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VUL Defender is not available in NY.

VUL Defender®

(Variable Universal Life Defender)

Protection that lasts. Performance that delivers.

VUL Defender has evolved to deliver more than strong protection. Built on a protection-first foundation, it combines competitive pricing, strong growth potential and flexibility to help financial professionals deliver greater long-term client value.

Why choose VUL Defender?

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Competitive protection

Low premiums. Long-term guarantees.

VUL Defender combines competitively priced premiums with strong no-lapse guarantee (NLG) protection to age 100 and beyond through the optional NLG Agreement — helping clients secure protection designed for a longer life.

Contact your sales team for our competitive resources for VUL Defender

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Strong performance

Growth opportunity. Investment freedom.

Enhanced cash value potential plus 75+ allocation options with no NLG investment restrictions give clients more ways to pursue long-term growth.

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Built-in flexibility

Changing needs. Lasting value.

Growth potential for evolving needs and optional agreements, including terminal illness, chronic illness and long-term care provide more ways to adapt as client needs change.

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A simpler experience

Designed to make doing business easier

Enhanced underwriting, digital capabilities and ongoing service improvements help create a smoother experience for you and your clients.

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Investment choice for any stage of life

A broad range of allocation options helps clients align their life insurance strategy with their goals and comfort with market risk.

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Variable investment options

More than 70 allocation options without NLG investment restrictions provide flexibility to support a wide range of client objectives.

View investment options

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Fixed indexed accounts

Offer growth potential with downside protection through indexed crediting options.

VUL Defender product details

Policy type

Flexible-premium variable universal life designed for protection, long-term performance and flexibility.

Issue ages

0-75 based on age at nearest birthday

Minimum face

$100,000 for all ages

Death benefit options

Level and Increasing

Allocation options

  • Variable sub-accounts including Managed Volatility Portfolios
  • Fixed indexed accounts
  • Guaranteed Interest Account

Variable sub-accounts

  • 75 options

Fixed indexed account options

  • S&P 500® with 100% participation, 6.50% cap
  • S&P 500® with 140% participation, 4.25% cap (140% participation results in maximum crediting rate of 5.95%)
  • S&P 500® Low Volatility, uncapped, 50% participation

Issue classes

Preferred Select, Preferred, Preferred Tobacco, Non-Tobacco+, Standard Non-Tobacco, Standard Tobacco, Special Risk, Special Risk Tobacco

Surrender charge

Applies to the first 15 years after issue or face change

Minimum guaranteed interest rate

Money allocated to the Guaranteed Interest Account and the indexed accounts will be credited at 2% per year, calculated upon death or termination of contract (less surrender charges and withdrawals).

Loans

Fixed interest rate loans:

  • Charge rate: 5%
  • Crediting rate: 4% in years 1-10, 4.9% in years 11+

Variable interest rate loans (only available on money within fixed indexed account options):

  • Charge rate: Varies based on Moody’s Corporate Bond Yield Average (3% minimum)
  • Crediting rate: Directly tied to performance of client’s fixed indexed account allocations

Product rate enhancements released on 10/12/2026 are not available in California and Oregon to pending state and/or marketing material approvals. Please see our marketing resources section or contact your sales team for specific client materials for those states.

Insurance products issued by Minnesota Life Insurance Company.

The No Lapse Guarantee Agreement (NLGA) value has no impact on a policy's cash value and cannot be surrendered or loaned against. If there is no accumulation value and the NLGA value, less the sum of any policy loans and any unpaid policy loan interest, is insufficient to cover the charges against the NLGA value, a 61-day grace period begins. If the required amount to keep the product in force is not paid by the end of the grace period, this agreement and the policy will terminate.

The Accelerated Death Benefit for Chronic Illness Agreement is a life insurance policy agreement that provides an option to accelerate the death benefit in the event that the insured becomes chronically ill.

The Accelerated Death Benefit for Chronic Illness Agreement may not cover all of the costs associated with chronic illness. The Agreement is generally not subject to health insurance requirements and does not provide long-term care insurance subject to state long-term care insurance law. This Agreement is not a state-approved Partnership for Long Term Care Program Agreement and is not a Medicare supplement policy. Receipt of chronic illness benefit payments under this agreement may adversely affect eligibility for Medicaid or other government benefits or entitlements.

The accumulation value, surrender value, loan value, and death benefit will be reduced by a chronic illness benefit payment under this agreement.

Due to uncertainty in the tax law, chronic illness benefits paid from a life insurance contract may be taxable. Please ensure that your clients consult a tax advisor regarding chronic illness care benefit payments from a life insurance contract.

The Long-Term Care Agreement may not be available in all states or may exist under a different name in various states. Agreement features, including limitations and exclusions, vary by state.

The Long-Term Care Agreement is a tax qualified long-term care agreement that covers care such as nursing care, home and community-based care, and informal care as defined in these agreements. This agreement provides for the payment of a monthly benefit for qualified long-term care services. This agreement is intended to provide federally tax qualified long-term care insurance benefits under Section 7702B of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended. However, due to uncertainty in the tax law, benefits paid under this agreement may be taxable.

Additional agreements may be available. Agreements may be subject to additional costs and restrictions. Agreements may not be available in all states or may exist under a different name in various states and may not be available in combination with other agreements.

Policy loans and withdrawals may create an adverse tax result in the event of lapse or policy surrender and will reduce both the surrender value and death benefit. Withdrawals may be subject to taxation within the first fifteen years of the contract. Clients should consult their tax advisor when considering taking a policy loan or withdrawal.

Because of the risk involved to the client with variable interest rate loans, use caution when illustrating or discussing variable rate loans.

Please keep in mind that the primary reason to purchase a life insurance product is the death benefit.

Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

Variable life insurance products contain fees, such as mortality and expense charges, and may contain restrictions, such as surrender periods. There may also be underlying fund charges and expenses, and additional charges for riders that customize a policy to fit individual needs. Charges and expenses may increase over time. The variable investment options are subject to market risk, including loss of principal.

The “S&P 500 Index” and “S&P 500 Low Volatility Index” are products of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and have been licensed for use by Minnesota Life Insurance Company. Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Minnesota Life Insurance Company (“Minnesota Life’). The Indexed Universal Life Insurance Policy Series (“the Policies”) are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Policies or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Policies particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Index or S&P 500 Low Volatility Index to track general market performance. Past performance of an index is not an indication or guarantee of future results. S&P Dow Jones Indices only relationship to Minnesota Life with respect to the S&P 500 Index and S&P 500 Low Volatility Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its licensors. The S&P 500 Index and S&P 500 Low Volatility Index are determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to Minnesota Life or the Policies. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation to take the needs of Minnesota Life or the owners of the Policies into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500 Index or S&P 500 Low Volatility Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the Policies or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Policies or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Policies are to be converted into cash, surrendered or redeemed, as the case may be. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Policies. There is no assurance that investment products based on the S&P 500 Index or the S&P 500 Low Volatility Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor or tax advisor. A tax advisor should be consulted to evaluate the impact of any tax-exempt securities on portfolios and the tax consequences of making any particular investment decision. Inclusion of a security within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.

NEITHER S&P DOW JONES INDICES NOR THIRD PARTY LICENSOR GUARANTEES THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500 INDEX, S&P 500 LOW VOLATILITY INDEX, OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY MINNESOTA LIFE, OWNERS OF THE POLICIES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S&P 500 INDEX, S&P 500 LOW VOLATILITY INDEX, OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND MINNESOTA LIFE, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.

Although Managed Volatility Portfolios seek to minimize the impact of market downturns, their hedging strategies may limit some upside potential. As with any variable investment, investing in Managed Volatility Portfolios involves investment risk, including the loss of principal. Neither diversification nor asset allocation guarantee against loss, they are methods used to manage risk. Because these funds deploy an asset allocation strategy, investment risks may vary. One should consult the prospectus for details.

This must be preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus. Clients should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expense of a portfolio and the variable insurance product carefully before investing. The portfolio and variable insurance product prospectuses contain this and other information. Your clients should read the prospectuses carefully before investing.

Insurance products are issued by Minnesota Life Insurance Company in all states except New York. In New York, products are issued by Securian Life Insurance Company, a New York authorized insurer. Minnesota Life is not an authorized New York insurer and does not do insurance business in New York. Both companies are headquartered in St. Paul, MN. Product availability and features may vary by state. Each insurer is solely responsible for the financial obligations under the policies or contracts it issues. Securities are distributed by Securian Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA. 400 Robert Street North, Saint Paul, MN 55101.

These materials are for informational and educational purposes only and are not designed, or intended, to be applicable to any person's individual circumstances. It should not be considered investment advice, nor does it constitute a recommendation that anyone engage in (or refrain from) a particular course of action. Securian Financial Group, and its subsidiaries, have a financial interest in the sale of their products.

Securian Financial is the marketing name for Securian Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries. Minnesota Life Insurance Company and Securian Life Insurance Company are subsidiaries of Securian Financial Group, Inc.

Policy form numbers: ICC18-20149, 18-20149 and any state variations; ICC16-20057, 16-20057 and any state variations; ICC16-20058, 16-20058 and any state variations; ICC09-915, 09-915 and any state variations; ICC11-916, 11-916 and any state variations; ICC15-20012, 15-20012 and any state variations; ICC15-20003, 15-20003 and any state variations; ICC24-20297, 24-20297 and any state variations; ICC16-20081, 16-20081 and any state variations; ICC15-20040, 15-20040 and any state variations; 14-20005 and any state variations; 06-917 and any state variations; ICC18-20151, 18-20151 and any state variations.

For financial professional use only. Not for use with the public. This material may not be reproduced in any form where it is accessible to the general public.

DOFU 10-2026

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