FIXED ANNUITIES The Lincoln Leader

The Lincoln Leader

November 8, 2019 ? Vol. 12, Issue 11

FIXED ANNUITIES

New in November! Product and service enhancements/changes

Lincoln New Directions? indexed account enhancements; closing of Lincoln OptiChoiceSM; refreshed illustrations and updated statements

Lincoln is closing out the year with several product enhancements and updates, as well as improved communication and education opportunities for clients.

Lincoln New Directions? 6 and 8 indexed accounts We are pleased to offer enhancements to the indexed account line-up for Lincoln New Directions? fixed indexed annuity. New contracts will now include these indexed accounts: ? 1 Year S&P 500 Cap (replaces 2 Year S&P 500 Cap account; pending

availability in New Jersey) ? New: 1 Year S&P 500 7.5% Daily Risk Control Participation (pending

availability in New Jersey and the Virgin Islands; not available in California) ? 1 Year S&P 500 Performance Triggered (no change)

Closing of Lincoln OptiChoiceSM fixed indexed annuity We are streamlining our flexible premium product offerings by discontinuing new sales of the Lincoln OptiChoiceSM fixed indexed annuity. ? Our New York product, Lincoln OptiChoiceSM NY 5, 7 and 9,

remains available for new sales.

New look for annuity illustrations A new colorful summary page is at the start of the illustration, presenting the product features and benefits in an easy-to-understand, personalized format. Other changes include an emphasis on the concepts of wealth protection and

growth potential.

Headlines

New in November

Updated indexed account lineup for Lincoln New Directions

New look for annuity illustrations

Redesigned statements and reallocation notices

Online fixed indexed annuity performance details

Lincoln OptiChoice closing to new sales

Fidelity AIM Dividend Participation now available in CA

Year-end business cut-off dates

Contact Us

Updated fixed indexed annuity statements New statements focus on the value an annuity offers a client and provides clarity to performance information.

Refer to the following pages for more information and transition guidelines.

.

The Lincoln Leader contains product and business implementation information for Lincoln fixed, fixed indexed and income annuities. Products and features are subject to state and firm availability. Check your selling agreement for availability.

For Agent/Broker Use Only ? Not To Be Used With The General Public.

Indexed account enhancements launching for Lincoln New Directions? 6 & 8 effective November 18, 2019

New participation rate strategy and 1 year S&P 500 cap strategy available with new contracts

Effective for new Lincoln New Directions? contracts, clients will be able to allocate their money into the 1 Year S&P 500 7.5% Daily Risk Control Participation account, and the 1 Year S&P 500 Cap account will replace the 2 Year S&P 500 Cap indexed account.

? 1 Year S&P 500 7.5% Daily Risk Control Participation account This new indexed account utilizes the S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 7.5% Index as the benchmark for earnings and uses a participation rate crediting methodology. The new account is pending availability in New Jersey and the Virgin Islands, and will not be available in California. To learn more about this new index, read our new flier [ORDER CODE FA-DRC01-FLI001].

? 1 Year S&P 500 Cap account (2 Year S&P 500 Cap account discontinued for new sales) All the indexed accounts included in Lincoln New Directions contracts will offer 1-year indexed terms. The new 1-year account is pending availability in New Jersey.

Updated marketing materials, forms and illustrations will be available as of November 18, 2019.

Transition guidelines for pending contracts

? In order to allocate money to the 2 Year S&P 500 Cap account, applications, both paper and electronic, must be signed, dated, received, in good order, and funded by close of business Friday, November 15, 2019.

? If funds are not received by the deadline, new allocation instructions must be provided and can be accepted on a recorded line. The new indexed accounts will be available for allocation, but the 2 Year S&P 500 Cap account will no longer be available.

The Announcement Flier provides a summary of this information. [ORDER CODE: FA-ND68-FLI001]

State availability as of November 18, 2019

For any contracts issued after an account closes but before the new account is approved, those contracts will issue with only the currently available indexed accounts and will not have the new accounts available at renewal. New Jersey ? Pending approvals: Effective November 18, 2019 and until the Lincoln New Directions product updates are approved, New Jersey contracts will be issued with the Fixed Account and the 1 Year S&P 500 Performance Triggered account.

Virgin Islands ? Pending approval: Effective November 18, 2019 and until the new indexed account is approved, Virgin Island contracts will be issued with the Fixed Account, the 1 Year S&P 500 Cap and the 1 Year S&P 500 Performance Triggered account.

California ? Effective November 18, 2019 and beyond, California contracts will be issued with the Fixed Account, the 1 Year S&P 500 Cap and the 1 Year S&P 500 Performance Triggered account.

For Agent/Broker Use Only ? Not To Be Used With The General Public. Fixed Annuity Lincoln Leader ? November 2019

Page 2 of 7

A fresh new look for annuity illustrations

Illustrations help reinforce features and benefits of proposed product

Lincoln is pleased to introduce a whole new look for annuity illustrations as well as targeted content. Clients can easily see the benefits and features of the product at a glance. Our new illustrations make it clear to clients the value that an annuity can bring to their retirement income plan. And this can pave the way for you to discuss which options and opportunities can better address your clients' needs.

Key enhancements include: ? New! SUMMARY OF BENEFITS page ? COLOR AND GRAPHICS to add interest and better understanding of product features ? Focus on WEALTH PROTECTION AND GROWTH POTENTIAL

These enhancements will be available as of November 18, 2019.

Learn more about the enhancements we've made to our fixed indexed annuity illustrations in the brochure "How our redesign can simplify your conversations." [ORDER CODE: FA-ILLUS-BRC003] and by watching an informative video highlighting the changes.

Contact your Lincoln representative for an illustration and more information.

For Agent/Broker Use Only ? Not To Be Used With The General Public. Fixed Annuity Lincoln Leader ? November 2019

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Enhanced fixed indexed annuity statements and reallocation notices provide a better client experience

Redesigned statements reinforce the sales story

The annual fixed indexed annuity client statements and annual reallocation notices have been enhanced for a better client experience for contracts issued April 1, 2011 and after. The updated statements offer a similar look and feel as the illustrations and provide clarity around performance. The new statements also help reinforce the value of an annuity in retirement planning with a focus on wealth protection and growth potential.

Beginning November 25, 2019, the new annual statements and reallocation notices for fixed indexed annuity contracts without a protected income benefit will be available.

In 2020, we'll roll out the enhanced annual statements and reallocation notices for fixed indexed annuity contracts with a protected income benefit (for example, including Lincoln Lifetime IncomeSM Edge 2.0).

Key statement enhancements include: ? IMPORTANT INFORMATION APPEARS FIRST, including the prior and current year's values, interest earned and the death benefit. ? STREAMLINED SUMMARY provides details of the interest accounts in one section, including interest credited and ending account value for each bucket. ? A new "KEY TERMS" section contains easy-tounderstand definitions.

Key changes to the reallocation notices include: ? The WAYS TO REALLOCATE are clearly stated. ? CLEARER DISPLAY OF ALLOCATIONS to each bucket.

Available Resources

? Client Brochure promoting the new statements [ORDER CODE: FA-

STATE-FLI002]

? We've also developed a video (agent and broker use) explaining the benefits and features of the updated statements, and a

? Frequently Asked Questions document (agent and broker use) [ORDER CODE: FA-

STATE-FLI003]

Lincoln's new online performance details

Fixed indexed annuities ? interest credited details for indexed accounts

With the launch of the new fixed indexed annuity statements, detailed information on how interest was credited for indexed accounts was removed from the statement and will be available online, as of December 16, 2019. This simplifies the statement and drives clients online to experience all the benefits an online account offers.

Accessing the online performance: Once logged in to their account, clients and their authorized representatives can find this information under ACCOUNT DETAILS. This new experience is labeled "INTEREST CREDITED DETAILS". This is the same place clients navigate to find their statements, recent transactions and account reallocation.

For Agent/Broker Use Only ? Not To Be Used With The General Public. Fixed Annuity Lincoln Leader ? November 2019

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Lincoln OptiChoiceSM fixed indexed annuity closing to new sales

Effective November 18, 2019, Lincoln OptiChoiceSM 5, 7 & 9 will no longer be available for new sales

Lincoln is streamlining our fixed indexed annuity product offerings. In order for clients to receive a new Lincoln OptiChoiceSM contract:

? Applications must be signed by November 15, 2019. ? The signed application must be received at Lincoln within 14 days of the application signed

date; if the application is not received during this timeframe, the application will be returned. ? The business must be funded within the applicable rate hold period; if not funded before the

rate hold period expires, the application will be returned. Please contact your Lincoln representative for more information and other available product solutions.

NOTE: Lincoln OptiChoiceSM NY (5, 7 and 9) fixed indexed annuity (issued by Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York) remains available for new sales. New York business will not be impacted.

The Announcement Flier provides additional details. ORDER CODE: FA-OCEND-FLI001

Lincoln OptiBlend? fixed indexed annuity: 1 Year Fidelity AIM Dividend Participation account available in California

Effective November 18, 2019

The new 1 Year Fidelity AIM Dividend Participation strategy available on Lincoln OptiBlend? fixed indexed annuities will be launched in California on November 18, 2019 for new contracts. Applications signed November 18, 2019 or later will have the opportunity to allocate to this account. New Lincoln OptiBlend? contracts (subject to base contract state availability) will have the following indexed accounts available: ? 1 Year Fidelity AIM Dividend Participation ? 1 Year S&P 500 5% Daily Risk Control Spread ? 1 Year S&P 500 Cap ? 1 Year S&P 500 Participation View our flier to learn more about the new Fidelity AIMSM Dividend Index.

For Agent/Broker Use Only ? Not To Be Used With The General Public. Fixed Annuity Lincoln Leader ? November 2019

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Year-end business cut-off dates: Individual Annuities

Important cut-off dates regarding year-end processing

Listed below are some important cut-off dates regarding year-end processing of 2019 Good Order business. Please keep in mind that transactions processed after the deadline or cut-off dates will be completed on a best-efforts basis with no guarantees as to the tax year in which they will be reported.

? All annuity business mail (applications, checks, financial request, etc.) must be received in good order in the appropriate location by 4:00 p.m. ET on the date specified below.

? The dates shown in the chart do not represent 2019 compensation payout. ? The contract must issue in 2019 in order to earn 2019 production credit with Lincoln.

Request or Process

Deadline

Notes

New Business:

All fixed, fixed indexed and income annuities

December 20, 2019

This cut-off date applies to all applications; however, for "Applications without money" this date is for rate locks only. Standard rate lock procedures apply. This date does not pertain to Lincoln production credit or the issue date.

Contact the appropriate New Business Case Coordinator with any questions regarding new business.

Financial Distributions: Withdrawals, internal transfers, surrenders, loans, one-time RMDs

Automatic Withdrawal Service (AWS) for RMD

December 26, 2019

"In good order" requests received on or before December 26, 2019 will ensure 2019 tax reporting.

December 6, 2019

"In good order" requests received on or before December 6, 2019 will ensure 2019 tax reporting.

Lincoln observed holidays:

? November 28: Thursday ? Thanksgiving Day ? November 29: Friday ? Day after Thanksgiving ? December 25: Wednesday ? Christmas Day ? January 1, 2020: Wednesday ? New Year's Day

The Lincoln Individual Annuities Customer Contact Center

will be OPEN:

8:00am - 4:00pm ET on

Friday, November 29, 2019.

For Agent/Broker Use Only ? Not To Be Used With The General Public. Fixed Annuity Lincoln Leader ? November 2019

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Looking for an Article?

The Index of Articles for past issues of the Fixed Annuity Lincoln Leader can be found on the Lincoln Leader archive page of producer websites.

Products and features subject to state availability.

Certain products are only available in select distribution channels. Check your selling agreement for availability.

Not a deposit Not FDIC-insured Not insured by any federal government agency Not guaranteed by any bank or savings association May go down in value

?2019 Lincoln National Corporation Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and its affiliates. Affiliates are separately responsible for their own financial and contractual obligations. LCN-2809168-110419

Fixed annuity contact information

Sales Desk

Product questions/ Sales ideas/ Illustrations/ Website training

Operating hours: 8:00AM ? 7:00PM ET

Annuity Sales Desk Agent Use Only

Sales Desk: 888-895-4830, Option 2 FixedAnnuitySales@

Customer Solutions

Appointments/ Contracting/ Compensation

Operating hours: 8:00AM ? 6:00PM ET

Appointments/Contracting Call Center: 800-238-6252, Option 1, Option 2

New Contracting Paperwork Submission: Contracting@ Fax: 603-226-5311

NAIC Training Questions: AskAnnuityNAIC@

Appointment Status Updates: LicensingStatus@

Compensation Call Center: 800-238-6252, Option 1, Option 1 Commissions@

New Business and Post-Issue

Operating hours: 8:30AM ? 5:15PM ET

Contact Centers

For agent/client use

Operating hours: 8:00AM ? 6:00PM ET

FAX Numbers New business: 260-455-0271 (fax) Post-Issue: 260-455-0263 (fax)

Pre-Issue Good Order (GO) Team Contact the appropriate New Business Case Coordinator

Forms Submission: AnnuityForms@

Overnight Servicing Address Lincoln Financial Group Individual Annuity Operations 1300 South Clinton Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802-3506

Servicing Address Lincoln Financial Group P.O. Box 2348 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2348

Fixed and Fixed Indexed Annuity: 888-916-4900

Lincoln Insured Income, Lincoln Deferred Income Solutions, Lincoln SmartIncome and annuitization: 800-487-1485 x8529

Lincoln Long-Term Care: 877-534-4636

Lincoln fixed, fixed indexed and income annuities are issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (Lincoln), Fort Wayne, IN. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorized to do so. The "contract" may be referred to as a "policy" or "certificate" in certain states. The certificate is a group annuity certificate issued under a group annuity contract issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company to a group annuity trust. Contractual obligations are subject to the claims-paying ability of The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company.

Contracts sold in New York are issued by Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York (Lincoln), Syracuse, NY. The contractual obligations are subject to the claims-paying ability of Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York.

For agent and broker use only ? not to be used with the general public.

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