Christian Simmons, writer and researcher for RetireGuide
  • Written by
    Christian Simmons

    Christian Simmons

    Financial Writer

    Christian Simmons is a writer for RetireGuide and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®). He covers Medicare and important retirement topics. Christian is a former winner of a Florida Society of News Editors journalism contest and has written professionally since 2016.

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  • Edited By
    Savannah Pittle
    Savannah Pittle, senior financial editor for RetireGuide

    Savannah Pittle

    Senior Financial Editor

    Savannah Pittle is a professional writer and content editor with over 16 years of professional experience across multiple industries. She has ghostwritten for entrepreneurs and industry leaders and been published in mediums such as The Huffington Post, Southern Living and Interior Appeal Magazine.

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  • Financially Reviewed By
    Ebony J. Howard, CPA
    Ebony J. Howard, CPA

    Ebony J. Howard, CPA

    Credentialed Tax Expert at Intuit

    Ebony J. Howard is a certified public accountant and freelance consultant with a background in accounting, personal finance, and income tax planning and preparation.  She specializes in analyzing financial information in the health care, banking and real estate sectors.

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  • Published: March 21, 2023
  • Updated: October 25, 2023
  • 6 min read time
  • This page features 8 Cited Research Articles
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How to Cite RetireGuide.com's Article

APA Simmons, C. (2023, October 25). Reliance Standard Annuities: Comprehensive Review of Its Products. RetireGuide.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.retireguide.com/annuities/companies/reliance-standard/

MLA Simmons, Christian. "Reliance Standard Annuities: Comprehensive Review of Its Products." RetireGuide.com, 25 Oct 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/annuities/companies/reliance-standard/.

Chicago Simmons, Christian. "Reliance Standard Annuities: Comprehensive Review of Its Products." RetireGuide.com. Last modified October 25, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/annuities/companies/reliance-standard/.

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Key Takeaways
  • Reliance Standard is financially stable, boasting an A+ rating from S&P Global Ratings and an A++ rating from AM Best.
  • Reliance offers two types of annuities: traditional fixed annuities and fixed index annuities. Traditional fixed annuities are more secure, while fixed index annuities have more growth potential.
  • Reliance doesn’t charge upfront fees on its annuities, but you’ll get charged a surrender fee if you withdraw money from your premium amount before your term is up.
  • You can check the status of your Reliance Standard annuity and payouts by logging in to the company’s user services center.

About Reliance Standard

Reliance Standard was founded in 1907 as a small Philadelphia-based insurance company and grew into a national powerhouse. The company currently offers life insurance, annuities and other insurance products in all 50 states. It manages more than $20.3 billion in assets for customers across the country.

Reliance Standard is not part of Global Atlantic Financial Group. It is part of Tokio Marine Group, one of the world’s largest insurance companies.

You can reach Reliance Standard’s annuity inquiries department at 800-351-7500, ext. 3696, or by email at retirementservices@rsli.com. Policyholders can call 800-HELP-RSL (800-435-7775) for help with their Reliance products.

Reliance Standard’s Reputation and Financial Stability

Reliance Standard has a strong reputation as an annuity provider. It is an insurance industry giant that enjoys consumer confidence and enough capital to fulfill its financial obligations.

The company also has high financial strength ratings from leading credit analysts (S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s and AM Best). Its ratings show that Reliance Standard has the financial health to make consistent annuity payouts for many years to come.

Credit Rating AgencyRating
S&P Global RatingsA+
AM BestA++
Moody’sA1
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Annuities from Reliance Standard

Reliance Standard offers traditional fixed annuities and fixed index annuities. Although the terms are similar for both types, the risk levels are different. They also provide different rates of return and financial benefits, and they function differently.

Traditional Fixed Annuities

Reliance Standard’s traditional fixed annuities offer guaranteed annuity rates for the term of the annuity contract. They provide a predictable rate of return and stable lifetime income during the payout period.

The company’s line of traditional fixed annuities includes:
  • Reliance Guarantee 5-Year Fixed Annuity
  • Reliance Guarantee 7-Year Fixed Annuity
  • Reliance Guarantee 10-Year Fixed Annuity
  • Eleos MVA
  • Eleos SP
  • Apollo MVA
  • Apollo SP
Fixed Annuities

Fixed Index Annuities

Reliance Standard’s fixed index annuities offer an interest rate that rises in response to gains in the S&P 500, a collection of 500 widely held stocks in U.S. companies. When the S&P 500 rises, your interest rate goes up.

The connection to the stock fund makes fixed index annuities slightly riskier than Reliance Standard’s traditional fixed annuities. Your interest rate may fall if the S&P 500 performs poorly. However, your interest rate has a floor. It will never fall below the minimum rate listed in your annuity contract and your premium amount will never fall below its initial value.

Reliance Standard’s line of fixed index annuities includes:
  • Keystone 5
  • Keystone 7
  • Keystone 10
  • Reliance Accumulator 5
  • Reliance Accumulator 7
  • Reliance Accumulator 10
Fixed Indexed Annuities

Annuity Fees and Other Charges

Reliance Standard doesn’t charge any upfront fees when you purchase an annuity. Its agents’ commission fees come from the company’s general funds and aren’t directly attached to what customers buy and how much they invest.

However, you can expect to pay a surrender charge if you withdraw more than 10% of your premium amount in a single year before the end of your annuity’s term. If you make such a large withdrawal during your first year as a policyholder, you’ll owe a 9% surrender charge on the funds you withdraw. This charge falls by 1% each subsequent year.

When your annuity reaches the end of its term, you may withdraw as much of the premium amount as you choose without incurring any penalties. This fee structure is outlined in the pamphlets you receive when you purchase an annuity.

Early withdrawals from Reliance Standard annuities also trigger a market value change. If current interest rates are at least 0.5% higher than the one that is specified in your annuity contract, your annuity value will increase. If interest rates are at least 0.5% lower, however, your annuity value will decrease.

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Reliance Standard Customer Service

Reliance Standard has a reputation for providing helpful, professional and accessible customer service. The annuity company offers 24/7 customer service by email and through its user services center. You can also call them at 800-351-7500 every weekday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. EST.

You can log in to your Reliance Standard User Services account to check your policy details, the status of your annuity payouts and other personal information. You’ll need your user ID and password to access your account. You’ll find your user ID on the paperwork you receive after purchasing your annuity.

If you’d prefer to speak to an agent in person, you can visit one of Reliance Standard’s many regional offices. Use the Office Locator tool to find the one closest to you.

FAQs About Reliance Standard Annuities

How does Reliance Standard protect against inflation in its annuity products?
Reliance Standard's annuities offer a guaranteed interest rate that usually exceeds the inflation rate. You can also opt for its fixed index annuity products. The interest rates on these products rise alongside the S&P 500, giving you a buffer against inflation while also protecting you from the negative effects of financial downturns.
What is the financial strength rating of Reliance Standard, and how does this impact its annuity products?
Reliance Standard was awarded financial strength scores of A++ by AM Best, A+ by S&P Global and A1 by Moody's. The high scores indicate that the company will be able to fulfill its annuity payout obligations to its customers.
What resources and support does Reliance Standard offer to help you make informed decisions about buying an annuity?
Reliance Standard offers consultations with its agents by phone and in person at its regional offices. The company also offers PDF guidebooks on traditional fixed annuities and fixed index annuities to help you decide which type best fits your needs.
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Last Modified: October 25, 2023

8 Cited Research Articles

  1. Moody’s. (2023, January 31). Rating Action: Moody’s upgrades Reliance Standard Life’s IFS rating to A1; stable outlook. Retrieved from https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-upgrades-Reliance-Standard-Lifes-IFS-rating-to-A1-stable--PR_1000007244
  2. Reliance Standard. (2022, September 30). About Reliance Standard Life. Retrieved from https://www.reliancestandardlife.com/about-us
  3. Reliance Standard. (2022, March). The Reliance Guarantee 5 Year Fixed Annuity. Retrieved from https://www.reliancestandard.com/SiteData/docs/EF3488NR/61f740627e188806/EF-3488-NR.pdf
  4. Reliance Standard. (n.d.). Annuity Products. Retrieved from https://www.reliancestandardlife.com/
  5. Reliance Standard. (n.d.). Contact Options. Retrieved from https://customercare.rsli.com/contact/default.aspx
  6. Reliance Standard. (n.d.). Reliance Standard earns S&P ratings upgrade. Retrieved from https://www.reliancestandard.com/S-P-Upgrade/1140/
  7. Reliance Standard. (n.d.). Your Guide to Fixed Annuities. Retrieved from https://www.reliancestandard.com/SiteData/docs/RS2329TM/0bc51de0bf431360/RS-2329-TM.pdf
  8. Reliance Standard. (n.d.). Your Guide to Index Annuities. Retrieved from https://www.reliancestandardlife.com/-/media/files/reliance-standard-life/home/rs-2325-tm.ashx