F&G Annuities vs. EquiTrust Life: Annuity Comparison (2026) | Track Retirement
Carrier comparison

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.

  • 5.25% F&G Annuities 5-yr
  • 5.55% EquiTrust Life 5-yr
  • EquiTrust higher posted rate

F&G Annuities vs. EquiTrust Life — side by side

Highlighted cells indicate the carrier that wins on that metric.

FA

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.

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Rate winner
E

EquiTrust Life B++

Strong 5-7yr MYGA value

★★★★★4.3/ 5

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.

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MYGA rates by term

TermF&G AnnuitiesEquiTrust LifeDifference
2-year — — —
3-year 4.90% 5.50% -0.60 pts
5-year 5.25% 5.55% -0.30 pts
7-year 5.30% — —
10-year — 5.70% —

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

MetricF&G AnnuitiesEquiTrust Life
A.M. Best RatingA B++
Our rating4.5/54.3/5
Founded19591966
Min Purchase$20,000$10,000
State Coverage49 states49 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.

Rate vs. strength — the real trade-off

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
$98,000$105,873$113,746$121,619$129,492 MYGA 5.75% after tax: $124,511 CD 4.4% after tax: $117,876 Year 0Year 5

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.

Go deeper

Read the full F&G Annuities review and EquiTrust Life review, learn how to vet carrier safety, and see the full field in best annuity companies.

F&G Annuities vs. EquiTrust Life FAQs

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.

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