CHARLOTTE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Brighthouse Financial (Nasdaq: BHF), a major provider of annuity and life insurance solutions in the United States, announced today a new version of its FlexChoice variable annuity living benefit rider. The new rider, FlexChoice Access, expands the number of available investment options to more than 50, giving financial advisors greater control and freedom as they work with their clients to build guaranteed lifetime income. The FlexChoice Access rider is the latest enhancement to the Brighthouse Financial annuity family, and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to driving greater value for advisors and their clients throughout its focused product portfolio.

“We’ve listened to our advisors in the field and are responding with a FlexChoice solution that allows them to help clients invest more freely,” commented Myles Lambert, chief distribution and marketing officer, Brighthouse Financial. “At the end of the day, financial advisors understand their clients’ unique income needs better than anyone, and we want to empower them to help that lifetime income grow.”

FlexChoice Access is an optional living benefit rider that can be purchased with a Brighthouse Financial variable annuity. It provides contract holders with guaranteed lifetime income that has market upside potential, regardless of market conditions.¹ Redesigned to provide greater flexibility and choice, the updated rider allows financial advisors to design a tailor-made investment strategy from a wide variety of investment options, while no longer requiring allocation to risk-managed portfolios.

Unlike many VA living benefit riders, FlexChoice Access offers real-life flexibility for the ways life unfolds. It allows contract holders to start withdrawing income when they are ready, and allows them to choose whether to receive a level amount of payments for life, or whether to access higher withdrawals earlier in retirement. If a contract holder decides he or she no longer needs lifetime income, the rider provides options for cancellation.

As with previous versions of the rider, FlexChoice Access was designed to remove many of the tough decisions married clients often face when planning for retirement income. Prospective clients do not need to choose single or joint lifetime income options at issue. Additionally, income is based on the age of the older owner, so married clients can potentially get more income sooner through a higher withdrawal rate. There’s no extra charge to cover a spouse, and married couples even enjoy the same initial withdrawal rate as single account holders.

The launch of FlexChoice Access is the latest update to the company’s annuity portfolio following the expansion of its flagship Shield Level suite in August 2017. In its fourth quarter 2017 financial results, Brighthouse Financial reported a 26 percent increase in annuity sales in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to the fourth quarter of 2016.

“We are excited to add FlexChoice Access to our successful annuity portfolio, and believe it will serve as an excellent complement to our Shield Level products,” concluded Lambert.

The FlexChoice Access rider is immediately available through the company’s distribution partners.

For detailed information, please see https://www.brighthousefinancial.com/products/annuities/series-va-with-flexchoice-rider/

¹Conditional on contract holders staying within the provisions of the rider. For more information, please see the product prospectus at https://www.brighthousefinancial.com/products/annuities/series-va-with-flexchoice-rider/

Initial withdrawal rate refers to the rate established by the 1st withdrawal after age 59½ (age 59½ of the older owner if jointly owned) and prior to the contract’s account value reducing to zero. If the account value reduces to zero due to market performance or an allowable withdrawal, you can elect to receive income for 1 or 2 lives based on the applicable Lifetime Guarantee Rate. The Joint Lifetime Guarantee Rate is less than the Single Lifetime Guarantee Rate.

Prospectuses for the investment portfolios offered by a Brighthouse Financial insurance company are available from a financial professional. The contract prospectus contains information about the contract’s features, risks, charges, and expenses. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment company carefully before investing. The investment objectives, risks, and policies of the investment options, as well as other information about the investment options, are described in their respective prospectuses. Please read the prospectuses and consider this information carefully before investing. Product availability and features may vary by state. Please refer to the contract prospectus for more complete details regarding the living and death benefits.

Variable annuities are long-term investments designed for retirement purposes. Brighthouse Financial variable annuities have limitations, exclusions, charges, termination provisions, and terms for keeping them in force. There is no guarantee that any of the variable investment options in this product will meet their stated goals or objectives. The account value is subject to market fluctuations and investment risk so that, when withdrawn, it may be worth more or less than its original value, even when an optional protection benefit rider is elected. All contract and rider guarantees, including optional benefits and annuity payout rates, are subject to the claims paying ability and financial strength of the issuing insurance company. Please contact your financial professional for complete details.

About Brighthouse Financial

Brighthouse Financial (Nasdaq: BHF) is a major provider of annuities and life insurance in the U.S. Established by MetLife, our mission is to help people achieve financial security by offering essential annuity and life insurance solutions designed to help protect what they have earned and help ensure it lasts. Learn more at www.brighthousefinancial.com.

Variable annuities issued by Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, Charlotte, NC 28277 and in New York only by Brighthouse Life Insurance Company NY, New York, NY 10017. Variable products are distributed by Brighthouse Securities, LLC (member FINRA).