Question 1

What indices and crediting strategies does Index Analyzer compare?

Accepted Answer

Index Analyzer works with the crediting strategies in its reference data for a given FIA contract - the available indices, methods (annual point-to-point, multi-year, etc.), and their associated caps, participation rates, and spreads. NEST reference data may be incomplete or out of date, so verify the strategy list and terms against the insurer's current materials.

Question 2

Where does the historical data come from?

Accepted Answer

Strategy terms and the historical series come from NEST reference data, which supplies the caps, participation rates, and spreads the analyzer models against. Reference data is illustrative, is not verified against carrier filings, and may be incomplete or out of date. The rate sheets you import on the Rates board are your own and are kept separate from it.

Question 3

What is the difference between a cap, a participation rate, and a spread?

Accepted Answer

A cap is the maximum credit a strategy will apply in a given period regardless of index gain. A participation rate credits a fixed percentage of the index return rather than the full gain. A spread subtracts a fixed percentage from the index return before crediting the remainder. Index Analyzer applies whichever of these its data defines for each strategy, per period.

Question 4

Does the model use current rates or the rates in effect at the time?

Accepted Answer

It uses the terms assumed for each crediting period in its data. It is designed not to project current renewal rates backward over past periods, but the assumed historical terms are only as accurate as the reference data behind them. Results are hypothetical and are not a prediction of future results.

Question 5

How does the allocation comparison work?

Accepted Answer

After comparing strategies by modeled return, the analyzer builds a model allocation across the available options and places it next to two others: the policy's current allocation and a draft allocation you configure. All three appear side by side with per-strategy splits shown. The comparison is an analytical aid, not a recommendation.

Question 6

Can I open Index Analyzer directly from a client's in-force policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When a policy review flags an in-force contract, you can open the analyzer with that contract's available strategies already loaded, so a reallocation review starts from the policy on the book rather than a blank form.

#	Carrier	Product · Strategy	Index	Method	Terms	Return	Δ vs naive
TOP	Northmark LifeA+	Northmark 222S&P 500 Dual Directional	SPX	Dual directional	9.00% cap · 10.00% barrier	6.84%	-1.61%
2	Harborline AnnuityA+	Ascent Pro 10BNPP Momentum 5 PTP	BNPPM5	Point to point	60% par	6.42%	-0.98%
3	Fairhaven AnnuitiesA-	Accelerator Plus 14S&P 500 annual PTP	SPX	Point to point	10.00% cap	6.05%	-1.44%
4	Crestview LifeA+	Peak 10S&P 500 trigger	SPX	Trigger	7.25% trigger rate	5.71%	-1.02%
5	RidgewayA	Power Index Plus 7ML Strategic Balanced	MLSB	Point to point	2.00% spread	5.38%	-1.55%
6	Harborline AnnuityA+	Ascent Pro 10S&P 500 annual PTP	SPX	Point to point	8.50% cap	5.12%	-1.28%
7	Northmark LifeA+	Northmark 222Bloomberg US Dynamic Balance	BBUSDB	Point to point	55% par	4.86%	-0.94%
8	Fairhaven AnnuitiesA-	Accelerator Plus 14S&P 500 trigger	SPX	Trigger	6.75% trigger rate	4.61%	-1.19%

Model how FIA crediting strategies might have performed.

Model each period with the terms you specify.

Compare crediting strategies by modeled return.

Draft an allocation, then compare three of them.

Open it from a flagged policy review.

The rest of the annuity toolset.

Common questions.

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