Highest-Rated Annuity Carriers — A++ and A+ Rated Companies | Track Retirement
Highest-Rated Annuity Carriers (A++ and A+)

The highest-rated annuity carriers

Our top picks among carriers rated A+ or A++ by A.M. Best — several carriers we track meet that bar; these are the ones our composite score ranks highest. For buyers prioritizing safety over yield.

  • 3 carriers compared
  • Scored on strength, rates and fees
  • Independent carriers can't pay for a ranking
See the #1 pick Get matched
Updated

At a glance — top 3 highest-rated annuity carriers (a++ and a+)

#CarrierRatingA.M. Best5-yr MYGA example (effective yield)MinBest for
1 New York Life 4.8 A++ 5.55%rate at $100,000–$1,499,999 $5,000 Highest-rated annuity carrier
2 MassMutual 4.7 A++ 5.70%rate at $100,000–$999,999 $10,000 Top-rated mutual carrier
3 Western & Southern 4.6 A+ 5.15%rate at $100,000+ $20,000 Conservative mutual with strong ratings
Editor's Choice
1 NY

New York Life A++

Highest-rated annuity carrier

★★★★★4.8/5
Get quote Requesting a quote on any carrier here connects you with an independent licensed agent; Track Retirement is paid for the referral. It never affects rankings.

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 →
2 M

MassMutual A++

Top-rated mutual carrier

★★★★★4.7/5
Get quote

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 →
3 WS

Western & Southern A+

Conservative mutual with strong ratings

★★★★★4.6/5
Get quote

Western & Southern Financial Group is a privately-held mutual holding company with subsidiaries including Integrity Life, National Integrity, and Columbus Life. Strong A+ A.M. Best rating — one of the safest non-public carriers.

Pros
  • A+ A.M. Best — top-tier financial strength
  • Mutual structure, conservative investment policy
  • Strong dividend history
  • Available in all 50 states
Cons
  • MYGA rates not top-tier
  • Less consumer brand recognition
  • Bank-only distribution for some products
A.M. BestA+
5-yr MYGA example5.15%
Min purchase$20,000rate at $100,000+
Read our full Western & Southern review →

How we rank highest-rated annuity carriers (a++ and a+)

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. New York Life 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 highest-rated annuity carriers (a++ and a+) overall?

New York Life took the #1 spot, scoring 4.8/5 on our methodology. They stand out for highest-rated annuity carrier.

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 highest-rated annuity carriers (a++ and a+)

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.