Who are the best fixed index annuity companies?
The best fixed index annuity companies pair a strong AM Best rating with competitive caps, participation rates or income riders for your goal. Athene sold the most fixed index annuities (FIAs) in 2025, but the best company for you depends on whether you want growth, income or a bonus.
We ran live quotes on October 16, 2026 to find the leaders in each category. Here is our pick for each common need:
- Index selection: Athene
- Lifetime income: Corebridge Financial
- Income from an A+ carrier: North American (Sammons)
- Income plus return of premium: Global Atlantic
- Adding money later: F&G
- 5-year FIA: Americo
- S&P 500 rates at $100,000 and up: Lincoln Financial
- Biggest bonus: AuguStar
- Low minimum deposit: American Equity
- Financial strength: MassMutual Ascend
The 10 best fixed index annuity companies by need
Each card shows the company's 2025 rank in FIA sales from LIMRA, its AM Best rating and what it does best. Quote figures are for a 60-year-old man investing $100,000 of IRA rollover money in Indiana, and they change often.
Athene Annuity & Life
- #1 in 2025 fixed index annuity sales at $15.01 billion, per LIMRA[1].
- One of the widest index menus in the market, including the S&P 500, PIMCO Tactical Balanced and Nasdaq FC.
- Product lines include Performance Elite and Agility.
Best for: growth buyers who want the most indexes to choose from. Watch for: Athene is owned by Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm, which gives some conservative buyers pause.
Corebridge Financial
- Power Select Plus Income paid the highest lifetime income in our quote: $12,320 a year ($1,027 a month) starting at 65.
- Lifetime Income Plus Flex rider grows the income base 12% a year for 10 years. It costs 1.10% a year of the benefit base.
- Income can double if you need long-term care, after a 2-year waiting period (not available in California).
- #3 in 2025 FIA sales at $10.02 billion.
Best for: savers in their 50s and early 60s who want the biggest guaranteed paycheck later.
North American (Sammons Financial)
- Income Pay Pro 10 paid $11,608 a year ($967 a month) starting at 65, the #2 result in our quote.
- The rider grows the income base 8% a year for 10 years and costs 1.15% a year.
- Sister company Midland National came in third at $11,530 a year with its Income Planning Annuity.
- Sammons Financial was #4 in 2025 FIA sales at $9.55 billion.
Best for: income buyers who want an A+ rated company behind the guarantee.
Global Atlantic
- ForeIncome II 10 paid $11,505 a year starting at 65 in our quote.
- Its Guaranteed Income Builder Benefit grows the income base 10% a year for up to 15 years, the longest roll-up in our top results.
- A return-of-premium guarantee starts in year 11.
- #8 in 2025 FIA sales at $5.74 billion.
Best for: income buyers who want flexibility to wait longer and protect their heirs. Watch for: the rider costs 1.20% a year, and some index accounts need $100,000 or more.
F&G Annuities & Life
- Safe Income Advantage accepts additional premiums for the life of the contract. Many FIAs only take new money in the first year.
- Paid $11,524 a year starting at 65 in our quote, with a 7.20% income base roll-up for 10 years.
- #6 in 2025 FIA sales at $6.65 billion.
Best for: people still working who want to keep adding savings to one income annuity. Watch for: no free withdrawals in year one, then 10% a year.
Americo
- Americo Elite 5 had the highest S&P 500 backtested return in our quote: 12.64% a year over the last 10 years.
- Its 5-year S&P 500 point-to-point strategy credits 98% of the index gain, measured on a final average.
- Surrender charges end after 5 years. The minimum deposit is $10,000.
Best for: growth buyers who want S&P 500 exposure without a 10-year commitment. Watch for: backtested returns are not guaranteed, and Americo is outside the 2025 top 20 for FIA sales.
Lincoln Financial
- Lincoln OptiBlend 10 offers a 10.75% annual cap on the S&P 500, or 90% participation over 5 years.
- The 5-year S&P 500 strategy backtested at 11.81% a year over the last 10 years.
- Free withdrawals of 10% a year start in year one.
Best for: savers with $100,000 or more who want plain S&P 500 strategies. Watch for: these rates need a $100,000 deposit, and surrender charges last 10 years.
AuguStar
- Omega Bonus Plus 10 adds a premium bonus of up to 33% for buyers aged 18 to 70, the largest in our FIA Rate Marketplace.
- Its Observatory Bonus Plus 10 pays up to 27%.
- Both have 10-year surrender periods and a $25,000 minimum.
Best for: buyers moving money from an older annuity who want to offset a surrender charge. Watch for: bonus annuities usually have lower caps, and the bonus often vests over several years.
American Equity
- AssetShield starts at $5,000 in 5, 7 and 10-year versions. Most FIAs require $10,000 to $25,000.
- AssetShield 5 Bonus offers a 6%, 8% or 10% bonus option.
- #5 in 2025 FIA sales at $7.19 billion.
Best for: first-time FIA buyers starting small. Watch for: interest-only withdrawals in year one on AssetShield 10.
MassMutual Ascend
- A++ (Superior), the highest rating AM Best gives, and the only A++ carrier among the top 20 FIA sellers.
- American Landmark comes in 3 and 5-year versions, short terms that are rare for FIAs.
- MassMutual was #11 in 2025 FIA sales at $4.53 billion.
Best for: conservative buyers who put safety first. Watch for: American Landmark 3 needs $50,000; the 5-year version starts at $10,000.
Fixed index annuities with the highest lifetime income
We quoted every income rider in our carrier lineup on October 16, 2026. The example is a 60-year-old man investing $100,000 of IRA rollover money in Indiana, with level income starting at 65.
| Rank | Annuity | Annual income | Rider fee | AM Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corebridge Power Select Plus Income | $12,320 | 1.10% | A |
| 2 | North American Income Pay Pro 10 | $11,608 | 1.15% | A+ |
| 3 | Midland National Income Planning Annuity | $11,530 | 1.25% | A+ |
Guaranteed lifetime income from each product's income rider. Your income depends on your age, start date, state and joint or single payout.
See your own numbers with our income rider quote tool:
How Much Guaranteed Lifetime Income Can You Buy?
Live quotes from today’s carrier feedFixed index annuities with the best S&P 500 growth
For growth, we ranked FIAs with surrender periods of 10 years or less by their S&P 500 strategy. The ranking uses each strategy's average backtested return over the last 10 years, as of October 16, 2026.
| Rank | Annuity | S&P 500 strategy | 10-yr backtest | AM Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Americo Elite 5 | 5-year, 98% participation | 12.64% | A |
| 2 | Revol One AccumRev 7 | 1-year, 150% participation after a 10% spread | 12.35% | B++ |
| 3 | Lincoln OptiBlend 10 | 5-year, 90% participation | 11.81% | A |
Backtested returns show how a strategy would have done in the past using today's rates. They are not guaranteed and are not a prediction.
Compare every product side by side in our fixed index annuity rates marketplace, updated daily.
Fixed index annuities with the biggest bonuses
A premium bonus adds a percentage of your deposit to the contract on day one. These are the largest bonuses from A- or better companies in our FIA Rate Marketplace on October 16, 2026.
| Rank | Annuity | Bonus | Surrender period | AM Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AuguStar Omega Bonus Plus 10 | Up to 33% | 10 years | A |
| 2 | AuguStar Observatory Bonus Plus 10 | Up to 27% | 10 years | A |
| 3 | American National Smart Start Accumulator Plus 10 Bonus with Fee | 22% | 10 years | A |
Bonuses vary by age and state. Larger bonuses usually come with lower caps, a vesting schedule or an annual fee.
A bonus only helps if the product also credits well. Ask us to compare bonus annuities for your age and state.
Top 20 fixed index annuity companies by 2025 sales
LIMRA ranks insurers by fixed index annuity sales. The top 20 sold $108.7 billion of the $127.9 billion industry total in 2025.
| Rank | Company | 2025 FIA sales | AM Best | Through MAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athene | $15.01B | A+ | Get a quote |
| 2 | Allianz Life | $11.65B | A+ | Get a quote |
| 3 | Corebridge Financial | $10.02B | A | Get a quote |
| 4 | Sammons Financial | $9.55B | A+ | Get a quote |
| 5 | American Equity | $7.19B | A | Get a quote |
| 6 | F&G | $6.65B | A | Get a quote |
| 7 | Nationwide | $6.14B | A+ | Get a quote |
| 8 | Global Atlantic | $5.74B | A | Get a quote |
| 9 | Delaware Life | $5.59B | A- | Get a quote |
| 10 | Security Benefit | $4.99B | A- | Get a quote |
| 11 | MassMutual | $4.53B | A++ | Get a quote |
| 12 | Prudential | $3.11B | A+ | Not offered |
| 13 | Aspida | $2.85B | A- | Get a quote |
| 14 | Kuvare | $2.68B | A- | Get a quote |
| 15 | National Life Group | $2.63B | A+ | Not offered |
| 16 | Lincoln Financial | $2.24B | A | Get a quote |
| 17 | Pacific Life | $2.20B | A+ | Not offered |
| 18 | EquiTrust | $2.20B | B++ | Not offered |
| 19 | Symetra | $2.08B | A | Get a quote |
| 20 | Bankers Life | $1.64B | A | Not offered |
Show ranks 11 to 20Show top 10 only
Sales are 2025 fixed index annuity sales from LIMRA. AM Best ratings are for each company's main annuity-issuing insurer. Sammons sells through Midland National and North American, and Kuvare through Guaranty Income Life.
How we picked these companies
We started with LIMRA's 2025 FIA top 20 and then ran live quotes to see who leads each category today. Every pick had to clear these checks:
- Real quotes: income rider and S&P 500 results from Annuities Genius, run on October 16, 2026.
- Financial strength: an AM Best rating of A or better for award picks. See what a good AM Best rating is.
- Market standing: 2025 FIA sales from LIMRA.
- Bonuses and minimums: current data from our FIA Rate Marketplace.
- Surrender length: we left out FIAs with surrender periods over 10 years.
How to choose a fixed index annuity company
Decide first whether you want growth or income, because the best company is different for each.
- Pick your goal. Income buyers should compare guaranteed payouts. Growth buyers should compare caps and participation rates.
- Set a rating floor. Many buyers stick to A- or better. Compare insurance company ratings before you buy.
- Keep the term short. A 5 to 10-year surrender period is enough for most buyers. Know how surrender charges work before you sign.
- Look past the bonus. A large bonus often means lower caps or a fee.
The best fixed index annuity companies for you are the ones that match your goal, pass your rating floor and quote well for your age and state.
Compare today's fixed index annuity rates
See live caps, participation rates and bonuses, or ask us for a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the #1 fixed index annuity company?
Athene was the #1 fixed index annuity company in 2025, with $15.01 billion in FIA sales according to LIMRA. Allianz Life was #2 at $11.65 billion and Corebridge Financial was #3 at $10.02 billion.
Which fixed index annuity pays the most lifetime income?
In our October 16, 2026 quote for a 60-year-old man investing $100,000 with income starting at 65, Corebridge Power Select Plus Income paid the most at $12,320 a year. North American Income Pay Pro 10 was second at $11,608. Results change with age, state and start date, so run a quote for your own situation.
Are fixed index annuities safe?
Yes. A fixed index annuity has a 0% floor, so index losses cannot reduce your account value. The guarantee depends on the insurer's financial strength, so check its AM Best rating. State guaranty associations also back annuities up to a limit per company.
Do fixed index annuities have fees?
Most FIAs have no annual fee unless you add an optional rider. Income riders in our top results cost 1.10% to 1.25% a year, and some bonus and enhanced-rate strategies carry their own fee.
Is a bonus annuity worth it?
Sometimes. A bonus adds money on day one, but bonus products usually have lower caps, longer surrender periods or a vesting schedule. A bonus helps most when you are moving money from an older annuity and want to offset a surrender charge.
How long should a fixed index annuity's surrender period be?
For most buyers, 5 to 10 years is enough. Longer surrender periods lock up your money without always paying more, which is why we left out FIAs with surrender periods over 10 years.
