

The “S&P 500” is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”) and has been licensed for use by Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (“Nationwide”). Standard & Poor’s®, S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”); DJIA®, The Dow®, Dow Jones® and Dow Jones Industrial Average® are trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Nationwide. Nationwide Defined Protection Annuity is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P or their respective affiliates, and none of such parties makes any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such products, nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of the S&P 500.