Why it earned this rating
Our assessment
Pinnacle Plus 3-Year is a clean, brand-name 3-year MYGA with a moderate 8%/7%/6% surrender curve, a 10% post-year-1 free-withdrawal allowance, and the same multi-period allocation flexibility as the rest of the Delaware Life family.
The short version
For a buyer who wants tax-deferred fixed-rate growth on a defined three-year horizon with a moderate surrender curve and brand-name carrier backing, Pinnacle Plus 3-Year is a credible mainstream choice. What makes it appealing is the 8%/7%/6% surrender curve and the simple 10% free-withdrawal mechanic after year 1. What keeps it from being top-tier is the short term itself — three-year MYGAs typically credit lower rates than 5- or 7-year siblings.
Key facts
The full review
Is Delaware Life Pinnacle Plus 3-Year a Good Annuity?
Yes, for the right buyer. This is a good annuity for someone who wants principal-protected fixed-rate growth on a three-year exit, can meet the $25,000 minimum, and values brand-name carrier backing. It is less appealing for buyers who can comfortably commit longer (the 5-, 7-, and 10-year siblings typically credit better rates) or for buyers who want lifetime income.
Why Someone Would Buy This Annuity
The main reason to buy Pinnacle Plus 3-Year is to lock in a defined fixed rate for three years from a brand-name carrier with a moderate surrender curve and a clean 10% post-year-1 free-withdrawal allowance. The secondary reason is the four-period family — Pinnacle Plus offers 3, 5, 7, and 10-year guarantee periods on the same chassis, so laddering across the family is straightforward.
Who This Annuity Is Best For
I think this annuity is best for someone using money they will need within three to four years (a CD-laddering alternative), who values brand recognition, and who can meet the $25,000 minimum. It is less attractive for buyers who can leave the money longer (better rates exist on 5-, 7-, or 10-year MYGAs in the same family) or for buyers who specifically want lifetime income.
What You're Really Buying Here
You are buying a three-year fixed-rate guarantee in a tax-deferred annuity wrapper. The Initial Guaranteed Rate is set at issue and applies for the full three-year period — compounded daily within the contract. Your principal and credited interest are not exposed to market risk, and there are no contractual fees on the contract.
How the Core Feature Works
You make a single qualified or nonqualified premium payment between $25,000 and $1,000,000. The Initial Guaranteed Rate is declared at issue and locks in for three years. Interest compounds within the contract. At the end of the three-year guarantee period, you can renew, withdraw, surrender, or annuitize.
Why the Secondary Feature Matters
The most meaningful secondary feature is the **family breadth**. Pinnacle Plus offers 3, 5, 7, and 10-year guarantee periods on the same policy form and same buyer-friendly structure. That makes the family well-suited for laddering — a buyer can split a larger premium amount across multiple guarantee periods to balance rate and liquidity needs without buying separate contracts.
Liquidity and Surrender Schedule
The 3-year surrender curve is 8%, 7%, 6%, then zero. After the first contract year, you can take up to 10% of last contract anniversary value (or RMD if greater) without surrender charge or MVA. Withdrawals above that amount during the surrender period are subject to surrender charges and MVA. RMDs calculated by the carrier are exempt from both. Nursing home and terminal illness waivers can waive surrender charges after year 1 for qualifying conditions (nursing home waiver requires purchase before age 76).
Fees and Tradeoffs
There are no contractual fees on Pinnacle Plus. The credited rate is the rate you earn. The MVA can move cash value up or down depending on the rate environment when you withdraw. The structural tradeoff is the term length itself — three years is a relatively short horizon, which means more conservative crediting than longer siblings.
Product snapshot
| Feature | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Product type | Multi-year guaranteed annuity (fixed) |
| Initial guaranteed period | 3 years |
| Surrender period | 3 years |
| Issue ages | 18-85 |
| Minimum premium | $25,000 (qualified or nonqualified) |
| Maximum premium | $1,000,000 per owner without prior approval |
| Plan types | Nonqualified, IRA, SEP-IRA, Roth IRA |
| Withdrawal charge schedule | 8 / 7 / 6 / 0 |
| Free withdrawals | After year 1, 10% of last anniversary AV or RMD if greater |
| MVA | Yes, during surrender period; waived at death |
| Systematic withdrawals | Annual, semiannual, quarterly, or monthly; $100 minimum, $5,000 minimum AV |
| Annuitization | Maximum age 95; single life, single life with period certain, joint and survivor |
| Nursing home waiver | Available after year 1; issue age cap 75 |
| Terminal illness waiver | Available |
| Death benefit | Greater of account value or surrender value |
| Income rider | Not offered |
| Policy form | ICC22-DLIC-MYGA |
Carrier snapshot
Pinnacle Plus 3-Year is issued by Delaware Life Insurance Company, headquartered in Zionsville, IN. Delaware Life is a mid-sized U.S. annuity carrier that is part of Group 1001.
Final take
Pinnacle Plus 3-Year is a clean, mainstream 3-year MYGA from a brand-name carrier. The moderate 8% surrender start, the simple 10% post-year-1 free withdrawal, and the four-period family available on the same chassis are all real practical advantages. The honest caution is the rate trade-off that comes with the shorter commitment. For buyers who specifically want the three-year exit and value brand and family breadth, this is a strong option in its peer group.