Grow future income with the Income Ascender rider

An optional income rider to help take financial futures above and beyond.

Build income with the Income Ascender rider

When purchasing a fixed-indexed annuity (FIA) from MassMutual Ascend, there may be the opportunity to add the Income Ascender rider. It protects the money already accumulated, while also providing guaranteed growth of future income. With competitive features, this optional rider can help bridge the income gap and reach retirement goals.

What are the advantages?

Guaranteed income

The Income Ascender rider provides guaranteed growth of the benefit base, and when it’s time to start receiving income, a guaranteed stream for life.

Flexibility

The Income Ascender rider allows for flexibility to choose when to receive income and whether it’s single or joint lifetime income.

Return of rider charges

At death, the contract’s death benefit is payable, and the rider charges are refunded if income payments haven’t started.

See the Income Ascender rider in action

Carl plans to retire at age 67, so he knows that he will receive his full Social Security benefits – but that still won’t provide him enough guaranteed income. He wants more protection against unexpected risk and security that he’ll be able to live how he wants to in retirement. He decides to purchase a FIA with a $100,000 purchase payment at the age of 66. He is considering adding the Income Ascender rider for enhanced income opportunity – how does it work?

First, Carl’s benefit base grows regardless of market conditions

By adding the Income Ascender rider to a FIA contract, a new value is created referred to as the benefit base. The benefit base is the amount used to calculate rider income payments. In contract years 1-10, the benefit base will increase by 9% of all the purchase payments contributed to the annuity in the first contract year, assuming Carl doesn't take any withdrawals. The benefit base grows regardless of market conditions.

For example, when Carl purchased a FIA with a $100,000 purchase payment, he knew his benefit base would increase by $9,000 per year for 10 years.

Then when he's ready, Carl will receive rider income payments for life

Carl decides he’ll start taking payments when he is 73 – 7 years after he first purchased his FIA with the Income Ascender rider. The benefit base will be multiplied by the rider income percentage, which is based on age at issue (66) and contract year of the benefit start date (7). The total equals Carl’s annual rider benefit amount.

At that point, Carl’s benefit base would have grown to $163,000 and he’ll receive an annual rider benefit of $13,611 ($163,000 x 8.35%). Carl feels more comfortable that his additional $1,134 per month of guaranteed income will help protect him against unexpected risks and live how he’s always imagined in retirement.

*The rider income percentages in this example are used for illustration purposes only and may not reflect current payout rates. To view current payout rates, find the Income Ascender payout rates grid below.

Materials to learn more

Financial strength you can count on

We are rated

"A++"

(Superior) by AM Best and have been rated AA (very strong) by Standard & Poor's.

Stability

82%

Fixed income investments make up nearly 82%* of our invested assets, creating a low risk and stable profile.

Commitment to customers

$14B

More than $14 billion in guaranteed income benefits paid since 2000^

AM Best rating of “A++” (Superior affirmed on October 23, 2025). AM Best rating of “A++” is the highest of 16 ratings. S&P rating of “AA” (Very Strong) upgraded on February 20, 2025. S&P rate of "AA" is the 3^rd highest of 21 ratings.

^*Data is as of December 31, 2024. Fixed income investments include bonds, cash, short-term investments and policy loans.

^{^}Data is as of December 31, 2024. The guaranteed income benefit amount includes annuity benefit payments under immediate and deferred annuities, income benefit payments under guaranteed withdrawal benefit riders and contract withdrawals taken by owners after their rider benefit payments began.

Product issued under MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company^SM (Cincinnati, Ohio), a wholly owned subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). Form number and features may vary by state. Products not available in all states.

All guarantees subject to the claims-paying ability of MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company.

This content does not apply in the state of New York.

NOT A BANK OR CREDIT UNION DEPOSIT OR OBLIGATION • NOT FDIC OR NCUA-INSURED • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY • MAY LOSE VALUE • NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK OR CREDIT UNION

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