Wilton Re Life Insurance Company is a North American reinsurance specialist – not a retail individual annuity carrier. If you searched “Wilton Re annuity,” you likely encountered the name while researching insurance companies or tracking institutional transactions. Wilton Re holds an A+ AM Best rating and is backed by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), one of the world’s largest institutional investors. This page explains what Wilton Re does, who they serve, and where to look if you want an individual fixed or indexed annuity.
Wilton Re at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Legal Name | Wilton Re Life Insurance Company (primary operating entity) |
| Parent Company | Wilton Re Holdings Limited (Bermuda); owned by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Wilton, Connecticut (U.S. operations) |
| AM Best Rating | A+ (Superior) – affirmed November 2025; verify at ambest.com |
| Business Type | Life reinsurer and in-force block manager – NOT a retail individual annuity distributor |
| Backing | Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) – one of the world’s largest institutional investors |
| Retail Individual Annuities | Not available through independent agents or IMOs |
Wilton Re’s Business and Background
Wilton Re was established in 2004 and has since become one of the leading North American life reinsurance platforms. Their business model centers on acquiring and managing in-force blocks of life insurance and annuity policies – typically from other insurance companies looking to transfer risk or exit a product line. The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired Wilton Re and provides the institutional capital that supports the A+ rating.
In 2014, Wilton Re acquired Continental Assurance Company from CNA Financial. This acquisition brought a block of structured settlement and payout annuity policies into the Wilton Re portfolio. Those policyholders receive their guaranteed payments as scheduled – the institutional-quality backing behind the A+ rating means Wilton Re is well-positioned to honor long-term commitments. Verify current ratings at ambest.com and wiltonre.com.
For retail buyers, the key point is that Wilton Re does not offer new individual MYGAs, FIAs, or SPIAs through independent agents or retail distribution channels. They are a wholesale and institutional operator. If you hold an annuity or structured settlement that was transferred to Wilton Re through an acquisition, your guaranteed payments continue and are backed by the A+ balance sheet.
What Annuity Products Does Wilton Re Offer?
Wilton Re does not offer new individual retail annuity products through independent agents, IMOs, or direct-to-consumer channels. Their annuity-related activity consists of:
- In-force block management – administering existing annuity and life insurance policies acquired from other carriers
- Reinsurance arrangements – assuming longevity and mortality risk from primary carriers on a wholesale basis
- Structured settlement run-off – managing the Continental Assurance Company structured settlement block acquired in 2014
If you are a policyholwer whose annuity was acquired or reinsured by Wilton Re, your contractual rights, guaranteed amounts, and payment schedule remain unchanged by the transfer. Contact wiltonre.com for policyholder service questions.
Who Does Wilton Re Serve?
- Insurance companies looking to reinsure in-force blocks of life and annuity policies
- Carriers seeking to transfer risk on closed blocks of structured settlement or payout annuity liabilities
- Existing policyholders whose contracts were transferred to Wilton Re through an acquisition
Wilton Re is not an option for individual retail buyers seeking new annuity contracts. For individual MYGA, FIA, or SPIA options, compare A-rated independent-channel carriers using our rate comparison tool.
Wilton Re Pros and Cons
Pros
- A+ AM Best rating – affirmed November 2025; among the highest ratings available
- Institutional backing from CPPIB – Canada Pension Plan has $600+ billion in assets under management
- Stable platform for in-force block management
- Long-term, patient capital – pension fund ownership aligns with long-duration insurance liabilities
Cons
- Not a retail individual annuity carrier – no new MYGA, FIA, or SPIA products available
- Not accessible through independent agents or IMOs
- Limited public transparency – Wilton Re is a private institutional operator
- Founded 2004 – shorter operating history compared to century-old carriers
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilton Re
Is my annuity safe if it was transferred to Wilton Re?
Yes. When an annuity block is transferred to a new carrier, your contractual guarantees, payment amounts, and schedule transfer with it and remain legally binding on the new issuing entity. Wilton Re’s A+ AM Best rating indicates strong financial capacity to honor these obligations. Your annuity is also protected by your state’s guaranty association up to applicable limits.
Can I buy a new annuity from Wilton Re?
No. Wilton Re is a reinsurance and in-force block management company and does not sell new individual annuity contracts to retail buyers through independent agents or direct channels. To purchase a new fixed annuity, compare rates from A-rated carriers using our live rate table or request a quote.
What is a structured settlement annuity?
A structured settlement annuity is a series of guaranteed payments issued as part of a legal settlement – typically from a personal injury lawsuit. These payments are guaranteed by the issuing insurance company. Wilton Re manages a block of structured settlements acquired from Continental Assurance Company. For more on how annuity payment structures work, see our guide to single premium immediate annuities.
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