Carrier Comparison
Global Atlantic vs American Equity Annuities: 2026 Comparison
Compare AM Best ratings, Comdex scores, product lineups, and current annuity rates side-by-side. Independent analysis from a licensed producer who places business with both carriers.
Global Atlantic and American Equity are two of the most-searched fixed indexed annuity carriers in 2026, and they attract similar buyers: retirees and pre-retirees looking for market-linked upside with a guaranteed floor. Both carriers are now subsidiaries of large alternative asset managers - Global Atlantic is owned by KKR, and American Equity completed its acquisition by Brookfield Asset Management in 2024. That institutional backing matters for understanding their investment philosophy and pricing, not just their ratings.
The difference is in financial strength profile and product focus. Global Atlantic carries an A (Excellent) from AM Best with a Comdex in the mid-70s. American Equity carries an A- (Excellent) with a Comdex around 71 to 73. Neither is in the A+ tier. Both are legitimate carriers, but buyers comparing them to the top-rated mutual carriers should understand the distinction. The rest of this page works through where each carrier wins and which buyer profile each fits.
Carrier background
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Financial strength: Global Atlantic vs American Equity
Global Atlantic holds an A (Excellent) from AM Best, which places it in the third-highest rating tier. Their Comdex composite score sits in the mid-70s. The KKR acquisition in 2021 brought institutional capital discipline but also means Global Atlantic's investment portfolio is managed by an alternative asset manager, which AM Best factors into the rating.
American Equity holds an A- (Excellent) from AM Best - one notch below Global Atlantic. Their Comdex is in the 71 to 73 range. The Brookfield acquisition in 2024 similarly introduced alternative asset management into their investment portfolio. Neither carrier is in the A+ or A++ tier held by carriers like Nationwide, New York Life, or MassMutual. Both are legitimate issuers with strong claims-paying histories. Buyers who require the highest financial strength tier should look at A+ or A++ carriers instead. For buyers comfortable with the A range, both carriers pass.
| Global Atlantic | American Equity | |
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| AM Best | — | — |
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Product lineup
Global Atlantic focuses on FIA products - particularly the ForeAccumulation II and ForeIncome II lines - as well as fixed annuities and registered index-linked annuities (RILAs). Their crediting strategies include S&P 500 point-to-point, multi-year term, and multi-index options. The ForeIncome II with its income rider has been a strong seller for buyers seeking accumulation with an optional income guarantee.
American Equity is one of the largest FIA writers in the United States by premium volume. Their product shelf is centered on FIAs - AssetShield (accumulation-focused), IncomeShield (income-focused), and the Integrity line. They have offered income riders for over two decades and have deep experience designing products around guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits. On the MYGA side, American Equity is less prominent. If you are buying a FIA specifically for indexed accumulation or for an income rider, American Equity's product depth in that space is hard to match.
| Global Atlantic | American Equity | |
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Current MYGA rates
Live rates pulled from our carrier feed. State availability varies; rates change without notice.
Global Atlantic
American Equity
Product reviews
In-depth, independent reviews of individual annuity products from each carrier.
Global Atlantic
American Equity
Rate competitiveness (updated 2026-05-01)
On the MYGA side, Global Atlantic has historically offered competitive rates at the 3 and 5-year terms, though they are not consistently the top-rate leader. American Equity is primarily a FIA carrier and not typically cited as a top-tier MYGA pricer.
The more relevant rate comparison is on FIA cap rates and participation rates. Both carriers offer point-to-point strategies on the S&P 500 and other indices. In 2026, cap and participation rates fluctuate with hedging costs and carrier pricing decisions. As a general pattern, American Equity has been an aggressive FIA pricer at various points in their history, which has contributed to their premium volume leadership. Global Atlantic's indexed strategies have been competitive with good volatility-controlled index options. For current FIA crediting rates, the specifics matter more than the carrier name - compare the actual cap and participation rates on the products you are considering before making a decision.
Customer service and complaints
American Equity has historically had a higher-than-industry-average NAIC complaint index for some product lines, which is partly a function of their large premium volume and FIA product complexity. Their most recent complaint index has improved, but it remains above the carrier average for the industry. Global Atlantic's complaint profile is better - their most recent NAIC index is closer to the industry baseline at around 1.0 to 1.2, reflecting a smaller but growing book of business.
Both carriers have made investments in their back-office infrastructure following their institutional acquisitions. American Equity has a dedicated FIA service team with long experience handling complex income rider situations. Global Atlantic has strong institutional-grade systems from the KKR ownership era. For standard issue and post-issue service, both carriers are functional. For complex multi-contract income situations, American Equity's FIA-specific experience gives them an edge in handling product nuances.
Best fit: choosing between Global Atlantic and American Equity
Choose Global Atlantic if
You want a FIA carrier with a one-notch higher AM Best rating (A vs A-), you are interested in Global Atlantic's RILA product options alongside your FIA, or you value the KKR institutional backing specifically. Global Atlantic also works well for buyers who want multi-index crediting strategies with volatility-controlled indices.
Choose American Equity if
You want the most experienced pure FIA specialist by premium volume, you are specifically buying for an income rider and want a carrier with 20-plus years of guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit product history, or you are drawn to the AssetShield or IncomeShield product designs. American Equity also works if your producer has deep placement experience with their income products.
Look elsewhere if
You want the highest possible financial strength rating on your FIA purchase. Both Global Atlantic (A) and American Equity (A-) sit below the A+ tier. Nationwide (Peak 10), North American, or Lincoln Financial offer FIAs in the A or A+ tier with broader distribution. If maximum ratings matter more than specific product design, one of those alternatives may be a better fit.
The bottom line
Global Atlantic versus American Equity is a genuine product-and-ratings tradeoff, not a clear knockout. Global Atlantic wins on financial strength by one ratings notch and offers RILA exposure American Equity does not. American Equity wins on FIA product depth, income rider history, and pure FIA specialization going back to 1995. For a buyer who has decided on a FIA and is comparing these two specifically, the deciding factor should be the actual product: compare the current cap and participation rates, the income rider roll-up rate and payout factors, and the specific indexed strategy you are buying. The carrier with the better product for your situation is the right answer - and with both carriers in the A range, financial strength is not a disqualifying variable for either.
Get a real quote from both carriersFrequently asked questions
Is Global Atlantic or American Equity safer?
Global Atlantic carries an A (Excellent) from AM Best. American Equity carries an A- (Excellent). Global Atlantic has a one-notch financial strength advantage in the AM Best rating system. Both are legitimate claims-paying carriers; neither is in the A+ or A++ tier held by carriers like Nationwide or New York Life.
Who owns Global Atlantic and American Equity?
KKR, a global alternative asset manager, acquired Global Atlantic in 2021. Brookfield Asset Management completed its acquisition of American Equity in 2024. Both carriers now operate under institutional ownership from large alternative investment firms, which influences how their insurance reserves are invested.
Which carrier is better for FIA income riders?
American Equity has a longer track record as a FIA income rider specialist, with over two decades of guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit product history and premium volume that makes them one of the largest FIA writers in the US. Their IncomeShield product is specifically designed for income. Global Atlantic also offers income riders but is more balanced across accumulation and income products.
Does Global Atlantic offer RILAs?
Yes. Global Atlantic offers registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) in addition to their FIA and fixed annuity products. RILAs allow buyers to accept limited downside in exchange for higher potential upside compared to a traditional FIA. American Equity does not currently offer a RILA product.
How do I compare FIA cap rates between Global Atlantic and American Equity?
FIA cap and participation rates change frequently based on hedging costs and carrier pricing decisions. The best approach is to compare current product illustrations from both carriers for the same index strategy - typically the S&P 500 annual point-to-point. Your licensed producer can pull current crediting rates from both carriers for a direct comparison. We are happy to do this at no cost on a call.
More carrier comparisons
Considering a different pair? Compare AM Best ratings, product lineup, and live MYGA rates side-by-side.
Reviewed by Jason Caudill, MBA · Licensed producer, MyAnnuityStore.com. Editorial last updated 2026-05-01. We may earn commissions from carriers we recommend; this does not influence which products we cover. Editorial policy.
