S&P 500 6-Year Index Analysis - Financial product index return insights

Oct 12, 2026

S&P 500 6-year term indexed strategies are analyzed using 6-year rolling returns of the S&P 500 price return index (SPX) from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2025, covering 3,654 observations. Results show positive performance in over 99% of periods, with average gains above 79% and average losses of -1.02% during negative periods. Downside protection is illustrated through 10% and 20% buffer mechanisms, and the document outlines related disclosures for registered index-linked annuities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

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S&P 500 6-Year Index Analysis

Data scope and rolling-return methodology

Performance summary: positive vs. negative periods

Downside protection buffers (10% and 20%)

Notes, definitions, and investor disclosures

S&P 500 6-Year Index Analysis With a registered index-linked annuity from MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company, you can allocate funds to 6-year term indexed strategies that earn returns based on the S&P 500 Index. This index includes stocks issued by 500 of the top companies in leading industries in the U. S. economy. Let’s take a closer look. S&P 500 returns using rolling periods The data below uses 6-year rolling returns1 of the S&P 500 price return index (SPX) from December 31, 2005 through December 31, 2025, for a total of 3,6542 observations. Negative performance: 0.55% Positive performance: 99.45% Key insights • In over 99% of 6-year periods over the last twenty years, the S&P 500 experienced positive performance. • When the S&P 500 experienced positive performance, the average gain was over 79% . • When the S&P 500 experienced negative performance, the average loss was-1.02% . Applying downside protection factors to a negative return S&P 500 6-year term indexed strategies offer two types of downside protection factors – a 10% buffer and a 20% buffer. Let’s take a look at how these two types of downside protection work, and how they would have protected against the average 6-year loss of-1.02%: | Downside
protection factor | 10% buffer |
20% buffer
Protects against the first 20% of index losses | | --- | --- | --- | | How it works | Protects against the first 10% of index losses | | | How it protects | Because the-1 .02% loss fell within | Because the-1 .02% loss fell within the | | against-1.02% | the 10% buffer, the indexed strategy | 20% buffer, the indexed strategy value | | average loss | would have been completely protected | would have been completely protected | MassMutual Ascend offers several registered index-linked annuities, which have varying types of upside potential and partial downside protection. These solutions also offer benefits such as tax deferral and guaranteed lifetime income. Talk with your financial professional about how a registered index-linked annuity can fit into your portfolio and help you reach your goals. MassMutual Ascend first offered annuities with 6-year S&P 500 indexed strategies in May 2022. 16-year rolling returns refers to every 6-year period that started on a business day after December 31, 2005 and ended before January 1, 2026. 2 Zero flat 6-year periods, in which the S&P 500 return was 0%, are included in the number of total observations. ³ Maximum return: 6-year period ending 3/5/2015 4 Minimum return: 6-year period ending 11/15/2012 The information shown is reflective of point-to-point returns for a full six-year period. A withdrawal during a six-year term would be subject to an alternate valuation formula. MassMutual Ascend’s registered index-linked annuities can only be sold through a Broker/Dealer that is contracted with MassMutual AscendSM. This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a copy of the prospectus, [please visit MassMutualAscend.com/RILArates](please visit MassMutualAscend.com/RILArates). Annuities are long-term investments and may not be suitable for all investors. Withdrawalsfrom an annuity contract may have tax consequences. The "S&P 500 Index" is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates ("SPDJI") and has been licensed for use by MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company. S&P®, S&P 500®, US 500, The 500, iBoxx®, iTraxx® and CDX® are trademarks ofS&P Global, Inc. or its affiliates ("S&P"); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("Dow Jones"); MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company's products are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P 500 Index. Principal Underwriter

FAQs

What data period and methodology does the S&P 500 6-year analysis use?

It uses 6-year rolling returns of the S&P 500 price return index (SPX) from December 31, 2005 through December 31, 2025, totaling 3,654 observations.

How often did the S&P 500 show positive results over these 6-year periods?

Over the last twenty years, the S&P 500 experienced positive performance in over 99% of the 6-year periods.

How do the 10% and 20% downside protection buffers work?

The 10% buffer protects against the first 10% of index losses, while the 20% buffer protects against the first 20% of index losses, with an example showing full protection of the average -1.02% loss within the respective buffer.

Oct 12, 2026

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