Fixed indexed annuities

What’s a fixed indexed annuity?

A fixed indexed annuity (FIA) is a long-term insurance product designed to provide growth potential for your money without downside market risk.

What does “fixed indexed” mean?

Fixed indexed describes how the annuity’s interest is calculated—either a fixed interest rate or an interest rate based on the performance of an index.1

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What’s an index?

An index is a collection of securities whose performance (or change in value) is used to benchmark the performance of a specific market segment or the overall stock or bond market. An index only measures market performance. It is not possible to invest in an index. 

Key benefits


Higher growth potential than other fixed deferred annuities.


No downside market risk because your money is not actually in the market.


Growth is tax-deferred2 (it’s not taxed until you take it out), so it can compound over time.


You can convert it into a series of income payments in retirement.

What’s compound interest?

Compound interest means you earn interest on the initial amount of money you put into an account AND on the interest that money accrues. As the annuity grows, the interest it earns is calculated on the new, higher balance each [interest term].

How do FIAs work?

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You put money in

You purchase the annuity contract with a lump sum.

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It grows over time

The interest you earn is tied to a fixed interest rate or the performance of an index, or both.1 You choose.

  • A fixed interest rate means the interest you earn is steady and predictable each year.
  • An index-based interest rate has more growth potential, but is less predictable.
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And pays you back later

You can get your money back, including interest, after the surrender charge period. Your payback can happen in a number of ways, including a lump sum or regular payments that can continue for life.

What’s a withdrawal/surrender charge period?

Most annuities allow you to withdraw a certain percentage of your account free of charge from the start. However, because annuities are designed as long-term products, if you withdraw more than the free withdrawal percentage early on, you will incur a penalty known as a withdrawal/surrender charge. The withdrawal/surrender charge period is the amount of time you need to wait before you can withdraw additional money without incurring withdrawal/surrender charges.

Consider a fixed indexed annuity if:

You want the opportunity to grow your savings without the downside risk of a volatile market.

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Symetra Life Insurance Company products to consider:

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Symetra Edge EliteSM

Looking to grow your retirement savings with no market risk?

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Symetra Income Edge

Looking for guaranteed income in retirement with growth potential and no market risk?

Next steps

Symetra offers a variety of annuities. Ask your financial professional or [insurance producer] if an annuity is right for you.

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Symetra Edge Elite and Symetra Income Edge are individual single-premium fixed indexed deferred annuities with a market value adjustment feature issued by Symetra Life Insurance Company, 777 108th Avenue NE, Suite 1200, Bellevue, WA 98004. Edge Elite Contract form number is ICC19_RC1 in most states. Income Edge Contract form number is ICC14_RC1 in most states. Products, riders, endorsements, features, terms and conditions may vary by state and may not be available in all U.S. states or any U.S. territory.

Market value adjustment feature does not apply in California.

Annuity contracts have terms and limitations for keeping them in force. Contact your financial professional or insurance producer for complete details.

Guarantees and benefits are subject to the claims-paying ability of Symetra Life Insurance Company.

Interest credited to indexed accounts is affected by the value of outside indexes. Values based on the performance of any index are not guaranteed. The contract does not directly participate in any outside investment.

Withdrawals may be subject to federal income taxes, and a 10% IRS early withdrawal tax penalty may also apply for amounts taken prior to age 59½. Consult your attorney or tax professional for more information.

Symetra Edge EliteSM is a service mark of Symetra Life Insurance Company.

1Indexed interest is credited based on a participation rate or up to a cap (upper limit), depending on which indexed account you choose.

2While nonqualified annuities offer the added benefit of tax deferral, in the case of qualified annuities, the tax deferral is provided by the retirement plan itself. No additional tax benefit is provided by placing qualified funds in an annuity. In the case of qualified annuities, clients should focus on the benefits offered by the annuity itself to determine if the annuity is right for them.