Ascend Signature Blends

Ascend Signature Blends are built using set percentage allocations to the individual indexed strategies offered, combined with an allocation to the declared rate or cap lock strategies. Three Signature Blend allocation portfolios are available: Options 1 includes the S&P 1-Year Point-to-Point with Cap, S&P 500 Risk Control 1-Year Point-to-Point with Participation Rate, iShares U.S. Real Estate 1-Year Point-to-Point with Cap, SPDR® Gold Shares 1-Year Point-to-Point with Cap, S&P U.S. Retiree Spending 1-Year Point-to-Point with Participation Rate, and First Trust Barclays Edge Index 1-Year Point-to-Point with Cap, allocated 25%, 15%, 15%, 15%, 15%, and 15%, respectively; Options 2 includes the same strategies plus a Declared Strategy interest rate, allocated 35%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 10%, and 15%, respectively; and Options 3 includes the S&P 500® 7-Year Cap Lock Annual Point-to-Point, S&P 500 Risk Control 1-Year Point-to-Point with Participation Rate, iShares U.S. Real Estate 1-Year Point-to-Point with Cap, SPDR® Gold Shares 1-Year Point-to-Point with Cap, S&P U.S. Retiree Spending 1-Year Point-to-Point with Participation Rate, and First Trust Barclays Edge Index 1-Year Point-to-Point with 7-Year Cap Lock, allocated 25%, 15%, 15%, 15%, 15%, and 15%, respectively.