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EquiTrust Life Insurance Company Annuity Review (2026)

Written by Jason Caudill, MBA | Reviewed by My Annuity Store Editorial Team
Published February 1, 2026 · Updated March 2, 2026

EquiTrust Life Insurance Company holds an A- (Excellent) rating from AM Best and manages over $23 billion in assets. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, EquiTrust specializes in fixed annuities and fixed index annuities for consumers seeking competitive guaranteed rates with solid financial backing. The company has deep roots in the Midwest insurance market and offers some of the most competitively structured bonus FIA products available to independent agents.

This review covers EquiTrust’s financial strength, annuity product lineup, and contact information.

EquiTrust at a Glance

Detail Information
Full Legal Name EquiTrust Life Insurance Company
Headquarters West Des Moines, Iowa
Founded 1935
AM Best Rating A- (Excellent)
Total Assets $23+ billion
Products Offered MYGAs (Certainty Select series), Fixed Index Annuities
States Available 45+ states
Minimum Premium $5,000 (varies by product)

EquiTrust’s Financial Strength

EquiTrust carries an A- (Excellent) from AM Best, placing it within the “A-rated” category that most financial advisors and regulators consider the minimum threshold for conservative annuity buyers. With $23+ billion in total assets, EquiTrust is a mid-size carrier with substantial financial resources relative to its liability base.

EquiTrust is regulated by the Iowa Insurance Division — a state known for rigorous insurance regulatory standards. Iowa-domiciled carriers must maintain strict reserve requirements, adding a layer of protection beyond the national guaranty association system. Iowa’s Insurance Guaranty Association provides up to $250,000 per covered contract in the event of carrier insolvency.

What Types of Annuities Does EquiTrust Offer?

  • Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs) — Certainty Select Series: EquiTrust’s Certainty Select MYGA series offers guaranteed fixed rates for set terms. These contracts provide a locked-in rate from day one with no market exposure — suitable for buyers who want certainty over the entire holding period.
  • Fixed Index Annuities (FIAs) — MarketTwelve Bonus Index and MarketPower Bonus Index: EquiTrust’s FIA lineup is built around bonus premium structures. The MarketTwelve Bonus Index FIA offers a premium bonus at issue, with index-linked growth tied to the S&P 500 and other benchmarks over a 12-year surrender period. The MarketPower Bonus Index provides a similar premium bonus structure with a shorter commitment. Both products include a zero-loss floor — your premium cannot decline due to negative index performance.

EquiTrust MYGA Rates

Current EquiTrust MYGA rates from our live rate feed:

Current MYGA Rates

Live rates from AnnuityRateWatch · Rates updated March 10, 2026

Product Term Rate (APY) Min Premium Last Rate Change
Certainty Select 3
AM Best B++ 		3 Years 4.8% $10,000+ Mar 10, 2026 View Details →
Certainty Select 5
AM Best B++ 		5 Years 5.05% $10,000+ Mar 10, 2026 View Details →
Certainty Select 6
AM Best B++ 		6 Years 5.15% $10,000+ Mar 10, 2026 View Details →
Certainty Select 8
AM Best B++ 		8 Years 5.2% $10,000+ Mar 10, 2026 View Details →
Certainty Select 10
AM Best B++ 		10 Years 5.3% $10,000+ Mar 10, 2026 View Details →

Rates apply to standard products. State availability varies. Not an offer or solicitation. Always verify current rates before purchasing.

Who Is EquiTrust Best For?

  • FIA buyers attracted to premium bonus structures: EquiTrust’s MarketTwelve Bonus Index is one of the more compelling bonus FIA designs for buyers who want immediate premium enhancement and are comfortable with a longer surrender period.
  • MYGA buyers comparing A- carriers: EquiTrust’s Certainty Select rates are frequently competitive within the A- tier. Buyers who want strong guaranteed rates from an Iowa-regulated carrier will find EquiTrust worth including in their comparison.
  • Buyers who understand the bonus trade-off: Premium bonus annuities often offset their upfront enhancement through lower cap rates or participation rates over time. EquiTrust’s products work best for buyers who plan to hold through the full surrender period and understand how bonuses interact with the overall contract mechanics.

Contact EquiTrust

Contact Method Details
Website www.equitrust.com
Customer Service 1-866-598-3694
Mailing Address EquiTrust Life Insurance Company
7100 Westown Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Hours Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT

Compare EquiTrust Against Other Carriers: My Annuity Store compares EquiTrust alongside Athene, North American, F&G, and 20+ other top-rated carriers. Get a free comparison quote or call 855-583-1104.

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Editorial Disclosure: Our editorial team independently reviews and rates annuity products. We may earn commissions when you request a quote through our partner links. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Learn more.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Annuity products vary by state and carrier. Always consult a licensed financial professional before making any financial decisions. My Annuity Store is an independent marketplace and does not provide investment advice.

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.

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3-Year MYGA
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★ Most Popular
5-Year MYGA
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7-Year MYGA
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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.

Athene Annuity & Life
MassMutual
Corebridge Financial
Global Atlantic
North American Company
Midland National
American Equity
New York Life
Gainbridge Life
American National
Nassau Life
Sentinel Security Life
Protective Life
Pacific Life
Nationwide
Equitrust Life
F&G Annuities & Life
Oceanview Life
Oxford Life
Puritan Life
American General (Corebridge)
Delaware Life
Guggenheim Life
Integrity Life
Kansas City Life
Lafayette Life
Ibexis Life
American Fidelity
Security Benefit
Standard Insurance Company
📊 Data: AnnuityRateWatch · A-rated carriers only · Updated daily

Frequently Asked Questions

The best MYGA rate available today is shown in the rate table above. Rates change daily — the table reflects current data updated every 6 hours from AnnuityRateWatch.
Yes. The interest rate shown at the time of purchase is contractually locked in for the entire term — whether 3, 5, or 7 years. Unlike CDs at banks, MYGA rates cannot be changed by the insurance company during the guaranteed period, regardless of what happens to market interest rates.
Fixed annuities are not FDIC insured, but they are protected by your state's guaranty association — typically up to $250,000 per insurance company. Beyond that, the financial strength of the carrier matters. We only list carriers rated A− or better by AM Best, which indicates strong ability to meet policyholder obligations.
Most MYGAs allow a free annual withdrawal of 10% of your account value without a surrender charge. Withdrawals beyond 10% trigger surrender charges, which typically start around 7% and decline by one percentage point per year until they reach zero. At maturity, you can withdraw your full balance with no penalty.
Growth inside a non-qualified (after-tax funded) annuity is tax-deferred — you owe no taxes until you withdraw. When you do withdraw, earnings are taxed as ordinary income, not at the lower capital gains rate. Withdrawals before age 59½ also incur a 10% IRS early-withdrawal penalty on the earnings portion.
At maturity, most carriers give you a free-look window (typically 30 days) during which you can withdraw your full balance, roll it into a new annuity (tax-free via a 1035 exchange), or annuitize for lifetime income. If you do nothing, the contract typically renews at a new rate — which may be lower than your original rate.
For most people with a 3–7 year time horizon, MYGAs currently pay significantly more than CDs. Top 5-year MYGAs are paying competitively above 5%, while the best 5-year CDs are around 4.50%. The tradeoff: MYGAs have larger surrender charges for early withdrawal than CDs typically impose.

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