Apollo-backed rate leader vs. A++ mutual. We compare Athene (A+) and MassMutual (A++) on MYGA rates, financial strength, product range, and customer experience.
Highlighted cells indicate the carrier that wins on that metric.
Strong MYGA rates across terms
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.
Get Athene quote Read full review →Top-rated mutual carrier
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.
Get MassMutual quote Read full review →| Term | Athene | MassMutual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-year | — | 4.65% | — |
| 3-year | 5.60% | 5.45% | +0.15 pts |
| 5-year | 5.85% | 5.70% | +0.15 pts |
| 7-year | 5.90% | 5.75% | +0.15 pts |
| 10-year | — | — | — |
Athene wins on 3 of 5 terms (1 tied). Illustrative rates for comparison — not a live quote. Confirm current rates with a licensed specialist.
| Metric | Athene | MassMutual |
|---|---|---|
| A.M. Best Rating | A+ | A++ |
| Our rating | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Founded | 2009 | 1851 |
| Min Purchase | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| State Coverage | 48 states | 50 states |
| 5-year MYGA (published) | 5.85% | 5.70% |
Choose Athene if you prioritize strong MYGA rates across terms. Their standout feature is: consistently top-3 MYGA rates across all term lengths.
Choose MassMutual if you prioritize top-rated mutual carrier. Their standout feature is: a++ A.M. Best — top-tier financial strength.
On published rate alone, Athene posts the higher figure on more of the terms shown here. For safety-first buyers, the carrier with the higher A.M. Best rating wins (MassMutual is rated higher). Both clear our A- preferred-tier threshold on the letter grade alone. An A.M. Best rating is an opinion of an insurer's ability to meet its obligations, not a guarantee, and it can be changed or withdrawn at any time; annuity guarantees are not FDIC-insured. Track Retirement is not a licensed insurance agent and does not recommend either contract; this comparison is general information, not advice.
The headline MYGA rate is only meaningful if the carrier honors a multi-decade contract. Athene and MassMutual differ on both axes — use the table for the numbers and the framing below for the decision.
Illustrative, 24% tax bracket, both lines after tax: $6,635 more over 5 years, almost all of it from the rate difference (5.75% vs 4.4%) rather than from deferral. The 4.4% CD leg is an assumed APY, not a quote; the FDIC all-institution average is 1.41%. A MYGA is an insurance contract, not FDIC-insured.
Whichever carrier you lean toward, most of the gap above is the rate difference rather than the tax treatment — the deferral itself is the smaller part. Either way it only pays off if the money can stay put for the full term with a strong insurer.
Read the full Athene review and MassMutual review, learn how to vet carrier safety, and see the full field in best annuity companies.
Athene posts the higher figure on 3 of 5 MYGA term lengths in these illustrative, representative rates. Its 5-year figure is 5.85% vs. 5.70%. These are illustrative figures, not a live quote — your actual rate depends on premium, state, and carrier filing, and a higher posted rate often comes from a lower-rated carrier.
Athene is rated A+ by A.M. Best; MassMutual is rated A++. Both currently sit at or above our A- financial-strength floor on the letter grade alone. An A.M. Best rating is an opinion of an insurer's ability to meet its obligations; it is not a guarantee, and it can be changed or withdrawn at any time. Annuity guarantees are not FDIC-insured.
For MYGAs, neither carrier charges explicit fees. The quoted rate is what you earn, provided you hold to term.
Athene operates in approximately 48 states; MassMutual in approximately 50. State counts are approximate and change as filings are approved or withdrawn — some carriers are not admitted in every state, and California, New York and Oregon in particular have their own filing requirements. Confirm with the carrier or a state-licensed agent that a specific contract is available where you live before you apply.
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.
Track Retirement scores every annuity 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.