Annuity Rates: Compare Today’s Best Rates From 50+ Top Carriers

Today’s Best Annuity Rates by Term

The table below shows the single highest multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) rate available from an A-rated carrier for each term length, pulled live from our AnnuityRateWatch data feed. If you’re comparing annuity rates today, this is the fastest way to see exactly where the top of the market sits before drilling into the full comparison.

Want a deeper comparison? The main fixed annuity rates page shows all 50+ top-rated carriers side by side, filterable by term and deposit amount. You can also jump directly to best 3-year fixed annuity rates, best 5-year fixed annuity rates, best 7-year fixed annuity rates, or best 10-year fixed annuity rates.

How Fixed Annuity Rates Work in 2026

A fixed annuity rate is the guaranteed interest rate an insurance carrier pays you for leaving your deposit with them for a specific term. Unlike a bank CD, the rate is locked in for the entire contract length, your interest compounds tax-deferred, and your principal is backed by the carrier’s reserves plus your state guaranty association. If you buy a 5-year MYGA at 6.30%, you know exactly what every dollar will earn for each of the next 5 years. No market risk, no rate drift, no surprises.

The terminology matters. “Fixed annuity” is the umbrella term, and a multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) is the specific subset with a locked-in rate for the full term. A traditional fixed annuity (sometimes called a declared-rate annuity) usually only guarantees a rate for the first year and then resets annually at the carrier’s discretion. We almost exclusively recommend MYGAs for retirees who want predictable, locked-in returns.

What most buyers miss is that fixed annuity rates change constantly. Carriers re-price their products weekly, sometimes daily, based on where the 5-year and 10-year Treasury yields are trading. When Treasuries rise, MYGA rates tend to follow within 2 to 4 weeks. When Treasuries fall, carriers cut rates just as quickly. That’s why a rate that was available on Monday may be pulled by Friday. The live rate table on this page and on the main fixed annuity rates page is updated every business day so you can see what’s actually available right now, not last month’s numbers.

What Drives Fixed Annuity Rates?

Three factors determine the rate a carrier offers on any given contract:

1. Treasury yields and Fed policy. Insurance carriers invest your premium in long-duration, high-quality bonds, primarily US Treasuries and investment-grade corporate debt. The yield they can earn on those bonds sets the ceiling for what they can pay you and still cover expenses and target profit margin. When the 10-year Treasury is trading at 4.5%, a 7-year MYGA at 6.30% makes sense. When the 10-year drops to 3.5%, that rate becomes unsustainable and gets pulled. Federal Reserve rate decisions filter through the entire Treasury curve, so Fed meetings are the single most-watched event in the MYGA rate market.

2. Carrier credit quality and asset allocation. A carrier with a conservative bond portfolio and heavy reinsurance can only offer lower rates. A carrier backed by a private equity sponsor, with more flexibility in its investment mandate, often leads the rate tables, sometimes paying 50 to 80 basis points more than a mutual or “old-line” carrier on the exact same term length. This is one reason we always show the Comdex score alongside the rate. A 7.00% rate from a Comdex 55 carrier is not the same product as a 6.40% rate from a Comdex 90 carrier, and experienced retirees learn to read the difference. Our insurance company ratings hub explains how all four major rating agencies fit together.

3. Surrender period and product design. The longer you agree to leave your money untouched, the higher the rate. A 10-year MYGA from the same carrier usually pays 50 to 100 basis points more than a 3-year MYGA from the same carrier. Surrender charges (the fee for withdrawing more than the free allowance) let the carrier commit to higher-yielding investments because they know you’re unlikely to walk away early. Our full breakdown is at annuity surrender charges explained.

Fixed Annuity Rates vs. CD Rates vs. Treasury Bonds

The most common question we hear from retirees is “why not just use a CD?” The short answer: CDs and MYGAs are close cousins, but MYGAs almost always pay more, and the growth is tax-deferred. Here is how the three safe-money options compare in April 2026:

The rate spread is only part of the story. CD interest is taxable in the year it’s earned, even if you leave it inside the CD. Treasury bond interest is exempt from state tax but fully taxable federally. MYGA interest grows tax-deferred and is only taxed when you withdraw it. On a $200,000 5-year MYGA at 6.30%, the tax deferral alone is worth roughly $6,000 to $9,000 in extra growth over the term for a retiree in a 22% federal bracket, versus holding the same amount in a CD. Our full side-by-side breakdown is at MYGA vs CD: rates, taxes, and growth, and the fixed annuity vs CD guide walks through the full decision framework.

Are Annuity Rates Going Up or Down in 2026?

This is the question every retiree asks before locking in. As of April 2026, MYGA rates have drifted slightly lower from their 2024 highs but remain near multi-decade peaks. The Federal Reserve has pivoted from rate hikes to a “wait and see” stance, and the 10-year Treasury has settled in a 4.2% to 4.5% range. That’s kept the top MYGA rates sticky in the 5.80%-6.50% zone for most of the year.

What changes the rate trajectory is the Fed’s next meaningful move. If the Fed cuts aggressively in the second half of 2026, expect top 5-year MYGA rates to fall back below 6.00% within a quarter. If the Fed holds or signals a more hawkish stance, current rates should hold or modestly improve. The practical takeaway for buyers is simple: do not try to time the top of the market. If a 6.30% 5-year rate meets your plan, lock it in. Rate chasing rarely wins in fixed-income markets, and the risk of a Fed cut pulling rates lower is meaningful enough that “waiting for 6.50%” can easily cost you 40 basis points per year.

Why Rates Vary Between Carriers

Look at any live rate table for a 5-year MYGA and you’ll see a spread of 100 to 150 basis points between the top-paying carrier and the bottom-paying carrier on the same term length. That spread is not random. It reflects real differences in three things:

• Financial strength. The strongest carriers (AM Best A++ and A+ with Comdex scores above 90) rarely lead rate tables. They compete on brand, distribution network, and product breadth, not on topline yield. The highest rates tend to come from newer, nimbler carriers with more aggressive investment portfolios and, sometimes, private equity backing.
• Distribution costs. Carriers who sell primarily through independent brokers like My Annuity Store pay less in acquisition costs than carriers with massive captive sales forces. Those savings often flow through as higher rates for buyers. This is one structural reason independent brokerages typically show better rates than direct-to-consumer channels.
• Product design. Some high-rate MYGAs include market-value adjustments (MVA), tighter free-withdrawal provisions, or longer surrender schedules. Always read the full contract, not just the top-line rate. We always disclose key contract features next to every rate on our product pages and carrier reviews.

Annuity Rates by Term Length

3-Year Fixed Annuity Rates

3-year rates are for retirees who want a short guaranteed return on cash they may need back within a few years. Current top 3-year MYGAs pay around 5.80%, which is 1.0%-1.3% above the best 3-year bank CD rate. Minimum deposits start at $2,500 with most carriers, and the free-withdrawal provision (usually 10% per year after year one) makes them more liquid than most buyers expect. See the full comparison on our best 3-year MYGA rates page.

5-Year Fixed Annuity Rates

The 5-year MYGA is by far the most popular fixed annuity term. It hits the sweet spot of yield and flexibility, current top rates run 6.30%, and it’s the term length most retirees use for a CD alternative or a fixed-income bucket inside their broader retirement plan. A $200,000 5-year MYGA at 6.30% compounds to roughly $271,000 at maturity, a $71,000 guaranteed gain. Full table at our best 5-year MYGA rates page.

7-Year Fixed Annuity Rates

7-year MYGAs are where the highest guaranteed fixed yields live today. Top 7-year rates reach 6.50%, and the extra 20 basis points over a 5-year becomes meaningful on larger deposits compounded over the full term. Best for money you’re confident you won’t need for at least 7 years, and a favorite for retirees pairing the contract with a Roth conversion strategy. See our best 7-year MYGA rates page.

10-Year Fixed Annuity Rates

10-year MYGAs are typically used inside IRAs and for longer-horizon accumulation. Because the yield curve has flattened, 10-year rates don’t always exceed 7-year rates, but they still offer durable rate protection and work well as the “anchor leg” of an annuity ladder. Browse live rates at our best 10-year MYGA rates page.

Current Fixed Index Annuity Cap Rates

Fixed index annuities (FIAs) don’t pay a flat interest rate. Instead, they credit interest based on the performance of a market index like the S&P 500, subject to a cap rate or participation rate. Today’s best FIAs offer cap rates between 8% and 12% on annual point-to-point strategies, meaning the maximum you can earn in any one contract year is the cap, no matter how high the index rises. In exchange, you get a 0% floor: if the index drops, you credit 0% for the year but your principal is guaranteed.

Below is a snapshot of today’s top FIA cap rates by crediting strategy from leading A-rated carriers, updated for April 2026:

Cap rates and participation rates reset at each contract anniversary. A 12% cap this year could be 9% next year if Treasury yields drop. For a deeper look at how cap rates, participation rates, spread rates, and crediting methods work, and our live FIA cap rate comparison with full carrier detail, see the best fixed index annuity cap rates page. We also rank the carriers with the strongest FIA lineups on our top 10 fixed index annuity companies guide.

Should You Ladder Your Annuities?

Annuity laddering is a technique where you split your deposit across 2 or 3 different term lengths to blend yields and stagger liquidity. A common 3-step ladder might put $100,000 into a 3-year MYGA, $100,000 into a 5-year MYGA, and $100,000 into a 7-year MYGA. Every 2 years a contract matures, giving you a regular touchpoint to reassess rates, reinvest, or withdraw. Laddering is most useful when rates are in flux and you don’t want to commit all your cash at one term length. Our full guide is at annuity laddering explained.

Rate Concepts You Should Understand Before Buying

Free Withdrawal Provision

Almost every MYGA allows you to withdraw up to 10% of your account value each year after the first contract year with no surrender charge. This makes MYGAs significantly more liquid than most buyers realize. If you need income or emergency cash, you are not locked out.

Market Value Adjustment (MVA)

Some higher-rate MYGAs include an MVA provision that adjusts your surrender value up or down based on where interest rates are when you surrender early. MVAs don’t matter if you hold the contract to term, but they can be a surprise if you surrender before maturity. Always ask whether a contract has an MVA and how it works.

Simple vs. Compound Interest

Almost every modern MYGA uses compound interest, meaning your interest earns interest each year. A handful of older contracts still use simple interest, which meaningfully reduces your total growth. Use our simple vs compound interest calculator to see the difference on your specific deposit.

Surrender Charges

If you withdraw more than the free amount during the surrender period (typically equal to the contract term), you’ll pay a surrender charge. Charges typically start around 8%-10% in year 1 and decline by 1% each year until they reach zero at the end of the term. Our full explanation is at annuity surrender charges explained.

1035 Exchange

Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code lets you transfer the value of one annuity to another without triggering taxes, as long as the new contract meets the same qualification (non-qualified to non-qualified, IRA to IRA). It’s how retirees move between carriers when rates improve or when an existing contract falls out of favor. Learn more on our 1035 exchange guide.

How to Lock In the Best Annuity Rate

Most buyers lose 30 to 80 basis points simply because of the carrier they approach first. The single biggest rate improvement you can make is to compare more than one carrier. Here’s the process we walk every client through:

1. Decide on term length. Use your actual cash flow plan, not just a rate target. Don’t commit 10 years of cash to a 10-year MYGA if there’s any real chance you’ll need it in year 4.
2. Set a carrier credit-quality floor. At a minimum, AM Best A-. For most retirees we recommend A- or better AND a Comdex score of 75+.
3. Compare at least 5 carriers. Not 2, not 3. Rate tables tilt week to week and the top carrier today often isn’t the top carrier next month. Our live table already compares 50+ top-rated carriers in one view.
4. Verify contract features. Confirm the free-withdrawal provision, any MVA, and whether the interest is simple or compound. Ask for the actual contract, not just the marketing brochure.
5. Check state availability. Some carriers are not approved in every state, which can create state-by-state rate differences. Check our annuity rates by state page to see which carriers are available where you live.
6. Lock fast. Once you’ve chosen, move. Rates can be pulled with 24 to 72 hours notice. Submit your paperwork while the rate is still posted.

How Annuity Rates Fit Into Retirement Income Planning

Buying a top-rate MYGA is a tactical win, but what matters is whether it fits your overall retirement income plan. A $500,000 portfolio split 40/40/20 across MYGAs, a single premium immediate annuity (SPIA) for guaranteed lifetime income, and a growth bucket produces very different outcomes than the same $500,000 in a single 10-year MYGA. Our best annuities for retirement guide walks through the three main roles an annuity plays in a retirement plan: growth, income, and longevity protection.

If you’re trying to figure out the monthly income a specific deposit would produce, our payout calculators cover common scenarios: $100,000, $200,000, $250,000, and $500,000. Each page shows typical monthly income for a single-life SPIA at ages 60-75 plus alternative MYGA and FIA strategies at the same deposit amount.

Frequently Asked Questions About Annuity Rates

What is the best fixed annuity rate available today?

As of April 2026, the best MYGA rates run up to 6.50% for a 7-year term and up to 6.30% for a 5-year term, both from A-rated carriers. Rates change daily. Our live rate table shows the actual best-available rates every business day.

Are fixed annuity rates locked in for the full term?

Yes. With a MYGA, the carrier is contractually obligated to pay the stated rate every year until the end of your term. This is different from a traditional fixed annuity (sometimes called a declared-rate annuity), which can reset the rate after a short initial period.

How are fixed annuity rates taxed?

Interest on a non-qualified fixed annuity grows tax-deferred. You owe federal income tax on your gains only when you withdraw them, and withdrawals before age 59½ also trigger a 10% IRS penalty on the gain portion. Qualified annuities held inside an IRA or 401(k) follow the tax rules of the underlying account. For a full explanation, see how annuity taxes work.

Do annuity rates differ by state?

Yes, because not every carrier is approved in every state. The rate table in Florida may look slightly different from the rate table in New York due to state-by-state carrier availability. Check our annuity rates by state page to see which carriers are available where you live.

What happens when my MYGA matures?

At maturity you usually have three options: withdraw the full value as a lump sum, roll it into a new MYGA (often via a tax-free 1035 exchange), or annuitize into a guaranteed income stream. You are never forced to annuitize, and most buyers renew or exchange into a new contract.

How safe is my money in a fixed annuity?

Fixed annuities are backed by the insurance carrier’s reserves and the state guaranty association in your state, typically up to $250,000 per carrier. Buying from A-rated carriers with a Comdex score of 75 or higher keeps the practical risk extremely low. Our Comdex score hub explains how to evaluate carrier safety.

Is there a cost to use My Annuity Store?

No. We never charge a fee to consumers. Our advisors are compensated directly by the insurance carrier when a policy is issued. You pay the same rate whether you go through us or go direct to the carrier.

How often do annuity rates change?

Carriers can and do re-price rates weekly, sometimes more often. Treasury yield movements are the biggest single driver. When the 10-year Treasury moves 25 basis points in either direction, expect MYGA rates to follow within 2 to 4 weeks.

Are annuity rates better than bond rates right now?

For most retirees, yes. As of April 2026, the top 5-year MYGA pays around 6.30% while the 5-year Treasury yields 4.25%. MYGA interest is also tax-deferred, which meaningfully improves the after-tax return compared to a taxable Treasury bond. Bonds offer more liquidity and can be sold before maturity, so the right choice depends on whether liquidity or yield matters more.

Can I buy an annuity inside my IRA or 401(k)?

Yes. MYGAs and FIAs are commonly held inside IRAs (traditional and Roth) and rollover IRAs from prior 401(k) plans. There’s no additional tax benefit to placing a MYGA inside an IRA because both are already tax-deferred, but many retirees use this combination as the “safe money” portion of their rollover.