Great-West Financial® enhances retirement income lineup with new riders

Two new GLWB options offer potential for more income at a lower cost with better protection for investors

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., June 13, 2016 — Great-West Financial is announcing the expansion of its retirement income suite with two new Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) riders for the Great-West Smart Track® II – 5 Year Variable Annuity.

The Great-West Secure Income Plus GLWB Rider offers a guaranteed benefit base growth through a five percent accumulation credit for 10 years -- or until withdrawals begin. The Great-West Secure Income Max GLWB Rider, which is designed to maximize income, rewards investors who wish to wait 5 years or more to start taking income with an additional one-percent increase for the life of the contract.

"Our ultimate goal is to help more Americans create the income they need in retirement. We can only do that if we design strategies that offer the potential for more income at a lower cost with better protection for investors," said Bob Shaw, President of Individual Markets at Great-West Financial. "People are living longer than ever before and we are here to help them prepare financially for the lifestyle they imagine."

The riders, which officially became available earlier this month, are aimed at offering advisors more flexibility to assist their clients in customizing their retirement income strategy.

"Enhancing Great-West’s variable annuity suite opens up new opportunities for advisors to help their clients create a retirement income stream that’s in line with individual financial goals," said Mike McCarthy, Senior Vice President for National Sales. "Smart Track II – 5 Year is unlike other strategies already in the market and we believe these enhancements offer exactly what investors are seeking."

In addition to the new riders, Great-West has expanded the investment options available in the Smart Track II – 5 Year income strategy. Along with the Great-West Secure Foundation® Balanced Fund, Great-West will now offer the following Great-West Profile Funds:

Smart Track II is a low-cost1 dual-strategy variable annuity. It can be used as an investment-focused variable annuity with a return-of-premium death benefit that allows an investor to lock in income through guaranteed lifetime withdrawal riders, which now include four different options.

The key benefits and riders previously available within Smart Track II – 5 Year will remain the same, including:

Investors choosing Smart Track II only pay for the living benefit guarantee on the amount they allocate to it, so it can be customized to their needs. The product offers competitive withdrawal rates — 5 percent at age 65, 6 percent at age 70 and 7 percent at age 80 with the opportunity to increase income during retirement through annual step-ups, and age resets if additional premium is added.

1Compared to other variable annuities with Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefits (GLWBs). Source: IRI Annuity Fact Book, "Fees Associated with GLWB and GMIB," April 2013
2Pensions & Investments April, 2016
32015, LIMRA U.S. Retail Individual Life Insurance Sales Report
4IBIS Associates, 2014
5As of March. 31, 2016

About Great-West Financial

Established nearly 125 years ago, Great-West Financial’s offerings range from investments, life insurance, annuities and executive benefits products marketed under the Great-West Financial brand to retirement savings products and services provided by Empower Retirement, the nation’s second-largest retirement plan record keeper by participants.2 Great-West Financial is also the No. 2 underwriter of life insurance sold through banks3  and No.3 in bank-owned life insurance sales.4

The company manages a total of $460 billion in assets for more than 8.5 million retirement, insurance and annuity customers.5

Great-West Financial® is a registered mark of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. It is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc. and "A Member of the Power Financial Corporation Group of Companies" ®.

Media Contacts:

Stephen Gawlik – Office: 303-737-0899; Cell: 617-417-4408