Fixed Indexed Annuity
American Equity AssetShield 9
American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company · AM Best A
S&P 500 annual cap
11.75%
CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026
DB-backed product comparison
American Equity AssetShield 9 vs Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5
Decision-first comparison using current product data, carrier backing, review ratings, liquidity, surrender terms, rider mechanics, and sourced disclosures.
Live CANNEX-backed data via AdvisorWorld. Each figure below carries its source and as-of timing.
View product page
VS
Fixed Indexed Annuity
Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5
The Standard · AM Best A
S&P 500 annual cap
12%
CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026
Auto-verdict
American Equity AssetShield 9 leads on minimum premium; Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 leads on top annual cap, surrender period; carrier strength and annual fee are tied. This compares current accumulation metrics and is not a personalized recommendation.
- On minimum premium, American Equity AssetShield 9 has the lower figure ($5,000 minimum premium vs $15,000 minimum premium); Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 is higher.
- On top annual cap, Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 has the higher figure (12% cap · S&P 500 · 1-yr point-to-point vs 11.75% cap · S&P 500 · annual); American Equity AssetShield 9 is lower.
- On surrender period, Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 has the lower figure (5 years surrender period vs 9 years surrender period); American Equity AssetShield 9 is higher.
- On carrier strength, both show A AM Best.
- On annual fee, both show 0.02% max annual rider/strategy fee.
Auto-generated from live data, accumulation metrics only, not a recommendation.
Live side by side
Compare on the numbers
Only metrics that apply to this product type are shown. Missing applicable values show unavailable.
| Metric | American Equity AssetShield 9 | Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Top annual capAnnual point-to-point cap; S&P 500 preferred when the live strategy set includes it. | 11.75% cap · S&P 500 · annual CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 | 12% cap · S&P 500 · 1-yr point-to-pointLeading CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 |
| Top participation rateAnnual participation strategy; not ranked against cap rates. | unavailable CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 | 60% participation · S&P 500 · annual CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 |
| Performance triggerCurrent annual trigger strategy from the live FIA feed. | unavailable CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 | 7% trigger · S&P 500 · annual CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 |
| Fixed account rateCurrent fixed account strategy when available in the live feed. | unavailable CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 | 4.5% fixed account CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 |
| AM Best ratingCarrier financial strength from the live product/rating feed when available. | A AM BestTie CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 | A AM BestTie CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 |
| Free withdrawalCurrent annual free-withdrawal percentage for the product. | unavailable CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 | 10%/yr free withdrawal CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 |
| Surrender periodShorter surrender period is highlighted as more flexible. | 9 years surrender period CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 | 5 years surrender periodLeading CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 |
| Annual feeHighest listed annual rider or strategy fee; lower is highlighted. | 0.02% max annual rider/strategy feeTie CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 | 0.02% max annual rider/strategy feeTie CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 |
| Income riderAvailability only; rider fit depends on payout, cost, and goals. | No income rider listedTie CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 | No income rider listedTie CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 |
| Minimum premiumLower minimum premium is highlighted as easier to access. | $5,000 minimum premiumLeading CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 | $15,000 minimum premium CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026 |
Scenario tool
Which one credits more in one index year?
Head-to-head crediting
Applies each product's live annual strategy rate to one hypothetical index year.
American Equity AssetShield 9
S&P 500 annual cap · 11.75% annual cap
Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5
S&P 500 annual cap · 12% annual cap
At a +15% index year, the credited-interest illustration is:
American Equity AssetShield 911.75%
Enhanced Choice Index Plus 512%
Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 credits more here (12% vs 11.75%).
Assumptions: one hypothetical index year, one allocation to the displayed annual strategy for each product, and a 0% floor. Caps, trigger rates, participation rates, renewal rates, allocations, and state availability can change. This is educational only and is not a carrier-approved illustration.
Illustrative tool inputs use live product figures from CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · as of July 16, 2026.
Common questions
Decision FAQs from the same numbers
Is American Equity AssetShield 9 or Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 better for growth?
On top annual cap, Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 has the higher figure (12% cap · S&P 500 · 1-yr point-to-point vs 11.75% cap · S&P 500 · annual); American Equity AssetShield 9 is lower.
Is American Equity AssetShield 9 or Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 better for income?
On income rider availability, both show No income rider listed. Rider availability is only one income input; payout rates, rider fees, start age, and state availability still need review.
Is American Equity AssetShield 9 or Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 better for liquidity?
On surrender period, Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 has the lower figure (5 years surrender period vs 9 years surrender period); American Equity AssetShield 9 is higher. On annual fee, both show 0.02% max annual rider/strategy fee. On minimum premium, American Equity AssetShield 9 has the lower figure ($5,000 minimum premium vs $15,000 minimum premium); Enhanced Choice Index Plus 5 is higher.
How to read this comparison
Compare the product job, not just one number.
Rates matter, but surrender terms, liquidity, rider mechanics, state availability, and carrier strength decide whether a product actually fits.
Rate context
Caps, participation rates, triggers, and fixed buckets show how each FIA creates accumulation potential.
Control
Free-withdrawal and surrender terms are visible because liquidity can be worth as much as a small rate difference.
Carrier backing
Guarantees are backed by the issuing insurer, so carrier ratings and product availability belong next to the rate table.
Disclosures and sources
Live product figures are sourced from CANNEX via AdvisorWorld and are labeled with source and as-of timing. Product-specific values are shown only when they apply; missing applicable values show unavailable and are not backfilled with stale figures.
The verdict is auto-generated from live accumulation metrics only and is not a recommendation. The crediting and guaranteed-growth tools are illustrative, use the stated assumptions, and are not projections, quotes, or carrier-approved illustrations.
Rates vary by state, premium band, and issue age. Caps and participation rates can change. Annuity guarantees are backed by the issuing carrier's claims-paying ability and are not FDIC-insured. Educational only.
Use the comparison as a starting point.
Then go back to the main rate pages to see the broader market, or run the whole-income comparison when income guarantees are the question.
Want a personalized version?
Use the public comparison freely. A personalized report is optional when you want projections based on your age, state, premium, and goals.
Optional report request