Is the Nationwide New Heights Select 9 Worth It?
New Heights Select 9 is a single premium fixed indexed annuity (FIA) issued by Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company. The “9” refers to the 9-year surrender charge schedule. Like all FIAs, it lets you participate in the upside of one or more market indices (typically the S&P 500 or volatility-controlled variants) without exposure to the downside. Your principal cannot lose value due to negative index performance.
The product has three layers worth understanding separately:
- The chassis: A standard FIA with a 9-year surrender, multiple index strategy options, and a unique daily-tracking accumulation feature
- The optional riders: Four optional riders for additional cost (only one allowed per contract) covering lifetime income or death benefit
- The carrier: Nationwide Life and Annuity, a Fortune 100 mutual-affiliate insurer with top-tier financial strength ratings
For new-to-the-product readers, see our complete fixed index annuity guide first. This review assumes you understand the FIA basics and gets straight to what makes New Heights Select 9 different.
The Headline: $10,540 Per Year for Life on a $100K Deposit
Most product reviews bury the income math behind walls of feature descriptions. We are doing the opposite. Here is what the actual income looks like for a representative buyer, generated from a live illustration our team ran on May 1, 2026.
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Buyer profile | Male, age 60, Arizona |
| Initial premium | $100,000 |
| Product | Nationwide New Heights Select 9 |
| Rider | High Point 365 Select with Bonus (1.10% annual fee) |
| Crediting strategy | 1-Year S&P 500 Balanced Allocation Participation Rate Option B |
| Income start age | 65 (5-year deferral) |
| Guaranteed annual lifetime income at 65 | $10,540 per year for life |
Nationwide New Heights Select 9 at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Guaranteed lifetime income (with the bonus rider) |
| Carrier | Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (AM Best A+, S&P A+, Moody’s A1) |
| Surrender period | 9 years, plus a market value adjustment (how an MVA works) |
| Free withdrawal | 7% of contract value a year after year 1; 10% after the surrender period; RMDs always free |
| Riders | One optional rider per contract: income or enhanced death benefit |
| Income rider | High Point 365 Select with Bonus, 1.10% a year |
| Death benefit | Greater of Daily Accumulation Value or surrender value (enhanced versions optional) |
How Much Income Does the Nationwide New Heights Select 9 Pay?
| Step (male 60, $100,000) | Result |
|---|---|
| 30% bonus on day one | $130,000 income base |
| 9.5% compound for 5 years | $204,651 income base at 65 |
| Payout at 65 | 5.15% of the income base |
| Guaranteed income | $10,540 a year for life |
- Up to 12 years of growth: the 9.5% roll-up runs until income starts, for at most 12 years.
- The base can reset higher: it steps up whenever the Daily Accumulation Value hits a new high, even after income starts.
- Joint option: income can cover both spouses at a slightly lower payout.
- Run your own numbers: try our income rider calculator or the live quote below.
How Much Guaranteed Lifetime Income Can You Buy?
Live quotes from today’s carrier feedHypothetical Historical Rate of Return
The illustration used the 1-year S&P 500 Balanced Allocation participation strategy; your account value follows index credits, not the 9.5% roll-up.
- The base is not cash: you can’t withdraw $204,651; surrenders and heirs get the account value.
- Daily Accumulation Value: earnings to date count on mid-term withdrawals, including RMDs.
- Mid-term lock: once per term you can lock an index gain before the term ends.
- Benchmark it: compare crediting with current fixed index annuity rates and today’s At today's top 10-year rate of 6.30% (compound), $100,000 grows to about $184,218 over 10 years, a gain of $84,218.
Get your Nationwide New Heights Select 9 illustration for your age and state
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Nationwide New Heights Select 9 Strengths and Red Flags
What it does well
- 30% bonus plus 9.5% roll-up: builds a large income base over a short deferral.
- Strong carrier: Nationwide is rated A+ by AM Best and S&P and A1 by Moody’s.
- 7% free withdrawals: available every year after year 1, during the surrender period.
Red flags
- 1.10% rider fee: charged every year against your contract value.
- One rider only: choose income or an enhanced death benefit, not both.
- 9-year lock-up: surrender charges plus an MVA on excess withdrawals.
- Rates can change: crediting factors reset at each strategy term.
Final verdict: the Nationwide New Heights Select 9 is built for guaranteed lifetime income after a short wait. It earns our 4.4 rating for buyers starting income in 5 to 12 years. For a 10-year option, compare the Nationwide Peak 10 with the Nationwide New Heights Select 9.
Compare live rates on 137 fixed index annuities or visit our annuity review database.
This review is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation or an offer to sell any annuity. Product features, index options, and rates can and do vary by state, and this product is not available for sale in every state. Always request a carrier illustration and work with a licensed annuity agent before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much income does the Nationwide New Heights Select 9 pay on $100,000?
On our illustration, a 60-year-old man who waits five years locks in $10,540 a year for life starting at 65, using the High Point 365 Select with Bonus rider.
How does the New Heights Select 9 income bonus work?
The rider adds a 30% bonus to the income base on day one, then grows it 9.5% compound a year for up to 12 years or until income starts.
Can I withdraw the income base as cash?
No. The income base only sets your lifetime payment. Surrenders and death benefits are paid from the contract value, which follows index credits.
