Best Annuity Companies of 2026 — Independently Ranked | Track Retirement
Best Annuity Companies of 2026

The best annuity companies of 2026

We scored 20 A.M. Best-rated annuity carriers on rate competitiveness, financial strength, product breadth, and customer experience. These came out on top.

  • 7 carriers compared
  • Scored on strength, rates and fees
  • Independent carriers can't pay for a ranking
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Updated

At a glance — top 7 annuity companies

#CarrierRatingA.M. Best5-yr MYGA example (effective yield)MinBest for
1 Athene 4.8 A+ 5.85%rate at $100,000+ $5,000 Strong MYGA rates across terms
2 New York Life 4.8 A++ 5.55%rate at $100,000–$1,499,999 $5,000 Highest-rated annuity carrier
3 Nationwide 4.7 A+ 3.50% $2,000 Best big-name carrier for MYGA
4 Pacific Life 4.7 A+ 5.25%rate at $25,000–$199,999 $25,000 Top-tier carrier for income annuities
5 MassMutual 4.7 A++ 5.70%rate at $100,000–$999,999 $10,000 Top-rated mutual carrier
6 Global Atlantic 4.6 A 6.00%rate at $100,000+ $10,000 Strong fixed-indexed annuity specialist
7 Allianz Life 4.5 A+ — $20,000 Fixed-indexed annuity leader
Editor's Choice
1 A

Athene A+

Strong MYGA rates across terms

★★★★★4.8/5
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Athene Holding has built one of the largest fixed-annuity franchises in the U.S. since 2009. Backed by Apollo Global Management, they consistently rank in the top 3 for MYGA rates across most term lengths. Their MaxRate MYGA and Athene Agility are mainstays among fee-conscious savers comparing CDs and Treasuries.

Pros
  • Consistently top-3 MYGA rates across all term lengths
  • A+ A.M. Best rating with strong financial backing
  • Wide product lineup including MYGA, fixed-indexed, and SPIAs
  • Available in 48 states
Cons
  • Surrender charges are stricter than industry average
  • Younger company (2009) than legacy carriers like NY Life
  • Some products require a financial advisor
A.M. BestA+
5-yr MYGA example5.85%
Min purchase$5,000rate at $100,000+
Read our full Athene review →
2 NY

New York Life A++

Highest-rated annuity carrier

★★★★★4.8/5
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New York Life is the largest mutual insurance company in the U.S. and one of the very few carriers holding the top A++ rating from A.M. Best. For buyers prioritizing safety over yield, they're the benchmark. Their Secure Term MYGA is solid but not top-rate.

Pros
  • Largest U.S. mutual life insurer
  • A++ A.M. Best — top financial strength tier
  • Mutual structure — 175+ year track record
  • Strong service reputation
Cons
  • 5-year MYGA rate 5.35% ($100,000–$1,499,999 band) vs. 5.65–6.00% among specialists at our September 2026 check
  • Higher minimum purchase
  • Strict surrender charges
A.M. BestA++
5-yr MYGA example5.55%
Min purchase$5,000rate at $100,000–$1,499,999
Read our full New York Life review →
3 N

Nationwide A+

Best big-name carrier for MYGA

★★★★★4.7/5
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Nationwide is one of the largest mutual insurance companies in the U.S. and offers MYGAs alongside a full lineup of variable, indexed, and immediate annuities. Rates are slightly below MYGA specialists but their A+ rating and brand security justify the trade-off for many buyers.

Pros
  • A+ A.M. Best — top-tier financial strength
  • Mutual structure — policyholders benefit
  • Full annuity product lineup
  • Strong brand recognition and customer service
Cons
  • Published MYGA rates run well below the specialists — 3.50% vs. 5.65–6.00% on the 5-year term at our September 2026 check
  • Surrender charges can be steeper
  • Variable and indexed products carry higher fees
A.M. BestA+
5-yr MYGA example3.50%
Min purchase$2,000
Read our full Nationwide review →
4 P

Pacific Life A+

Top-tier carrier for income annuities

★★★★★4.7/5
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Pacific Life has been around since 1868 and is one of the top mutual carriers by both financial strength and product breadth. Best known for their SPIA and DIA programs, they also offer MYGAs at competitive (but not top) rates.

Pros
  • A+ A.M. Best — top-tier financial strength
  • 150+ year operating history
  • Industry-leading SPIA payout rates
  • Long-standing institutional carrier
Cons
  • MYGA rates not best-in-class
  • Higher minimum purchase requirements
  • Less competitive on shorter terms
A.M. BestA+
5-yr MYGA example5.25%
Min purchase$25,000rate at $25,000–$199,999
Read our full Pacific Life review →
5 M

MassMutual A++

Top-rated mutual carrier

★★★★★4.7/5
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MassMutual is one of only a handful of A++ rated insurers and is owned by its policyholders. They offer a competitive MYGA product alongside variable and immediate annuities. A favorite for conservative buyers willing to trade ~0.3% in yield for top-tier safety.

Pros
  • A++ A.M. Best — top-tier financial strength
  • 175-year mutual track record
  • Strong dividend history
  • Competitive immediate annuity payouts
Cons
  • 5-year MYGA rate 5.20% ($100,000–$999,999 band) vs. 5.65–6.00% among specialists at our September 2026 check
  • Higher minimum purchase
  • Surrender schedule less flexible
A.M. BestA++
5-yr MYGA example5.70%
Min purchase$10,000rate at $100,000–$999,999
Read our full MassMutual review →
6 GA

Global Atlantic A

Strong fixed-indexed annuity specialist

★★★★★4.6/5
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Global Atlantic is a major retirement insurance group backed by KKR ($550B+ AUM). They're particularly strong in fixed-indexed annuities and offer competitive MYGA rates across most term lengths.

Pros
  • Backed by KKR — institutional-grade capital
  • Strong fixed-indexed lineup
  • Competitive MYGA rates across terms
  • Wide producer network
Cons
  • A rating (vs A+ for big mutuals)
  • Less brand recognition with consumers
  • Variable annuity selection is limited
A.M. BestA
5-yr MYGA example6.00%
Min purchase$10,000rate at $100,000+
Read our full Global Atlantic review →
7 A

Allianz Life A+

Fixed-indexed annuity leader

★★★★★4.5/5
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Allianz Life is the U.S. subsidiary of German insurance giant Allianz SE. They're a top-two fixed-indexed annuity issuer by volume in the U.S. — LIMRA has ranked them #2 behind Athene in recent years. MYGA rates are competitive but not class-leading.

Pros
  • A+ A.M. Best — top-tier financial strength
  • Top-two U.S. fixed-indexed annuity issuer (LIMRA)
  • Backed by Allianz SE (~$2T AUM)
  • Industry-leading FIA crediting options
Cons
  • MYGA rates middle-of-pack
  • Variable annuity programs are small
  • Some FIA products have complex caps
A.M. BestA+
5-yr MYGA example—
Min purchase$20,000
Read our full Allianz Life review →

How we rank annuity companies

These rankings are editorial and never for sale. Every carrier is scored across financial strength (A.M. Best rating), rate or payout competitiveness, product breadth, surrender flexibility, and state availability. We disclose every affiliate relationship. Athene currently leads at 4.8/5.

What actually matters when choosing a carrier

With annuities the insurer's strength is the guarantee — there is no FDIC backstop. Prioritise carriers rated A- or better; state guaranty coverage is a capped, per-insurer backstop, not a substitute for that strength (limits vary; see NOLHGA).

Why tax deferral compounds — $100,000 at 5% for 20 years
$98,000$132,169$166,338$200,507$234,677 Tax-deferred, after tax: $225,651 Taxed yearly: $210,837 Year 0Year 20

Illustrative projection, not a prediction or a quote: $100,000 at a constant 5% for 20 years, a 24% bracket throughout, no withdrawals, fees or rate changes (a real contract's rate is guaranteed only for its term). Both lines after tax. Deferral changes when you pay tax, not whether; the net advantage here is $14,814, smaller if your bracket rises and larger if it falls.

  • Rate or payout, quoted the same week. These products are commodity-like — compare guaranteed figures across several A-rated carriers, not brochures.
  • Surrender schedule and free withdrawals. Length and early-exit penalty matter as much as the headline rate; ~10%/yr penalty-free is typical.
  • Teaser vs. guaranteed. Watch first-year bonus rates that reset; ask for the minimum guaranteed terms in writing.
  • Tax & account type. In a taxable account, tax deferral is a real edge; in an IRA the deferral advantage disappears — compare on rate, strength and liquidity only.

Before you sign

Regulators (FINRA, SEC) flag pressure to replace an existing contract or buy complex riders you can't explain back. A 1035 exchange or rider can be legitimate — but only with a written side-by-side that clearly benefits you.

Tip: size the decision first with the retirement income calculator and payout calculator, and read how to vet carrier safety.

FAQs

Who is the best annuity companies overall?

Athene took the #1 spot, scoring 4.8/5 on our methodology. They stand out for strong myga rates across terms.

How were these rankings determined?

Track Retirement scores every annuity carrier on the factors that matter: A.M. Best financial strength, MYGA rate competitiveness, product range, surrender flexibility, and state availability.

What does an A.M. Best rating mean?

A.M. Best is the leading credit rating agency for insurance companies. Ratings of A++ (Superior) and A+ (Superior) are the top two tiers; A and A- (Excellent) are the next two; B++ and B+ (Good) are below that. We weight financial strength heavily and favor carriers rated A- or better — and we flag any carrier that sits below that bar so you can weigh it against the rate.

How does Track Retirement make money?

We earn a commission when you request a quote through one of our partner links — but rankings are based purely on our editorial methodology. See our advertiser disclosure.

Why you can trust Track Retirement

No carrier, advertiser, or listed agent can pay for a ranking, and none reviews our content before publication. Figures are drawn from primary sources — A.M. Best, NAIC, the IRS, SSA, and Treasury — and checked against them. Our content is researched and drafted with the help of AI tools and verified against those sources; see our editorial policy.

Independent Carriers can't pay for a ranking
Sourced Built from primary sources
Scored Strength, rates & terms
Current Reviewed as rates & terms change

How Track Retirement ranks annuity companies of 2026

We score every carrier on financial strength (A.M. Best), MYGA rate competitiveness, product breadth, surrender flexibility, and state availability. All affiliate relationships disclosed. See our full methodology and editorial policy.