Expanded investment lineup from Nationwide can help advisors meet clients' needs

Investment options include new funds in the bond and large-cap growth categories

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2011

Contacts:
Chad Green (614) 677-1679
greenc28@nationwide.com

Jeff Whetzel (614) 249-6354
whetzej@nationwide.com

Columbus, OH — Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. today announced several enhancements to the investment lineup for its variable annuity and variable life insurance products, including expanded investment options in the bond and large-cap growth categories. These changes were effective May 1, 2011.

“We’re committed to providing a broad range of investment options that make it easier for advisors to prepare their clients for whatever comes next in the financial markets,” said John Carter, president of Nationwide Financial Distributors, Inc. “Because of the unique way we carefully select, combine and monitor experienced money managers, our portfolios and investment menus seek to deliver returns over and above those of the broad market with less exposure to volatility.”

Updates to the investment lineup include:

New funds that will add greater asset class coverage – Nationwide has added new funds from Nationwide and PIMCO to enhance the depth of its asset class selection. The new funds are:

American Century NVIT Growth Fund – This large growth fund primarily invests in common stocks issued by large-cap companies.

PIMCO VIT Total Return Portfolio – This intermediate-term bond fund invests primarily in investment-grade debt securities, but may invest up to 10 percent of total assets in high-yield securities rated B or higher.

New funds in America’s marketFLEX® Series — New offerings from ProFunds broaden Nationwide’s sector lineup. Nationwide has also added fixed income, alternatives and asset allocation funds that were previously unavailable.

After May 1, 2011 Nationwide’s investment lineup will include:
• Coverage across 34 Morningstar categories
• Access to over 30 money managers
• 17 asset allocation investment options
• Over 60 options with a 5-year track record; over 40 options with a 10-year track record

Financial advisors interested in seeing the complete list of changes to Nationwide’s investment lineup, including wall-offs, name changes and summaries of the fund lineups for specific variable products can visit http://www.nationwide.com/mayupdates.

“At Nationwide, we build everything we do around advisors so they can build their business around their clients,” said Carter. “In addition to our strong investment lineup we also provide advisors with a dedicated Team of Specialists committed to offering advisors customized strategies, competitive products and comprehensive support.”

About Nationwide
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

The underlying fund prospectuses can be obtained from your investment professional or by writing to Nationwide Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 182021, Columbus, OH 43218-2021 or visiting www.nationwide.com. Before investing, carefully consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The product prospectus and underlying fund prospectus contain this and other important information. Read the prospectuses carefully before investing.

_{Neither Nationwide Financial, nor any of its affiliates, are affiliated with Morningstar or any of its affiliates.}

_{The use of diversification [asset allocation] and asset rebalancing as part of an overall investment strategy does not assure a profit or guarantee against loss in a declining market.}

_{As your personal situations change (i.e., marriage, birth of a child or job promotion), so will your life insurance needs. Care should be taken to ensure these strategies and products are suitable for your long-term life insurance needs. You should weigh your objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance as well as any associated costs before investing. Also, be aware that market volatility can lead to the possibility of the need for additional premium in your policy. Investors should evaluate the impact of their financial ability to continue premium payments and the market risk associated with the variable product on the risk of lapse of the insurance policy. Also, know that any loans, withdrawals, and surrenders, partial or whole, can adversely affect the death benefit, may have adverse tax consequences, and could result in the policy lapsing. Variable life insurance has fees and charges associated with it that include costs of insurance that vary with such characteristics of the insured as gender, health and age, underlying fund charges and expenses, and additional charges for riders that customize a policy to fit your individual needs.}

_{An annuity is a long-term, tax-deferred investment designed for retirement that will fluctuate in value. It allows you to create a fixed or variable stream of income through a process called annuitization and also provides a variable rate of return based on the performance of the underlying investments.}

_{But, as with most things in life, an annuity does have limitations. If you decide to take your money out early, you may face fees called surrender charges. Plus, if you're not yet age 59½, you may also have to pay an additional 10% tax penalty on top of ordinary income taxes. Naturally, if you do take an early withdrawal, your death benefit and the cash value of the annuity contract will be reduced.}

_{You should also know that an annuity contains guarantees and protections that are subject to the issuing insurance company’s ability to pay for them. But these guarantees don’t apply to any variable accounts that are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of your principal.}

_{An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company and it’s sold by prospectus. While it may take some time, you should read these documents. They describe risk factors, fees and charges that may apply to you. Variable annuities have fees and charges that include mortality and expense, administrative fees, contract fees, and the expense of the underlying investment options.}

_{Variable annuity and variable life insurance products are issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company or Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. The general distributor is Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA. In MI only: Nationwide Investment Svcs Corporation.}

_{John Carter is a registered representative of Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA. In MI only: Nationwide Investment Svcs. Corporation.}

_{Life insurance is issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company or Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio.}

_{Nationwide, Nationwide Financial, the Nationwide framemark, Nationwide YourLife and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.}