Back
Products
Annuities Shield Level Annuities (Index-Linked Annuity) Shield Level Pay Plus Annuities Variable Annuities with FlexChoice Access Brighthouse SecureAdvantage 6-Year Fixed Index Annuity Guaranteed Income Builder Income Annuity Fixed Rate Annuities
Life Insurance Brighthouse SmartCare (Hybrid Life and Long-Term Care Insurance) Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus Term Life Insurance
Prospectus and Performance Reports
Fund Resources
Rates and Renewal Rates
Featured Product
Learn about Shield Level Pay Plus annuities, offering guaranteed income that lasts for life
Back
Education
All Education Retirement Planning Retirement Lifestyle Healthcare Planning for Retirement Retirement Income Solutions Estate and Legacy Planning Working With a Financial Professional
Voice of the Future
Featured Content
Delaying Retirement Could Have Health and Financial Benefits
Back
About Us
About Us Overview Our Story Senior Leadership Corporate Responsibility Investor Relations Careers Newsroom
Brighthouse Financial History Timeline
Brighthouse Financial has a storied history. View our milestones

Brighthouse SmartGuard PlusSM

 

Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus is an index-linked universal life insurance policy with a Guaranteed Distribution Rider (GDR), automatically included with the policy on the issue date for an additional charge, that can help protect your family and give you flexibility for the future.



See How Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus Works

Explore how Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus can help protect Shonda’s loved ones and address her future needs.

See how Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus Works


Help diversify your retirement strategy with an innovative life insurance product.
Growth Opportunities and a Level of Protection
Growth Opportunities and a Level of Protection

Grow policy values by participating in index-linked growth opportunities with a level of protection from market loss to help meet future goals.

Guaranteed Distribution Payments
Guaranteed Distribution Payments

This life insurance product provides a source of tax-advantaged guaranteed Distribution Payments that will never fall below a guaranteed minimum amount.1

Guaranteed Death Benefit
Guaranteed Death Benefit

Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus helps provide security for loved ones through a guaranteed death benefit that’s generally income tax free.2

As an index-linked life insurance product, Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus tracks the performance of one or more market indices and does not invest directly in the markets. Once Distribution Payments begin, all policy values are transferred to the Fixed Account and there is no further participation in index-linked market performance.



Prospectus and Other Resources

Download these resources for more detailed information about this product:

Product Brochure
Case Study
What to Expect Guide
Prospectus
New Business Rate Sheet
Show More

Are you a financial professional? View related materials for financial professionals.

Additional Information
false


2-Minute Article
3 Questions to Ask Your Financial Professional During Market Volatility
6-Minute Article
The Role Life Insurance Can Play in Your Plans for Retirement
3-Minute Article
Yes, You May Need an Estate Plan, Even If You Don’t Have an Estate

Take the Next Step

Talk to your financial professional to find out if Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus is right for you and to learn more about purchasing this product.

Here are some questions to help you start the conversation:

  1. Would an index-linked policy with a GDR make sense for me?

  2. How can buying an index-linked policy with a GDR allow me to leave a legacy for my loved ones?

  3. Will I have to undergo any medical exams to qualify for Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus?

  4. How can I ensure I’m choosing the right insurance company, and how do I know that this company is going to be around in the future?

  5. Can Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus help me supplement my income in retirement but still provide security for my loved ones?

Tip: Set the tone for your conversation and save, print, or share the Product Brochure with your financial professional.

View Product Brochure

exclamation

This Brighthouse Financial product can only be purchased through a licensed financial professional.

Don’t have a financial professional? Learn more about working with a financial professional.

Brighthouse logo

Brighthouse Financial® is on a mission to help people achieve financial security.

Trusted by over 2 million customers and with over 2 million annuity contracts and life insurance policies in force,4 Brighthouse Financial® is proud to be a FORTUNE® 500 company5 and one of the largest providers of annuities and life insurance in the U.S.6

See Our Story

1 Available after the 10th policy year, Distribution Payments under the GDR are in the form of policy loans and can significantly reduce the unloaned cash value and death benefit amount. When the cash value reaches zero, the GDR will continue to support the availability of Distribution Payments. See the prospectus for more details. A policy loan is generally not treated as a taxable distribution, but exceptions may apply. Consult with a tax professional.

2 Policy loans may significantly reduce the death benefit; however, the GDR guarantees a minimum death benefit amount, assuming the policy and GDR remain in force. While the death benefit is generally income tax free, exceptions may apply. Other taxes including estate, gift, or generation-skipping transfer taxes may also apply. Consult with a tax professional.

3 The policy’s cash value used in the determination of the GDR charge will differ depending on whether Distribution Payments have begun.

4 Data as of June 30, 2022.

5 From FORTUNE © 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. FORTUNE and FORTUNE 500 are registered trademarks of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. FORTUNE and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse the products or services of, Brighthouse Financial.

6 Ranked by 2022 admitted assets. Best’s Review®: Top 200 U.S. Life/Health Insurers. AM Best, 2023.

Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus has charges, termination provisions, and terms for keeping it in force. Please contact your financial professional for complete details.

Distribution Payments under the Guaranteed Distribution Rider are made in the form of policy loans. A policy loan is generally not treated as a taxable distribution if the policy is not a modified endowment contract (MEC) as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 7702A and the policy remains in force during the lifetime of the insured. As a result, the company generally does not intend to report the benefits payable under the GDR to the IRS as taxable income based upon our current understanding of applicable tax law. Taxation and tax reporting may apply if the policy lapses, is surrendered, or becomes a MEC. The tax law is complex and subject to change. The company’s tax reporting position may change in the future due to future IRS guidance as well as any clarifications or changes to applicable tax law. The company cannot guarantee particular tax results. Any discussion of taxes is for general informational purposes only, does not purport to be complete or cover every situation, and should not be construed as legal, tax, or accounting advice. Clients should confer with their qualified legal, tax, and accounting professionals to determine the tax consequences of the GDR and the policy.

All guarantees, including any optional benefits, are subject to the claims-paying ability and financial strength of the issuing insurance company. Each issuing insurance company is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations.

Brighthouse SmartGuard Plus℠ is a registered index-linked flexible premium adjustable life insurance policy with a Guaranteed Distribution Rider (GDR) issued by, and product guarantees are solely the responsibility of, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, Charlotte, NC 28277, on Policy Forms 5-71-22 and 5GDR-22 (“Brighthouse Financial”). This product is distributed by Brighthouse Securities, LLC (member FINRA). All are Brighthouse Financial affiliated companies. The prospectus and policy contain information about the policy’s features, risks, charges, expenses, exclusions, limitations, termination provisions, and terms for keeping the policy in force. The prospectus and complete details about the policy are available from a financial professional and should be read carefully. Product availability and features may vary by state or firm. This product is currently not available in New York.

Need Help?
About Us
Connect with Us
Brighthouse Financial Logo

© 2023 Brighthouse Financial, Inc.

Brighthouse Financial® and its design are registered trademarks of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Brighthouse Financial is the brand name for Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY, and New England Life Insurance Company.

Annuities and life insurance are issued by, and product guarantees are solely the responsibility of, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, Charlotte, NC 28277 and, in New York only, by Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY, New York, NY 10017 (“Brighthouse Financial”). Variable products are distributed by Brighthouse Securities, LLC (member FINRA). All are Brighthouse Financial affiliated companies.

In this material, the terms “advisor” and “financial advisor” are used as general references to licensed insurance professionals and are not intended to indicate whether the licensed insurance professional is a Registered Investment Advisor or is otherwise authorized under the law to provide financial advice.

Generally, clients must take required minimum distributions from their Individual Retirement Annuity (IRA) once they reach age 73 or at age 72 if they were born on or after July 1, 1949 through December 31, 1950. Clients should seek advice from a qualified tax professional for complete details.