BlackRock Partners with Delaware Life to Add Bitcoin to $12B Annuities

Delaware Life Insurance Company has teamed up with BlackRock to bring some big changes to fixed indexed annuities (FIAs).

Quick overview

  • Delaware Life Insurance Company has partnered with BlackRock to integrate Bitcoin exposure into fixed indexed annuities (FIAs).
  • The collaboration introduces the BlackRock U.S. Equity Bitcoin Balanced Risk 12% Index, allowing policyholders to gain indirect Bitcoin exposure while protecting their principal.
  • This innovative approach aims to blend traditional retirement products with digital assets, targeting a 12% annual volatility through a mix of US stocks and Bitcoin.
  • The partnership reflects a growing trend of incorporating measured Bitcoin exposure into conservative investment portfolios for retirement planning.

Delaware Life Insurance Company has teamed up with BlackRock to bring some big changes to fixed indexed annuities (FIAs). This marks a significant shift in how digital assets are being mixed in with traditional retirement products. The partnership adds the BlackRock U.S. Equity Bitcoin Balanced Risk 12% Index to three annuity offerings, and this lets policyholders get some indirect exposure to Bitcoin without having to worry about losing their principal.

FIAs are pretty popular among older folks – they link returns to an index but also keep investors from losing money in the market. By tossing Bitcoin into this mix, Delaware Life is pushing the boundaries of what FIAs can do.

How the Bitcoin-linked index is put together

The BlackRock U.S. Equity Bitcoin Balanced Risk 12% Index combines US stocks and Bitcoin exposure within one structure that’s designed to keep risk in check. It’s aiming for 12% annual volatility, using some pretty clever math to keep drawdowns under control during times of market stress.

To get at the Bitcoin exposure, the index uses BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). That’s the largest spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund out there by a mile – has the most assets and liquidity. This way, Delaware Life gets to access the regulated market without having to deal with the headaches of direct crypto custody.

Some of the key design points include:

  • They’re shooting for about 12% annual volatility by actively rebalancing the portfolio.
  • They’re pairing Bitcoin with US stocks.
  • And of course, the annuity mechanics still give policyholders that principal protection.
  • Interest is credited to policyholders, but it’s capped or tied to a participation rate.

Why this matters for retirement planning

This partnership shows how big players are increasingly looking for ways to get some measured Bitcoin exposure into more conservative investment portfolios. For the life insurance companies, this lets them give their customers more modern products without totally abandoning their risk controls. And for investors, this is a chance to get into crypto without having to worry about the usual risks – it’s more about steady income planning than making a quick buck.

As the world gets more comfortable with digital assets being part of the mainstream financial landscape, Bitcoin-linked annuities could end up being a key link between traditional retirement strategies and the evolving world of digital assets.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Arslan Butt
Lead Markets Analyst – Multi-Asset (FX, Commodities, Crypto)
Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics. His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.

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