MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company Launches New Optional Income Rider on Fixed-Indexed Annuities

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CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 5, 2026--

On average, about 11,200 people 1 are reaching retirement age every day. This means more people are looking for sources of guaranteed income as they are looking at their financial plan. MassMutual Ascend offers a suite of annuity products, including their new optional income rider, the Income Ascender, on fixed-indexed annuities. The Income Ascender rider helps protect the money already accumulated, while also providing guaranteed growth of future income.

“Market volatility, longer lifespans, the shift from pensions to 401(k)s, rising costs - these are all reasons people are looking for additional sources of guaranteed income in their retirement plans," says Joe Maringer, Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager. "We are very excited about how MassMutual Ascend's new Income Ascender rider will meet that need with competitive payout rates, flexibility and guaranteed income for life.”

Key competitive features include guaranteed growth of the benefit base and stream of lifetime income, flexibility to choose when and how to receive this lifetime income, and return of rider charges at death if income payments haven’t started.

All of this is backed by MassMutual Ascend’s long history of financial strength – an “A++” (Superior) rating by AM Best and “AA” (Very Strong) rating by Standard & Poor’s. 2 More than $14 billion in guaranteed income benefits have been paid since 2000. 3

About MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company

MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company offers traditional fixed, fixed-indexed and registered index-linked annuities in the retail, broker-dealer, financial institutions and registered investment advisor markets. MassMutual Ascend is committed to taking financial futures above and beyond. From products to service to financial strength, the company is always in pursuit of better – so its customers can navigate their futures with confidence.

1 Fichtner, J. (2024) The Peak 65 ® Zone is Here – Creating A New Framework for America’s Retirement Security. Retirement Income Institute. Whitepaper_Fichtner.pdf

2 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 rating of “AA” is the 3 rd highest of 21 ratings.

3 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.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260105405164/en/

CONTACT: Media Contact:

Christina Kampe

Head of Marketing, MassMutual Ascend

[email protected]

KEYWORD: OHIO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INSURANCE FINANCE ASSET MANAGEMENT CONSULTING PERSONAL FINANCE

SOURCE: MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company

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PUB: 01/05/2026 01:00 PM/DISC: 01/05/2026 01:00 PM

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