Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska — Carrier Profile
Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska (BHLN) carries a Comdex score of 100 — the highest possible composite rating in the U.S. insurance industry — and an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best. As a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., BHLN benefits from the balance sheet of one of the world’s most financially powerful conglomerates. The company’s primary annuity business centers on structured settlement annuities, single premium deferred annuities (SPDAs), and single premium immediate annuities (SPIAs). BHLN also operates a significant reinsurance book covering variable annuity guarantees, pension obligations, and guaranteed investment contracts.
For annuity buyers, the Berkshire Hathaway name carries enormous weight. But the retail annuity footprint is narrower than many expect. BHLN does not compete broadly in the independent MYGA marketplace the way carriers like Athene or Midland National do. Most of its annuity volume flows through structured settlements and institutional channels rather than retail agent distribution.
Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Legal Name | Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska |
| Parent Company | National Indemnity Company / Berkshire Hathaway Inc. |
| Headquarters | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Founded | 1993 |
| AM Best Rating | A++ (Superior) — highest possible |
| S&P Rating | AA+ (Very Strong) |
| Comdex Score | 100 out of 100 |
| Policyholder Surplus | $12.7+ billion (2024) |
| Products Offered | Structured Settlement Annuities, SPDAs, SPIAs, Reinsurance |
| Distribution Model | Primarily institutional and structured settlement brokers; limited independent agent access |
Financial Strength Ratings — What They Mean for Annuity Buyers
BHLN’s financial strength ratings are among the strongest of any life insurance company in the United States. Its A++ from AM Best and AA+ from S&P reflect the company’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as “strongest” — the highest designation available. The Comdex composite score of 100 means BHLN ranks at or above every other rated insurance company in the country.
These ratings are not just corporate bragging rights. When you purchase an annuity, the issuing carrier’s financial strength directly determines the security of your guaranteed payments over decades. A carrier rated A++ with a Comdex of 100 represents the lowest counterparty risk available in the annuity market.
Consider Margaret, age 67, evaluating a $150,000 single premium immediate annuity to generate lifetime income starting at age 68. She narrows her options to three carriers: one rated A (Excellent) with a Comdex of 75, one rated A+ with a Comdex of 88, and BHLN at A++ with a Comdex of 100. While all three are investment-grade carriers, Margaret’s 25+ year income horizon makes the highest-rated option meaningfully more reassuring. BHLN’s backing by Berkshire Hathaway’s $1 trillion+ asset base provides a level of financial security that few competitors can match.
What Types of Annuities Does Berkshire Hathaway Offer?
Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska offers a focused product lineup rather than the broad catalog typical of retail-oriented carriers. Here is what BHLN writes:
Structured Settlement Annuities
BHLN’s largest annuity business line is structured settlements — court-ordered or negotiated payment streams arising from personal injury or workers’ compensation cases. Through its Berkshire Hathaway Structured Settlements (BHSS) division, the company historically writes approximately $1 billion in new structured settlement premiums annually, making it one of the largest structured settlement writers in the United States. These annuities provide long-duration guaranteed payment obligations backed by BHLN’s A++ rating.
Single Premium Deferred Annuities (SPDAs)
BHLN offers single premium deferred annuities that allow policyholders to deposit a lump sum and accumulate interest on a tax-deferred basis. The rate can be locked for an initial guarantee period (typically 2, 3, or 5 years), after which the rate may adjust but will never fall below a guaranteed minimum. These products are similar in concept to fixed annuities offered by other carriers, though BHLN’s distribution is more limited.
Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIAs)
BHLN writes single premium immediate annuities that convert a lump sum into a guaranteed income stream beginning within 30 days of purchase. Payout options typically include life-only, life with period certain, and joint-and-survivor configurations. The A++ financial strength backing these lifetime income guarantees is among the strongest available in the retail annuity market.
Reinsurance and Institutional Business
A substantial portion of BHLN’s balance sheet supports reinsurance operations — assuming blocks of variable annuity guarantees, pension risk transfer obligations, and guaranteed investment contracts from other insurers. This institutional business is not directly relevant to retail annuity buyers but contributes to the company’s overall scale and financial depth.
Berkshire Hathaway and the MYGA Market
If you are shopping for a multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA), Berkshire Hathaway is not a carrier you will typically find on rate comparison platforms today. While BHLN was more active in the retail fixed annuity space in prior years, the company has significantly scaled back its presence in the independent MYGA distribution channel. By the early 2020s, BHLN had largely stepped away from competing for top-of-rate-sheet MYGA business through independent agents.
This does not reflect financial weakness — quite the opposite. Berkshire Hathaway’s investment philosophy under Warren Buffett has historically favored disciplined underwriting over aggressive rate competition. Rather than offering the highest MYGA rates to attract premium volume, BHLN focuses on structured settlements and institutional business where its A++ rating commands a competitive advantage without needing to lead on rate.
For current MYGA and fixed annuity rates across carriers that are actively competing in the independent marketplace, use our rate comparison tools. You can also review our MYGA industry sales history for context on how different carriers have moved in and out of the top sales rankings over time.
No rate data found for this carrier at this time.
Who Is Berkshire Hathaway Best For?
- Structured settlement recipients: If you are receiving a structured settlement from a personal injury or workers’ compensation case, BHLN is one of the strongest-rated annuity issuers available. The A++ rating and Comdex 100 provide maximum security for long-duration payment streams that may span 30-50 years.
- Safety-first SPIA buyers: Retirees converting a large lump sum ($100,000+) into guaranteed lifetime income who prioritize carrier financial strength above rate optimization. BHLN’s backing by Berkshire Hathaway makes it one of the safest counterparties for a lifetime income contract.
- Institutional and plan sponsor clients: Organizations seeking pension risk transfer, guaranteed investment contracts, or reinsurance of annuity obligations benefit from BHLN’s massive balance sheet and top-tier ratings.
- Buyers who value brand reputation: The Berkshire Hathaway name carries weight that goes beyond ratings. For clients who find comfort in the Buffett-era reputation for conservative financial management, BHLN offers that peace of mind.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
- Rate shoppers looking for the highest MYGA yields: BHLN does not actively compete on rate in the independent MYGA market. Carriers like Athene, Corebridge, and Midland National consistently offer more competitive accumulation rates for 3-, 5-, and 7-year terms.
- Fixed index annuity (FIA) buyers: BHLN does not offer fixed index annuities with market-linked crediting strategies. Buyers seeking index-linked growth with downside protection should compare FIA products from other carriers.
- Buyers who want broad product selection: BHLN’s retail annuity lineup is narrow compared to multi-product carriers like MassMutual, New York Life, or Athene.
Contact Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | bhlife.com |
| Structured Settlements | bhstructures.com |
| Phone | (402) 916-3100 |
| Mailing Address | Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400 Omaha, NE 68102 |
Working with My Annuity Store
Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance of Nebraska is one of the highest-rated carriers in the annuity industry, but its retail product availability is limited compared to other top-rated carriers. My Annuity Store works with 20+ A-rated insurance companies to help you compare annuity rates and find the right product — whether you prioritize maximum financial strength, the highest available rate, or a balance of both.
Get a free annuity rate comparison or call 855-583-1104 to speak with a licensed advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska highly rated?
Yes. BHLN holds an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best, an AA+ from S&P, and a Comdex composite score of 100 — the highest possible. These ratings place it among the top two or three life insurance companies in the United States by financial strength.
Does Berkshire Hathaway offer MYGAs?
BHLN has offered fixed annuity products in the past but has significantly scaled back its presence in the independent MYGA distribution channel. You are unlikely to find Berkshire Hathaway MYGAs on current rate comparison platforms. The company focuses primarily on structured settlement annuities and institutional business.
How does Berkshire Hathaway compare to other annuity carriers?
In terms of financial strength, BHLN is essentially unmatched — only New York Life (Comdex 100, A++) and a small number of other carriers reach the same tier. However, in terms of retail annuity product variety and rate competitiveness, carriers like Athene, MassMutual, and Corebridge offer broader product lineups and more competitive MYGA rates through independent agents.
Further Reading
- What Is a Fixed Annuity? — Understand the product category that includes Berkshire Hathaway’s single premium deferred annuities.
- Annuity Insurance Company Directory — Compare Berkshire Hathaway against 60+ carriers in our full directory.
- Current Fixed Annuity Rates — See today’s top MYGA and fixed annuity rates from carriers actively competing in the independent market.
- MYGA Industry Sales History — Track how carrier market share has shifted over the past decade.
- What Is a SPIA? — Learn about single premium immediate annuities, one of BHLN’s core retail products.
