Why it earned this rating
Our assessment
The Strategy Indexed Annuity Plus 7 earns a Good Option rating for combining a premium enhancement on new contributions in the first three years with four meaningful crediting options including an uncapped S&P 500 strategy. The flexible premium structure makes it one of the few American National FIAs where buyers can continue building the contract while also receiving an enhancement on new money.
The short version
I think the Strategy Indexed Annuity Plus 7 is best suited for buyers who plan to make additional contributions in the first three years and want those contributions enhanced. The optional income rider and four-strategy index menu add depth. Just make sure you understand the recapture schedule and surrender charges before committing.
Key facts
American National Insurance Company, founded 1905, A (Excellent) A.M. Best. The Strategy Indexed Annuity Plus 7 is a flexible-premium FIA with premium enhancement on contributions in the first 3 years, four crediting strategies, and an optional Lifetime Income Rider. Issue ages 0–80. Not available in Oregon.
The full review
Is American National Strategy Indexed Annuity Plus 7 a Good Annuity?
Yes, for the right buyer. The flexible premium enhancement is unusual and valuable for buyers who can make continuing contributions. The crediting menu is solid. The income rider makes this a dual-purpose product for buyers approaching retirement.
Why Someone Would Buy This Annuity
A 55-year-old who has $100,000 now but expects to contribute another $50,000 from a future rollover within the next three years. The premium enhancement means each new contribution starts with a boost. Over seven years, the combination of continuing contributions, enhancement, and indexed growth has real upside.
Who This Annuity Is Best For
Pre-retirees ages 50–75 who want a FIA they can continue contributing to over the first three years and want each contribution enhanced. Also appropriate for buyers who want the income rider option to eventually convert the accumulation to guaranteed income. Not well-suited for set-it-and-forget single-premium buyers (the Smart Start Accumulator is a better fit for those buyers).
What You're Really Buying Here
A 7-year flexible-premium FIA with a premium enhancement on contributions made in the first three years (enhancement amount varies — check current rate sheet). Four crediting strategies including the S&P 500 Value Cap (capped), S&P 500 Uncapped, S&P MARC 5% Low Volatility (uncapped), and Nasdaq-100 Growth Cap plus a Declared Rate option. Optional Lifetime Income Rider with income base growth and payout factors ranging from approximately 3.5% (age 50, single) to 7.5% (age 90, single).
How the Core Feature Works
Premium enhancement: each contribution made in the first three years of the contract receives an enhancement applied to it (current enhancement amount is stated on the rate sheet at time of application). The enhancement is subject to a recapture schedule: 100,90,80,70,55,40,20,0 over 8 years.
Four crediting strategies (annual reallocation available):
1. S&P 500 Value Cap — point-to-point with declared annual cap
2. S&P 500 Uncapped — point-to-point with participation rate, no cap
3. S&P MARC 5% Low Volatility Index — uncapped, participation rate
4. Nasdaq-100 Growth Cap — point-to-point with cap
Plus a Declared Rate option.
The optional Lifetime Income Rider (LIR) provides a growing income base. Fixed Rate LIR or Fixed Rate + Index Credit LIR options available. Rider fee charged annually against the annuity value.
Why the Secondary Feature Matters
The S&P MARC 5% Low Volatility Index targets a 5% volatility level by blending U.S. equities, international equities, commodities, REITs, and bonds. The multi-asset diversification with a very low volatility target produces consistent, if modest, index credits in most market environments — making it a low-risk uncapped complement to the higher-volatility S&P 500 Uncapped option.
Liquidity and Surrender Schedule
7-year surrender: 7,6,5,4,3,2,1,0. Enhancement recapture: 100,90,80,70,55,40,20,0 over 8 years (applied in addition to surrender charges on early exit). Free withdrawal: 10% of AV per year. MVA on excess withdrawals. Emergency waivers: confinement, disability, terminal illness. Not available in Oregon.
Fees and Tradeoffs
Optional LIR fee (check current rate sheet for specific charge). Not available in Oregon. Enhancement recapture on early exit.
Product snapshot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Flexible Premium Fixed Index Annuity with Premium Enhancement |
| Surrender Period | 7 Years |
| Issue Ages | 0–80 |
| Minimum Premium | $5,000 Q / $10,000 NQ |
| Premium Enhancement | Applied to contributions in years 1–3; recapture schedule applies |
| Enhancement Recapture | 100,90,80,70,55,40,20,0 over 8 years |
| Crediting Strategies | S&P 500 Value Cap; S&P 500 Uncapped; S&P MARC 5% LV; Nasdaq-100 Growth Cap; Declared Rate |
| Lifetime Income Rider | Optional; fee charged annually |
| Free Withdrawal | 10% of AV per year |
| Surrender Schedule | 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 |
| MVA | Yes |
| MGSV | 87.5% of premium less withdrawals |
| Waivers | Confinement, Disability, Terminal Illness |
| State Availability | Not available in Oregon |
Carrier snapshot
American National Insurance Company, founded 1905, Galveston, Texas. A.M. Best: A (Excellent). Part of Brookfield Reinsurance since 2022.
Final take
The Strategy Indexed Annuity Plus 7 is a differentiated flexible-premium FIA for buyers who want to continue contributing during the early years and want each contribution enhanced. The crediting menu is solid, the income rider adds flexibility for income planning, and the 7-year surrender schedule is relatively clean. Understand the recapture schedule before committing — early surrender is costly.