Principal Protection

Your Savings, Shielded From Market Losses

A Fixed Indexed Annuity gives you a 0% floor. In down years you earn zero — you never lose principal or the gains you've already locked in.

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See How a Fixed Indexed Annuity Works

A short walkthrough from Ken Orenstein on protecting your principal, capturing market-linked growth, and turning savings into guaranteed lifetime income.

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Safety You Can Sleep On

Markets rise and fall — but with a Fixed Indexed Annuity, the value you've built is never at the mercy of a downturn. When the index you track declines, your contract simply earns 0% for that period. You don't give back principal, and you don't give back the interest already credited to your account.

Once interest is credited, it's locked in and becomes part of your protected balance. The result is steady, one-directional progress — and the peace of mind that comes from knowing a bad year in the market won't undo your retirement plan. These guarantees are backed by the financial strength of the issuing insurance carrier.

Fixed indexed annuity principal protection shielding retirement savings from market losses

Key Benefits

Downside Protection

Market drops can't reduce your contract value. Your principal stays intact through every downturn.

Locked-In Gains

Interest credited in good years is locked in and protected from future market declines.

Insurer Backed

Guarantees are backed by the financial strength of top-rated insurance carriers.

0% Floor

In years the index falls, the worst you'll earn is zero — never a negative return.

Principal Protection FAQs

What does a 0% floor actually mean?

It means the lowest interest your contract can be credited in any given period is zero. When the index you track has a down year, you simply earn nothing for that period — you don't lose principal or previously credited gains.

Can I still lose money in a Fixed Indexed Annuity?

Not from market losses — the 0% floor protects your principal and previously credited interest. The things to be aware of are surrender charges if you withdraw more than the penalty-free amount during the surrender period, and any optional rider fees. We walk through all of these in plain English so there are no surprises.

Are my gains protected once they're credited?

Yes. Once interest is credited to your account, it locks in and becomes part of your protected balance. A future market decline can't take those gains back.

Are Fixed Indexed Annuities FDIC insured, and who backs the guarantee?

Annuities are not FDIC insured — that program covers bank deposits. Instead, the guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance carrier, with an additional layer of limited protection through your state's guaranty association. As an independent broker, Ken Orenstein helps you compare top-rated carriers so you can choose one with confidence.

Explore the Rest of the Picture

Market-Linked Growth

Earn interest tied to the S&P 500 with tax-deferred compounding.

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Guaranteed Lifetime Income

Turn your protected balance into income you cannot outlive.

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Protect What You've Built

Get a clear, no-pressure explanation of how principal protection could fit your retirement — from a published retirement expert.

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