Is MassMutual Ascend a Good Annuity Company?
Yes. MassMutual Ascend is one of the most highly rated annuity companies you can buy from. AM Best affirmed its A++ (Superior) rating on October 23, 2025, the highest of its 16 ratings.
MassMutual Ascend is a subsidiary of MassMutual, a mutual insurer founded in 1851, and the broader MassMutual group ranked #3 in U.S. individual annuity sales in 2024, according to LIMRA. Ascend focuses on MYGAs and fixed index annuities sold through independent agents.
Its rates are competitive but rarely the single highest on the market. If the top rate matters most, compare every carrier in our live fixed annuity rate table.
MassMutual Ascend Annuity Products
MassMutual Ascend sells multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs) and fixed index annuities (FIAs). Here is the lineup we quote, with live rates and contract terms.
MassMutual Ascend MYGAs
The SecureGain series locks your rate for 3, 5 or 7 years and allows 10% penalty-free withdrawals each year. Deposits of $100,000 or more earn a higher rate tier.
- Terms: 3 years to 7 years
- Minimum premium: $25,000
- Free withdrawals: 10% of the account value each year, starting in year one
- Max issue age: 88 to 90
- Market value adjustment: on every MYGA
- Not sold in: NY
| Product | Term | Top rate | Min. premium | Surrender charges by year | MVA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SecureGain 3 2025 | 3 yrs | 4.8% | $25,000 | 8-8-7% | Yes |
| SecureGain 5 2025 | 5 yrs | 5.4% | $25,000 | 8-8-7-6-5% | Yes |
| SecureGain 7 2025 | 7 yrs | 5.45% | $25,000 | 8-8-7-6-5-4-3% | Yes |
Top rate is the highest premium tier for each product, effective October 7, 2026, from AnnuityRateWatch. Smaller deposits can earn less, and rates vary by state and change without notice.
Download the MassMutual Ascend SecureGain brochure (PDF). The Stable Voyage and Premier Voyage MYGAs are sold under the MassMutual parent company and are covered in our Massachusetts Mutual annuity review.
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MassMutual Ascend Fixed Index Annuities
MassMutual Ascend’s FIAs credit interest from market indexes with a 0% floor, so index losses never reduce your account value. Some offer an optional income rider for guaranteed lifetime withdrawals.
- Surrender periods: 3 years to 10 years
- Minimum premium: $10,000 to $50,000
- Free withdrawals: 10% of the account value each year
- Max issue age: 85 to 90
- Income rider: available on 2 of 4
- Legacy Ascender Death Benefit rider (optional): on 2 of 4, 0.95% a year
- Income Ascender rider (optional): on 1 of 4, 1.10% a year
- IncomeSecure rider (optional): on 1 of 4, 1.00% a year
- Inheritance Enhancer rider (optional): on 2 of 4, 0.95% to 1.15% a year depending on version and issue age
- Market value adjustment: on 3 of 4. Return of premium: 1 of 4
- Not sold in: NY
| Product | Surrender period | S&P 500 1-yr cap | Min. premium | Surrender charges by year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Landmark 3 | 3 yrs | 7.5% | $50,000 | 9-8-7% |
| American Landmark 5 | 5 yrs | 9.5% | $10,000 | 9-8-7-6-5% |
| American Legend 7 | 7 yrs | 10.5% | $10,000 | 9-8-7-6-5-4-3% |
| Safe Return | 10 yrs | 8% | $25,000 | 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1% |
Caps are the best S&P 500 1-year point-to-point cap at a $100,000 premium, from the carrier's filed rate sheets in our live feed. Caps reset each contract year and vary by state.
MassMutual Ascend Product Reviews
Download the American Legend 7 brochure (PDF).
MassMutual Ascend Pros and Cons
What we like
- Top financial strength: AM Best A++ (Superior), the highest rating it gives
- Mutual parent: owned by MassMutual, founded in 1851 and owned by its policyholders
- Penalty-free access: 10% withdrawals each year on SecureGain MYGAs
- Broad FIA lineup: accumulation FIAs plus optional income and death benefit riders
- Higher rates for larger deposits: a separate rate tier at $100,000
What to watch for
- Not the top rate: competitive, but rarely the single highest MYGA rate
- $25,000 MYGA minimum: higher than carriers that start at $10,000
- Not sold in New York: New York residents need another carrier
- Name confusion: older contracts still say Great American Life, and the parent sells separate MassMutual annuities
- MVA on every MYGA: early surrenders can be adjusted up or down with interest rates
MassMutual Ascend Financial Strength and Ratings
MassMutual Ascend holds an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best, the highest it gives. S&P rates it AA, Moody’s rates it Aa3, and its Comdex score, a composite of the major rating agencies, is 97 out of 100.
AM Best affirmed the A++ on October 23, 2025, according to MassMutual’s announcement. Those ratings reflect the backing of its mutual parent, which is owned by its policyholders rather than shareholders.
Ratings are current as of the snapshot date above and can change; verify current standing at ambest.com before purchasing.
Who Owns MassMutual Ascend?
MassMutual Ascend is owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). It is the former Great American Life Insurance Company, so many older contracts and rate sheets still carry that name.
- 1961, Great American Life founded: based in Cincinnati and owned for decades by American Financial Group.
- May 2021, MassMutual acquisition: MassMutual bought Great American Life and its affiliates for about $3.5 billion, according to the MassMutual acquisition announcement.
- 2022, renamed MassMutual Ascend: the company still operates from Cincinnati as a separate subsidiary.
MassMutual Ascend writes the MYGAs and fixed index annuities sold through independent agents. The MassMutual parent in Springfield, Massachusetts, sells its own annuities and whole life insurance.
How to Buy a MassMutual Ascend Annuity
MassMutual Ascend annuities are sold through independent licensed agents. My Annuity Store is an independent annuity marketplace, not affiliated with MassMutual Ascend, and we can compare its products with 90+ top annuity companies.
MassMutual Ascend is not sold in New York. If you are weighing it against other highly rated carriers, see our New York Life vs MassMutual comparison or the Athene annuity review.
Request a free MassMutual Ascend annuity quote to see today’s MassMutual Ascend rates beside 90+ top annuity companies, with no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MassMutual Ascend a good annuity company?
Yes. MassMutual Ascend holds an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best, the highest it gives, and a Comdex score of 97 out of 100. It is a subsidiary of MassMutual, a mutual insurer founded in 1851.
Is MassMutual Ascend the same as Great American Life?
Yes. MassMutual bought Great American Life Insurance Company in 2021 for about $3.5 billion and renamed it MassMutual Ascend in 2022. Older contracts and rate sheets may still say Great American Life.
Is MassMutual Ascend the same as MassMutual?
MassMutual Ascend is a subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). Ascend sells MYGAs and fixed index annuities through independent agents, while the parent sells its own annuities and life insurance.
What is MassMutual Ascend's AM Best rating?
MassMutual Ascend is rated A++ (Superior) by AM Best, the highest of its 16 ratings. AM Best affirmed it on October 23, 2025. S&P rates it AA.
What MYGAs does MassMutual Ascend offer?
MassMutual Ascend offers the SecureGain MYGA in 3, 5 and 7-year terms, with a $25,000 minimum and 10% penalty-free withdrawals each year. The live table on this page shows today's rates.
Can I buy a MassMutual Ascend annuity in New York?
No. MassMutual Ascend products are not sold in New York.
