Death-benefit rider said to be a first. (New Products, Services).

Investment News, June, 2002

Scudder Annuities and Life of Chicago is offering what it claims is the industry's first optional 10% breakthrough death benefits with Scudder Gateway Plus Variable Annuity. According to the company, the 10% breakthrough with 5% roll-up optional death-benefit rider enables clients to capture market highs on any given day while providing beneficiaries with an effective annual yield of at least 5% on all payments to age 80.

The feature allows clients to lock in gains throughout the contract year, rather than only once annually. Scudder Gateway Plus also offers annuitization options and more than three dozen subaccount investment options. The optional death-benefit rider can be issued before a client's 80th birthday at an additional charge of 0.4%.