Spousal Protection Death Benefit Feature Option

Help protect their better half

One of the greatest client fears is providing for a spouse after death.
Couples want the comfort of knowing that their spouse will be taken care of financially.
couple
The average age of widowhood is 59.4 years1
72 percent
72% of annuity purchasers said a death benefit was very or somewhat important2
inheritance
66.7% of married couples place a high level of importance on leaving an inheritance2

Two people, one policy — even on IRAs

Nationwide Logo

Nationwide annuities are annuitant-driven, meaning we pay a death benefit when the annuitant passes away (not the owner). This distinction becomes important when working with IRAs because they can have only one owner. With Nationwide’s spousal protection, an owner and their spouse can be named co-annuitants, as well as co-beneficiaries. As a result, the death benefit goes to the surviving spouse, no matter which spouses passes away first. We're the only provider who offers this protection for both spouses on IRAs.3

  • No additional charge on Nationwide DestinationSM 2.0 variable annuities
  • All surrender charges are waived when the first spouse passes away
  • The surviving spouse can choose to continue the contract with no tax consequences at the higher of the death benefit amount or market value or take a lump-sum distribution with no penalties4
How does the feature work?
Use this Quick Quote tool to compare the financial future of a surviving spouse with and without the Spousal Protection Death Benefit.
Simply input the amount of your married clients' initial investment and we will provide a clear example of how the Spousal Protection Death Benefit may help the surviving spouse's financial well-being, even in a down market.
Create a sample case

Help them provide for each other

 Client Approved

Michelle's Story

Jace's Story

More to explore

Choose the client guide that best represents your clients.

Riders and other options can help meet your clients' specific needs by offering additional coverage and potential protection on selected products. They may have an additional charge and may not be available in all states/territories or in combination with other options or features.

1 "Number, Timing and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009," U.S. Census Bureau (May 2011).

2 "U.S. Deferred Annuity Buyer Attitudes and Behaviors," LIMRA (2012).

3 VARDS, vards.com (2017).

4 Income taxes may apply at distribution.

Variable Annuities