People don’t save according to one neat schedule. You may have money ready to set aside today and more available six months from now. One goal might be a year away, while another is much further out. And sometimes you just want to keep part of your money available until you know what comes next.
When we looked at our existing annuities, there was a lot we wanted to keep: guaranteed rates for funded terms, protection from market volatility, a straightforward online experience, two different tax treatments, and the ability to open directly without going through a commissioned agent. Those are the parts that make a guaranteed product worth having: the foundation underneath the rest of your financial portfolio. But there were also parts that felt more rigid than the way people actually save.
We built Gainbridge: FlexSM annuities to change that.
Removing the all-or-nothing choice
With our previous products, you were limited to a higher starting amount to open an account with us. If you wanted to add more later, you had to open another account at that same higher starting deposit. We heard from many of you wondering why this was the case and asking for a simplified process.
That savings process works if you already have a large lump sum and know exactly what you want to do with it. It makes less sense when your savings build gradually. So we gave our products an upgrade and made it easier to start saving.
In a survey we ran in September, 64% of people told us a lower starting amount, $500 or less, would make them more comfortable trying a new savings product (Source: Gainbridge YouGov AdHoc Survey, conducted September 2026 among 2,000 U.S. adults). So we brought our minimum down from $1,000 to $100. You shouldn't need a big lump sum sitting on the sidelines before you can start earning a guaranteed rate. Plus, starting smaller and adding over time is simply closer to how people actually want to save. We believe that by lowering the barrier to get started, we can help people build the habit of saving for their future.
Giving you more control over your money’s timeline
One of the biggest changes with Gainbridge: FlexSM (“Flex”) is that you’re no longer locked into one timing decision for your whole account. Think of your account as a set of buckets, called Target Date Pools: each deposit you lock into a term becomes its own bucket, with its own guaranteed rate and its own Target Date, the day the term ends. For example, say you get a $15,000 bonus at work. You know you'll want $5,000 of it for a house down payment next year, $5,000 you won't need for a while but don't want locked up too long, and $5,000 you're comfortable setting aside for the long haul. With a single deposit, you could choose a one-year term for one portion, a five-year term for another, and a 10-year term for another (in most states). Each Pool gets its own guaranteed rate, and adding money later doesn’t change the choices you already made.
We wanted to give you an easier way to ladder your savings to fit your individual goals. You can choose to have different amounts reach their Target Dates at different times rather than having everything come due at once.
The point isn’t that everyone should save this way. It’s to have a structure that gives you more choices when you have more than one goal for your money.
Creating a place for money you aren’t ready to commit
With our previous annuities, money was either committed to a term or it wasn’t in the contract. That puts a lot of pressure on members to make a decision right away. We're excited to introduce Cash Wallet, a new feature of Flex that gives members an option for the in-between.
Any money you haven't put into a Target Date Pool simply sits in your Cash Wallet, growing at a variable rate with no penalties if you need to withdraw. When you’re ready, you can move some or all of it into a Target Date Pool.
We wanted to support you in your decision-making when your hard-earned money is on the line, by alleviating the stress of making important decisions right away. With Cash Wallet, you can decide what every dollar needs to do on your own timeline. As usual, you can log into the Gainbridge portal to see your interest and keep track of where your money stands.
Keeping what worked and making the rest fit real life better
For me, Flex isn’t about a long list of new features. It’s about giving you more say in how your savings work. You can still see your rate before you commit money to a Target Date Pool, and once funded that rate remains guaranteed through its Target Date. You can still apply online without going through an agent, with real people available when you need help.
We just didn’t think you should have to choose between those things and having more control.
You can start with less. You can add money later. You can give different amounts different timelines. And you have a place inside the contract for money you aren’t ready to commit yet.
This way, we can now offer you a product that adapts to your savings instead of asking your savings to adapt to the product.
Moving forward
Financial products don’t need to become more complicated to become more useful. Often, the better answer is to give you clearer choices and remove the friction that gets in your way.
We want it to be easier for people to understand where their money is, what it’s earning, and what choices are available to them. Flex reflects a change in that direction. A direction we plan to keep pursuing to ensure our products evolve alongside your needs. I'm proud of the work our team has done to build that foundation, something guaranteed that you can build the rest of your financial portfolio on.
Derek Towriss
President, Gainbridge
Annuity products issued by Gainbridge Life Insurance Company (Zionsville, IN). Gainbridge Life Insurance Company “Gainbridge” is licensed and authorized to do business in 49 states (all states except New York) and the District of Columbia. Products and/or features may not be available in all states.
Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Your growth is only guaranteed to the extent that you do not take withdrawals prior to the end of the term. Rates are subject to change and may be different than stated rate.
The Gainbridge: Retirement Flex℠ multi-year guaranteed annuity product with form number 50054323, or variations of such and the Gainbridge: Flex℠ multi-year guaranteed annuity product with form number 50054319, or variations of such are all issued by Gainbridge Life Insurance Company.
This is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be interpreted as, individualized investment, legal, or tax advice. For advice concerning your own situation please contact the appropriate professional.
CDs and deposit accounts are offered by banks and credit unions, insured by the FDIC or NCUA. Annuities, on the other hand, are an insurance product offered by an insurance company and are not FDIC or NCUA insured.
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK/CREDIT UNION GUARANTEE | NOT A DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
