By locking in the one-year enhanced death benefit at the highest annual contract anniversary, you may be able to increase the value of your variable annuity for your beneficiaries. This is possible even if the market and the contract value are down when you die.

Rider details

With the One-Year Enhanced Death Benefit, your beneficiaries will receive whichever is more when you die:
  • The value of the annuity at the time we received all required paperwork in good order
  • The total purchase payments made to the annuity, less adjustments for amounts surrendered1
  • The highest contract value on any contract anniversary prior to your 80th or 86th birthday (depending on the variable annuity this rider is attached to), less any subsequent amount surrendered2

Age limits and costs vary depending on the contract. Please see the prospectus for details.

Available products

The One-Year Enhanced Death Benefit Rider is available with the following variable annuities.

Nationwide DestinationSM All American Gold® 2.0

Offers retirement income for those planning for or living in retirement.

Nationwide DestinationSM Architect 2.0

Offers growth potential and guaranteed lifetime income, without the high fees.

Nationwide DestinationSM B 2.0

Offers tax-deferred growth and varied investment choices in retirement.

Nationwide DestinationSM Navigator 2.0

Offers tax-deferred growth and varied investment choices to help prepare you for retirement.

Nationwide Destination Freedom+SM

Offers competitive, low-cost, investment-focused variable annuity (IFVA).
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[1] Each adjustment for amounts subsequently surrendered will reduce the death benefit in the same proportion the contract value was reduced on the date of the partial surrender.

[2] Adjusted contract value subtracts amounts subsequently surrendered and adds additional payments received after the contract anniversary.

When evaluating the purchase of a variable annuity, you should be aware that variable annuities are long-term investment vehicles designed for retirement purposes and will fluctuate in value; annuities have limitations; and, investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal.

A variable annuity is a contract you buy from an insurance company. It's designed to help accumulate assets to provide income for retirement. It will fluctuate in value based on the performance of the underlying investment options. You should also know that all guarantees and protections of a variable annuity are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. They don't apply to the investment performance or safety of the underlying investment options. Underlying subaccounts are only available as investment options in variable insurance contracts issued by life insurance companies. They are not offered directly to the general public.

You may be charged a penalty if you take your money out early, if you're not yet 59½ (additional 10% tax penalty), or both. Variable annuities have fees and charges that include mortality and expense, administrative fees, contract fees, and the expense of the underlying investment options.

Variable products are sold by prospectus. Both the product prospectus and underlying fund prospectuses can be obtained from your investment professional or by writing to Nationwide Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 182021, Columbus, OH 43218-2021. Before investing, carefully consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The product prospectus and underlying fund prospectus contain this and other important information. Read the prospectuses carefully before investing.