Why it earned this rating
Our assessment
Stride is structurally similar to Symetra Prestige but distributed through a different set of IMOs with a slightly lower rider charge (1.10% versus 1.25%) and a different crediting menu featuring the Putnam Dynamic Low Volatility Excess Return index. The 7.00% rollup is competitive, and the biennial crediting options give buyers a way to capture longer-term market moves at high participation rates.
The short version
For income-focused buyers who can commit for ten years and want a competitive rollup-based GLWB at a slightly lower rider charge than Prestige, Stride is a solid choice. The 1.10% benefit base charge is real but among the more reasonable in this peer group.
Key facts
**Product Type** Fixed Indexed Annuity (single premium)
**Issue Ages** 0–80 (rider 50–80)
**Minimum Premium** $25,000
**Surrender Period** 10 years (9, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0%)
**Free Withdrawal** 7% of account value after year one
**Crediting Options** 9 indexed strategies plus a 1-year fixed account
**Income Rider** Optional Signature Withdrawal Benefit; 1.10% annual charge on benefit base
**Rollup Rate** 7.00% compound for up to 10 years
**Market Value Adjustment** Yes
**Channel** FIG, Ash Brokerage, CreativeOne, Crump
The full review
Is Symetra Stride a Good Annuity?
Yes, for the right buyer. It is a good fit for someone age 50 to 80 who wants a long-duration income FIA with a competitive rollup-based GLWB and access through one of the contracted IMOs. It is not the right product for buyers who want short-term flexibility or who are sourcing through other channels.
Why Someone Would Buy This Annuity
The main reason is protected lifetime income through a competitive 10-year rollup design. The secondary reason is the biennial crediting option on the Putnam Dynamic Low Volatility Excess Return index at 185% participation, which lets buyers capture two-year market moves at full participation. The 1.10% rider charge is competitive within the peer group.
Who This Annuity Is Best For
I think Stride fits best for a buyer in their mid-50s to early 70s who has a 10-year planning horizon, wants a benefit-base rollup-style income guarantee they can defer, and is sourcing through one of the contracted IMOs. The product is also useful for buyers who want exposure to the Putnam Dynamic Low Volatility Excess Return index, which is differentiated from the SG Columbia exposure in Prestige.
What You're Really Buying Here
You are buying a tax-deferred FIA with a long surrender window, principal protection, and an optional rider that creates a separate benefit base growing at 7.00% compound for up to ten years. You are not buying market exposure. The benefit base is what your future income payments are calculated on; the account value is what you can access.
How the Core Feature Works
The optional Signature Withdrawal Benefit provides a 7.00% compound annual increase on the benefit base for up to 10 years or until income commences. Income percentages at commencement are based on age — 4.00% single at age 50, 5.00% at 60, 5.50% at 65, 6.00% at 70, 6.50% at 75, and 7.00% at 80, with 0.10% increments for ages between those shown. Joint payouts are 0.50% lower. The rider charge is 1.10% annually on the benefit base. The rider must be elected at issue and can be terminated at the client's request after the sixth policy anniversary.
Why the Secondary Feature Matters
The biennial Putnam Dynamic Low Volatility Excess Return strategy at 185% participation is the meaningful secondary feature. Most fixed indexed annuities limit buyers to annual crediting; the biennial option lets the contract capture longer market moves at full participation, which can produce meaningfully higher crediting in good two-year windows. Stride also offers a biennial S&P 500 strategy at 45% participation and a biennial JP Morgan ETF Efficiente 5 strategy at 155%.
Liquidity and Surrender Schedule
Free withdrawals of up to 7% of account value are available after year one. Surrender charges scale 9, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, then 0 percent over ten years, plus a market value adjustment. Nursing home and terminal illness waivers may apply.
Fees and Tradeoffs
The optional rider charges 1.10% annually on the benefit base (maximum 2.50%), versus 1.25% on Prestige's Signature Plus rider. Without the rider, there are no other base contract fees beyond surrender charges. The current fixed account rate is 3.25%. Indexed crediting includes a 5.00% S&P 500 annual cap, a 14.00% JP Morgan ETF Efficiente 5 annual cap, and a 10.00% Putnam Dynamic Low Volatility Excess Return annual cap.
Product snapshot
| Feature | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Product type | Fixed indexed annuity with optional GLWB |
| Issue ages | 0–80 (rider 50–80) |
| Minimum premium | $25,000 |
| Surrender schedule | 9, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0% |
| Market value adjustment | Yes |
| Free withdrawal | 7% of account value after year one |
| Crediting options | 9 indexed strategies plus a 1-year fixed account |
| Current fixed account rate | 3.25% |
| Income rider | Optional Signature Withdrawal Benefit; 1.10% on benefit base |
| Rollup | 7.00% compound for up to 10 years |
| Death benefit | Greater of full account value or minimum guaranteed surrender value |
| Surrender waivers | Nursing home, terminal illness |
| MGSV | 87.5% at 1–3% |
| State availability | Not available in New York; California variation |
| Channel | FIG, Ash Brokerage, CreativeOne, Crump |
Carrier snapshot
Symetra Life Insurance Company is part of Symetra Financial. The carrier holds an A rating from A.M. Best and an A from Standard and Poor's. Stride is distributed through select IMOs in the independent agent channel.
Final take
Symetra Stride is a thoughtful income FIA with a slightly more buyer-friendly rider charge than its sibling Prestige and a differentiated crediting menu featuring Putnam Dynamic Low Volatility Excess Return exposure. The 10-year surrender window and IMO-restricted distribution narrow the audience, but for the buyers it is meant for, it is a competitive option.