Best Fixed Annuity Companies
The fixed annuity market has been one of the great growth stories in American financial services, with total fixed annuity sales tripling in the last decade.
Sales more than doubled in a single year, jumping from $53.1B in 2021 to $113B in 2022. By 2023, the industry hit $164.9B, a record just barely surpassed in 2025. What follows is a complete breakdown of who sold what, who rose, who fell, and which ones remain standing on top of the heap in 2026.
The table below displays the top 20 fixed annuity companies based on overall US individual annuity sales in 2025. We have compiled this information since 2015; you can use the Year dropdown box to see data for previous years.
🏆 Annual Top 20 Rankings
| Rank | Carrier | Sales | Mkt Share | Relative Size | vs Prior Yr |
|---|
Best Fixed Annuity Trends Over Time
🏢 Carrier Sales Trends (click legend to toggle)
Fixed Annuity Basics
A fixed annuity provides a guaranteed interest rate for a set term, tax-deferred growth, and principal protection backed by the insurer’s general account.
- Typical terms: 3, 5, 7, and 10 years.
- Liquidity: Most offer ~10% free annual withdrawals; surrender charges apply for early exits.
- MVAs: Many MYGAs include a Market Value Adjustment that can affect surrender value if rates move.
- Not FDIC insured; protections vary by state via guaranty associations.
Quick reads: Are Fixed Annuities FDIC Insured? • How to Buy an Annuity
2025 Carrier Snapshots
Below are quick, scannable profiles for each leading carrier—what they sell, how they go to market, and what stands out in service.
New York Life
The flight-to-safety choice. Largest U.S. mutual insurer with unshakeable financial strength and top ratings.
- Flagship Product: New York Life Secure Term MVA Fixed Annuity
- Distribution: Career Agency System — sold via 12,000+ captive agents
- Key Differentiator: “Dividend” Halo from mutual structure drives trust and volume
Analyst’s Notebook
Retaining the crown at #1, New York Life attracts investors seeking stability over chasing the highest rates. Their mutual structure and top-tier ratings underpin a “sleep well at night” value proposition.
- Strategic Positioning: Safety-first, trust-led sales motion
- Go-to Market: Personalized, “kitchen table” relationships via captive agents
- Rate vs. Reputation: Wins volume without leading rates due to brand and dividends
Customer Experience Snapshot ⭐
- Service Verdict: Top Tier (≈ 5/5)
- J.D. Power Standing: Consistently near the top for overall satisfaction
- Agent Model: Dedicated human support accelerates complaint resolution
- BBB Rating: A+
Athene Annuity & Life
Aggressive rate-setter backed by Apollo—often the go-to for the market’s highest yields.
- Flagship Product: Athene MaxRate — frequently a top-selling fixed annuity
- Parent Company: Apollo Global Management fuels high consumer rates via alternative credit
- Distribution: Independent brokers; first quote for “best rate”
Analyst’s Notebook
Athene proves you can offer top-tier rates without sacrificing operational excellence.
- Positioning: Rate leadership with PE-backed spread management
- Growth Engine: Acquisitions plus bank/IMO reach
- Trade-off: Efficiency over white-glove service
Customer Experience Snapshot ⭐
- Service Verdict: Transactional / Efficient (≈ 3/5)
- The Vibe: “Rate factory”—bureaucratic on some admin tasks
- BBB Rating: A+ (Accredited)
Massachusetts Mutual Life (MassMutual)
Mutual strength and deep history—favored by conservative savers prioritizing stability.
- Flagship Product: MassMutual Stable Voyage — capital preservation with steady growth
- Subsidiary Power: MassMutual Ascend drives independent broker-channel volume
- Distribution: Hybrid—career agents + independent
Analyst’s Notebook
Trust-led selling with complementary independent distribution via Ascend.
- Positioning: Reputation-forward mutual model
- Product Role: Stable, competitive yield
- Channel Strategy: Balanced reach across captive and independent
Customer Experience Snapshot ⭐
- Service Verdict: Excellent (≈ 4.5/5)
- The Vibe: Policyholder-first; above-average satisfaction on statements, price, interaction
- BBB Rating: A+
Corebridge Financial
Formerly AIG Life & Retirement; broad shelf, flexible terms, massive distribution network.
- Flagship Product: American Pathway Series — flexible withdrawal privileges
- Corporate Context: Spun from AIG; public, retirement-focused
- Distribution: Omnichannel—banks, broker-dealers, independent agents
Analyst’s Notebook
Successful rebrand while maintaining scale and versatility in product lineup.
- Strength: Wide availability, strong digital tools
- Constraint: Legacy systems can slow complex service requests
Customer Experience Snapshot ⭐
- Service Verdict: Solid / Improving (≈ 3.5/5)
- The Vibe: Generally “About Average” in satisfaction studies
- BBB Rating: A+
USAA Life
Exclusive military community focus; loyalty-driven retention and competitive fixed annuities.
- Flagship Product: USAA Flexible Retirement Annuity — flexible premium contributions over time
- Distribution: Direct-to-consumer via web and call center
- Key Differentiator: Strong retention; CDs roll into annuities
Analyst’s Notebook
USAA’s closed membership fuels exceptional trust and lifetime value.
- Economics: Lower distribution cost, high cross-product retention
- Positioning: Service-first brand within a tight-knit member base
Customer Experience Snapshot ⭐
- Service Verdict: Legendary (≈ 5/5)
- The Vibe: Elite NPS across financial services
- BBB Rating: A-
Nationwide
Q3’s big mover—brand power plus rate specials to capture share fast.
- Flagship Product: Nationwide Secure Growth — rate specials undercutting bank CDs
- Distribution: Broker-dealers & banks; wirehouse favorite
- Strategic Shift: Increased focus on fixed annuities
Analyst’s Notebook
Leveraging household-name recognition to push competitive fixed rates.
- Go-to-market: Advisor portals and incentives
- Digital: Strong portals for client visibility
Customer Experience Snapshot ⭐
- Service Verdict: Very Good (≈ 4/5)
- The Vibe: Reliable interaction and easy online access
- BBB Rating: A+
Global Atlantic Financial Group
KKR-backed spread expertise; consistently attractive rates via Forethought products.
- Flagship Product: SecureFore / ForeCertain
- Parent Company: KKR majority ownership
- Distribution: Banks & IMOs; simple guaranteed-rate products
Analyst’s Notebook
Advisor-centric wholesaler brand that emphasizes product performance.
- Strength: Rate consistency powered by private credit
- UX Note: Functional, not flashy for consumers
Customer Experience Snapshot ⭐
- Service Verdict: Average (≈ 3/5)
- The Vibe: Efficient advisor servicing; limited personal touch
- BBB Rating: A+
Pacific Life
Brand prestige, concierge-level advisor support, and consistently competitive rates.
- Flagship Product: Pacific Secure Income
- Distribution: Financial advisors and RIAs
- Brand Power: Iconic whale logo lowers friction for adoption
Analyst’s Notebook
Near-top rates with superior service and processing speed.
- Edge: Advisor concierge support
- Reliability: Fast, low-error processing
Customer Experience Snapshot ⭐
- Service Verdict: High Performer (≈ 4.5/5)
- The Vibe: Frequent service award winner/finalist
- BBB Rating: A+
Western & Southern Group
Quiet giant with exceptional capital adequacy; top-tier financial strength.
- Flagship Product: SmartSelect Fixed Annuity — often a 3-year rate leader
- Distribution: Banks & platforms like Fidelity
- Financial Strength: Frequently posts Comdex 96+
Analyst’s Notebook
Conservative insurer trusted by balance-sheet-focused clients.
- Style: Reliability over flash
- Tech: Solid core servicing
Customer Experience Snapshot ⭐
- Service Verdict: Dependable (≈ 3.5/5)
- The Vibe: No-frills, on-time payments
- BBB Rating: A+
Delaware Life
Lean, rate-focused carrier—often tops the 3- and 5-year tables with MYGA offers.
- Flagship Product: Pinnacle MYGA — plain-vanilla high yield
- Parent Company: Group 1001—technology and efficiency-led
- Distribution: Independent agents; rate-first buyers
Analyst’s Notebook
Focused operating model to pass savings to the customer.
- Edge: Market-leading simple term rates
- Trade-off: Less hand-holding; self-service culture
Customer Experience Snapshot ⭐
- Service Verdict: No Frills (≈ 3/5)
- The Vibe: Efficient processing, minimal extras
- BBB Rating: A+
How to Compare Fixed Annuities (Beyond the Rate)
Evaluate offers with a simple checklist so you don’t miss key trade-offs.
- Financial strength: A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s, and Comdex.
- Liquidity features: Free withdrawals, RMD provisions, nursing home/terminal illness waivers.
- Surrender schedule: Match the charge curve to your time horizon.
- Market Value Adjustment (MVA): Understand how rate changes affect surrender value.
- Renewal policy: Know your options at term end.
- Minimums, age limits, and state availability.
- Service & administration quality for changes and claims.
Pick Your Term, Then Compare Rates
Terms shape yield, flexibility, and surrender schedules. Match your horizon to the right guarantee period.
Safety & Guarantees
Fixed annuities are not FDIC insured; guarantees are backed by the issuing insurer’s general account. State guaranty association coverage varies by state and product type.
- Prioritize carrier financial strength—small rate bumps rarely justify a big downgrade.
- Confirm any state-specific protections via official guaranty resources.
Learn more: FDIC vs. Insurer Guarantees • Carrier profile example
Taxes, Funding, and Moving Money
- Tax-deferred growth; gains taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn.
- Coordinate qualified vs. nonqualified funds and RMDs.
- Early withdrawals before 59½ may incur a 10% IRS penalty on gains (exceptions may apply).
- Consider 1035 exchanges to move between annuities without immediate tax.
Helpful guides: How to Buy an Annuity • Free Look Period • Annuity Surrender Charges
Choose Your Path
CD Maturing Soon
Compare fixed annuities vs CDs, then check 3–5 year rates.
Highest Guaranteed Rate in 5–7 Years
Review 5/7-year options and model potential returns.
Retiring in 2–4 Years
Ladder terms for flexibility and future income staging.
Protection with Upside
Consider fixed index annuities for index-linked growth with principal protection.
Tools & Next Steps
- Blog hub: Articles & Guides
- Carrier reviews: Global Atlantic • Allianz 222 • Americo
Questions about fixed annuities? We’re here to help with quotes and product comparisons. • Contact:
Start your quote.
Disclosures: Educational information only; guarantees subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer; state guaranty association information is not a solicitation.
Pros and Cons of Fixed Annuities
Before you commit to a fixed annuity, weigh the advantages and drawbacks for your retirement situation.
✓ Pros
- ✓ Guaranteed rate locked in for the full term — no surprises
- ✓ Principal is 100% protected from market losses
- ✓ Often pays significantly more than CDs or savings accounts
- ✓ Tax-deferred growth — no annual tax bill until withdrawal
- ✓ Up to 10% annual free withdrawal without surrender charge
- ✓ State guaranty association coverage (typically up to $250,000)
- ✓ Simple to understand — no moving parts or index tracking
✗ Cons
- ✗ Surrender charges apply if you withdraw more than 10% early
- ✗ Not FDIC insured — backed by the insurance company, not the government
- ✗ Earnings taxed as ordinary income (not capital gains rates)
- ✗ 10% IRS early-withdrawal penalty before age 59½
- ✗ Rate is fixed — you won't benefit if market rates rise
- ✗ Less liquidity than a savings account or money market
Learn more: Are annuities safe?
Compare Top MYGA Rates by Term
See today's highest guaranteed rate from an A-rated carrier for each term length.
Rates sourced from AnnuityRateWatch. A-rated carriers (AM Best) only. Not a solicitation. Rates vary by state. Verify before purchasing.
Types of Annuities
Insurance companies offer several types of annuities to fit different financial goals. Here's how they compare.
A MYGA (Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity) is the simplest fixed annuity. Your rate is guaranteed for the entire term — 3, 5, or 7 years. No market exposure, no index tracking. What you see is what you earn.
Best for: Savers who want a predictable, guaranteed return and are comfortable locking funds for a set term. Often compared to CDs but frequently pays more.
Learn more about MYGAs →A Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) links your interest credits to a market index (like the S&P 500) with a floor of 0% — so you can never lose principal. Upside is capped via participation rates or caps.
Best for: Investors who want some market participation with a safety net. More complex than MYGAs but potentially higher returns in strong market years.
Learn more about FIAs →A SPIA (Single Premium Immediate Annuity) converts a lump sum into a guaranteed income stream — monthly checks that start within 30 days and continue for life or a set period.
Best for: Retirees who need guaranteed income immediately and want to eliminate the risk of outliving their money. The "pension replacement" product.
Learn more about SPIAs →A Variable Annuity invests your premium in sub-accounts (similar to mutual funds). Returns fluctuate with the market — you can earn more but can also lose principal.
Best for: Long-term investors who want market exposure inside a tax-deferred wrapper and are comfortable with investment risk. Higher fees than fixed products.
Learn more about variable annuities →A RILA (Registered Index-Linked Annuity) offers partial market participation with a defined buffer against losses (e.g., 10% or 20%). Unlike FIAs, RILAs can lose money — but losses are limited.
Best for: Investors willing to accept limited downside in exchange for higher upside potential than a traditional FIA. A middle ground between fixed and variable.
Learn more about RILAs →Rate Methodology
My Annuity Store monitors MYGA rates from over 50 A-rated insurance carriers via AnnuityRateWatch. Our rate data refreshes every 6 hours.
To make our list, a carrier must be rated A− or better by AM Best — a financial strength rating that indicates the insurer's ability to meet obligations. Carriers with ratings of B++ or lower are excluded regardless of how attractive their rate appears.
Rates are sorted by highest guaranteed APY within each term group. Products using simple interest (SI) are labeled — the effective compound yield is lower than the stated rate. Minimum premiums shown are for non-qualified (after-tax) purchases.
