Best Annuity Companies of 2023 | Annuity Provider Profiles

Written by
Rachel Christian
Rachel Christian
Financial Writer and Certified Educator in Personal Finance
Rachel Christian is a writer and researcher for RetireGuide. She covers annuities, Medicare, life insurance and other important retirement topics. Rachel is a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education.
Read More
Edited By
Matt Mauney
Matt Mauney
Financial Editor
Matt Mauney is an award-winning journalist, editor, writer and content strategist with more than 15 years of professional experience working for nationally recognized newspapers and digital brands. He has contributed content for ChicagoTribune.com, LATimes.com, The Hill and the American Cancer Society, and he was part of the Orlando Sentinel digital staff that was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2017.
Read More
Financially Reviewed By
Toby Walters, CFA®
Toby Walters, CFA®
Chartered Financial Analyst and Paraplanner
Toby Walters, CFA®, has over 25 years of financial research experience. With a knowledge and understanding of researching and analyzing financial data, he has developed a unique and experienced viewpoint on money matters. He has been a chartered financial analyst since 2003, and most recently a portfolio analyst and paraplanner.
Read More
Published: May 5, 2020
Updated: March 24, 2023
6 min read time
This page features 10 Cited Research Articles

Fact CheckedCite UsWhy Trust RetireGuide.com

Key Takeaways

Annuities are insurance contracts sold by financial institutions. The best companies to purchase annuities from should have high credit ratings, positive reviews and an established financial presence.
Annuity issuing companies are not guaranteed by the federal government. They are backed by state-guaranteed associations that are highly regulated.
The majority of annuity companies offer every type of annuity available on the market.

Who Provides Annuities?

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company in which the insurer promises to make payments to you, either now or in the future.

Annuities can be purchased with one lump-sum payment or a series of payments. In return, you receive either a single distribution or a series of payments from the insurance company. Annuities are commonly utilized in retirement planning.

You can purchase an annuity from:

Brokerage firms
Large banks
Independent broker dealers
Mutual fund companies
Independent insurance agents and financial advisors

Are annuities safe? - Featuring Josh Curtis — Learn what makes annuities a safe investment from Josh Curtis, founder and lead investment advisor of Clarity Financial LLC.

How to Purchase an Annuity

To purchase an annuity, you must follow a simple step-by-step process.

Steps for Buying an Annuity

Determine your present and future financial needs. How much money will you need during retirement? It’s important to understand your own investment goals before proceeding.
Select the right annuity product. There’s a lot of choices out there. Do your homework, explore your options and ask questions.
Select your provider. The insurance company backs the asset, so choose a trustworthy insurer with a stable financial history.
Carefully review contract terms. Before purchase, the insurance company should provide you with either an illustration or a prospectus. Carefully review this along with your contract.
Fill out the application. Make sure fields are properly completed and ask the insurer any final questions.
Transfer money. Annuities can be purchased with cash, retirement account funds or brokerage account assets.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

How soon are you retiring?

Within 5 Years

Within 10 Years

Already Retired

Other

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

What is your goal for purchasing an annuity?

Select all that apply

Selecting the Right Annuity Company

Annuities are not guaranteed by the federal government, so your annuity is only as good as the company that issues it.

It is possible for you to lose money if the insurance company you invested with defaults or declares bankruptcy.

That’s why it’s essential to carefully research any company before purchasing an annuity.

Factors to consider include:

High ratings from independent rating companies such as Standard & Poor’s, A.M. Best and Moody’s.
Minimal fees and administrative costs
Strong financial health
Positive online reviews

It should be noted that although annuities are not backed by the government, insurance companies that sell these assets are highly regulated and must comply with strict state requirements.

A study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office determined that even after the 2008 financial crisis, the impact on most insurance companies and their policyholders was relatively limited.

Best Annuity Companies

Below is an alphabetical list of highly rated annuity providers.

Best Annuity Providers for 2021

American Equity: American Equity Investment Life Holding Company focuses on the sale of fixed index and fixed rate annuity products. It is licensed to sell in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.
AIG: AIG, a leading insurance corporation, has assets exceeding $527 billion and operates in over 70 countries worldwide. Its extensive presence spans every sector of the insurance industry, including the annuities market. In 2022, AIG established a new subsidiary company named Corebridge Financial, Inc. under which it now issues annuities.
American National: Founded in 1905, American National features a wide range of life insurance, annuity and pension plan products. It also offers credit insurance, accident and health insurance.
Athene: Athene Holding Ltd. is a leading retirement services company that issues, reinsures and acquires retirement savings products, including annuities and pensions.
Fidelity & Guaranty Life (F&G): FGL Holdings is part of the Fidelity National Financial Inc. family of companies. It has offered annuity and life insurance products for nearly 60 years through a network of independent agents.
Liberty Bankers Life: Liberty Bankers Insurance Group offers retirement, life and health insurance products, including annuities. They feature a B++ financial rating by A.M. Best.
National Western Life: National Western Life offers annuity products and features high industry ratings from A.M. Best and Standard & Poor.
Nationwide: Nationwide is a well-known insurance company with more than 90 years of experience. They offer a variety of annuity products, including a new fixed indexed annuity.
North American: North American Company for Life and Health Insurance is a Midwest-based business established in 1886. They offer a comprehensive portfolio of universal life insurance, term life insurance and annuity products.
Oxford Life: Oxford Life Insurance Company features products for older Americans that help meet their financial needs, with an emphasis on life insurance and annuities.
Reliance Standard Life: Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company is a leading insurance carrier specializing in employee benefits solutions. It offers two types of annuities — traditional fixed and fixed index.
Transamerica: Established in 1904, Transamerica features high strength ratings from independent rating services and offers annuity products, including its Secure Retirement Index Annuity.
United of Omaha: As Mutual of Omaha’s main subsidiary since 1926, United of Omaha Life Insurance Company features products in the long-term care, life insurance, fixed annuity and Medicare supplement markets.

Enjoy a Safe & Secure Retirement

Learn how annuities provide premium protection, guaranteed retirement income and long-term care benefits through our partner Annuity.org.

INVEST IN YOU →

Frequently Asked Questions About Annuity Companies

What is an insurance annuity?

Annuities are purchased through insurance companies that act as their own form of insurance against you running out of money after you retire. They offer a guaranteed line of income and are typically tax-deferrable.

What are the top qualities of annuity companies?

Focus on companies that are healthy, financially stable and receive high marks from independent ratings. Make sure to compare those factors amongst your options before making a decision.

What happens to my annuity if the insurance company fails?

Annuities are not provided or insured by the federal government. If your insurance company fails or goes bankrupt, you — the annuitant — are at risk of losing your money.

However, insurance companies are legally required to belong to their particular state’s guaranty association who do provide protection. This is one of many reasons why it’s important to read through your contract when purchasing an annuity.

Last Modified: March 24, 2023