Cap rate changes to older IUL products

Carriers periodically send notices for cap rate changes to older Indexed Universal Life products, for example lowering cap rates 50 basis points (0.50%), while keeping their currently offered products the same. The difference in cap rates for legacy products as opposed to new for one carrier is 400 basis points (4.00%). Carriers routinely close an IUL product offering after a couple of years to offer a newer version. These lower cap rates call into question the long term support of certain carriers to their IUL policyholders and whether the crediting returns will come anywhere near those projected on current illustrations.