F&G Annuities vs. EquiTrust Life: which is better?
Two strong A-/B++ FIA and MYGA carriers. We compare F&G Annuities (A) and EquiTrust Life (B++) on MYGA rates, financial strength, product range, and customer experience.
Highlighted cells indicate the carrier that wins on that metric.
F&G Annuities A
Competitive fixed-indexed and MYGA programs
★★★★★4.5/ 5
F&G (Fidelity & Guaranty Life) is a top-15 U.S. annuity issuer specializing in fixed-indexed and MYGA products. Subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial since 2020. Known for innovative crediting strategies on their FIA products.
EquiTrust Life has been a steady presence in the annuity market since 1966. Owned by Magic Johnson Enterprises (controlling stake), they focus on fixed and fixed-indexed annuities with strong rates in the 5-year to 7-year band.
EquiTrust Life wins on 2 of 5 terms (1 tied). Illustrative rates for comparison — not a live quote. Confirm current rates with a licensed specialist.
Side-by-side specs
Metric
F&G Annuities
EquiTrust Life
A.M. Best Rating
A
B++
Our rating
4.5/5
4.3/5
Founded
1959
1966
Min Purchase
$20,000
$10,000
State Coverage
49 states
49 states
5-year MYGA (published)
5.25%
5.55%
Product lineup
F&G Annuities offers
MYGA
Fixed-Indexed
Immediate (SPIA)
EquiTrust Life offers
MYGA
Fixed-Indexed
Immediate (SPIA)
Pros and cons
F&G Annuities pros
Strong fixed-indexed product innovation
Competitive MYGA rates 3yr–7yr
Broad agent distribution
Strong customer service ratings
F&G Annuities cons
A rating below top mutuals
Smaller variable annuity presence
Some FIA caps have tightened
EquiTrust Life pros
Competitive 7-year MYGA rates
Solid 60-year history
Strong fixed-indexed lineup
Lower minimum purchase
EquiTrust Life cons
B++ rating is below most peers (Good, but not Excellent)
Smaller national distribution
Less name recognition
Who should choose each
Choose F&G Annuities if you prioritize competitive fixed-indexed and MYGA programs. Their standout feature is: strong fixed-indexed product innovation.
EquiTrust Life is rated B++ by A.M. Best, below the A- floor we use, so we don't suggest choosing it on rate alone.
Our verdict
On published rate alone, EquiTrust Life 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 (F&G Annuities is rated higher). Heads-up: EquiTrust Life sits below our A- preferred tier, so weigh strength heavily, not just the headline rate. 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. F&G Annuities and EquiTrust Life differ on both axes — use the table for the numbers and the framing below for the decision.
$100,000 in a 5-year MYGA vs a 5-year CD
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.
Which has better MYGA rates — F&G Annuities or EquiTrust Life?
EquiTrust Life posts the higher figure on 2 of 5 MYGA term lengths in these illustrative, representative rates. Its 5-year figure is 5.55% vs. 5.25%. 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.
Which is safer — F&G Annuities or EquiTrust Life?
F&G Annuities is rated A by A.M. Best; EquiTrust Life is rated B++. EquiTrust Life is currently rated below our A- floor (B++), so weigh its strength carefully. 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.
Which has lower fees?
For MYGAs, neither carrier charges explicit fees. The quoted rate is what you earn, provided you hold to term.
Are both available in my state?
F&G Annuities operates in approximately 49 states; EquiTrust Life in approximately 49. 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.
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.
IndependentCarriers can't pay for a ranking
SourcedBuilt from primary sources
ScoredStrength, rates & terms
CurrentReviewed as rates & terms change
How we compare carriers
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.