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Common Questions

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What is ECOFLEXTRA?

ECOFLEXTRA is an investment contract that offers two options of Segregated Funds: the Classic Series and the Guaranteed Surrender Series.

The ECOFLEXTRA Classic Series provides an investment with the guarantees and advantages associated with segregated funds.

The ECOFLEXTRA Guaranteed Surrender Series provides a reliable and predictable retirement income with the potential to benefit from market increases.


What Investment Funds are available through ECOFLEXTRA?

There are numerous Investment Funds and even complete Portfolio Solutions available through ECOFLEXTRA. The Funds are managed by a range of Portfolio Advisors from some of Canada’s best known Fund companies, and they cover the major asset classes, geographic regions and management styles.
Click here for more information on the Funds.


What types of plans are available in ECOFLEXTRA?

You can hold ECOFLEXTRA investments in your RRSP, TFSA, LIRA, LRSP, RRIF, LIF and Non-Registered Savings Plans.


What are the primary benefits of ECOFLEXTRA?

ECOFLEXTRA Classic and Guaranteed Surrender Series:

  • Guaranteed protection of your investment if markets go down.
  • Estate planning.
  • Creditor protection (certain conditions apply).

ECOFLEXTRA Guaranteed Surrender Series only:

  • Guaranteed income for life. From as early as age 55.
  • Flexible income options. Receive up to 7%, annually.
  • Ability to lock-in market gains.
  • Access to a wide variety of investments - from Canadian bonds to international equities.


Who should invest in ECOFLEXTRA Guaranteed Surrender Series?

ECOFLEXTRA Guaranteed Surrender Series is designed for investors who are retired or are within 15 years of retirement.


How do the bonuses work in ECOFLEXTRA Guaranteed Surrender Series?

In the first 15 years of the ECOFLEXTRA Guaranteed Surrender Series, if no withdrawals are made in a year, we will automatically add 5% on December 31st to your Guaranteed Surrender Balance (GSB), which is the amount your future retirement income will be based on.


Is the bonus added to the market value?

The bonus is added to the Guaranteed Surrender Balance (GSB) – not to the market value. The bonuses should not be viewed as cash, but rather as an increase in the amount of future guaranteed income payments.


Can the bonuses increase over time?

Yes, the bonuses can increase if the guaranteed value of your Portfolio has been reset at the higher level through ECOFLEXTRA Guaranteed Surrender Series’ automatic tri-annual resets. Future bonuses will be based on this higher level.


How old do I have to be to take the income for life option?

With ECOFLEXTRA, you can begin taking income for life from as early as age 55. It is important to note that the annual percentage is determined by the age on which you start drawing income and this percentage will apply for the rest of your contract and will not vary according to your age.


Age Annual Income as a percentage of the Guaranteed Surrender Balance (GSB)
55-59 4%
60-64 4.5%
65-69 5%
70-74 5.5%
75+ 6%

Is the Income for life my only option in the ECOFLEXTRA Guaranteed Surrender Series?

No, a guaranteed income option is also offered under the contract. On an annual basis, it can be up to 7% of the Guaranteed Surrender Balance (GSB) and will be available until the GSB is fully depleted.


Can a 40 year-old annuitant invest in the Guaranteed Surrender Series today, even if he expects to start making surrenders at age 65?

Yes, he can invest in the Guaranteed Surrender Series today. On the other hand, this is not the best solution.

It is preferable to invest in the Guaranteed Surrender Series 15 years before surrenders begin to optimize the bonus eligibility period while reducing the period where additional fees apply for the Guaranteed Surrender Series.

The Classic Series is an excellent option for the period prior to 15 years preceding the disbursement phase.


What is the minimum deposit required to qualify for the Guaranteed Surrender Series (GSS)?

The minimum deposit is $25,000.  The reason the minimum exists is to make sure investor's future income is meaningful.


What is the maximum age that I can make deposits to Ecoflextra to qualify for Guaranteed Income to qualify for Guaranteed Income?

Up to the day before the annuitant turns 80 years old.


What risks does Ecoflextra protect against?
  • Longevity Risk - The risk of outliving your money
  • Inflation Risk - Will your income keep up with inflation
  • Sequence of returns - Will your retirement portfolio weather a period of negative returns early on
  • Emotional Risk - Often investors sell their investment at market lows and buy at market highs, with Ecoflextra's guarantees you don't have to worry

Who is Industrial Alliance?

Industrial Alliance is the fourth largest life and health insurance company in Canada, Industrial Alliance is at the head of a large financial group, which has operations across Canada as well as in the Western United States.
Industrial Alliance contributes to the financial wellbeing of over 3 million Canadians, employs more than 3,300 people and manages and administers just over $50 billion in assets.
For more details on the size and strength of Industrial Alliance, please click on this link: Why IA?.
In addition Industrial Alliance is a member of Assuris, formely known as CompCorp, a consumer protection organization that provides coverage for all life insurance companies. For more information on the protection offered by Assuris for policy holders of GMWB's please click here.


How does Ecoflextra work in RRIF accounts?

Ecoflextra can provide advantages for registered retirement income fund (RRIF) investors:

  • Flexibility to withdraw more than the annual guaranteed amount to meet the required RRIF minimum
  • An income floor that is guaranteed to continue through retirement, even if the market value of the investment reduces to zero
  • In years where the RRIF minimum is higher than the guaranteed income amount, you can exceed the guaranteed payout without affecting your future guaranteed stream of income payments
  • Ecoflextra resets and bonuses also present opportunities to increase your lifetime income giving your retirement income a boost