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VUL Defender®

(Variable Universal Life Defender)

A competitive edge for protection sales

VUL Defender provides one of the most competitive lifetime guaranteed death benefits in the market today. The option to add a no lapse guarantee and chronic illness protection, along with contactless underwriting, mean clients can have a streamlined underwriting experience and comprehensive protection throughout their entire life.

Why choose VUL Defender?

Competitive premiums

Give clients the ability to obtain their desired protection level within their budget.

No Lapse Guarantee

Add a lifetime of guaranteed coverage at an affordable price — no matter policy performance.

Contactless WriteFit Underwriting™

Provide an easy client experience with fast underwriting decisions and no need for medical exams or blood tests.

Customizable for maximum protection

Investment choice plus optional agreements like our popular chronic illness solution let you customize the policy for clients.

Competitive premiums

Competitive premiums for your protection sales

It’s not too good to be true: your clients can have top-notch protection, investment choice and customization abilities at a competitive cost. 

Contact your sales team for our competitive resources for VUL Defender

No Lapse Guarantee

A lifetime of guaranteed coverage at an affordable price

Adding the No Lapse Guarantee Agreement (NLGA) to VUL Defender provides peace of mind that no matter how the variable sub-accounts perform, the contract will not lapse – as long as clients pay their premiums. The larger the premium, the longer the death benefit guarantee. The guarantee length can be any duration up to age 120. Like all of our products, this guarantee is backed by the strength and financial soundness of a highly-rated company.

Learn more about our ratings

Contactless WriteFit Underwriting™

Fast underwriting for an improved client experience

Our WriteFit Underwriting program uses tools and techniques that predict relative mortality based on a number of behaviors. With WriteFit Underwriting, there is no need for medical exams or blood tests. Instead, clients participate in a phone interview. The policy is issued within 24 hours of completion of the interview for clients who qualify.

Learn more about WriteFit Underwriting

Customizable for maximum protection

Provide coverage for future care and a life insurance death benefit

VUL Defender’s competitive premiums and the ability to add the Accelerated Death Benefit for Chronic Illness Agreement (ADB-CIA) make it an attractive option to provide coverage for future care along with a life insurance death benefit.

See the details on ADB-CIA

Investment choice for any stage of life

A combination of underlying variable investment options and indexed accounts lets clients strike the right balance between risk and return for their specific needs. Clients can choose how to allocate their cash value between the variable investment options, indexed accounts or a guaranteed interest account.

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Variable investment options

Over 70 high-quality variable investment options and Managed Volatility Portfolios from respected asset managers provide access to the growth potential of the markets.

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Fixed indexed accounts

Crediting based on index performance offers protection from negative market performance since the interest credited can never be less than zero.

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VUL Defender investment options

VUL Defender product details

Policy type

Flexible-premium variable universal life with a focus on protection

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

  • More than 70 options

Fixed indexed account options

  • S&P 500® with 100% participation
  • S&P 500® with 140% participation
  • S&P 500® Low Volatility, uncapped, variable 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).

Available agreements

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

Competitive resources

See where VUL Defender premiums rank #1

Three common client profiles, one clear winner.

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VUL Defender heat map

A quick look at VUL Defender's sweet spots.

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Sales strategy for idle assets

Maximize protection and minimize cost

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A competitive protection and chronic illness solution

A powerful option for combating care costs

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Additional product resources available on our secured site

Get access to these and other tools on our secured website for financial professionals.

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.

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. Variable products 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.

The information presented above is solely intended for use by financial professionals. Such information is not intended for public consumption or dissemination.

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; 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.

DOFU 5-2023

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