10/11/2026
IULs usually come with TWO numbers you should understand before you buy: the FLOOR and the CAP.
1) The “floor” (downside)
This is the minimum interest crediting rate tied to the index for that crediting period (often 0%).
Plain English: if the market index is down, your index credit can be protected from going negative.
Important: a floor on index crediting does NOT mean your policy value can’t go down—policy charges/fees can still reduce values.
2) The “cap” (upside)
This is the maximum interest you can be credited when the index is up.
Example: if the index is up 12% and your cap is 9%, you may only be credited up to 9% (based on the policy’s rules).
Why BOTH numbers matter:
• The floor helps limit damage in down years.
• The cap can limit results in strong up years.
• Over time, a “great floor” with a “tight cap” can still underperform expectations.
Before you commit, ask to see (in writing): current cap, floor, participation rate/spread, how often they can change, and how policy charges affect values.
Educational only — not financial advice, and not a promise of performance. Want help reading an illustration? DM “FLOOR & CAP.”