Registered index-linked annuity
Brighthouse Shield Level II 6-Year Annuity
Brighthouse Shield Level II 6-Year Annuity is the national six-year Shield contract version, pairing SEC-registered market-linked growth potential with defined downside terms; contract value can rise or fall.
Buffer
25%
Protection terms vary by segment and do not make the contract principal-protected.
RILA contracts can offer index-linked upside with a stated buffer, floor, or downside participation rule. They can still lose value under market and contract conditions, and they are not MYGA-style fixed-rate guarantees.
Product data status: July 16, 2026
Source: AdvisorWorld public product detail from CANNEX. Rates vary by state, premium band, issue age, index segment, and crediting term. RILA buffers, floors, downside participation, caps, participation rates, fixed rates, and spreads are separate point-in-time contract mechanics; they can change and are not guaranteed yields. Educational only; not advice, a quote, or a carrier-approved illustration. Confirm the current prospectus, state-approved contract version, and carrier materials before purchase. Guarantees are backed by the issuing carrier's claims-paying ability and are not FDIC-insured.
How this product works
How the 25% buffer works
For buffer segments, the insurer absorbs the first 25% of a linked-index loss for that segment term. If the index falls by more than the buffer, the contract loses value by the amount beyond it. These are forms of limited downside protection, not principal protection.
Because this is an SEC-registered product, compare the current prospectus, contract, segment term, crediting limit, fees, and surrender rules before purchase.
Downside-aware simulator
Test an index segment outcome
Principal is not protected. This educational one-segment scenario can gain or lose value and is not a carrier illustration.
Starting value
$100,000
Segment return
0.00%
Ending value
$100,000
Buffer: credited loss = min(0, index return + buffer). Floor: credited loss = max(index return, −floor). Upside participation is applied before any cap; an annual strategy fee is compounded across the listed segment term.
Buffer
25%
S&P 500 Index · 6-year term · Point-to-point · 6-year crediting
Downside buffer for the listed index-linked segment; losses beyond the buffer can still apply.
Cap
300%
MSCI EAFE Index · 6-year term · Point-to-point · 6-year crediting
Crediting cap for the listed index-linked segment; actual crediting depends on index performance and contract terms.
State coverage
52
Available jurisdictions
Availability should be confirmed for the client's state and contract version.
Best current strategy by index and term
Scenario: $100,000 premium, issue age 60, Texas unless state-restricted. Source: AdvisorWorld CANNEX RILA detail. Information current as of July 16, 2026.
Fixed Account
1-year term · Fixed account
Protection
Not shown
Fixed
3.5%
MSCI EAFE Index
1-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 3 available options
Buffer
10%
Cap
20%
MSCI EAFE Index
1-year term · Performance trigger · Best of 4 available options
Buffer
10%
Trigger rate
8.5%
MSCI EAFE Index
2-year term · Performance trigger · Best of 4 available options
Buffer
10%
Trigger rate
16%
MSCI EAFE Index
3-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 2 available options
Buffer
10%
Cap
130%
MSCI EAFE Index
6-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 3 available options
Buffer
10%
Cap
300%
MSCI EAFE Index
6-year term · Shield 10 Participation Rate Cap Rate with Fee · Point-to-point · Best of 3 available options
Buffer
10%
Participation
140%
1.25% strategy fee
Nasdaq-100 Index
1-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 3 available options
Buffer
10%
Cap
16%
Nasdaq-100 Index
1-year term · Performance trigger · Best of 4 available options
Buffer
10%
Trigger rate
10.25%
Nasdaq-100 Index
2-year term · Performance trigger · Best of 4 available options
Buffer
10%
Trigger rate
18%
Nasdaq-100 Index
3-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 2 available options
Buffer
10%
Cap
50%
Nasdaq-100 Index
6-year term · Shield 25 Participation Rate Cap Rate with Fee · Point-to-point · Best of 4 available options
Buffer
25%
Cap
130%
1.25% strategy fee
Nasdaq-100 Index
6-year term · Shield 10 Participation Rate Cap Rate with Fee · Point-to-point · Best of 2 available options
Buffer
10%
Participation
105%
1.25% strategy fee
Russell 2000 Index
1-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 3 available options
Buffer
10%
Cap
19%
Russell 2000 Index
1-year term · Performance trigger · Best of 4 available options
Buffer
10%
Trigger rate
12%
Russell 2000 Index
2-year term · Performance trigger · Best of 4 available options
Buffer
10%
Trigger rate
21%
Russell 2000 Index
3-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 2 available options
Buffer
10%
Cap
70%
Russell 2000 Index
6-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 3 available options
Buffer
10%
Cap
110%
Russell 2000 Index
6-year term · Shield 10 Participation Rate Cap Rate with Fee · Point-to-point · Best of 3 available options
Buffer
10%
Participation
115%
1.25% strategy fee
S&P 500 Index
1-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 3 available options
Buffer
10%
Cap
16%
S&P 500 Index
1-year term · Performance trigger · Best of 4 available options
Buffer
10%
Trigger rate
10%
S&P 500 Index
2-year term · Performance trigger · Best of 4 available options
Buffer
10%
Trigger rate
16.5%
S&P 500 Index
3-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 2 available options
Buffer
10%
Cap
75%
S&P 500 Index
6-year term · Point-to-point · Best of 2 available options
Buffer
15%
Cap
110%
S&P 500 Index
6-year term · Shield 10 Participation Rate Cap Rate with Fee · Point-to-point · Best of 4 available options
Buffer
10%
Participation
121%
1.25% strategy fee
What stands out
- • A defined-protection strategy menu gives Brighthouse Shield Level II 6-Year Annuity buyers a choice of market-linked segments rather than a single declared return.
- • Index and term choices are grouped on the page so each market and time horizon can be compared without duplicate listings for premiums or states.
- • The contract is positioned around tax-deferred accumulation and selectable risk/return trade-offs rather than a principal guarantee.
What to watch
- • This registered index-linked annuity can lose money. Its downside rule limits specified segment losses; it does not make principal fully protected.
- • A buffer means the insurer absorbs the first stated percentage of loss. A floor means the buyer’s segment loss is capped at the stated percentage. They are not interchangeable.
- • Caps, participation rates, spreads, strategy fees, and protection levels can vary by segment, term, state, and premium band and can change for new segments.
- • Early withdrawals can be affected by surrender charges, market value adjustments, and interim value calculations apart from the index result.
Who it may fit
Buyers who understand prospectus-governed market risk, can keep money in the contract through the intended segment and surrender periods, and want to choose a defined downside trade-off rather than full principal protection.
Who should look elsewhere
Buyers who need principal protection, a bank-deposit guarantee, unrestricted liquidity, or a simple fixed return that does not depend on an index segment.
Liquidity
Free withdrawal: 10%/yr
Surrender periods shown: 6
Premium range
Minimum: Not shown
Maximum: Not shown
Documents
No carrier documents are currently available for this product.
Surrender schedule
Carrier ratings
AM Best: A — Excellent
S&P: A — Strong
Moody's: A3 — Good
S&P: A+ — Strong
Prospectus and documents
This is an SEC-registered product. Read the current prospectus and state-approved contract for segment rules, fees, withdrawals, and surrender terms.
RILA questions
Can this product lose value?
Yes. Principal is not protected; linked segments can lose value when negative index performance exceeds the selected protection or under other contract terms.
How are a buffer and floor different?
A buffer absorbs the first stated portion of a loss and passes through the excess. A floor caps the segment loss at the stated amount.
What limits positive returns?
Depending on the segment, a cap, participation rate, spread, strategy fee, or combination can limit credited upside.
Structured product features
Free withdrawal
10%/yr
Annual amount that may be available without surrender charges, subject to contract terms.
Surrender waivers
2
Nursing home waiver, Terminal illness waiver
Death benefit
AV Death Benefit
Beneficiary value depends on contract terms, withdrawals, and rider elections.
Cap-rate floor
2.00%
Minimum guaranteed cap for cap-based indexed strategies.
Declared-rate floor
2.00%
Minimum guaranteed declared rate for declared-rate or performance-trigger strategies.
Fixed account guarantee
2.45%
Guaranteed minimum interest rate for the fixed account.
Participation-rate floor
100.00%
Minimum guaranteed participation rate for participation-rate indexed strategies.
Annuitization options
Single and joint
Contract conversion options should be confirmed before purchase.