Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) Annuity Review (2026)

Standard Insurance Company, known in the market as The Standard, is a Portland, Oregon-based insurer with over 115 years of operating history and an A (Excellent) AM Best rating. While The Standard is best known for its dominant position in group disability and life insurance for employers, it also offers fixed annuity and structured settlement products that attract a specific segment of conservative retirement buyers.

This review covers The Standard’s financial strength, annuity product lineup, and how it compares to other top annuity companies in 2026.

The Standard (Standard Insurance Company) at a Glance

The Standard’s Financial Strength Ratings

Standard Insurance Company holds an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best and an A+ rating from S&P Global, a combination that places it comfortably within the A-rated tier that most financial advisors consider the minimum threshold for conservative annuity purchases.

The Standard’s financial position is reinforced by its parent, Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company, which acquired StanCorp Financial Group in 2016 for approximately $5 billion. Meiji Yasuda is one of Japan’s oldest and largest life insurance companies, with over $400 billion in assets. This institutional backing provides The Standard with a strong capital base that complements its standalone A rating.

The Standard has been operating continuously since 1906, through two World Wars, the Great Depression, the 2008 financial crisis, and multiple interest rate cycles. That 115+ year track record without insolvency is meaningful for buyers evaluating where to place long-term retirement funds.

For example: Richard, age 64, is placing $150,000 into a fixed annuity and prioritizes institutional longevity over chasing the highest available rate. The Standard’s 115-year history, A rating, and Meiji Yasuda backing make it a serious option for that profile.

What Types of Annuities Does The Standard Offer?

The Standard’s annuity business is more specialized than full-lineup carriers like Athene or Midland National. Its offerings focus on:

• Fixed Annuities / MYGAs, Guaranteed fixed-rate products for a set term. The Standard distributes through the independent agent channel and its products appear in multi-carrier comparisons.
• Structured Settlement Annuities, The Standard has a strong position in structured settlement products used to fund legal settlements, personal injury awards, and workers’ compensation cases. This is a specialty niche that is separate from the consumer MYGA market.
• Group Retirement Plan Annuities, Annuity products embedded in employer-sponsored retirement plans, 403(b) plans (common in education and non-profit sectors), and governmental retirement plans.

The Standard’s Group Insurance Dominance, Why It Matters for Annuity Buyers

The Standard’s core business is group disability and life insurance, not consumer annuities. It insures more than 8 million Americans through employer group plans. This means the company’s financial stability is not primarily tied to annuity market conditions but to the broader employer benefits market, providing a form of diversification that pure-play annuity carriers don’t have.

The flip side: The Standard’s annuity product rates may not always compete with dedicated MYGA specialists like Oceanview or Ibexis, who optimize entirely around the MYGA marketplace. Buyers looking for the highest available rate from an A-rated carrier should compare The Standard against the full field before committing.

Who Is The Standard Best For?

• Conservative buyers who value institutional history, 115+ years of continuous operation is a real differentiator. If longevity and stability matter more than maximizing basis points, The Standard is a credible choice.
• Buyers familiar with The Standard through their employer, Millions of Americans already have disability or group life coverage through The Standard. Brand familiarity can make the annuity conversation easier.
• Structured settlement recipients, If you are evaluating annuity options as part of a legal settlement, The Standard is one of the most active carriers in the structured settlement space.

The Standard may not be the best fit if your primary objective is maximizing your MYGA rate. Use our live rate comparison to evaluate The Standard against all competing carriers on any given day.

How Does The Standard (Standard Insurance Company) Compare to Other Carriers?

The annuity marketplace in 2026 is competitive, with dozens of carriers vying for your business. Before committing to any single carrier, it pays to compare at least three to five options side by side. Key factors to evaluate include:

• AM Best financial strength rating – look for A- or higher for maximum peace of mind
• Guaranteed interest rate and term – even a 0.10% difference compounds significantly over a 5- to 10-year contract
• Surrender charge schedule – understand when you can access your money penalty-free
• Free withdrawal provisions – most carriers allow 10% annual withdrawals without penalty

Our live rate comparison tool shows current rates from The Standard (Standard Insurance Company) and all competing carriers updated daily. You can also request a personalized comparison from our team.

Contact Standard Insurance Company (The Standard)

Working with My Annuity Store: We’re an independent marketplace, not affiliated with The Standard. We compare Standard Insurance products alongside 20+ other carriers. Request a free quote or call 855-583-1104.