FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(3)
REGISTRATION NO. 333-195439
AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
Supplement dated November 2, 2015 to current prospectuses for:
This Supplement modifies certain information in the above referenced prospectuses, supplements to prospectuses and statements of additional information (collectively, the ‘‘Prospectus’’) offered by AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (“AXA Equitable”). You should read this Supplement in conjunction with your Prospectus and retain it for future reference. This Supplement incorporates each Prospectus by reference. Unless otherwise indicated, all other information included in the Prospectus remains unchanged. The terms we use in this Supplement have the same meaning as in your Prospectus. We will send you another copy of your Prospectus or supplement without charge upon request. Please contact the customer service center at 1-866-638-0550.
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit, Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit, and Earnings Enhancement Benefit Offer
This supplement describes an offer we are making to you in connection with your variable annuity contract guaranteed benefits.
This supplement contains important information that you should know before accepting this offer or taking any other action under your contract.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON YOUR PART
You are not required to accept this offer or take any action under your contract. If you do not accept this offer, your contract and the guaranteed benefits you previously elected will continue unchanged.
You should carefully read this supplement in conjunction with your Prospectus before making your decision regarding this offer. For current offer amounts, you can login to Online Account Access (“OAA”) by visiting www.us.axa.com. If you have any questions about this offer or for current offer amounts, contact your financial professional or call us directly at 1-866-638-0550.
Why am I receiving this offer?
You are receiving this offer because, at the time you purchased your contract, you elected a guaranteed minimum income benefit (“GMIB”) which provides the opportunity for guaranteed income regardless of market performance. In addition, you also may have elected a guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”), earnings enhancement benefit or Protection PlusSM benefit (together, the “EEB”). See Appendix I for information about the guaranteed benefits.
What is this offer? How does this offer work?
For a limited time, we are offering to give you a special credit amount (“Special Credit Amount”) in return for:
| • | terminating your GMIB, GMDB, EEB (each a “Guaranteed Benefit” and together, the “Guaranteed Benefits”) and the availability of the standard death benefit in return for a Special Credit Amount less a pro rata portion of any applicable GMIB, GMDB and EEB charge (this is referred to as the Full Buyout Option); or |
| • | reducing your Guaranteed Benefits and the standard death benefit by 50% and either withdrawing or transferring or exchanging into another contract or account (collectively, “financial instrument”) the following amount: 50% of your account value on the Valuation Date plus the Special Credit Amount less a pro rata portion of any applicable GMIB, GMDB and EEB charge (together, the “Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount”) (this is referred to as the Partial Buyout Option and this option is only available if your GMIB benefit base was at least $160,000 on the record date specified in your offer letter). If you elect the Partial Buyout Option, the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount cannot remain invested in your contract. |
Please also see “How can I evaluate this offer?”
Good order. The offer is not available on (i) a non-business day, (ii) a business day where another financial transaction, including a benefit base reset, is processed or (iii) the first day of a contract year. We will not consider your acceptance of the offer to be in good order if we receive it on such a day. If we receive your acceptance on such a day and it is otherwise complete, your acceptance will be processed on the next available business day. If you elect the Partial Buyout Option, this means that the entire acceptance, including the withdrawal, transfer or exchange of the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount will not be considered to be in good order and will instead be processed on the next available business day. The day we process your acceptance of the offer is the “Transaction Date”. The “Valuation Date” for purposes of this offer is the business day immediately preceding the Transaction Date. We will generally fulfill requests for payments within seven days after the Transaction Date. If you accept the offer and also request a partial withdrawal (other than the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount) on that same day, that partial withdrawal (which is a financial transaction) will be processed before your acceptance of the offer. We will process your acceptance of the offer on
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the next available business day. That partial withdrawal will be subject to any applicable withdrawal charges and will reduce the Special Credit Amount and the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount, if applicable. Accordingly, you should carefully consider the timing of any partial withdrawal request when you accept the offer.
Special Credit Amount. The amount of the Special Credit varies for each option and will be determined on the business day we receive your acceptance in good order. The Special Credit Amount is not considered a contribution to the contract and will not increase the benefit base for any Guaranteed Benefit.
If you elect the Full Buyout Option, the Special Credit Amount will be added to your account value in accordance with your future investment allocation instructions on file with us on the Transaction Date. Please note that you can change your future investment allocation instructions. Any investment restrictions imposed by the Guaranteed Benefits will no longer apply if you elect the Full Buyout Option. Accordingly, you may want to consider whether your investment allocations are still appropriate.
If you elect the Partial Buyout Option, the Special Credit Amount will be added to the portion of your account value that is being withdrawn, transferred or exchanged immediately prior to the withdrawal, transfer or exchange of the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount. The Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount must be withdrawn, transferred or exchanged into another financial instrument including a New Contract (See Appendix II in the prospectus supplement for more information regarding New Contracts). The Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount may be subject to income taxes and federal tax penalties. See “What are the tax implications of accepting the offer?”
The account value portion of the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount that must be withdrawn in connection with the Partial Buyout Option will be deducted pro rata from your investment options, which for certain contracts may include fixed maturity options. Depending on the relative difference between the rate to maturity that applies to the amount being withdrawn from the fixed maturity option and the rate to maturity in effect on the Transaction Date for new allocations to that same fixed maturity, as well as the length of time to the maturity date, it is possible that the market value adjustment could greatly reduce your value in the fixed maturity option. Carefully consider any account value in fixed maturity options and the impact of any potential market value adjustments before accepting the offer. For additional information including the potential impact of any market value adjustment, see “Fixed maturity options” in your Prospectus or call 1-866-638-0550.
Benefit changes. Your GMIB, GMDB, EEB and the availability of the standard death benefit will terminate or be reduced by 50% depending on which option you elect.
If you elect the Full Buyout Option, you will lose the guarantees provided by the GMIB, GMDB, EEB and the availability of the standard death benefit.
If you elect the Partial Buyout Option, in addition to the 50% reduction of your Guaranteed Benefits, your remaining contributions in the contract subject to withdrawal charges, if applicable, will be reduced by the Special Credit Amount plus the 50% of your account value that is withdrawn. Also, any remaining GMIB and GMDB dollar-for-dollar withdrawal amount for the contract year in which you accept the Partial Buyout Option will be reduced by 50%. Finally, any remaining free withdrawal amount for the contract year in which you accept the Partial Buyout Option will also be reduced or eliminated. Accordingly, it may be important for you to consider whether you will have a need for any withdrawals after accepting the offer. In addition, in subsequent contract years both your dollar-for-dollar withdrawal amount for your GMIB and GMDB and the free withdrawal amount will also be lower than it would have been if you had not accepted the offer and had not elected the Partial Buyout Option.
In addition to the termination or reduction of your Guaranteed Benefits, if the standard death benefit was in effect under your contract, it will also be terminated or reduced. If it was not in effect under your contract at the time you accepted the Full Buyout Option, it will no longer be available under your contract. Please note, if you accept the Full Buyout Option, the amount payable to your beneficiaries will be equal to your account value at that time, which could be less than your contributions.
If you elect the Partial Buyout Option, the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount cannot remain invested in your contract. Accordingly, you can: (i) withdraw the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount from your contract; (ii) transfer the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount to another investment product; (iii) exchange the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount for another annuity contract issued by an insurance company of your choice; or (iv) exchange the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount for a New Contract (see Appendix II of the prospectus supplement for more information about New Contracts, including how to obtain a prospectus and factors to consider before purchasing a New Contract). Please note that a New Contract may not be available in all states. Please speak with your financial professional for further information.
You should be aware that in certain versions of the contracts the GMIB may be voluntarily or automatically converted to a guaranteed withdrawal benefit for life (“GWBL”). If you have a contract that provides for the GMIB to be voluntarily or automatically converted to a GWBL and you accept the Full Buyout Option, upon termination of the GMIB you will no longer have the right to add a GWBL to your contract. In addition, any future GMIB or GWBL payments will be significantly reduced if you accept the Partial Buyout Option.
Charges eliminated or reduced. If you elect the Full Buyout Option, upon termination of your Guaranteed Benefits, you will no longer pay the annual charge for each Guaranteed Benefit. If you accept the Partial Buyout Option, upon reduction of your Guaranteed Benefits, the dollar amount of the annual charge for each Guaranteed Benefit will be less but the charge will continue to be computed based on the same annual percentage of the applicable benefit base. Under either option, a pro rata portion of any applicable GMIB, GMDB and EEB charge through the Valuation Date (defined below) will be deducted on the Transaction Date. If you elect the Partial Buyout Option, the pro rata portion is based on 50% of the applicable charge. Past Guaranteed Benefit charges will not be refunded.
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Please note that while the charge for each Guaranteed Benefit would cease or be reduced, the annual percentage rate we charge for separate account expenses would remain the same if you accept this offer. This means that if you accept the Full Buyout Option you will continue to pay the same annual percentage rate for separate account expenses as contract owners that have the standard death benefit, even though the standard death benefit would no longer be available to you.
Deadline. We must receive your acceptance of this offer no later than the date specified in your offer letter that was included with this Supplement (see “How do I accept this offer?” below). You can only accept this offer in its entirety and can only elect one option. If we do not receive your acceptance before the offer expires, we will consider you to have rejected this offer.
Why is AXA Equitable making this offer?
We believe that this offer can be mutually beneficial to both us and contract owners who no longer need or want some or all of the guarantees provided by the GMIB, GMDB, EEB and the standard death benefit. However, this offer may not be beneficial for everyone. If you accept this offer, depending on which option you elect, you would receive either:
| • | an increase in your account value and any applicable future GMIB, GMDB and EEB charge would cease, or |
| • | the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount (without incurring withdrawal charges) and the dollar amount of any applicable future GMIB, GMDB and EEB charge would decrease. |
We would receive a financial benefit because past market conditions and the ongoing low interest rate environment make continuing to provide these benefits costly to us. Providing the lump sum payments will be less costly to us than the amounts we are currently setting aside to guarantee the benefits.
You should carefully read this supplement before making your decision regarding this offer. This offer asks you to give up valuable benefits in return for the Special Credit Amount. If you accept the offer, your valuable Guaranteed Benefits and the availability of the standard death benefit cannot be reinstated and other suitable alternatives may not be available. You should only give up some or all of your Guaranteed Benefits if you have determined your need for a lump sum amount is greater than your need for some or all of the guarantees provided by those benefits.
How does AXA Equitable determine the Special Credit Amount? How much is the Special Credit Amount?
The Special Credit Amount will depend upon the option you elect, the group you are in and certain actuarial reserve calculations. As noted previously, the options are the Full Buyout Option and Partial Buyout Option. For purposes of calculating the Special Credit Amount there are two groups of contract owners. Most contract owners will be in Group 1. If you took an excess withdrawal (cumulative withdrawals in a contract year that exceeded a specific limit) in any of the three previous full contract years ending on or before June 30, 2015, or in the partial contract year from the most recent contract date anniversary through June 30, 2015, and that excess withdrawal also equaled or exceeded 25% of the contract’s account value as of the contract date anniversary immediately preceding the excess withdrawal, then you are part of Group 2.
For the GMIB and GMDB, we determine the Special Credit Amount based on contract reserves. The actuarial calculations for determining contract reserves consider:
| • | The owner/annuitant’s life expectancy (based on gender and age); |
| • | The current and projected account value; and |
| • | The current and projected GMIB and GMDB benefits. |
In general, the contract reserve for these types of benefits is the difference between the present value of expected benefit claims less the present value of expected benefit charges. We calculate the actuarial value of your GMIB and GMDB together.
Full Buyout Option. For Group 1, the Full Buyout Option Special Credit Amount is the greater of: (i) approximately 70% of this actuarial valuation of the GMIB and GMDB reserve on the Valuation Date and (ii) two times the GMIB and GMDB fee rates multiplied by the respective benefit base on the Valuation Date. In addition, if you elected the EEB, we will add an amount equal to two times the EEB fee rate multiplied by the account value on the Valuation Date.
For Group 2, the Full Buyout Option Special Credit Amount is the greater of: (i) approximately 25% of the actuarial valuation of the GMIB and GMDB reserve on the Valuation Date and (ii) the GMIB and GMDB fee rates multiplied by the respective benefit base on the Valuation Date. In addition, if you elected the EEB, we will add an amount equal to the EEB fee rate multiplied by the account value on the Valuation Date.
Partial Buyout Option. For Group 1, the Partial Buyout Option Special Credit Amount is the greater of: (i) approximately 35% of this actuarial valuation of the GMIB and GMDB reserve on the Valuation Date and (ii) the GMIB and GMDB fee rates multiplied by the respective benefit base on the Valuation Date. In addition, if you elected the EEB, we will add an amount equal to the EEB fee rate multiplied by the account value on the Valuation Date.
For Group 2, the Partial Buyout Option Special Credit Amount is the greater of: (i) approximately 12.5% of this actuarial valuation of the GMIB and GMDB reserve on the Valuation Date and (ii) 0.5 times the GMIB and GMDB fee rates multiplied by the respective benefit base on the Valuation Date. In addition, if you elected the EEB, we will add an amount equal to one-half of the EEB fee rate multiplied by the account value on the Valuation Date.
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The offer and acceptance letter included with this supplement indicates the Special Credit Amount under each option as of the date specified in the letter. In general, the larger your account value is relative to your benefit base, the smaller your Special Credit Amount will be (e.g., if your account value is $150,000 and your benefit base is $200,000 then your Special Credit Amount will be lower than if your account value is $100,000 and your benefit base is $200,000, all other things equal). The Special Credit Amounts may change each business day because the factors that we use to determine our reserve for these types of benefits change. For example, in determining your current and projected GMIB and GMDB benefits, we consider a number of factors including your current account value, your age, your allocation of contract assets among the investment options and interest rates. As these factors change, the Special Credit Amounts change. Therefore, the exact amount may be more or less than the amounts quoted to you in our offer letter and will depend on then current market conditions and any changes in our estimate of your then current and projected account value and GMIB and GMDB benefits when we determine the Special Credit Amount. In general, as your account value increases, the Special Credit Amount decreases. Similarly, as your account value decreases, the Special Credit Amount increases. For current Special Credit Amounts, you can login to your account by visiting www.us.axa.com or call us at 1-866-638-0550.
For most contract owners who accept the offer, the Special Credit Amount will be (1) less than the difference between the projected GMIB and GMDB benefit bases (or 50% of the projected benefit bases if the Partial Buyout Option is elected) and the account value (or 50% of the account value if the Partial Buyout Option is elected), (2) less than the contract reserves and (3) less than the benefit amounts given up or reduced.
We determine the dollar amount of the Special Credit Amount and Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount using values from the Valuation Date.
Examples for Group 1
Example 1:
Assume the contract owner is a 63-year old male who elected the GMIB and the Greater of GMDB at contract issue but did not elect the EEB. Further assume the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $183,000.00, the account value is $102,000.00 and it has been six months since his contract date anniversary. The initial Special Credit Amounts as stated in the contract owner’s offer letter are:
| • | $33,306.94 for the Full Buyout Option (and the increased account value of $134,116.00 = the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $102,000.00 + $33,306.94 – $1,190.94); and |
| • | $16,653.47 for the Partial Buyout Option (and the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount of $67,058.00 = 50% of the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $51,000.00 + $16,653.47 – $595.47). Immediately after the Partial Buyout Option acceptance, the account value is $51,000.00 and the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $91,500.00. |
Assume the contract owner accepts the offer 30 days later at which time the account value has decreased to $81,600.00. Further assume there are no changes to any other factors that affect the calculation of the Special Credit Amounts. The Special Credit Amounts would increase to:
| • | $37,833.04 for the Full Buyout Option (and the increased account value of $118,046.33 = the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $81,600.00 + $37,833.04 – $1,386.71); and |
| • | $18,916.52 for the Partial Buyout Option (and the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount of $59,023.16 = 50% of the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $40,800.00 + $18,916.52 – $693.36). Immediately after the Partial Buyout Option acceptance, the account value is $40,800.00 and the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $91,500.00. |
Example 2:
Assume the contract owner is a 62-year old male who elected the GMIB and the Greater of GMDB at contract issue but did not elect the EEB. Further assume the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $171,000.00, the account value is $109,000.00 and it has been ten months since his contract date anniversary. The initial Special Credit Amounts as stated in the contract owner’s offer letter are:
| • | $23,344.77 for the Full Buyout Option (and the increased account value of $130,491.29 = the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $109,000.00 + $23,344.77 – $1,853.48); and |
| • | $11,672.39 for the Partial Buyout Option (and the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount of $65,245.65 = 50% of the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $54,500.00 + $11,672.39 – $926.74). Immediately after the Partial Buyout Option acceptance, the account value is $54,500.00 and the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $85,500.00. |
Assume the contract owner accepts the offer 30 days later at which time the account value has increased to $130,800.00. Further assume there are no changes to any other factors that affect the calculation of the Special Credit Amounts. The Special Credit Amounts would decrease to:
| • | $16,694.13 for the Full Buyout Option (and the increased account value of $145,457.85 = the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $130,800.00 + $16,694.13 – $2,036.28); and |
| • | $8,347.06 for the Partial Buyout Option (and the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount of $72,728.92 = 50% of the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $65,400.00 + $8,347.06 – $1,018.14). Immediately after the Partial Buyout Option acceptance, the account value is $65,400.00 and the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $85,500.00. |
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Please note: If the EEB had also been elected, the Special Credit Amounts would have been higher. In the last example, the EEB would have added $915.60 to the Full Buyout Option and $457.80 to the Partial Buyout Option.
Additional Offer Amount Examples for Group 1
The following examples assume the contract owner is a 66-year old male who elected the GMIB and Greater of GMBD but did not elect the EEB and is six months past his most recent contract date anniversary.
| INITIAL VALUES | FULL BUYOUT | PARTIAL BUYOUT | ||||||||||||||||||
| GMIB/ |
Account |
Special Credit Amount |
Pro Rata GMIB and GMDB Charges |
Increased Account Value |
Benefit Base After Acceptance |
Special Credit Amount |
Pro Rata GMIB and GMDB Charges |
Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount |
Benefit Base After Acceptance |
Account Value After Acceptance | ||||||||||
| $150,000 |
$100,000 |
$23,243 | $ 975 | $122,268 | $0 | Not Available | ||||||||||||||
| $160,000 |
$100,000 |
$27,127 | $1,040 | $126,087 | $0 | $13,563 | $520 | $63,043 | $ 80,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $170,000 |
$100,000 |
$30,907 | $1,105 | $129,802 | $0 | $15,453 | $553 | $64,901 | $ 85,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $180,000 |
$100,000 |
$34,588 | $1,170 | $133,418 | $0 | $17,294 | $585 | $66,709 | $ 90,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $190,000 |
$100,000 |
$38,632 | $1,235 | $137,397 | $0 | $19,316 | $618 | $68,698 | $ 95,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $200,000 |
$100,000 |
$42,271 | $1,300 | $140,971 | $0 | $21,135 | $650 | $70,485 | $100,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $210,000 |
$100,000 |
$46,235 | $1,365 | $144,870 | $0 | $23,117 | $683 | $72,435 | $105,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $220,000 |
$100,000 |
$50,242 | $1,430 | $148,812 | $0 | $25,121 | $715 | $74,406 | $110,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $230,000 |
$100,000 |
$53,891 | $1,495 | $152,396 | $0 | $26,945 | $748 | $76,198 | $115,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $240,000 |
$100,000 |
$58,047 | $1,560 | $156,487 | $0 | $29,024 | $780 | $78,244 | $120,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $250,000 |
$100,000 |
$62,148 | $1,625 | $160,523 | $0 | $31,074 | $813 | $80,261 | $125,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $260,000 |
$100,000 |
$65,959 | $1,690 | $164,269 | $0 | $32,980 | $845 | $82,135 | $130,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $270,000 |
$100,000 |
$70,270 | $1,755 | $168,515 | $0 | $35,135 | $878 | $84,257 | $135,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $280,000 |
$100,000 |
$73,976 | $1,820 | $172,156 | $0 | $36,988 | $910 | $86,078 | $140,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $290,000 |
$100,000 |
$77,851 | $1,885 | $175,966 | $0 | $38,926 | $943 | $87,983 | $145,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| $300,000 |
$100,000 |
$82,045 | $1,950 | $180,095 | $0 | $41,022 | $975 | $90,047 | $150,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||
| These examples are hypothetical and are the result of a significant number of actuarial calculations using multiple market scenarios and many years of projections. The results are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to represent your particular situation. Your Special Credit Amount, pro rata charges, increased account value and Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount may be higher or lower than the amounts shown. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Examples for Group 2
Example 3:
Assume the contract owner is a 68-year old female who elected the GMIB and the Greater of GMDB at contract issue but did not elect the EEB. Further assume the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $161,000.00, the account value is $94,000.00 and it has been six months since her contract date anniversary. Finally assume the owner took an excess withdrawal (which was greater than 25% of the account value on the contract date anniversary immediately prior to the excess withdrawal) 15 months earlier. The initial Special Credit Amounts as stated in the contract owner’s offer letter are:
| • | $9,800.45 for the Full Buyout Option (and the increased account value of $102,755.56 = the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $94,000.00 + $9,800.45 – $1,044.89); and |
| • | $4,900.22 for the Partial Buyout Option (and the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount of $51,377.78 = 50% of the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $47,000.00 + $4,900.22 – $522.44). Immediately after the Partial Buyout Option acceptance, the account value is $47,000.00 and the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $80,500.00. |
Assume the contract owner accepts the offer 30 days later at which time the account value has decreased to $75,200.00. Further assume there are no changes to any other factors that affect the calculation of the Special Credit Amounts. The Special Credit Amounts would increase to:
| • | $11,791.44 for the Full Buyout Option (and the increased account value of $85,774.79 = the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $75,200.00 + $11,791.44 – $1,216.65); and |
| • | $5,895.72 for the Partial Buyout Option (and the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount of $42,887.40 = 50% of the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $37,600.00 + $5,895.72 – $608.32). Immediately after the Partial Buyout Option acceptance, the account value is $37,600.00 and the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $80,500.00. |
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Example 4:
Assume the contract owner is a 68-year old female who elected the GMIB and the Greater of GMDB at contract issue but did not elect the EEB. Further assume the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $223,000.00, the account value is $107,000.00 and it has been ten months since her contract date anniversary. Finally assume the owner took an excess withdrawal (which was greater than 25% of the account value on the contract date anniversary immediately prior to the excess withdrawal) 23 months earlier. The Initial Special Credit Amounts as stated in the contract owner’s offer letter are:
| • | $17,037.40 for the Full Buyout Option (and the increased account value of $121,616.51 = the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $107,000.00 + $17,037.40 – $2,420.89); and |
| • | $8,518.70 for the Partial Buyout Option (and the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount of $60,808.25 = 50% of the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $53,500.00 + $8,518.70 – $1,210.45). Immediately after the Partial Buyout Option acceptance, the account value is $53,500.00 and the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $111,500.00. |
Assume the contract owner accepts the offer 30 days later at which time the account value has increased to $128,400.00. Further assume there are no changes to any other factors that affect the calculation of the Special Credit Amounts. The Special Credit Amounts would decrease to:
| • | $15,122.61 for the Full Buyout Option (and the increased account value of $140,862.94 = the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $128,400.00 + $15,122.61 – $2,659.67); and |
| • | $7,561.30 for the Partial Buyout Option (and the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount of $70,431.47 = 50% of the account value + Special Credit Amount – pro rata charges = $64,200.00 + $7,561.30 – $1,329.83). Immediately after the Partial Buyout Option acceptance, the account value is $64,200.00 and the GMIB/GMDB benefit base is $111,500.00. |
Additional Offer Amount Examples for Group 2
The following examples assume the contract owner is a 64-year old female who elected the GMIB and Greater of GMDB but did not elect the EEB and is ten months from her most recent contract date anniversary. She has made a large excess withdrawal and thus is part of Group 2.
| INITIAL VALUES | FULL BUYOUT | PARTIAL BUYOUT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GMIB/ |
Account |
Special Credit Amount |
Pro Rata GMIB and GMDB Charges |
Increased Account Value |
Benefit Base After Acceptance |
Special Credit Amount |
Pro Rata GMIB and GMDB Charges |
Partial Option |
Benefit Base After Acceptance |
Account Value After Acceptance |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $150,000 | $100,000 | $ 7,644 | $1,625 | $106,019 | $0 | Not Available | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $160,000 | $100,000 | $ 8,847 | $1,733 | $107,114 | $0 | $ 4,423 | $ 867 | $53,557 | $ 80,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $170,000 | $100,000 | $10,200 | $1,842 | $108,359 | $0 | $ 5,100 | $ 921 | $54,179 | $ 85,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $180,000 | $100,000 | $11,479 | $1,950 | $109,529 | $0 | $ 5,740 | $ 975 | $54,765 | $ 90,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $190,000 | $100,000 | $12,726 | $2,058 | $110,667 | $0 | $ 6,363 | $1,029 | $55,334 | $ 95,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $200,000 | $100,000 | $14,058 | $2,167 | $111,891 | $0 | $ 7,029 | $1,083 | $55,946 | $100,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $210,000 | $100,000 | $15,447 | $2,275 | $113,172 | $0 | $ 7,723 | $1,138 | $56,586 | $105,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $220,000 | $100,000 | $16,742 | $2,383 | $114,359 | $0 | $ 8,371 | $1,192 | $57,179 | $110,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $230,000 | $100,000 | $18,113 | $2,492 | $115,621 | $0 | $ 9,056 | $1,246 | $57,810 | $115,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $240,000 | $100,000 | $19,453 | $2,600 | $116,853 | $0 | $ 9,726 | $1,300 | $58,426 | $120,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $250,000 | $100,000 | $20,914 | $2,708 | $118,205 | $0 | $10,457 | $1,354 | $59,103 | $125,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $260,000 | $100,000 | $22,230 | $2,817 | $119,413 | $0 | $11,115 | $1,408 | $59,706 | $130,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $270,000 | $100,000 | $23,608 | $2,925 | $120,683 | $0 | $11,804 | $1,463 | $60,341 | $135,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $280,000 | $100,000 | $24,989 | $3,033 | $121,956 | $0 | $12,495 | $1,517 | $60,978 | $140,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $290,000 | $100,000 | $26,332 | $3,142 | $123,190 | $0 | $13,166 | $1,571 | $61,595 | $145,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $300,000 | $100,000 | $27,755 | $3,250 | $124,505 | $0 | $13,878 | $1,625 | $62,253 | $150,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| These examples are hypothetical and are the result of a significant number of actuarial calculations using multiple market scenarios and many years of projec tions. The results are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to represent your particular situation. Your Special Credit Amount, pro rata charges, increased account value and Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount may be higher or lower than the amounts shown. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How can I evaluate this offer?
You must decide between: (1) keeping your Guaranteed Benefits and standard death benefit; or (2) fully terminating your Guaranteed Benefits and the availability of the standard death benefit and accepting a Special Credit Amount; or (3) reducing your Guaranteed Benefits and the standard death benefit by 50% and withdrawing, transferring or exchanging into another financial instrument the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount. See Appendix I for a description of the Guaranteed Benefits and standard death benefit.
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If you do not accept our offer, you would not receive a Special Credit Amount and your Guaranteed Benefits and standard death benefit would continue and any applicable charges would continue to be deducted from your account value.
If you elect the Full Buyout Option, your Guaranteed Benefits and the availability of the standard death benefit would terminate, and your account value would be increased. In the future, you would not have the option to receive the lifetime income guaranteed by the GMIB. If you have a contract that provides for the GMIB to be voluntarily or automatically converted to a GWBL, you will no longer have the right to add a GWBL to your contract in the future. Also, if a death benefit is payable in the future, the amount payable to your beneficiaries would be equal to your account value, which could be more or less than your contributions.
If you elect the Partial Buyout Option, your Guaranteed Benefits and standard death benefit, if in effect, would be reduced by 50%, and you must withdraw, transfer or exchange into another financial instrument the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount. In the future, the amount of lifetime income guaranteed by the GMIB (or guaranteed withdrawals if converted to the GWBL) would be less than if you had not accepted the offer. Also, if a death benefit is payable in the future, the amount payable will likely be less than if you had not accepted the offer. Accordingly, it is important for you to carefully consider whether the reduced Guaranteed Benefits and standard death benefit are sufficient for your needs.
The Special Credit Amount may be taxable to you when withdrawn, transferred or exchanged. In addition, any withdrawal, transfer or exchange in connection with the offer may result in income taxes or other consequences, including but not limited to, a 10% federal income tax penalty and negative market value adjustment and if transferred to another investment product could result in a new withdrawal charge period, loss of tax deferral, higher fees, inclusion in a mandatory fee based program, different investment choices, and different or no death benefit, income and withdrawal guarantees and annuity payout options. If you are considering exchanging the Special Credit Amount (which is included in the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount) into another contract (including a New Contract), you may wish to consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of receiving the Special Credit Amount and executing a full or partial 1035 exchange.
When you purchased your contract you made a determination that each Guaranteed Benefit you elected was important to you based on your personal circumstances at that time. The availability of the standard death benefit might have also been important. When considering this offer, you should consider whether you no longer need or want some or all of the guarantees provided by your GMIB, GMDB, EEB and the standard death benefit, given your personal circumstances today and your future needs because if you accept our offer, you are giving up or significantly reducing your income and death benefits. You should consider your specific circumstances, including your specific account values (with and without the offer), your GMIB and GMDB benefit bases, prior withdrawals during this contract year (increasing the potential for withdrawal charges in the future), future withdrawal charges (if applicable), and the following factors:
| • | How long you intend to keep your contract. |
| • | Whether, given your current state of health, you believe you are likely to live to enjoy the income provided by the GMIB. |
| • | Whether, given your current state of health, you believe you are likely to provide a death benefit to your beneficiaries. |
| • | Whether it is important for you to leave a guaranteed minimum death benefit from your contract to your beneficiaries. |
| • | Whether the Special Credit Amount available through the offer is more important to you than the current value of your Guaranteed Benefits and the availability of the standard death benefit (if you are considering accepting the Full Buyout Option) or the reduced value of your Guaranteed Benefits and the standard death benefit (if you are considering accepting the Partial Buyout Option). |
| • | Whether you believe that your account value, with the increase provided by the Full Buyout Option of the offer, may increase (through market gains) relative to how the GMIB and GMDB benefit bases may increase such that the GMIB and GMDB may become less valuable to you over time. |
| • | Whether you believe that your account value, with the increase provided by the Full Buyout Option of the offer, may decline (through market losses), stay the same, or increase slowly relative to how the GMIB and GMDB benefit bases would have increased such that the value of having the GMIB and GMDB may become more valuable to you and your beneficiaries over time. |
| • | Whether you believe that your remaining account value, along with the subsequent investment in another financial instrument of the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount, may increase (through market gains and/or other means) relative to how the GMIB and GMDB benefit bases may increase such that the GMIB and GMDB may become less valuable to you over time. |
| • | Whether you believe that your remaining contract account value, along with the subsequent investment in another financial instrument of the Partial Buyout Option Transfer Amount, may decline (through market losses and/or other means), stay the same, or increase slowly relative to how the GMIB and GMDB benefit bases would have increased such that the value of having the GMIB and GMDB may become more valuable to you and your beneficiaries over time. |
| • | Whether your need for income (or withdrawals) from this contract is more than you could withdraw without disproportionately reducing each applicable benefit base. |
| • | Whether, if you accept the Partial Buyout Option, your future need for income (or withdrawals) from this contract is more than you could withdraw without disproportionately reducing each applicable reduced benefit base. |
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| • | Whether you will need any subsequent withdrawals, transfers, exchanges or annuity payments from your current contract or any other contract you choose to exchange into such that the partial 1035 exchange requirements affect any such transactions. |
| • | Whether you will have a need for withdrawals after accepting the offer since any withdrawal, transfer or exchange in connection with the offer will be considered a withdrawal of contributions and will likely eliminate the current year and reduce the future years free withdrawal amount. |
You should assess your own situation to decide whether to accept the offer. Once terminated, the GMIB, GMDB, EEB and the standard death benefit cannot be reinstated. In considering the factors above, and any other factors you believe relevant, you may wish to consult with your named beneficiaries, and your financial professional and other advisors. We cannot provide investment advice to you, including how to weigh any relevant factors for your particular situation. We cannot provide any advice regarding future account value, including whether investment options under your contract will experience market gains or losses. In addition to all of the things you and your financial professional and advisors consider, please also consider the following two questions:
| 1. | Do you still need 100% of the guaranteed lifetime income provided by the GMIB (or guaranteed withdrawals if you have the right to convert to a GWBL)? If you do, and after consultation with your named beneficiaries, financial professional and other advisors you conclude there are no other alternatives that fulfill your needs, then the offer is most likely not appropriate for you. If, on the other hand, your circumstances have changed and 100% of the guaranteed lifetime income provided by the GMIB (or guaranteed withdrawals if you have the right to add a GWBL) is not important (or there is an alternative or other income product that fulfills your needs), then you may want to consider the offer and decide if one of the options is appropriate for you. |
| 2. | Do you still need 100% of the guaranteed death benefit? If you do, and after consultation with your named beneficiaries, financial professional and other advisors you conclude there are no other alternatives that fulfill your needs, then the offer is most likely not appropriate for you. If, on the other hand, your circumstances have changed and 100% of the guaranteed death benefit is not important (or there is an alternative or other death benefit that fulfills your needs), then you may want to consider the offer and decide if one of the options is appropriate for you. |
For most contract owners who accept the offer, the Special Credit Amount will be (1) less than the difference between the projected GMIB and GMDB benefit bases (or 50% of the projected benefit bases if the Partial Buyout Option is elected) and the account value (or 50% of the account value if the Partial Buyout Option is elected), (2) less than the contract reserves and (3) less than the benefit amounts given up or reduced.
If you accept the offer and elect the Full Buyout Option, any investment option restrictions or asset allocation requirements associated with the terminated Guaranteed Benefits will no longer be applicable.
If you accept the offer and elect the Partial Buyout Option, the amount withdrawn, transferred or exchanged pursuant to the offer will not cause your GMIB no lapse guarantee to terminate even if that amount causes your total contract year withdrawals to exceed your annual withdrawal amount. Subsequent withdrawals could cause your GMIB to lapse.
Most contracts receiving this offer are no longer accepting contributions. As a result, if you accept the Partial Buyout Option you will generally not be able to increase your “reduced” benefit bases or the standard death benefit through contributions to your contract in the future.
There may be circumstances where the Special Credit Amount is not much larger than the sum of the pro rata portion of each applicable GMIB, GMDB and EEB charge. For example, this could happen if the Special Credit Amount is based on the applicable GMIB, GMDB and EEB fee rates and it has been several months since your last contract date anniversary. In these situations you may conclude the offer isn’t appropriate for your needs.
How do I accept this offer?
To accept this offer, you may login to your account at www.us.axa.com. You may also accept this offer by completing the acceptance form included with this supplement. Please complete, sign and date the acceptance form and return it to us at the following address:
AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
Retirement Services Solution
500 Plaza Drive, 6th Floor
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Or you may fax the acceptance form to us at 1-816-701-4960. You cannot accept the offer before the date specified in your offer letter. We must receive your acceptance of this offer no later than the date specified in your offer letter.
REMEMBER: If you accept this offer, the Special Credit Amount will likely be different (more or less) than the amount in the letter, since the Special Credit Amount will be determined on the Transaction Date using values from the Valuation Date.
| • | If you accept this offer and elect the Full Buyout Option, the Special Credit Amount will be added on the business day we receive your acceptance in good order according to your investment allocation instructions on file with us. |
| • | If you accept this offer and elect the Partial Buyout Option, the Special Credit Amount will be added on the business day we receive your acceptance and all other necessary paperwork in good order including, but not limited to, transfer instructions and required documents, exchange instructions and required documents, or routing information, and then immediately withdrawn, transferred or exchanged as part of the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount according to your instructions. |
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We will not process your acceptance of the offer until all applicable requirements are satisfied. Additional requirements apply if you elect the Partial Buyout Option (including, but not limited to, transfer instructions and required documents, exchange instructions and required documents, and routing information). Transactions requested but not completed due to your failure to provide sufficient information, or for any other reason beyond our control, will not be eligible for the offer.
What are my options after I accept this offer?
If you accept the offer and elect the Full Buyout Option, you may choose to remain invested in your current contract, or if you do not want to remain invested in your contract without the Guaranteed Benefits and standard death benefit, you may, free of any withdrawal charges for up to 30 days after the expiration date shown in your offer letter:
| (i) | terminate your contract and receive the account value which includes the Special Credit Amount we add to your contract; |
| (ii) | transfer all or part of your account value to another investment product; |
| (iii) | exchange your contract for another annuity contract issued by an insurance company of your choice; or |
| (iv) | exchange your contract for a New Contract. (See Appendix II to this supplement for a comparison of some of the important features of your current contract and the New Contracts.) If you are considering exchanging your current contract for a New Contract and would like a copy of a prospectus, contact your financial professional. Before making a decision to purchase a New Contract, you should read the prospectus and carefully consider the features, benefits, risks, charges and expenses. We cannot recommend a course of action for you. Your financial professional will be able to explain the features of the New Contract, and provide you with the proper forms and application necessary to complete the transaction. New Contracts can only be purchased through a broker-dealer and are not available in all states or through all broker-dealer firms. See also “How can I evaluate this offer?” |
The offer to exchange your contract is distinct from our offer to increase your account value in return for terminating your GMIB, GMDB, EEB and the availability of the standard death benefit. You can accept the Full Buyout Option and reject our offer to exchange your contract. However, our offer to exchange your entire contract is not available unless you accept our offer to increase your account value in return for terminating your benefits.
If you elect the Full Buyout Option, a withdrawal charge will not apply to any full or partial withdrawal, transfer or exchange made no later than 30 days after the expiration date shown in your offer letter. Amounts withdrawn during this period will be considered withdrawals of contributions (to the extent any contributions remain subject to withdrawal charges) for purpose of calculating any applicable future withdrawal charges after this period and will likely eliminate for the current year and reduce in future years the free withdrawal amount. If we receive your request for a full surrender, transfer or exchange on the same business day we receive your acceptance of the Full Buyout Option, we will process that request the same day as your acceptance of the offer and withdrawal charges will not apply.
If you elect the Partial Buyout Option, a withdrawal charge will not apply to the withdrawal, transfer or exchange of the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount that must be taken from your contract. It will, however, be considered a withdrawal of contributions (to the extent any contributions remain subject to withdrawal charges) for purposes of calculating future withdrawal charges and will likely eliminate for the current year and reduce in future years the free withdrawal amount. A withdrawal charge, if applicable, will apply to any subsequent withdrawal, transfer or exchange from your contract. Moreover, the requirements for a partial 1035 exchange may affect the tax treatment of the transaction if you take subsequent withdrawals within 180 days of the exchange transaction either from your current contract or any new contract the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount is directed into. You should consult with your tax advisor prior to accepting this offer and also before executing any such subsequent transactions. You will continue to have all of the rights and benefits under your contract. However, our offer for you to exchange into a New Contract is only applicable to the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount. See “How do I evaluate this offer?” for additional information concerning the withdrawal of the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount.
Would accepting this offer impact my automatic payment plans?
If you are enrolled in the dollar-for-dollar withdrawal service, your enrollment will terminate if you accept either option. Systematic withdrawals will terminate if you elect the Partial Buyout Option but will continue if you elect the Full Buyout Option and retain your contract. Payments under the automatic required minimum distribution service will not be affected if you accept this offer. If you wish to re-enroll in automated withdrawal services, call us at 1-800-789-7771.
What are the tax implications of accepting the offer?
The tax implications of accepting the offer could vary depending on the type of contract you own, your age and other factors relating to your personal situation, and which option offer you accept. You should discuss with your tax advisor whether it makes sense for you to accept either option of the offer.
If you accept either option, the Special Credit Amount added to your account value would be treated as contract earnings for tax purposes. Therefore, we believe that like other earnings, there will be no tax consequences unless and until you take a withdrawal from, or surrender your contract. A withdrawal from or surrender of your contract may be taxable to you. An additional 10% federal income tax penalty may also apply if you are under age 59½.
Please note that if you accept the Partial Buyout Option, the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount cannot remain invested in your contract. If your contract is nonqualified and the transfer is to a financial instrument which is not another nonqualified deferred annuity contract (for example, if you asked us to transfer amounts to your brokerage account so you could buy mutual funds), it is treated just like a cash withdrawal. If the amount is
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exchanged to another nonqualified deferred annuity contract, whether issued by AXA Equitable or another insurance company, the transaction could qualify as a tax-deferred “partial 1035 exchange”. Part of your tax basis would stay with your contract and part would be allocated to the other nonqualified deferred annuity contract. You should discuss with your tax advisor the requirements for a partial 1035 exchange, particularly that withdrawing amounts from either the original contract or the new contract within 180 days of the exchange transaction could make the transaction taxable and reportable on your own tax return. To the extent that an amount is characterized as outside the contract, it would be fully taxable and not be eligible for a partial 1035 exchange in the case of a nonqualified contract.
If your contract is an IRA and the transfer is to a financial instrument which is not another IRA of the same type (for example, if you asked us to transfer amounts to your brokerage account so you could buy nonqualified mutual funds), it is treated just like a cash withdrawal. If it is a direct transfer to another IRA of the same type, AXA Equitable is not required to report on Form 1099-R if you request us to directly transfer any part of your contract’s account value directly to another IRA of the same type in a tax-free transfer. To the extent that an amount is characterized as outside the contract, it would be fully taxable and it would not be eligible for a direct transfer, or if received in cash, could not be rolled over to an eligible retirement plan.
More information about this offer
If you accept this offer and elect the Full Buyout Option, you will receive an endorsement to your contract that terminates your GMIB, GMDB, EEB, and replaces your standard death benefit with the return of account value death benefit. If you accept this offer and elect the Partial Buyout Option, you will receive an endorsement to your contract that reduces your GMIB, GMDB, EEB and the standard death benefit by 50%. Under the Partial Buyout Option, your contributions in the contract will be reduced by the dollar amount of the Special Credit Amount plus 50% of your account value on the Valuation Date, any remaining dollar-for-dollar withdrawal amount for your Guaranteed Benefits for that contract year will be reduced by 50%, any remaining free withdrawal amount for that contract year will be reduced or eliminated and the free withdrawal amount and dollar-for-dollar withdrawal amount will be reduced in future years.
You will not incur any new fees or charges as a result of accepting this offer although accepting the offer includes paying a pro rata portion of any applicable GMIB, GMDB and EEB charge on the Transaction Date. All expenses we incur in connection with this offer, including legal, accounting and other fees and expenses, will be paid by us and have no effect on your contract regardless of whether or not you accept this offer.
The Special Credit Amount is not a contribution and is not subject to any credits that may apply if you have an Accumulator® PlusSM contract. Therefore, you will not receive any such credit if you accept this offer. The Company will not recover the amount of any credits under an Accumulator® PlusSM contract if a withdrawal, transfer or exchange is made in connection with the offer.
If you elect the Partial Buyout Option, you must also provide instructions concerning the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount which may include, depending on whether you are withdrawing, transferring or exchanging, routing instructions, transfer instructions and exchange instructions. If any such information is incomplete or incorrect, your acceptance of the offer will not be considered received in good order.
Although we do not directly compensate your financial professional based on your acceptance of this offer, your financial professional may receive payments of varying amounts that may provide an incentive in recommending (1) whether or not you should accept this offer and (2) which option to elect. For example, if you accept the Full Buyout Option and choose to remain invested in your contract, the total dollar amount of any ongoing annual compensation to your financial professional and his or her firm may increase because your account value increased. Or, if you accept the Full Buyout Option and then transfer or exchange this contract for another financial instrument (including a New Contract) or surrender and purchase another investment product, your financial professional may receive compensation upon completion of that transfer, exchange or purchase. Likewise, if you accept the Partial Buyout Option and transfer or exchange the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount into another financial instrument (including a New Contract) or surrender and purchase another investment product, your financial professional may receive compensation upon completion of that transfer, exchange or purchase. You should contact your financial professional for information about the compensation he or she receives. For additional information about compensation paid to your financial professional, see “Distribution of the contracts” in “More information” in your Prospectus.
The offer may vary for certain contracts and in certain states and may not be available for all contracts, in all states, at all times or through all financial intermediaries. We may suspend, modify, or terminate the offer at any time. In the future, we may make new, additional or modified offers in connection with these benefits with different terms that may be more or less favorable than the terms described herein. In other words, we may make an offer to a group of contract owners based on an offer amount, and, in the future, make another offer based on a higher or lower offer amount to the remaining contract owners in the same group. If you accept the offer and elect the Full Buyout Option upon termination of your GMIB, GMDB, EEB and the availability of the standard death benefit, you will not be eligible for any future offers related to those type of guaranteed benefits even if such future offer would have included a greater offer amount or different payment or incentive. You may currently be receiving this offer as part of a group of remaining contract owners who did not accept a prior offer which may have been more favorable to you.
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Guaranteed Benefits and Standard Death Benefit Information
Guaranteed minimum death benefit base and Guaranteed minimum income benefit base
The Guaranteed minimum death benefit base and the Guaranteed minimum income benefit base (hereinafter, in this section called your “benefit base”) is used to calculate the Guaranteed minimum income benefit and the death benefits, as described in this section. The Guaranteed minimum income benefit and any enhanced death benefit will be calculated as described below whether these options are elected individually or in combination. Your benefit base is not an account value or a cash value. See also “Guaranteed minimum death benefit” below.
Standard death benefit. Your benefit base is equal to:
| • | your initial contribution and any additional contributions to the contract; less a deduction that reflects any withdrawals you make (including any applicable withdrawal charges). The amount of this deduction is described under “Accessing your money” in your Prospectus. The amount of any withdrawal charge is described under “Withdrawal charge” in “Charges and expenses” in your Prospectus. Please note that withdrawal charges do not apply to Accumulator® SelectSM contracts. |
6 1/2% (6%, 5%, or 4%, if applicable) Roll-Up to age 85 (used for the Greater of 6 1/2% Roll-Up to age 85 or Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit, the Greater of 6% Roll-Up to age 85 or Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit, AND for the Greater of 5% Roll-Up to age 85 or Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit , the Greater of 4% Roll-Up to age 85 or Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit AND for the Guaranteed minimum income benefit). Your benefit base is equal to:
| • | your initial contribution and any additional contributions to the contract; plus |
| • | daily roll-up; less |
| • | a deduction that reflects any withdrawals you make (including any applicable withdrawal charges). The amount of this deduction is described under “Accessing your money” and the section entitled “Charges and expenses” in your Prospectus. The amount of any withdrawal charge is described under “Withdrawal charge” in “Charges and expenses” in your Prospectus. Please note that withdrawal charges do not apply to Accumulator® SelectSM contracts. |
The effective annual roll-up rate credited to this benefit base is:
| • | 6 1/2% (6%, 5%, or 4%, if applicable) with respect to the variable investment options (including amounts allocated to the account for special money market dollar cost averaging under Accumulator® PlusSM and Accumulator® SelectSM contracts but excluding all other amounts allocated to the EQ/Money Market variable investment option), and the account for special dollar cost averaging (under Accumulator® and Accumulator® EliteSM contracts only). Certain versions of the contracts also exclude amounts allocated to the EQ/Intermediate Government Bond variable investment option; the effective annual rate may be 4% in some states. Please see “State contract availability and/or variations of certain features and benefits” in your Prospectus to see what applies in your state; and |
| • | 3% (2%, if applicable) with respect to the EQ/Money Market variable investment option (certain versions of the contracts also include the EQ/Intermediate Government Bond variable investment option), the fixed maturity options, the guaranteed interest option and the loan reserve account under Rollover TSA (if applicable). |
The benefit base stops rolling up on the contract date anniversary following the owner’s (or older joint owner’s, if applicable) 85th birthday.
Please see “Our administrative procedures for calculating your Roll-Up benefit base following a transfer” in your Prospectus for more information about how we calculate your Roll-Up benefit base when you transfer account values between investment options with a higher Roll-Up rate (4-6 1/2%) and investment options with a lower Roll-Up rate (2-3%).
Annual Ratchet to age 85 (used for the Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit, the Greater of 6 1/2% Roll-Up to age 85 or Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit, the Greater of 6% Roll-Up to age 85 or Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit, the Greater of 5% Roll-Up to age 85 or Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit, the Greater of 4% Roll-Up to age 85 or Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit AND for the Guaranteed minimum income benefit). If you have not taken a withdrawal from your contract, your benefit base is equal to the greater of either:
| • | your initial contribution to the contract (plus any additional contributions), |
-or-
| • | your highest account value on any contract date anniversary up to the contract date anniversary following the owner’s (or older joint owner’s, if applicable) 85th birthday (plus any contributions made since the most recent Annual Ratchet). |
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If you have taken a withdrawal from your contract, your benefit base will be reduced from the amount described above. See “Accessing your money” in your Prospectus. The amount of any withdrawal charge is described under “Withdrawal charge” in “Charges and expenses” in your Prospectus. Please note that withdrawal charges do not apply to Accumulator® SelectSM contracts. At any time after a withdrawal, your benefit base is equal to the greater of either:
| • | your benefit base immediately following the most recent withdrawal (plus any additional contributions made after the date of such withdrawal), |
-or-
| • | your highest account value on any contract date anniversary after the date of the most recent withdrawal, up to the contract date anniversary following the owner’s (or older joint owner’s, if applicable) 85th birthday (plus any contributions made since the most recent Annual Ratchet after the date of such withdrawal). |
Greater of 6 1/2% (6%, 5%, or 4%, if applicable) Roll-Up to age 85 or Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit AND the Guaranteed minimum income benefit. Your benefit base is equal to the greater of the benefit base computed for the 6 1/2% (6%, 5%, or 4%, if applicable) Roll-Up to age 85 or the benefit base computed for the Annual Ratchet to age 85, as described immediately above, on each contract date anniversary. For the Guaranteed minimum income benefit, the benefit base is reduced by any applicable withdrawal charge remaining when the option is exercised. For more information, see “Withdrawal charge” in “Charges and expenses” in your Prospectus. Please note that withdrawal charges to not apply to Accumulator® Select contracts.
Guaranteed minimum income benefit and the Roll-up benefit base reset
You will be eligible to reset your Guaranteed minimum income benefit Roll-Up benefit base on any contract date anniversary until the contract date anniversary following age 75 (or age 80 for certain contracts), if your contract has an annual reset. If your contract has a five year reset, you may reset the Roll-up benefit base to equal the account value on any 5th or later contract date anniversary, until the contract date anniversary following age 75. If you elected the Guaranteed minimum income benefit without the Greater of 6 1/2% (or 6% if applicable) Roll-Up to age 85 or Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit, you may reset its Roll-Up benefit base on each contract date anniversary until the contract date anniversary following age 75 AND your investment option choices will be limited to the guaranteed interest option, the account for special dollar cost averaging (for Accumulator® and Accumulator® EliteSM contracts) or the account for special money market dollar cost averaging (for Accumulator® PlusSM and Accumulator® SelectSM contracts) and the permitted variable investment options. See “What are your investment options under the contract?” in your Prospectus. The reset amount would equal the account value as of the contract date anniversary on which you reset your Roll-Up benefit base. The Roll-Up continues to age 85 on any reset benefit base.
If you elected both the Guaranteed minimum income benefit AND the Greater of the 6 1/2% (or 6%) Roll-Up to age 85 or the Annual Ratchet to age 85 enhanced death benefit (the “Greater of enhanced death benefit”), you will be eligible to reset the Roll-Up benefit base for these guaranteed benefits to equal the account value on any contract date anniversary until the contract date anniversary following age 75, and your investment options will not be restricted. If you elected both options, they are not available with different Roll-Up benefit bases: each option must include either the 6 1/2% Roll-Up or 6% Roll-Up benefit base. We will send you a notice in each year that the Roll-Up benefit base is eligible to be reset, and you will have 30 days from your contract date anniversary to request a reset. At any time, you may choose one of the three available reset methods: one-time reset option, automatic annual reset program or automatic customized reset program.
It is important to note that once you have reset your Roll-Up benefit base, a new waiting period to exercise the Guaranteed minimum income benefit will apply from the date of the reset: you may not exercise until the tenth contract date anniversary following the reset or, if later, the earliest date you would have been permitted to exercise without regard to the reset. For certain contracts, this may not be later than the contract date anniversary following age 85. See “Exercise rules” under “Guaranteed minimum income benefit” in your Prospectus for more information. Please note that in almost all cases, resetting your Roll-Up benefit base will lengthen the exercise waiting period. Also, even when there is no additional charge when you reset your Roll-Up benefit base, the total dollar amount charged on future contract date anniversaries may increase as a result of the reset since the charges may be applied to a higher benefit base than would have been otherwise applied. See “Charges and expenses” in your Prospectus.
Guaranteed minimum death benefit
Your contract provides a standard death benefit. The standard death benefit is equal to your total contributions, adjusted for any withdrawals (and any associated withdrawal charges, if applicable under your Accumulator® Series contract). Once your contract is issued, you may not change or voluntarily terminate your death benefit.
If you elected one of the enhanced death benefits, the death benefit is equal to your account value (without adjustment for any otherwise applicable negative market value adjustment) as of the date we receive satisfactory proof of the owner’s (or older joint owner’s, if applicable) death, any required instructions for the method of payment, information and forms necessary to effect payment, or your elected enhanced death benefit on the date of the owner’s (or older joint owner’s, if applicable) death, adjusted for any subsequent withdrawals (and associated withdrawal charges, if applicable under your Accumulator® Series contract), whichever provides the higher amount. See “Payment of death benefit” in your Prospectus for more information.
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If you elected one of the enhanced death benefits and change ownership of the contract, generally the benefit will automatically terminate, except under certain circumstances. If this occurs, any enhanced death benefit elected will be replaced with the standard death benefit. See “Transfers of ownership, collateral assignments, loans and borrowing” in “More information” in your Prospectus for more information.
Earnings enhancement benefit (or Protection PlusSM)
The Earnings enhancement benefit provides an additional death benefit. If you elected the Earnings enhancement benefit described below and change ownership of the contract, generally this benefit will automatically terminate, except under certain circumstances. See “Transfers of ownership, collateral assignments, loans and borrowing” in “More information” in your Prospectus for more information.
If the owner (or older joint owner, if applicable) is 70 or younger when we issue your contract (or if the spouse beneficiary or younger spouse joint owner is 70 or younger when he or she becomes the successor owner and the Earnings enhancement benefit had been elected at issue), the additional death benefit will be 40% of:
the greater of:
| (i) | the account value, or |
| (ii) | any applicable death benefit |
decreased by:
| (iii) | total net contributions. |
For purposes of calculating your Earnings enhancement benefit, the following applies: (i) “Net contributions” are the total contributions made (or if applicable, the total amount that would otherwise have been paid as a death benefit had the spouse beneficiary or younger spouse joint owner not continued the contract plus any subsequent contributions) adjusted for each withdrawal that exceeds your Earnings enhancement benefit earnings. “Net contributions” are reduced by the amount of that excess. Earnings enhancement benefit earnings are equal to (a) minus (b) where (a) is the greater of the account value and the death benefit immediately prior to the withdrawal, and (b) is the net contributions as adjusted by any prior withdrawals (for Accumulator® PlusSM contracts, credit amounts are not included in “net contributions”); and (ii) “Death benefit” is equal to the greater of the account value as of the date we receive satisfactory proof of death or any applicable Guaranteed minimum death benefit as of the date of death.
For Accumulator® PlusSM contracts, for purposes of calculating your Earnings enhancement benefit, if any contributions are made in the one-year period prior to death of the owner (or older joint owner, if applicable), the account value will not include any credits applied in the one-year period prior to death.
If the owner (or older joint owner, if applicable) is age 71 through 75 when we issue your contract (or if the spouse beneficiary or younger spouse joint owner is between the ages of 71 and 75 when he or she becomes the successor owner and the Earnings enhancement benefit had been elected at issue), the additional death benefit will be 25% of:
the greater of:
| (i) | the account value, or |
| (ii) | any applicable death benefit |
decreased by:
| (iii) | total net contributions. |
The value of the Earnings enhancement benefit is frozen on the first contract date anniversary after the owner (or older joint owner, if applicable) turns age 80, except that the benefit will be reduced for withdrawals on a pro rata basis. Reduction on a pro rata basis means that we calculate the percentage of the current account value that is being withdrawn and we reduce the benefit by that percentage. For example, if the account value is $30,000 and you withdraw $12,000, you have withdrawn 40% of your account value. If the benefit is $40,000 before the withdrawal, it would be reduced by $16,000 ($40,000 × 0.40) and the benefit after the withdrawal would be $24,000 ($40,000 – $16,000).
For contracts continued under Spousal continuation, upon the death of the spouse (or older spouse, in the case of jointly owned contracts), the account value will be increased by the value of the Earnings enhancement benefit as of the date we receive due proof of death. The benefit will then be based on the age of the surviving spouse as of the date of the deceased spouse’s death for the remainder of the contract. If the surviving spouse is age 76 or older, the benefit will terminate and the charge will no longer be in effect. The spouse may also take the death benefit (increased by the Earnings enhancement benefit) in a lump sum. See “Spousal continuation” in “Payment of death benefit” in your Prospectus for more information.
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If you are considering purchasing a New Contract you should contact your financial professional, who will be able to explain the features of the New Contract, and provide you with the proper forms and application necessary to complete the transaction. New Contracts can only be purchased through a broker-dealer and are not available in all states or through all broker-dealer firms.
AXA Equitable will permit owners of the contracts included in this offer to exchange their existing contract or Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount at net asset value for a New Contract. If you accept the Full Buyout Option, this exchange offer program is available if you accept our offer and exchange your existing contract for a New Contract no later than 30 days after the expiration date shown in your offer letter. If you accept the Partial Buyout Option, this exchange offer program is only available for the Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount. If you are considering exchanging your current contract or Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount for a New Contract and would like a copy of the prospectus for the New Contract, contact your financial professional.
Under this exchange offer program, the surrender of your existing contract or Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount will not trigger a withdrawal charge. The account value attributable to your existing contract or Partial Buyout Option Transaction Amount would not be subject to any withdrawal charge under the New Contract (but would be subject to all other charges and fees under the New Contract). You should carefully consider whether an exchange is appropriate for you by comparing the features and benefits provided by your existing contract to the benefits and features provided by the New Contracts and other investment products. The New Contracts do not provide the same guaranteed benefits, including the guaranteed lifetime income provided by the GMIB, that your contract provides. You should also compare the fees and charges of your existing contract to the fees and charges of the New Contract, which may be higher than the fees and charges under your existing contract and other investment products available to you. The purchase of a Structured Capital Strategies® Series ADV contract or an Investment Edge® ADV contract can only be purchased through an account established under a fee-based program offered by a registered investment adviser. The fees and charges of the fee-based program are separate from and in addition to the fees and charges of the New Contract and generally provide for various advisory and other services.
The following chart provides a summary comparison of some of the important features of your existing contract and the New Contracts. You should not rely solely on this chart in examining the differences between your existing contract and the New Contracts. There may be other differences important for you to consider prior to purchasing a New Contract. You should read your Prospectus and other information related to your existing contract and the prospectus for the New Contract prior to requesting an exchange to a New Contract. If you would like a prospectus for a New Contract contact your financial professional. Please note, this chart does not create or modify any existing rights or benefits, all of which are only established by your existing contract.
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Comparison of your existing contract and the New Contracts
| Existing Contracts |
New Contracts* | |||||||||||
| Existing Contracts prior to |
Existing Contracts after |
Structured Capital Strategies® Series C Contract2 |
Structured Capital Strategies® Series ADV Contract2 |
Investment Edge® |
Investment Edge® | |||||||
| Annual Administrative Charge |
$0 – $304 | $0 – $304 | None | None | $0 – $505 | None | ||||||
| Total Separate Account Annual Expenses |
1.25% – 1.70% | 1.25% – 1.70% | 1.65% | 0.65% | 1.25% | 0.30% | ||||||
| Maximum Withdrawal Charge |
0% – 8% | 0% – 8% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||
| Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit Charge6 |
0.65% – 1.30% |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||
| Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit charge |
0% – 1.15% | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.6% – 40%7 | 0.6% – 40%7 | ||||||
| Earning Enhancement Benefit Charge |
0.35% (Only applicable to Accumulator® Series ‘06/’06.5, ‘07/’07.5 and 8.0 contracts) |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||
| Protection PlusSM Benefit Charge |
0.35% (Only applicable to
Accumulator® Series |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||
| Choice Cost8 |
N/A |
N/A | 3% or 5% | 3% or 5% | N/A | N/A | ||||||
| Standard Death Benefit | The greater of: (i) your account value as of the date we receive satisfactory proof of death, any required instructions for the method of payment, and all information and forms necessary to effect payment; and (ii) your total contributions, adjusted for withdrawals (and any associated withdrawal charges, if applicable). |
Your account value as of the date we receive satisfactory proof of death, any required instructions for the method of payment, and all information and forms necessary to effect payment. | Your account value as of the date we receive satisfactory proof of death, any required instructions for the method of payment, and all information and forms necessary to effect payment. | Your account value as of the date we receive satisfactory proof of death, any required instructions for the method of payment, and all information and forms necessary to effect payment. | Your account value as of the date we receive satisfactory proof of death, any required instructions for the method of payment, and all information and forms necessary to effect payment. | Your account value as of the date we receive satisfactory proof of death, any required instructions for the method of payment, and all information and forms necessary to effect payment. | ||||||
| Variable Investment Options9 |
37 |
37 |
3 |
3 |
134 |
134 | ||||||
| Structured Investment Options10 |
N/A | N/A | 21 | 21 | N/A | N/A | ||||||
|
Lifetime minimum guaranteed interest rate in the guaranteed interest option |
1% – 3% | 1% – 3% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||
| Fixed Maturity Options11 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No | ||||||
| Existing Contracts |
New Contracts* | |||||||||||
| Existing
Contracts prior to |
Existing
Contracts after |
Structured Capital Strategies® Series C Contract2 |
Structured Capital Strategies® Series ADV Contract2 |
Investment
Edge® |
Investment Edge® | |||||||
| Annual Fund Facilitation Fee | No | No | No | No | Maximum charge: 0.70% Current charge12: 0.00% |
Maximum charge: 0.70% Current charge12: 0.00% | ||||||
| Mandatory Fee Based Program |
No |
No |
No |
Yes13 |
No |
Yes13 | ||||||
| Loan Features (If your employer’s plan permits) | Yes - Applicable to Accumulator® Series ‘04 through 8.0 contracts |
Yes - Applicable to Accumulator® Series ‘04 through 8.0 contracts |
No | No | No | No | ||||||
Subsequent Contributions |
No14 |
No14 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | ||||||
| * | A New Contract may not be available in all states. Please speak with your financial professional or our customer service representative for further information. |
| 1 | The Accumulator® Series Prospectus offers a variable deferred annuity contract to accumulate value on a tax deferred basis by investing in one or more investment options, including variable and fixed investment options. For more information, please refer to the Accumulator® Series Prospectus. |
| 2 | The Structured Capital Strategies® Prospectus offers a variable and indexed-deferred annuity contract to accumulate value on a tax deferred basis by investing in variable investments options and/or structured investment options. Structured investment options provide performance tied to the performance of a securities or commodities indexed for a set period of time. Please note that if you exchange into a Structured Capital Strategies® Series ADV contract there are fees and expenses of a fee-based program that are separate from and in addition to the fees and expenses of the contract, including other conditions related to brokerage services. For more information, please refer to the Structured Capital Strategies® Prospectus. |
| 3 | The Investment Edge® and Investment Edge® 15.0 Prospectuses offer variable deferred annuity contracts to accumulate value on a tax deferred basis by investing in one or more variable investment options and provide a number of payout options. The Investment Edge® 15.0 Prospectus also provides a death benefit protection option. Please note that if you exchange into either Investment Edge® ADV contract there are fees and expenses of a fee-based program that are separate from and in addition to the fees and expenses of the contract, including other conditions related to brokerage services. For more information, please refer to the Investment Edge® and/or Investment Edge® 15.0 Prospectus. |
| 4 | The charge, if applicable, is $30 for each contract year. If the contract is surrendered or annuitized, or a death benefit is paid on any date other than a contract anniversary, we will deduct a pro rata portion of the annual administrative charge for that year. |
| 5 | Beginning with your first contract date anniversary, we will deduct a charge of $50 on any contract date anniversary on which your account value is less than $50,000. If the contract is surrendered or annuitized or a death benefit is paid on any date other than the contract date anniversary, we will deduct a pro rata portion of the charge for that year. Otherwise, we will deduct the full charge. This charge will no longer apply to NQ contracts following election of an Income Edge payment program, even if your account value falls below $50,000. |
| 6 | Not all guaranteed benefits may be currently available to you since certain guaranteed benefits had to be elected at issue of the contract and/or are not available in combination with other elected guaranteed benefits. Please refer to your Accumulator® Series Prospectus for more information. |
| 7 | The charge, if applicable, is calculated daily as a percentage of your net amount at risk and deducted annually on each contract date anniversary for which the benefit is in effect. If on any date other than the contract date anniversary your contract is surrendered or annuitized, Income Edge® is elected and becomes effective, a death benefit is paid, or the death benefit is terminated, we will deduct the cumulative accrued charge for that year from your account value. |
| 8 | Choice cost is a charge which is only applicable if a contract owner elects to invest in Choice Segments under the Structured Capital Strategies® contract. Subject to certain conditions, Choice cost is equal to 3% or 5% for a Choice Segment to the corresponding 3-year or 5-year segment duration that you elect. For more information on Choice costs, please refer to the Structured Capital Strategies® Prospectus. If a withdrawal is taken from a Segment prior to the Segment Maturity Date the Segment Investment and Segment Interim Value will be adjusted. |
| 9 | The number of investment options available under a particular contract is subject to change. Please refer to your Prospectus for more information on investment options available under your contract. |
| 10 | The Structured Investment Option permits you to invest in one or more Segments, each of which provides performance tied to the performance of an index such as the S&P 500 Price Return Index (the “Index”), for a set period of time. The Structured Investment Option does not involve an investment in any underlying portfolio. Instead, it is an obligation of AXA Equitable. Unlike an index fund, the Structured Investment Option provides a return at maturity designed to provide protection against certain decreases in the Index in exchange for a limitation on participation in certain increases in the Index. The extent of the downside protection at maturity ranges from the first 10%, 20%, or 30% of loss. This means that you could lose up to 70% of your principal with a -30% Segment Buffer, up to 80% of your principal with a -20% Segment Buffer and up to 90% of your principal with a -10% Segment Buffer. See the Structured Capital Strategies® Prospectus for more information. |
| 11 | Fixed Maturity Options offer a fixed rate of interest if held to maturity. Fixed Maturity Options generally have maturity dates that range from one to ten years. Withdrawals or transfers from a Fixed Maturity Option prior to maturity may be subject to a market value adjustment, which may increase or decrease the account value. See “fixed maturity options” in your Prospectus for more information. This feature is not available in all contracts or in all states. |
| 12 | Currently, we do not charge this fee for any variable investment option Investment Edge 15.0 offers. |
| 13 | The fees and expenses of a fee-based program are separate from and in addition to the fees and expenses of the annuity contract. You should consult with your program sponsor for more details about your particular fee-based arrangement. |
| 14 | Subject to certain state variations. |
For current offer amounts, you can login to your account by visiting www.us.axa.com or call us at the number listed below.
If you have any questions about this offer or would like a copy of the current Prospectus for your contract, contact your financial professional or call us directly at 1-866-638-0550.
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