Principal

Principal Strategic Outcomes

B
Composite 76.5 / 100Range 69–78

Mostly solid; strongest in consistent carrier behavior (92), softest in restrictive surrender terms (62).

Best suited for: growth-seeking buyers who can tolerate buffer breaches.

Methodology v1.5.2 · May 23, 2026 · 2/2 segments verified · 

Contract terms

Flexibility & exit terms

Surrender period6 years
Surrender scheduleY1 9% · Y2 8% · Y3 7% · Y4 6% · Y5 5% · Y6 4%
Free withdrawal10% per year
Hardship waiversnursing-home, terminal-illness
Scoring segments (term · cap or par · buffer/floor · published weight)
1-year term · S&P 500 capped at 13.0% · 10% buffer · 14% of premium6-year term · S&P 500 at 90% participation · 20% buffer · 86% of premium
Allocation ruleTerm-weighted (longer terms get more)

Allocation choice & historical performance

Pick an allocation; chart updates. Balanced is the published rating.

Regime
Lost decade (2000-2009) · Balanced allocation
$250,000 starting AV · S&P 500 monthly replay
2000-012001-052002-092004-012005-052006-092008-012009-05$135K$180K$225K$270K$315KStart $250K
Terminal AV
$218,966
After 10 years
Terminal multiple
0.88×
Of starting $250,000
Max drawdown
49.4%
Trough 2009-03
Fees paid (PV)
$0
M&E + rider fees
Fee drag (annualised)
0.0%
PV(fees) ÷ starting AV ÷ years
Single deterministic path. Annual cap/buffer crediting applied year-by-year; intra-year shape interpolated from actual monthly S&P 500 returns.

Standardized scoring scenario details ↗

PV(rider claims)$0
PV(all fees)$0
Terminal AV (p50)$1,361,383.68
Terminal AV (p95)$5,083,681.82
Value delivered (p50)$419,740
Advanced details (for advisors)

Each axis runs 0–100. The composite is a weighted average — Net Value 80%, SF / IC / BF 6.67% each (v1.5.2). Net Value itself blends expected growth (65%) with guarantee value (35%). See methodology v1.5.2 for the formulas behind each axis.

💰Net Value75 / 100
How much wealth this contract actually builds for you, after fees
Growth 84Guarantee 60
Net Value = 65% growth + 35% guarantee. Growth 84/100 — Value delivered $419,740 (terminal AV + income drawn). Cohort median $178,897 anchors 50; 3× median anchors 100. Guarantee 60/100 — PV(buffer+floor absorption) / PV(M&E+cap-drag) = 1.19x. Buffer PV $36,751; floor PV $0; cost-base PV $30,870. Closed-form lognormal (μ=7.00%, σ=18.00%, r=4.00%).
🔒Surrender Flexibility63 / 100
How easily you can get your money out
6-yr surrender schedule (max 8.5%); 10% free withdrawal; waivers: nursing-home, terminal-illness.
🏢Insurer Credit90 / 100
How likely the carrier is to pay claims 10–20 years out
AM Best A+; not PE-owned; Level 3 assets 16%.
⚖️Behavioral Fairness92 / 100
Track record of treating existing customers fairly
0 major / 0 minor cap-rate cuts in 5yr; NAIC complaints index 0.40; 0 regulatory fines in 5yr.

Reported for transparency — not part of the v1.5.2 composite (TCO weight = 0).

Total Cost of Ownership100 / 100
Annualised explicit fee (M&E + rider): 0.00%. Cohort best: 0.00%; cohort worst: 2.75%.
For the buyer

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