Annuities can provide significant value to potential customers. Whether you want to generate income in retirement, grow your money without a lot of risk or take advantage of high rates, an annuity can effectively achieve your goals.
But finding the right product for you can involve a lot, including choosing a company to work with. Annuity.org set out to identify the top annuity companies in the industry.
To achieve this, we designed, tested and implemented a fact-based methodology based on key industry factors. These include a company’s financial strength, availability and standing with customers.
We also contacted multiple industry professionals to get their takes on different companies.
Annuity.org does not receive compensation or incentives from any annuity companies listed on this page.
Five Best Annuity Companies for August 2024
- Lincoln Financial Group: Best Overall Annuity Company
- Allianz: Best Company for Fixed Index Annuities
- F&G: Best Company for MYGAs
- MassMutual: Best Company for Strong Financial Strength
- Nationwide: Best Company for Variable Annuities
Editor’s Choice: Best Overall Annuity Company of 2024
Our Take
Thanks to its variety of solid annuity products and positive feedback from agents, Lincoln Financial retains its title from 2023 as Annuity.org’s pick for the best overall annuity company of 2024.
Pros
- Wide variety of options
- Strong customer satisfaction
Cons
- In-depth product information not always readily available through website
More Insights and Experts’ Takes:
With fixed, fixed index and variable offerings, the Philadelphia-based company sells high-level products that appeal to a broad range of customers.
“I have a dozen clients in [variable annuity] Level Advantage,” Nick Pangakis, a financial advisor with Capitol Financial Solutions, told Annuity.org. “We’ve always had a good relationship with them.”
Standout offerings from Lincoln Financial include the OptiBlend® FIA, which offers the choice of nine indexes to which the annuity can be linked.
Best Fixed Index Annuity Provider
Our Take
Allianz is a strong standout for fixed index annuities, and it’s not hard to see why. The company offers eight different FIA products, each equipped with different goals and benefits in mind.
Pros
- Superb financial strength
- No annual fees on many FIA products
Cons
- Customer satisfaction score dipped slightly last year
More Insights and Experts’ Takes:
“Allianz is best known for the quality of its fixed index annuity,” CPA Mark Stewart told Annuity.org. These products offer many index options, and most have no annual fees.
The company is also a hit with agents and customers alike.
“Allianz is awesome,” John Stevenson, owner and advisor at Stevenson Retirement Solutions, told Annuity.org. “They’re A+ rated. A lot of my clients like that and they’re willing to accept a little bit lower of an income because of that. Customer service is awesome, probably some of the best that I’ve been able to have.”
Best MYGA Provider
F&G
![Fidelity and Guaranty logo](https://www.annuity.org/wp-content/uploads/fg-logo.png)
Our Take
F&G stands out because it combines industry-leading customer satisfaction scores with MYGA rates well above those of some key competitors. The company sits atop the most recent edition of the J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Index and boasts a strong NAIC Complaint Index Score, too.
Pros
- Industry leader in customer satisfaction
- Stronger MYGA rates than some other highly rated companies
Cons
- Online product information could be stronger
More Insights and Experts’ Takes:
“I have never had a bad experience with them, and I do have a couple of happy clients with them,” Pangakis said of F&G. “That’s always been a good experience.”
In addition to its strong customer satisfaction, F&G also advertises MYGA rates in 2024 that out-clips other companies with strong financial strength ratings.
The company’s Secure MYGA includes benefits such as riders for terminal illness and nursing home confinement, the ability to pay out the account value as a death benefit and rates that exceed 5%.
Best Provider for Strong Financial Strength
Our Take
Few annuity providers excel more than MassMutual for customers who value financial strength. The company, founded in 1851, holds a prestigious A++ rating from AM Best, making it one of the safest and strongest companies available.
Pros
- Superb financial strength
- Strong income annuities
Cons
- No major cons
More Insights and Experts’ Takes:
“They have a great name,” Pangakis said. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about them.”
MassMutual sells several strong products, including income, fixed and variable options. Its Stable Voyage annuity, for example, provides a conservative way to generate income in retirement paired with manageable surrender fees and various payout options.
The company also advertises registered index-linked annuities through its MassMutual Ascend subsidiary.
“I do recommend them for the MassMutual Ascend product because of their ability to lock in higher caps for that seven-year period,” Stevenson said.
Best Variable Annuity Provider
Our Take
Nationwide outshines other companies regarding variable annuities, selling more variable products than any other type of annuity. And these products are not modified clones of each other, either; each variable product has its own features to help make it unique.
Pros
- Strong variety of variable annuities offered
- Great financial strength
Cons
- Not as good at generating income as some competitors
More Insights and Experts’ Takes:
Nationwide’s variable annuities, like the Destination Architect 2.0, include low-fee options advertising just 0.40% in total fees.
On top of its strong variable offerings, Nationwide is also a well-regarded, financially sound company.
“Nationwide stands out,” Aamir Chalisa, general manager at Futurity First Insurance Group, told Annuity.org. “They’ve got amazing customer service, a very high rating and have been around for a number of years. We see a lot of clients asking for that.”
Purchasing an annuity is a significant financial decision and should not be rushed. As time consuming as the process may be, shopping for an annuity should be separate from buying. Before you buy, make sure you have a complete understanding of the options and tradeoffs for each aspect of the available products. Any new financial product should complement your financial strategy and your goals. Review the financial standing of any company under consideration and seek confirmation from independent sources.
Quick Review of Our Top Picks
Annuity Company | Superlative | Star Rating | Top Pro | Top Con |
Lincoln Financial | Best Overall | 4.7 out of 5 | Strong customer satisfaction | Lack of in-depth product information online |
Allianz | Best Fixed Index | 4.65 out of 5 | No annual fees on many FIA products | Customer satisfaction score dipped in recent years |
F&G | Best MYGA | 4 out of 5 | Industry leader in customer satisfaction | Lack of product information online |
MassMutual | Best Financial Strength | 5 out of 5 | Superb financial strength | No major cons |
Nationwide | Best Variable | 4.6 out of 5 | Strong variety of variable annuities | Not as good at generating income as some competitors |
Other Annuity Providers We Considered
American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company
American Equity is an industry leader in developing and selling fixed index and fixed-rate annuity products. It is licensed to sell in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The company’s primary focus is annuities, but it also manages investment spreads and risk to earn predictable returns.
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A-
- Products Available: Fixed index annuities, Fixed annuities, Immediate annuities
American National Insurance Company
Texas-based American National was founded in 1905. A major provider of insurance and annuities, its products are distributed through career agents, independent marketing organizations and multiple line-exclusive agents, as well as direct distribution channels.
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A
- Products Available: Fixed deferred annuities, Single premium immediate annuities, Indexed deferred annuities
Athene is a new company — established in 2009 — but quickly became a major player in the annuity space. The company’s premiums sold exceed $20 billion, and it sells several products.
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A
- Products Available: Fixed index annuities, Fixed annuities, RILAs, Immediate Annuities
MetLife
MetLife is among the world’s largest providers of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, with 90 million customers in more than 60 countries. It was founded in 1868 and is based in New York City.
- AM Best Financial Rating: A+
- Products Available: Variable annuities, single premium deferred annuities
Midland National Life Insurance Company
Founded as the Dakota Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1906, Midland National now services more than 1 million life and annuity policies. It also has an A+ rating from S&P Global Ratings.
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+
- Products Available: Fixed index annuities, Multi-year guaranteed annuities, Single premium immediate annuities
Founded in 1909 and made famous by its long-time sponsorship of a popular Wild Kingdom television show, Mutual of Omaha offers deferred and immediate annuities.
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+
- Products Available: Immediate annuities, Deferred annuities
New York Life is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world and one of only three life insurers to hold the highest ratings from all four rating companies. Founded in 1845 as the Nautilus Insurance Company, New York Life sells annuities, long-term care insurance and mutual funds through its subsidiary NYLIFE Securities, a registered broker-dealer.
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A++
- Products Available: Fixed deferred annuities, Variable annuities
North American Company for Life and Health Insurance
With a superior A+ rating from AM Best, North American offers a holistic portfolio of annuity and life insurance products to meet a range of needs among diverse policyholders.
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+
- Products Available: Fixed index annuities, Multi-year guaranteed annuities, Single premium immediate annuities
California-based Pacific Life was founded in 1868. In 1955, it became the first company west of the Mississippi River to computerize its operations.
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+
- Products Available: Fixed annuities, Fixed index annuities, Variable annuities
Prudential sells life insurance, mutual funds, group insurance, retirement services, investment management services and variable annuities. The company was founded in 1876 and is based in New Jersey.
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+
- Products Available: Variable annuities, Indexed variable annuities, Fixed annuities, Fixed index annuities
How We Picked Them
We evaluated annuity companies licensed to sell products in all 50 states, ultimately only featuring those that fit our strict criteria. To be included on this list, providers must have:
- An A- or better Financial Strength Rating from AM Best.
- Ranked above the industry average in at least one of the two most recent editions of the J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking.
- Over $5 billion in direct premiums sold.
Understanding Our Methodology
To determine our picks for the best annuity companies of 2024, Annuity.org’s independent editorial team carefully considered insurance providers with licenses to issue annuity contracts across the country. Our superlatives are based on in-depth research into major purchase considerations from our readers’ perspectives.
Annuity.org uses a strict, fact-based methodology to determine which companies qualify for our rankings. Four key factors were taken into account before a company was even considered.
To be considered, a company must:
- Be licensed to sell annuities in all 50 states.
- Have an A- or better Financial Strength Rating.
- Have sold over $5 billion in direct premiums in 2023.
- Rank above the industry average in at least one of the two most recent editions of the J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Index.
Annuity.org evaluated more than 60 annuity companies, assigning star ratings to each of them that were weighted based on their customer satisfaction, availability, financial strength and sales.
In addition to our criteria, Annuity.org also spoke to multiple agents to gather information on their experiences with different annuity providers. Their real-world knowledge helped inform our superlatives and understand which companies best stand out for customers.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) publishes its Complaint Index scores annually to compare an individual company’s performance to those in the insurance market. Our editorial team took the latest available NAIC Complaint Index scores into consideration when evaluating our featured providers.
We also considered other factors, including the number of annuity products the company offers and the strength of those products. Our featured companies are based on publicly available company information and nationwide feedback, not on any individual annuity product.
Because annuity plans and providers vary by location, an independent insurance agent can best help you find a suitable plan in your area.Learn more about our broader Editorial Guidelines.
Purchasing an Annuity
Most annuity purchasers are either nearing retirement or in their mid-career planning for retirement and wish to protect their assets. Annuities are built to protect your money and secure future income for when you’ll need it most, so it’s important to purchase your annuity from a reputable provider company.
“I try only to deal with rated A and A+ companies,” Pangakis said.
Annuities are insurance products issued by insurance companies and sold by insurance agents and financial institutions. The same large corporations that sell life, home, automobile and other types of insurance in the United States also sell the majority of annuity contracts.
Hundreds of companies issue annuities in America, and it’s a growing business. Total annuity sales in 2023 topped $385 billion. While there are many providers, the largest firms tend to account for the vast majority of those sales.
Generally, each company sells at least one of the basic types of annuities:
- Fixed: Fixed annuities preset the principal and minimum interest rate.
- Variable: Payments change based on how investment options perform.
- Indexed: Combine features of fixed and variable annuities.
Each type of annuity can be further tailored to meet the purchaser’s needs with different variations, such as indexed and flexible premium annuities.
How soon are you retiring?
What is your goal for purchasing an annuity?
Select all that apply
Where To Buy Annuities
Although insurance companies must issue an annuity, not all annuity contracts are sold to the public directly via the issuing company’s own agents.
In fact, most annuities in America are purchased from:
- Annuity distributors, including large brokerage firms known as wirehouses, like Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.
- Independent broker-dealers, like Raymond James.
- Large banks, such as Bank of America.
- Mutual fund companies like Vanguard and T. Rowe Price, which are considered some of the most competitive companies because they offer lower fees.
- Thousands of independent agents, brokers and financial advisors across the country.
One advantage of working with a third party is that you may be exposed to an annuity option that is better suited for you than the one company you were focusing on.
“That’s where I feel my partner and I add the most value for the client,” Pangakis said. “We’re not just loyal to one company. We’re truly going out there and saying, ‘here’s the top five options out there.’”
If you purchase an annuity from a distributor or independent agent, you will typically continue to work with them directly as you manage your contract, even though you will also receive information from the insurance company from time to time.
For example, if you own a variable-rate annuity, you will receive quarterly statements from the insurance company regarding the contract’s underlying accounts. If you want to make changes to those accounts, though, you’d likely do it through the agent or company who sold you the contract.
Selecting the Right Annuity Company for You
Unlike the checking, savings and money market accounts at your bank or credit union, annuities are not guaranteed by the FDIC or SIPC. Instead, the insurance company that issues the annuity backs the asset.
Therefore, you should do considerable research about the company before choosing a provider.
“The security of your guarantee is only as good as the financial stability of the insurance company,” said Principal Financial Analyst Stephen Kates, CFP®. “It is important to view the independent ratings of any companies you are considering.”
A good annuity provider should have a strong rating from AM Best or one of the other credit rating agencies.
Another factor many people consider when choosing an annuity company is customer satisfaction. You can use third-party review sites such as Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau to understand how well a company treats its customers.
The security of your guarantee is only as good as the financial stability of the insurance company. It is important to view the independent ratings of any companies you are considering.
You can also check the company’s annual NAIC Complaint Index results. With 1.0 representing an average expected number of complaints, a score below 1.0 is preferable. A Complaint Index score of 0.1, for example, means the company receives one-tenth as many complaints as expected of the average provider in the insurance market.
When selecting an annuity provider, it’s important to think about your priorities. If you already know which type of annuity you want to buy, consider providers that specialize in this type of annuity. Or think about which features are most important to you and find out which providers offer those benefits.
It’s critical to remember that not all annuity companies make sense for all people, and the best option will depend on your circumstances above all. Pangakis recalled a time that he presented a Nationwide product to a client, and it wasn’t competitive at all with what they were looking for.
“But then two days later for a guy who was a few years older, it was the best one,” he said.
Questions To Ask Yourself When Choosing an Annuity Company
- Which type of annuity am I most interested in?
- How much do I want to invest in an annuity?
- How important is customizing my contract to me?
- Do I want to get lifetime income from my annuity?
- Do I want to add riders to my contract, such as death benefits or long-term care waivers?
Most annuity companies provide detailed information on their products on their websites. Some even allow prospective customers to download product brochures that list annuity rates, features and fees. A provider’s website can be a great resource, but you may also consider researching providers on other sites like personal finance or retirement planning blogs for a less biased perspective.
You may also solicit help from an expert who is independent of the annuity sales process when choosing which company to purchase from. Called independent fiduciaries, these experts will help you understand the entire annuity process and listen to your goals before recommending which insurance company to work with and what type of annuity to purchase.
This type of professional advice may be valuable to someone new to the annuity market because independent fiduciaries are not salespeople for insurance companies or banks and will put your needs first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Annuity Companies
The best type of annuity to buy entirely depends on what you are looking for. MYGAs are great at allowing you to take advantage of strong rates, fixed index annuities allow you to participate in the market without risk, and so on. Always check a company’s history and financial strength before buying an annuity from them.
Insurance companies issue annuities. Some popular annuity providers include Athene Holdings, Jackson National Life Insurance Company, Lincoln Financial Group, TIAA and Allianz Life.
You can purchase an annuity directly from a reputable provider; however, most purchases occur through an intermediary, such as an independent agent or financial advisor.
Rates constantly change, but companies with lower financial strength ratings tend to offer the highest rates.