Nationwide Annuity Review (2026)

Updated April 23, 2026

Nationwide Annuity and Life Insurance Company is one of the most recognized financial brands in the United States, with an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best and over $300 billion in total assets. Known for its competitive fixed index annuities and a growing MYGA presence, Nationwide serves clients across all 50 states.

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

Nationwide at a Glance

Detail Information
Full Legal Name Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company
Parent Company Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
Headquarters Columbus, Ohio
Founded 1926
Company Structure Mutual company (owned by policyholders)
AM Best Rating A+ (Superior)
S&P Rating A+ (Strong)
Moody’s Rating A1
Comdex Score 93 out of 100
Total Assets $300+ billion
Products Offered MYGAs, Fixed Index Annuities, Variable Annuities, SPIAs
States Available All 50 states + D.C.
Minimum Premium $10,000 (varies by product)

Nationwide’s Financial Strength

Nationwide holds an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best, the second-highest possible, along with matching strong ratings from S&P and Moody’s. As a mutual company, Nationwide is not publicly traded, which means management decisions focus on long-term policyholder security rather than quarterly earnings.

The company’s scale, $300+ billion in assets, nearly 100 years in operation, provides substantial backing for its annuity commitments. Nationwide consistently ranks among the top 10 annuity sellers in the United States.

What Types of Annuities Does Nationwide Offer?

  • Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs), The Nationwide Secure Growth fixed annuity offers competitive guaranteed rates for clients seeking simple, tax-deferred accumulation.
  • Fixed Index Annuities (FIAs), Nationwide’s Peak series and New Heights products are among the most widely sold FIAs in the market, featuring index strategies tied to the S&P 500 with optional income riders.
  • Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIAs), Guaranteed income starting within 30 days. Nationwide offers competitive payout rates for both single-life and joint-life income options.

Nationwide MYGA and Fixed Annuity Products

Nationwide Secure Growth

A multi-year guaranteed annuity available in various terms. Provides a fixed credited rate with tax-deferred growth. Free withdrawal provisions allow access to a portion of funds annually without surrender charges. Download the Secure Growth product brochure (PDF)

Nationwide’s MYGA products are sold through independent agents and may not appear in all public rate databases. For a current rate comparison, request a free quote from My Annuity Store.

Nationwide Current MYGA Rates

Rates below are pulled live from the AnnuityRateWatch database and reflect the most current available rates for qualified and non-qualified money. MVA (market value adjustment) applies to all Secure Growth products if surrendered before maturity.

Nationwide Secure Growth, Current MYGA Rates

Live rates from AnnuityRateWatch · Rates updated April 29, 2026

Product Term Rate (APY) Min Premium Last Rate Change
Secure Growth 3 MVA
AM Best A+
3 Years 4.1% $100,000+ Apr 8, 2026 View Details →
Secure Growth 3 MVA
AM Best A+
3 Years 3.85% $10,000+ Apr 8, 2026 View Details →
Secure Growth 4 MVA
AM Best A+
4 Years 3.9% $100,000+ Apr 8, 2026 View Details →
Secure Growth 4 MVA
AM Best A+
4 Years 3.6% $10,000+ Apr 8, 2026 View Details →
Secure Growth 5 MVA
AM Best A+
5 Years 5.15% $100,000+ Apr 8, 2026 View Details →
Secure Growth 5 MVA
AM Best A+
5 Years 4.45% $10,000+ Apr 8, 2026 View Details →
Secure Growth 7 MVA
AM Best A+
7 Years 4.7% $100,000+ Apr 8, 2026 View Details →
Secure Growth 7 MVA
AM Best A+
7 Years 4.45% $10,000+ Apr 8, 2026 View Details →

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

Nationwide Fixed Index Annuity Products

Nationwide Peak 10

A 10-year FIA with multiple index crediting strategies, including the S&P 500 point-to-point with a cap, as well as a fixed account option. The Peak 10 is one of Nationwide’s most popular products for income-focused clients. Read our full Nationwide Peak 10 review or download the brochure (PDF).

Nationwide Platinum Edge

A flexible FIA with enhanced crediting strategies and an optional guaranteed income rider. Designed for clients seeking a balance of growth potential and income protection in retirement. Download the Platinum Edge brochure (PDF).

Nationwide New Heights 10

The New Heights 10 is a 10-year accumulation-focused FIA designed for clients who want strong index participation without paying for an income rider. Key features:

  • Competitive S&P 500 point-to-point cap rate with annual reset
  • Multiple index options including proprietary Nationwide indices and a fixed interest account
  • No explicit annual fee on the base contract – carrier margin is built into the cap and participation rates
  • 0% floor: account value cannot fall due to index losses, regardless of how far markets drop
  • Optional lifetime income rider available for an additional annual charge (typically 0.95% to 1.20%)
  • 10% annual free withdrawal available starting in year 1

Nationwide New Heights 12

A 12-year version of the New Heights designed for clients in their mid-50s who want a longer index-linked accumulation runway before converting to income. The extended surrender period typically unlocks higher cap rates and participation rates than the 10-year version. The New Heights 12 is one of Nationwide’s top choices for clients building a deferred income strategy over a decade or more.

Who Is Nationwide Best For?

  • FIA buyers who want a top-brand carrier with a widely respected, competitive product lineup. The Peak series consistently ranks among the most sold FIAs nationally.
  • Income-focused retirees who want a lifetime withdrawal benefit paired with an A+ rated carrier and strong brand recognition.
  • Conservative accumulators looking for a guaranteed fixed rate from a mutual company with 100 years of history.
  • Clients in all 50 states, Nationwide’s broad distribution and state approvals make it one of the most universally accessible carriers.

Nationwide Annuity Pros and Cons

Strengths

  • A+ AM Best, A+ S&P, A1 Moody’s – elite triple-A-tier financial strength
  • COMDEX score of 93 out of 100 – top 7% of all rated U.S. carriers
  • Mutual company structure – no shareholder pressure on pricing or product design
  • Nearly 100 years in operation with $300+ billion in total assets
  • Consistently top-5 nationally in FIA sales volume
  • Available in all 50 states and D.C.
  • 10% annual free withdrawal available across most products from year 1

Limitations

  • Secure Growth MYGAs include a market value adjustment (MVA) – early surrender value can be lower than account value in rising rate environments
  • MYGA rates are competitive but not always the highest in the market for each term
  • Several products not available in California or New York
  • FIA cap rates are solid but occasionally trail smaller specialty carriers for raw accumulation
  • Sold exclusively through independent agents – not available direct to consumer online

Contact Nationwide Annuity

Contact Method Details
Website www.nationwide.com
Customer Service 1-800-321-6064
Mailing Address Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215
Hours Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET

Compare Nationwide Against Other Carriers: My Annuity Store compares Nationwide side-by-side with Athene, MassMutual, and 20+ other top carriers. Get a free no-obligation quote or call 855-583-1104.

Frequently Asked Questions: Nationwide Annuities

Is Nationwide a good annuity company?
Yes. Nationwide holds A+ ratings from both AM Best and S&P Global along with a COMDEX score of 93 out of 100 – placing it in the top 7% of all rated U.S. insurance carriers. As a mutual insurer with nearly $300 billion in assets, it ranks among the most financially secure annuity issuers in the country. Its Peak and New Heights FIA products consistently rank in the top five nationally by sales volume.
What is the Nationwide Secure Growth annuity?
The Nationwide Secure Growth is a multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) that credits a fixed interest rate for the full contract term (3, 4, 5, or 7 years) with tax-deferred growth. It functions like a CD but with no annual taxes on interest until withdrawal. Important: Secure Growth products include a market value adjustment (MVA), which means early surrender value may differ from the account value if interest rates have moved since issue.
What does MVA mean on a Nationwide annuity?
MVA stands for Market Value Adjustment. It adjusts your surrender value up or down if you withdraw money before the contract end date. If rates have risen since you bought the annuity, the MVA reduces your surrender value. If rates have fallen, it increases it. The MVA does not apply when you hold to maturity, take the annual 10% free withdrawal, or in qualifying circumstances such as death or nursing home confinement. Holding the contract to its stated term eliminates all MVA exposure.
How does the Nationwide Peak 10 annuity work?
The Nationwide Peak 10 is a 10-year fixed index annuity. Each policy anniversary, Nationwide credits interest based on how the S&P 500 (or another selected index) performed over the prior year – up to a cap rate set at issue. If the index drops, you credit 0% for that year, but your principal is fully protected. Optional income riders can convert the accumulated value into guaranteed lifetime income. The base contract has no annual fee; income riders typically cost 0.95% to 1.20% per year.
Can I lose money in a Nationwide annuity?
In a Nationwide FIA (Peak 10, New Heights), your account value cannot fall due to index losses – the 0% floor is contractually guaranteed. In a Nationwide MYGA (Secure Growth), your credited rate is fixed and your principal is safe, but the MVA formula could reduce your early surrender value in a rising rate environment. In both product types, holding to the end of the contract term eliminates surrender charge and MVA exposure entirely.

Further Reading: Annuity Comparisons

Compare Nationwide against the broader annuity landscape:

Related: FIA Sales Leaders: Complete Indexed Annuity Market Data (2015-2025)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company is owned by its policyholders, not outside shareholders. This structure allows management to focus on long-term stability rather than quarterly earnings.
The Nationwide Peak 10 is a 10-year fixed index annuity offering index crediting strategies tied to the S&P 500 with optional income riders for guaranteed lifetime withdrawals. It consistently ranks among the most sold FIA products nationally.
Yes. Nationwide's Secure Growth fixed annuity provides guaranteed rates with tax-deferred accumulation. It is available through independent agents.
Nationwide holds an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best u2014 the second-highest possible u2014 along with A+ from S&P and A1 from Moody's.
Yes. Most Nationwide annuity products, including their FIA and MYGA offerings, are available through independent insurance agents and brokerage agencies.

Compare Top MYGA Rates by Term

See today's highest guaranteed rate from an A-rated carrier for each term length.

See all rates →

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 of 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, so 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 →

Is Your Annuity Protected?

Every state has a guaranty association that protects annuity holders if a carrier becomes insolvent. Coverage typically ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 depending on your state, most states cover at least $250,000.

Check your state’s coverage limits →

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