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Fixed Indexed Annuity

American Equity IncomeShield 9

American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company

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3.25%

Best S&P 500 Annual Cap

10%

Free W/D

California

Only state

Product data status: July 16, 2026

Rates, state availability, rider terms, and contract language must be confirmed with a licensed financial advisor or insurance professional before purchase. Guarantees are backed by the issuing insurer.

Model this product

See what American Equity IncomeShield 9 would do for you

Set your numbers and switch between growth, income, and liquidity. Index losses credit 0% — the floor — so a down market never reduces your value.

Product analyzer
Illustrative — live CANNEX rates as of July 16, 2026; not a projection or guarantee.
Crediting strategy
Compare against
$195,877
Est. value at age 80 (American Equity IncomeShield 9)
14%
Premium bonus offered
Dow Jones Industrial Average — 3.25% Cap (Annual)
✦
How crediting works: the cap limits positive index returns; a down year credits 0%, never a loss. A cap strategy tracks the index within its terms. What is a cap vs participation? →
Assumptions: illustrative — applies American Equity IncomeShield 9's published cap rate (3.25% on Dow Jones Industrial Average) to a standard benchmark hypothetical index path (~5.4%/yr average, including down years) with a 0% floor over 20 years. Growth starts from a bonus-adjusted illustrative account value: $100,000 premium + $14,000 premium bonus (14%) = $114,000. Bonus vesting and withdrawal treatment follow the contract. Not a projection, quote, or guarantee. Live CANNEX rates as of July 16, 2026.

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See how American Equity IncomeShield 9 compares for your age, state, premium, and income goals alongside other American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company fixed indexed annuity options.

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Live rate data

Run live numbers for American Equity IncomeShield 9

Current rates, riders, crediting strategies, state availability, and contract facts stay scoped to this American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company product.

Live product data

Rates as of July 16, 2026, from AdvisorWorld and CANNEX.

Current crediting strategy detail

3.25% cap on S&P 500

American Equity IncomeShield 9 is currently shown as an FIA with live crediting and contract facts available, but current live data does not include published lifetime-income rider details for an age-60, year-10 comparison; treat those specifics as unavailable until the carrier publishes them.

1-year term9-year surrenderDoes not vary by premiumAdvisorWorld + CANNEX data

Best fit

Buyers and advisors comparing American Equity IncomeShield 9's live crediting menu, surrender structure, ratings, and state availability while treating income-rider specifics as unavailable unless a carrier illustration or source-backed CANNEX rider response supplies them.

AM Best

A Excellent

Surrender period

9 years

Free withdrawal

10%/yr

Availability

California only

Featured crediting strategies

Index / strategyRate mechanics

S&P 500

S&P 500 Index

3.25% cap rate

Annual cap

1-year term · 9-year surrender · Does not vary by premium

S&P 500

S&P 500 Index

Monthly Point to Point · monthly sum cap

1.3% cap rate

Monthly cap

1-year term · 9-year surrender · Does not vary by premium

S&P 500

S&P 500 Index

20% participation rate

Participation

1-year term · 9-year surrender · Does not vary by premium

S&P 500

S&P 500 Index

7% cap rate

Cap strategy

2-year term · 9-year surrender · Does not vary by premium

S&P 500

S&P 500 Index

30% participation rate

Participation

2-year term · 9-year surrender · Does not vary by premium

Nasdaq-100

Nasdaq-100 Index

3.5% cap rate

Annual cap

1-year term · 9-year surrender · Does not vary by premium

Nasdaq-100

Nasdaq-100 Index

3.25% trigger rate

Performance trigger

1-year term · 9-year surrender · Does not vary by premium

Dow Jones

Dow Jones Industrial Average

3.25% cap rate

Annual cap

1-year term · 9-year surrender · Does not vary by premium

Dow Jones

Dow Jones Industrial Average

3% trigger rate

Performance trigger

1-year term · 9-year surrender · Does not vary by premium

Fixed Account

Fixed Account

2% declared rate

Fixed account

1-year term · 9-year surrender · Does not vary by premium

+ 6 additional crediting options (S&P 500, BlackRock, Nasdaq Premier...)

Lifetime Income Riders

Income rider

Income Benefit Rider Option 2

Lifetime payout rate3.72% lifetime payout
Annual rider fee1.1% annual rider fee
Guaranteed roll-up7%/yr

Income rider

Income Benefit Rider with Wellbeing Benefit Option 4

Lifetime payout rate3.72% lifetime payout
Annual rider fee1.1% annual rider fee
Guaranteed roll-up7%/yr

Income rider

Income Benefit Rider Option 1

Lifetime payout rate3.29% lifetime payout
Annual rider fee1.1% annual rider fee
Guaranteed roll-up10%/yr

Income rider

Income Benefit Rider with Wellbeing Benefit Option 3

Lifetime payout rate3.29% lifetime payout
Annual rider fee1.2% annual rider fee
Guaranteed roll-up10%/yr

Product analyst notes

How to think about this contract

Why it can stand out

  • Current live data includes strategy, surrender, ratings, and availability details for this contract, but not published lifetime-income rider terms for an age-60, year-10 comparison.
  • Use the live crediting menu and contract facts on this page for comparison until CANNEX publishes rider-level income mechanics for this product.
  • If CANNEX later publishes rider-level terms, those details can support a direct lifetime-income comparison without relying on brochure assumptions.

What to confirm

  • Do not quote a GLWB/PIV payout rate, income-base growth rate, equivalent income base, or rider-fee comparison from this page while those lifetime-income rider details remain unavailable in the live data.
  • For any lifetime-income recommendation, request a carrier illustration or CANNEX comparison that includes the exact rider terms.
  • Crediting rates, strategy availability, surrender terms, and state availability can vary by filing, premium, age, and state; confirm the current terms for the buyer's situation.

Not ideal for

Buyers who need source-backed lifetime-income specifics directly from this page should not rely on this product page alone; use a carrier illustration or a CANNEX response that publishes rider mechanics.

Free Comparison Report

Get an American Equity IncomeShield 9 rate report

See how American Equity IncomeShield 9 compares for your age, state, premium, and income goals alongside other American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company fixed indexed annuity options.

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All crediting strategies

View rate listings (16 strategies)

These are the current crediting strategies available for this product. Use the filters to narrow by index, term, premium band, or rate type.

Par: 95% · 1-yr

BlackRock Adaptive US Equity 5% Index

participation

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Par: 85% · 1-yr

S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Daily Risk Control 5% Index (USD) Excess Return

participation

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Par: 20% · 1-yr

S&P 500 Index

participation

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Cap: 7.5% · 1-yr

S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Daily Risk Control 5% Index (USD) Excess Return

cap

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Trigger: 4% · 1-yr

Nasdaq Premier Index

trigger

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Cap: 3.5% · 1-yr

Nasdaq-100 Index

cap

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Cap: 3.25% · 1-yr

S&P 500 Index

cap

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Cap: 3.25% · 1-yr

Dow Jones Industrial Average

cap

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Trigger: 3.25% · 1-yr

Nasdaq-100 Index

trigger

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Trigger: 3% · 1-yr

Dow Jones Industrial Average

trigger

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Fixed: 2% · 1-yr

Fixed Account

fixed

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Cap: 1.3% · 1-yr

S&P 500 Index

Monthly Point to Point · monthly_sum_cap

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Par: 145% · 2-yr

BlackRock Adaptive US Equity 5% Index

participation

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Par: 125% · 2-yr

S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Daily Risk Control 5% Index (USD) Excess Return

participation

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Par: 30% · 2-yr

S&P 500 Index

participation

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Cap: 7% · 2-yr

S&P 500 Index

cap

9-yr surrenderDoes not vary by premium

Income riders

Income rider

Lifetime Income Benefit Rider Option 2

Lifetime withdrawal rate3.72%
Annual rider fee1.1%
Guaranteed roll-up7%/yr
Deferral assumed10 years

GLWB

Income rider

Lifetime Income Benefit Rider Option 1

Lifetime withdrawal rate3.29%
Annual rider fee1.1%
Guaranteed roll-up10%/yr
Deferral assumed10 years

GLWB

Income rider

Lifetime Income Benefit Rider with Wellbeing Benefit Option 4

Lifetime withdrawal rate3.72%
Annual rider fee1.1%
Guaranteed roll-up7%/yr
Deferral assumed10 years

GLWB

Income rider

Lifetime Income Benefit Rider with Wellbeing Benefit Option 3

Lifetime withdrawal rate3.29%
Annual rider fee1.2%
Guaranteed roll-up10%/yr
Deferral assumed10 years

GLWB

Common questions about American Equity IncomeShield 9

● Can I lose money in American Equity IncomeShield 9?

A negative index return by itself does not reduce the contract's account value: American Equity IncomeShield 9 credits 0% — the floor — for that indexed period. The account value can still decrease from applicable rider fees, Performance Rate Rider or other strategy charges, administrative charges, withdrawals, surrender charges, or other contract-specific deductions. In years with no credited interest, those deductions can reduce the account value. Up to 10% of your value can be withdrawn each year without a charge; withdrawals above the penalty-free amount during the surrender period can incur a surrender charge.

● Is the Lifetime Income Benefit Rider Option 2 income rider worth the 1.1% fee?

It depends on whether you will use the guaranteed income. If you are accumulating only, you can skip it. If you want guaranteed lifetime income later, the 7% roll-up and 3.72% withdrawal rate can make it worthwhile — model it in the Income tab of the analyzer above.

● When can I access my money without a surrender charge?

Up to 10% of your account value each year is penalty-free. The scheduled surrender charges run 9 years; after that the surrender-charge schedule ends. Bonus vesting, market value adjustments when applicable, and other contract rules can still affect the amount available. The Liquidity tab of the analyzer shows the year-by-year surrender charge.

● How do American Equity IncomeShield 9's crediting strategies compare?

Use "Compare against" in the analyzer to overlay another current American Equity IncomeShield 9 strategy on the same premium, age, years, and hypothetical index path. The control labels the strategy type, rate, index, and context so caps, participation rates, triggers, spreads, and fixed-account choices are not treated as interchangeable.

Key Features

Free withdrawal

10%/yr

Annual amount that may be available without surrender charges, subject to contract terms.

Premium bonus

14%

Bonus terms can vary by state, premium band, and rider election.

Death benefit

Standard Death Benefit

Beneficiary value depends on contract terms, withdrawals, and rider elections.

Cap-rate floor

0.50%

Minimum guaranteed cap for cap-based indexed strategies.

Declared-rate floor

1.00%

Minimum guaranteed declared rate for declared-rate or performance-trigger strategies.

Fixed account guarantee

0.50%

Guaranteed minimum interest rate for the fixed account.

Participation-rate floor

10.00%

Minimum guaranteed participation rate for participation-rate indexed strategies.

Annuitization options

Single and joint

Contract conversion options should be confirmed before purchase.

Fund types

Non-qualified, Qualified

Availability can vary by state and product terms.

Surrender schedule

Yr 1

7.35%

Yr 2

7.35%

Yr 3

7.25%

Yr 4

6.2%

Yr 5

5.1%

Yr 6

3.95%

Yr 7

2.75%

Yr 8

1.55%

Yr 9

0.8%

After

0%

Documents

product guide

American Equity IncomeShield 9 Sales Brochures - CA.pdf

Confidence: highReviewed Apr 2, 2026

Direct link not published — request the document from the carrier.

Carrier Ratings

AM BestA
S&PA
S&PA

Contract notes from product data

Crediting design

How the interest-crediting choices are framed

American Equity IncomeShield 9 currently shows 16 indexed or fixed crediting options, including S&P 500 Index, with 6 volatility-controlled index options grouped separately. These choices matter because caps, participation rates, fixed accounts, spreads, renewal terms, and fee-bearing rider variants are different mechanics and should not be ranked as one simple rate list.

  • S&P 500 Index: 3.25% annual cap
  • S&P 500 Index: 1.3% monthly point-to-point cap
  • S&P 500 Index: 20% annual participation rate
  • S&P 500 Index: 7% 2-year cap

Income rider language

What to look for before treating the rider as income

Lifetime Income Benefit Rider Option 2 is the main income rider listed for this product. Rider terms can affect the tradeoff between future lifetime withdrawals, contract value, beneficiary value, and cost, so the exact state version and rider election should be confirmed before comparing it to annuitization or income-only contracts.

  • 3.72% withdrawal rate
  • 1.1% rider fee
  • 10 deferral years

Liquidity terms

Why access rules deserve as much attention as rates

A fixed indexed annuity can preserve more control than an income-only contract, but access is still governed by the surrender schedule, free-withdrawal terms, and waiver language. Those details are where many product comparisons become more meaningful than a simple rate list.

  • 10%/yr free withdrawal
  • 9 surrender years

Verification note

Use carrier materials as term evidence, then confirm the current version

Carrier materials such as American Equity IncomeShield 9 Sales Brochures - CA.pdf help explain the contract language behind the data on this page; the latest document activity we see is Apr 8, 2026. For the current brochure, rate sheet, or specimen contract, confirm the state-specific version with the carrier or a licensed financial professional.

  • Rates and rider terms can vary by state and issue age
  • Carrier guarantees depend on claims-paying ability
  • Current contract forms should be confirmed before purchase

Free Comparison Report

Get an American Equity IncomeShield 9 rate report

See how American Equity IncomeShield 9 compares for your age, state, premium, and income goals alongside other American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company fixed indexed annuity options.

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