LNC - As Americans' Interest in Annuities Rises Lincoln Financial Group Enhances Top-Selling Indexed Variable Annuity

Lincoln’s proprietary index offers clients a new investment option with exposure to American companies at the forefront of their industries

As investors continue to seek protected growth – total annuity sales jumped 16% in 2021, marking the highest sales since 2008 ¹ , according to the Secure Retirement Institute’s U.S. Individual Annuity Sales Study – Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) is expanding investment options for its best-selling indexed variable annuity, Lincoln Level Advantage ^® with a new blended index that provides exposure to U.S. companies demonstrating leadership in technology, economic growth and stability.

With a focus on providing customers with diversification and growth potential, the First Trust American Leadership Index™ aims to track a blend of equally weighted allocations to four indices, providing exposure to quality U.S. companies across all sectors poised to drive growth and innovation, with an emphasis on technology leaders and quality and growth-oriented dividend payers. In addition to several investing options that Lincoln Level Advantage already provides, Lincoln Financial’s latest offering allows investors to capture the performance of these leading companies focused on driving growth and profitability in the U.S. within one single index. The new index is available with Lincoln Level Advantage through FT Indexing Solutions, LLC, a privately held company whose affiliates have been providing investment services for more than 30 years.

“In 2021, Lincoln offered investors more product choice than any other top 10 annuity provider in the industry ² ,” said Brian Kroll, senior vice president and head of Annuity Solutions, Lincoln Financial. “As we remain focused on offering solutions that help people achieve financially-secure futures, enhancing our broad portfolio with an option like FT Indexing Solutions’ blended index is the latest example of Lincoln’s innovative approach to helping provide protection levels and long-term growth for everyday Americans.”

About Lincoln Level Advantage

Since its launch in May 2018, Lincoln Level Advantage indexed variable annuity has been Lincoln’s most successful product launch to-date with more than $13 billion in lifetime sales. The indexed variable annuity provides investors the ability to tailor a combination of protection levels with indexed account options to help meet their risk tolerance, individual investment style and retirement income planning goals.

The product has been lauded by investors and the industry alike, earning recognition from Structured Retail Products in 2019 and 2021, was the number one selling registered index-linked annuity in the industry for 2020 ³ and named in Barron’s annual “The 100 Best Annuities for Today’s Market ” feature more times than any other annuity carrier.

For more information about Lincoln Level Advantage indexed variable annuity, visit www.LFG.com/LevelAdvantage .

About Lincoln Financial

Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help people take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, and guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. The company had $324 billion in end-of-period account values as of December 31, 2021. Lincoln Financial Group is a committed corporate citizen included on major sustainability indices including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America and FTSE4Good and ranks among Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies. Dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion, we are included on transparency benchmarking tools such as the Corporate Equality Index, the Disability Equality Index and the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. Committed to providing our employees with flexible work arrangements, we were named to FlexJobs’ list of the Top 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Jobs in 2022. Learn more at: www.LincolnFinancial.com . Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , and Instagram . Sign up for email alerts at http://newsroom.lfg.com .

Important Information:

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS .

The First Trust American Leadership Index™ (“FTIS Index”) is a product of and owned by FT Indexing Solutions LLC (“FTIS”). FIRST TRUST® and FIRST TRUST AMERICAN LEADERSHIP INDEX™ are trademarks of First Trust Portfolios L.P. (collectively, with FTIS and their respective affiliates, “First Trust”). The foregoing index and trademarks have been licensed for use for certain purposes by Licensee in connection with the Product.

The Dow Jones Internet Composite Index™ (“Dow Index”) is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and has been licensed for use by FTIS and Licensee. S&P® is a trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Service LLC. DOW JONES® and DOW JONES INTERNET COMPOSITE INDEX are trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). The foregoing trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and have been sublicensed for use for certain purposes by FTIS and Licensee in connection with the FTIS Index and the Product.

The Nasdaq U.S. Rising Dividend Achievers Index™ and Nasdaq Technology Dividend Index™ are products of Nasdaq, Inc. (which with its affiliates is referred to as the “Nasdaq”). NASDAQ®, NASDAQ U.S. RISING DIVIDEND ACHIEVERS INDEX, and NASDAQ TECHNOLOGY DIVIDEND INDEX are trademarks of Nasdaq. The foregoing indices (collectively, the “Nasdaq Indices”) and trademarks have been licensed for use for certain purposes by FTIS and Licensee in connection with the FTIS Index and Product.

The Nasdaq Riskalyze U.S. Large Cap Select Dividend Index™ (“Riskalyze Index”) is a product of Riskalyze, Inc. (“Riskalyze”). RISKALYZE® and NASDAQ RISKALYZE U.S. LARGE CAP SELECT DIVIDEND INDEX are trademarks of Riskalyze. NASDAQ® is a trademark of Nasdaq, Inc. The foregoing index and trademarks have been licensed for use for certain purposes by FTIS and Licensee in connection with the FTIS Index and the Product.

The Product is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, sold, recommended, or promoted by First Trust, SPDJI, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Riskalyze, or their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Companies”). The Companies do not make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Product or products based on the FTIS Index, Dow Index, Nasdaq Indices, or Riskalyze Index, do not make any warranties or bear any liability with respect to such products, and do not make any warranties or bear any liability with respect to the Product or another party’s index.

Lincoln Financial Group® affiliates, their distributors, and their respective employees, representatives, and/or insurance agents do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Please consult an independent professional as to any tax, accounting, or legal statements made herein.

Lincoln Level Advantage® indexed variable annuity is a long-term investment product designed for retirement purposes. There are no explicit fees associated with the indexed-linked account options available. There are associated fees with the variable annuity subaccounts, which include a product charge, and administrative fees. Annuities are subject to market risk including loss of principal. Withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax treatment and, if taken prior to age 59½ in nonqualified contracts, may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax.

Indexed-linked variable annuity products are complex insurance and investment vehicles and are subject to surrender charges for early withdrawals. Please reference the prospectus for information about the levels of protection available and other important product information.

The risk of loss occurs each time you move into a new indexed account after the end of an indexed term. The protection level option selected in the indexed account helps protect you from some downside risk. If the negative return is in excess of the protection level selected, there is a risk of loss of principal. Protection levels vary based on the index, crediting strategy and term selected are subject to change and may not be available with every option. Please see the prospectus for details.

Investors are advised to consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the annuity and its underlying investment options carefully before investing. The applicable prospectuses for the variable annuity and its underlying investment options contain this and other important information. Please call for free prospectuses. Read them carefully before investing or sending money. Products and features are subject to state availability.

Lincoln Level Advantage ^® indexed variable annuities (contract form 30070-B or 30070-A and state variations; contract forms 30070-BID and 30070-A-ID 8/03 in Idaho) are issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker-dealer. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorized to do so.

All contract and rider guarantees, including those for optional benefits, payment of the amount from the indexed accounts, or annuity payout rates, are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. They are not subject to the broker-dealer or insurance agency from which this annuity is purchased, or any affiliates of those entities other than the issuing company affiliates, and none makes any representations or guarantees regarding the claims-paying ability of the issuer.

This product and the components and features contained within are not available in all states or firms. Please reach out to your registered representative for more details on state approvals and firm guidelines.

There is no additional tax-deferral benefit for an annuity contract purchased in an IRA or other tax-qualified plan.

Not available in New York.

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and its affiliates. Affiliates are separately responsible for their own financial and contractual obligations.

For use with the general public.

LCN-4341881-021822

¹ LIMRA Press Release , January 27, 2022

² Source: Based on total amount of deferred annuities and riders actively marketed per each Top 10 carrier in 2021, according to Wink, Inc.

³ Lincoln Financial Group, October 2021

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220302005143/en/

Sarah Boxler
Sarah.Boxler@lfg.com