05/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/01/2026 12:27
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GLOSSARY
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1
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UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CONTRACT
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4
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ABOUT THE CONTRACT
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5
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APPENDIX A: INVESTMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACT
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A-1
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FEES, EXPENSES, AND ADJUSTMENTS
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LOCATION
IN THE
PROSPECTUS
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Are There
Charges or
Adjustments
for Early
Withdrawals?
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Yes.
If you withdraw money from your Contract within 6 years following Contract
issuance, you may be assessed a surrender charge of up to 8% of the amount
withdrawn in excess of the free withdrawal amount. The free withdrawal
amount is the greater of (i) 10% of your Contract Value as of the most recent
Contract Anniversary (or, in the first Contract Year, 10% of your premium
payment) or (ii) your RMD under our automatic RMD program.
For example, if you take an early withdrawal, you could pay a surrender charge
of up to $7,200 on a $100,000 investment, assuming your Contract Value is
$100,000 at the time of the withdrawal. This loss will be greater if there is a
negative Interim Value adjustment, taxes, or tax penalties.
If all or a portion of your Contract Value is removed from an IPCS prior to the
end of the Strategy Term, it will be subject to an adjustment due to the Interim
Value, which may be negative. A negative Interim Value adjustment could
result in losses as high as 100%. The maximum loss could occur in extreme
circumstances due to a negative Interim Value adjustment.. For example, if you
allocate $100,000 to an IPCS with a 3 year Strategy Term and later withdraw
the entire amount before the 3 years have ended, you could lose up to $100,000
of your investment. This loss will be greater if you also have to pay a surrender
charge, taxes, and tax penalties. Transactions that are subject to an Interim
Value adjustment include (i) taking a withdrawal or surrendering your Contract,
including the deduction of applicable surrender charges and/or premium taxes,
(ii) exercising the Performance Lock feature (if available), (iii) annuitization,
(iv) the payment of the Standard Death Benefit, and (v) exercising your right to
return the Contract (unless the return of premium is greater).
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Fee Tables
Charges and
Adjustments
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Are There
Transaction
Charges?
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No.
Other than surrender charges and any negative Interim Value adjustments, there
are no charges for other Contract transactions.
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Are There
Ongoing Fees
and
Expenses?
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Yes.
Although we do not charge you a direct fee to invest in the IPCS options,
there is an implicit ongoing fee associated with the IPCS because the
amount you can earn on an IPCS will be limited to the extent the Index
return exceeds (i) the Cap Rate (if any) under the Cap with Par Crediting
Strategy or the Cap with Par & Spread Crediting Strategy, or (ii) the
Trigger Rate under the Trigger Rate Crediting Strategy. Your returns will
also be reduced by the Spread under the Cap with Par & Spread Crediting
Strategy. The application of the Crediting Strategy may cause your returns
under the IPCS to be lower than the Index's returns. In return for
accepting this limit on Index gains, you receive some protection from Index
losses through the Protection Strategy. Your returns could be limited if the
Participation Rate is below 100%.
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Investment
Strategies -
Crediting
Strategies.
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RISKS
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Is There a
Risk of Loss
from Poor
Performance?
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Yes.
You can lose money by investing in the Contract, including the loss of
principal and previously credited earnings. If you invest in an IPCS with the
lowest level of protection currently offered (the -10% Buffer), you could
experience losses up to 90% at the end of the Strategy Term. We always
intend to offer the 1-Year / -10% Buffer / S&P 500 Index / Cap with Par
IPCS option, subject to our right to substitute the Index with one that is
substantially similar, which means we will always offer a strategy with a
-10% Buffer.
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Risk Factors
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Is this a
Short-Term
Investment?
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No.
This Contract is not a short-term investment and is not appropriate for an
investor who needs ready access to cash. Withdrawals could result in surrender
charges during the first six years you own the Contract, and may be subject to
taxes and tax penalties (including a 10% tax penalty before age 59 1∕2).
In addition, amounts removed from an IPCS prior to the end of the Strategy
Term may be subject to a negative Interim Value adjustment, which could result
in a loss that is greater than the level of protection the Protection Strategy
would provide on the Term End Date, or a gain that is lower than the return the
Crediting Strategy would provide on the Term End Date. The calculation of the
Interim Value in connection with a withdrawal could result in the loss of
principal and previously credited earnings, even if the Index is performing
positively, and such losses could be substantial.
Contract Value that is allocated to an IPCS may only be reallocated on the
Term End Date (which is also a Contract Anniversary) unless you exercise the
Performance Lock feature (if available). Contract Value that is allocated to the
FRS and any locked-in Index Strategy Value pursuant to the exercise of the
Performance Lock feature may be reallocated on the next Contract Anniversary.
If we do not receive your reallocation instructions at our Customer Service
Office by the close of business on the date the reallocation will be effected,
your Contract Value will be automatically reinvested in the same Investment
Strategies, if available (i.e., the Fixed Rate Strategy Value will be reinvested in
the FRS, the Index Strategy Value will be reinvested in the same IPCS), subject
to the new crediting rates. If the same IPCS is not available, the amount will be
automatically reallocated to an IPCS with the same Strategy Term, Index,
Protection Strategy, and Crediting Strategy, if available (i.e., only the
availability of the Performance Lock feature is different). If such an IPCS is
not available, the amount will be automatically reallocated to the 1-Year
Strategy Term / -10% Buffer / S&P 500 Index / Cap with Par / with or without
Performance Lock (depending on availability). Any reallocation absent your
instruction may not be satisfactory to you.
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Risk Factors
Charges and
Adjustments
Reallocations
and
Withdrawals.
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What Are the
Risks
Associated
with the
Investment
Options?
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An investment in the Contract is subject to the risk of poor investment
performance and can vary based on the performance of the Investment
Strategies available under the Contract. Each Investment Strategy (including
the FRS) has its own unique risks. You should review each of the available
Investment Strategies before making an investment decision.
The Crediting Strategy of an IPCS will limit positive Index returns on the Term
End Date. The application of the Crediting Strategy may cause your
returns under the IPCS to be lower than the Index's returns.
Under the Cap with Par Crediting Strategy, your return will be limited to the
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Risk Factors
Investment
Strategies
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RISKS
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extent the Index return exceeds the Cap Rate (if any). For example, if the Index
return is 25%, the Cap Rate is 20%, and the Participation Rate is 100%, we
will credit 20% in interest at the end of the Strategy Term, meaning the amount
you invested in the IPCS will increase by 20%. If we do not declare a Cap
Rate for a particular Strategy Term, your return will not be limited. For
example, if the Index return is 25%, we do not declare a Cap Rate, and the
Participation Rate is 125%, we will credit 31.25% in interest at the end of the
Strategy Term, meaning the amount you invested in the IPCS will increase by
31.25%.
Under the Cap with Par & Spread Crediting Strategy, your return will be
reduced by the Spread and will be limited to the extent the Index return
exceeds the Cap Rate (if any). For example, if the Index return is 25%, the Cap
Rate is 20%, the Participation Rate is 100%, and the Spread is 1%, we will
credit 19% in interest at the end of the Strategy Term. If we do not declare a
Cap Rate for a particular Strategy Term, your return will not be limited, but
will still be reduced by the Spread. For example, if the Index return is 25%, we
do not declare a Cap Rate, the Participation Rate is 125%, and the Spread is
1%, we will credit 30% in interest at the end of the Strategy Term.
Under the Trigger Rate Crediting Strategy, your return will be limited to the
extent the Index return exceeds the Trigger Rate. For example, if the Index
return is 25% and the Trigger Rate is 12%, we will credit 12% in interest at the
end of the Strategy Term.
The Protection Strategy of an IPCS will limit negative Index returns on the
Term End Date. Under the Buffer Protection Strategy, if the Index Performance
on the Term End Date is negative, you will be subject to any loss that exceeds
the Buffer Rate. For example, if the Index return is -25% and the Buffer Rate is
-10%, we will credit -15% (the amount that exceeds the Buffer Rate) at the end
of the Strategy Term, meaning the amount you invested in the IPCS will
decrease by 15%.
The Indices, except the SG Smart Climate Index, are "price return" indices, not
"total return" indices, and therefore they do not include income from dividends
or other distributions paid by their component companies. If dividends and
other distributions were included, the Index returns would be higher. The SG
Smart Climate Index Value reflects a negative performance adjustment, in the
form of a "synthetic dividend," intended to replicate the impact that an annual
dividend would have on the Index return. If this "synthetic dividend" was not
applied, the Index return would be higher. As a result of these calculations, the
Indices will underperform a direct investment in the securities that compose
them.
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What Are the
Risks Related
to the
Insurance
Company?
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An investment in the Contract is subject to the risks related to GIAC. Any
obligations (including under the FRS and IPCS), guarantees, and benefits of the
Contract are subject to our claims-paying ability. If we experience financial
distress, we may not be able to meet our obligations to you. More information
about GIAC, including our financial strength ratings, is available by contacting
us at 1-888-GUARDIAN (1-888-482-7342).
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Risk Factors
Other
Information
About the
Contract - The
Guardian
Insurance &
Annuity
Company, Inc.
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RESTRICTIONS
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LOCATION
IN THE
PROSPECTUS
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Are There
Restrictions
on the
Investment
Options?
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Yes.
Contract Value that is allocated to an IPCS may only be reallocated on the
Term End Date (which is also a Contract Anniversary), unless you exercise the
Performance Lock feature (if available). Contract Value that is allocated to the
FRS and any locked-in Index Strategy Value pursuant to the exercise of the
Performance Lock feature may be reallocated on the next Contract Anniversary.
●Currently all IPCS options and Contract features are available through
financial professionals selling the Contract. Your financial professional
may not recommend certain IPCS options. You may obtain information
about the IPCS options that are available to you by contacting your
financial professional or our Customer Service Office.
●Certain IPCS or Contract features may not be available in your state. See
Appendix B for state variations that may apply.
●You may not allocate Contract Value to an IPCS if the Term End Date
would occur after the latest Annuity Commencement Date (i.e., the
Contract Anniversary immediately following the Annuitant's 100th
birthday).
In addition, we reserve the right to:
●Add or remove IPCS options;
●Limit the availability of certain IPCS options to new Contract purchases;
●Not include a Performance Lock feature in the future on certain or any
IPCS options;
●Declare new Cap Rates, Participation Rates and Trigger Rates for each
new Strategy Term, subject to the stated minimum guaranteed rates for that
IPCS option;
We may not declare a Cap Rate for a particular Cap with Par and Spread
Strategy Term. For any such Strategy Term which we do declare a Cap Rate
the Participation Rate will always equal 100% (which means it will never be
greater than the minimum guaranteed rate of 100%).
●Stop offering or replace a reference Index (including during a Strategy
Term) if it is discontinued, if the Index is substantially changed, if the
Index Values become unavailable, if we no longer have a license
agreement with the publishers of the Index, or if hedging instruments
become difficult to acquire or the cost of hedging becomes excessive. If
we replace an Index, we will attempt to select a new Index that has a
similar investment objective and risk profile to the original Index. The
replacement Index we select may not be satisfactory to you; and
●Limit the number of IPCS options offered to one. We always intend to
offer the 1-Year / -10% Buffer / S&P 500 Index / Cap with Par IPCS
option, subject to our right to substitute the Index with one that is
substantially similar, which means we will always offer a strategy with a
-10% Buffer. If we exercise our right to offer only this IPCS option and
you are not satisfied, you may invest in the FRS or surrender the Contract,
but the surrender may incur surrender charges, may be subject to taxes
(including a 10% tax penalty before age 59 1∕2) and, with respect to
amounts surrendered from an IPCS that has not been locked in prior to the
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Risk Factors
Investment
Strategies -
Index
Protection and
Crediting
Strategies
("IPCS")
Reallocations
and
Withdrawals
Appendix B
Distribution
Broker-Dealer
Contract
Variations
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RESTRICTIONS
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LOCATION
IN THE
PROSPECTUS
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Term End Date, will be subject to an Interim Value adjustment.
The availability of IPCS may vary depending on the broker-dealer through
which the contract is sold.
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Are there any
Restrictions
on Contract
Benefits?
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Yes.
The Performance Lock feature may not be available in the future on certain or
any IPCS options.
The Return of Premium Payment Death Benefit is subject to withdrawal
adjustments (including any applicable surrender charges), which may be more,
even significantly more, then the dollar amount withdrawn.
Although you may request a withdrawal at any time, withdrawals will always
be taken first from the FRS, then proportionally from locked-in IPCS options,
then proportionally from IPCS options that are at the Term End Date, and
finally proportionally from IPCS options that are not at the Term End Date.
You may not request a partial withdrawal to be withdrawn from a particular
Investment Strategy. This means that if you wish to withdraw money from a
specific IPCS without the Performance Lock feature before the Term End Date,
your only option will be to surrender the Contract, which may incur surrender
charges, may be subject to taxes (including a 10% additional tax before age
59 1∕2), and, with respect to amounts surrendered from an IPCS prior to the
Term End Date, will be subject to an Interim Value adjustment.
The availability of IPCS options may vary depending on the broker-dealer
through which the contract is sold.
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Risk Factors
Benefits
Available
Under the
Contract
Reallocations
and
Withdrawals
Distribution
Broker-Dealer
Contract
Variations
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TAXES
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LOCATION
IN THE
PROSPECTUS
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What Are the
Contract's
Tax
Implications?
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You should consult with a tax professional to determine the tax implications of
an investment in, withdrawals from, and payments received under the Contract.
There is no tax penalty benefit if you purchase the Contract through a
Traditional IRA or Roth IRA. Withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax,
and you may be subject to a 10% tax penalty if you withdraw money before
age 59 1∕2.
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Risk Factors
Tax
Considerations
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
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LOCATION
IN THE
PROSPECTUS
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How Are
Investment
Professionals
Compensated?
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Your financial professional may receive compensation for selling the Contract
to you in the form of commissions and non-cash compensation. This
compensation may influence your financial professional to recommend the
Contract over another investment.
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Other
Information
About the
Contract -
Distribution
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Should I
Exchange My
Contract?
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Some financial professionals may have a financial incentive to offer you a new
contract in place of the one you own. You should only exchange your contract
if you determine, after comparing the features, fees and risks of both contracts,
and any fees or penalties to terminate the existing contract, that it is better for
you to purchase the new contract rather than continue to own your existing
contract.
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Purchasing the
Contract -
Tax-Free
Section 1035
Exchanges
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Index
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Type of Index
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Strategy
Term
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Crediting
Strategy
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Current
Protection
Strategy Rates
(if held until
end of Strategy
Term)
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Minimum
Crediting Strategy
Rates (for the life of
the IPCS)
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S&P 500® Price
Return Index1
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
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One Year
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Cap with
Par
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-10% Buffer
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1.50% Cap
100% Participation
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S&P 500® Price
Return
Index1;3;5
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
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One Year
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Cap with
Par &
Spread
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-10% Buffer
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1.50% Cap
100% Participation
1.00% Spread
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S&P 500® Price
Return Index1;5
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
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One Year
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Step-Up
Trigger
Rate
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-10% Buffer
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1.00% Trigger
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S&P 500® Price
Return Index1
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
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One Year
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Cap with
Par
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-20% Buffer
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1.50% Cap
100% Participation
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S&P 500® Price
Return
Index1;3;5
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
|
One Year
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Cap with
Par &
Spread
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-20% Buffer
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1.50% Cap
100% Participation
1.00% Spread
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S&P 500® Price
Return Index1;5
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
|
One Year
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Trigger
Rate
|
-20% Buffer
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1.00% Trigger
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S&P 500® Price
Return Index1
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
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Three Year
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Cap with
Par
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-10% Buffer
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5.00% Cap
100% Participation
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S&P 500® Price
Return
Index1;3;5
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
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Three Year
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Cap with
Par &
Spread
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-10% Buffer
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5.00% Cap
100% Participation
3.00% Spread
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S&P 500® Price
Return Index1
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
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Three Year
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Cap with
Par
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-20% Buffer
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5.00% Cap
100% Participation
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S&P 500® Price
Return
Index1;3;5
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
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Three Year
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Cap with
Par &
Spread
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-20% Buffer
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5.00% Cap
100% Participation
3.00% Spread
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S&P 500® Price
Return Index1
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
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Six Year
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Cap with
Par
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-10% Buffer
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10.00% Cap
100% Participation
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Index
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Type of Index
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Strategy
Term
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Crediting
Strategy
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Current
Protection
Strategy Rates
(if held until
end of Strategy
Term)
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Minimum
Crediting Strategy
Rates (for the life of
the IPCS)
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S&P 500® Price
Return
Index1;3;5
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
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Cap with
Par &
Spread
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-10% Buffer
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10.00% Cap
100% Participation
6.00% Spread
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S&P 500® Price
Return Index1
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-20% Buffer
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10.00% Cap
100% Participation
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S&P 500® Price
Return
Index1;3;5
|
U.S. Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par &
Spread
|
-20% Buffer
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10.00% Cap
100% Participation
6.00% Spread
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S&P 500® Price
Return Index1
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
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Cap with
Par
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-30% Buffer
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10.00% Cap
100% Participation
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S&P 500® Price
Return
Index1;3;5
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U.S. Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
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Cap with
Par &
Spread
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-30% Buffer
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10.00% Cap
100% Participation
6.00% Spread
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Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1
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Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
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One Year
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Cap with
Par
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-10% Buffer
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1.50% Cap
100% Participation
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Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;3;5
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Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
One Year
|
Cap with
Par &
Spread
|
-10% Buffer
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1.50% Cap
100% Participation
1.00% Spread
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Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1
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Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
One Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-20% Buffer
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1.50% Cap
100% Participation
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Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;3;5
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
One Year
|
Cap with
Par &
Spread
|
-20% Buffer
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1.50% Cap
100% Participation
1.00% Spread
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Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;4
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
Three Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-10% Buffer
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5% Cap
100% Participation
|
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Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;3;5
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
Three Year
|
Cap with
Par &
Spread
|
-10% Buffer
|
5% Cap
100% Participation
3.00% Spread
|
|
Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;4
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
Three Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-20% Buffer
|
5% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;3;5
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
Three Year
|
Cap with
Par &
Spread
|
-20% Buffer
|
5% Cap
100% Participation
3.00% Spread
|
|
Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;4
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-10% Buffer
|
10% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;3;5
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par &
Spread
|
-10% Buffer
|
10% Cap
100% Participation
6.00% Spread
|
|
Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;4
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-20% Buffer
|
10% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
Index
|
Type of Index
|
Strategy
Term
|
Crediting
Strategy
|
Current
Protection
Strategy Rates
(if held until
end of Strategy
Term)
|
Minimum
Crediting Strategy
Rates (for the life of
the IPCS)
|
|
Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;3;5
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par &
Spread
|
-20% Buffer
|
10% Cap
100% Participation
6.00% Spread
|
|
Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;4
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-30% Buffer
|
10% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
Nasdaq-100® Price
Return Index1;3;5
|
Non-Financial
Large Cap
Equities
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par &
Spread
|
-30% Buffer
|
10% Cap
100% Participation
6.00% Spread
|
|
MSCI EAFE Price
Return Index1
|
International
Equities
|
One Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-10% Buffer
|
1.50% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
MSCI EAFE Price
Return Index1
|
International
Equities
|
One Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-20% Buffer
|
1.50% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
SG Smart Climate
Index2;3
|
U.S. Large Cap
Equities with ESG
Characteristics
|
One Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-10% Buffer
|
1.50% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
SG Smart Climate
Index2;3
|
U.S. Large Cap
Equities with ESG
Characteristics
|
One Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-20% Buffer
|
1.50% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
SG Smart Climate
Index2;3
|
U.S. Large Cap
Equities with ESG
Characteristics
|
Three Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-10% Buffer
|
5.00% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
SG Smart Climate
Index2;3
|
U.S. Large Cap
Equities with ESG
Characteristics
|
Three Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-20% Buffer
|
5.00% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
SG Smart Climate
Index2;3
|
U.S. Large Cap
Equities with ESG
Characteristics
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-10% Buffer
|
10.00% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
SG Smart Climate
Index2;3
|
U.S. Large Cap
Equities with ESG
Characteristics
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-20% Buffer
|
10.00% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
SG Smart Climate
Index2;3
|
U.S. Large Cap
Equities with ESG
Characteristics
|
Six Year
|
Cap with
Par
|
-30% Buffer
|
10.00% Cap
100% Participation
|
|
Name
|
Term
|
Minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate
|
|
Fixed Rate Strategy
|
One Year
|
0.15%
|