The Best Annuity Companies We Like In 2023: Our Top Picks

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

Knowing where to start if you want an annuity company can be challenging. There are so many companies out there that all claim to offer the best rates! This is why we put together this guide on the best annuity companies. We wanted to review these companies because each has something that makes them unique, but also because they all have great rates! With our help as annuity brokers, you should be able to find an insurance company that meets your needs.

Note: We are licensed financial professionals representing and selling these annuity companies. Because rates and features change frequently, contact us below for the most up-to-date recommendation for your specific situation.

And remember, not all annuities are created equal.

Best Annuity Companies For Lifetime Income

For many people, the thought of retiring can be a scary proposition. After years of working hard and saving for the future, the last thing anyone wants is to run out of money in retirement. Fortunately, some companies can help provide peace of mind by guaranteeing income for life and will never run out, no matter how long you live. In addition, some annuities offer the opportunity to earn interest on your investment, providing even more financial security in retirement.

Use our lifetime annuity calculator to get estimates of how much retirement income you can receive for the rest of your life.

Best Annuity Companies

Best Annuity Companies To Help With Inflation

It’s no secret that the cost of living increases over time. What may have cost $100 today could easily cost $200 in 10 or 20 years. This is why it’s essential to find an annuity company that offers guaranteed lifetime income that can increase to keep up with inflation. That way, you can be sure your income will never fall behind the cost of living. With this type of annuity, you can rest assured that you’ll always have enough money to cover your expenses, no matter how high the cost of living gets.

Best Annuities Companies That Help Pay For Long-Term Care

One of the most significant expenses many people face in their later years is the cost of long-term care. Unfortunately, these costs can quickly add up, whether it is a nursing home, assisted living, or home health care. Fortunately, there are annuity investment companies that can help reduce the costs of long-term care. These companies offer products that can be used to pay for nursing homes or assisted living expenses. In addition, they often have partnerships with home healthcare providers, which can help reduce home healthcare costs. As a result, the best annuity companies can provide valuable assistance to those who need it most.

Best Annuity Companies For Safe Accumulation

A few companies stand out if you’re seeking an annuity offering principal protection with popular indexes like the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones.

Best Annuity Companies That Have The Best Premium Bonuses

When it comes to annuity companies, there are a lot of factors to consider. But if you’re looking for the best possible return on your investment, you’ll want to focus on companies that offer premium bonuses. These bonuses are usually guaranteed, which means they can offset losses and provide a guaranteed return on your investment. And while not all companies offer premium bonuses, the ones that do typically offer up to 20% of your initial deposit. So if you’re looking for the best possible return on your investment, be sure to ask about premium bonuses when considering annuity companies.

Best Annuity Companies That Offer The Best Death Benefits For Beneficiaries

When a loved one dies, it can be difficult and emotional. Naturally, money is one of the last things you want to consider. However, if your loved one had an annuity with an enhanced death benefit, you may be able to use that money to offset some of the costs associated with their death.

An enhanced death benefit is a life insurance alternative that pays a death benefit to a designated beneficiary. The beneficiary can use the money to offset funeral and other final expenses. In addition, the enhanced death benefit can be used to offset any taxes that may be owed on the annuity.

Annuity Companies

Best Annuity Companies That Offer Benefits Without Charging A Fee

Many annuity companies will benefit their policyholders without charging additional fees. This can be a great way to get more bang for your buck, as you can often find companies that offer lifetime income riders or enhanced death benefits. While there may be restrictions on how these benefits can be used, they can still provide valuable protection for your family. Be sure to shop around and compare different companies before choosing the one that best meets your needs.

  • Athene
  • American Equity
  • Nationwide

Best Annuity Companies That Offer Short-Term Annuities

Several annuity companies offer short-term annuities with 2-5-year terms. These companies usually allow you to transfer your annuity to another account after the term expires, or they may offer a lump sum payout

The Best Annuity Carrier For Retirement Income

The best annuity companies for retirement income offer a reliable and stable income stream, competitive interest rates, and flexible payout options. Some popular annuity companies that offer competitive retirement income options include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
Symetra Life Insurance CompanyAA
Global AtlanticAA-
Nationwide Life Insurance CompanyA+A+
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North AmericaA+AA
Athene Annuity and Life CompanyAA+

The Best Annuity Companies For Deferred Growth

The best annuity companies for deferred growth offer competitive interest rates and flexible payout options. Some popular annuity companies that offer competitive deferred growth options include

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
American Equity Investment Life Insurance CompanyA-A-
Athene Annuity and Life CompanyAA+
Midland National Life Insurance CompanyA+A+
Symetra Life Insurance CompanyAA
Oceanview Life and AnnuityA-N/A

The Best Annuity Company For Long-Term Care

Some companies offer annuity products, including a long-term care benefit, which provides additional coverage for long-term care expenses. Some of the best annuity companies that offer long-term care benefits include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
OneAmericaA+AA-
Global AtlanticAA-

The Best Annuity Companies For Married Couples

Some annuity companies offer annuity products that provide a guaranteed income stream that covers the annuitant’s lifetime and the spouse’s lifetime. These annuities are known as joint life annuities or survivor annuities. Some popular annuity companies that offer joint life annuities include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
Nationwide Life Insurance CompanyA+A+
Athene Annuity and Life CompanyAA+
Symetra Life Insurance CompanyAA

The Best Annuity Provider For Inflation Protection

Some companies offer annuity products that provide a guaranteed income stream with protection from inflation. These annuities are known as inflation-protected annuities. Some popular annuity companies that offer inflation-protected annuities include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North AmericaA+A+
Athene Annuity and Life CompanyAA+
Symetra Life Insurance CompanyAA

The Best Fixed Annuity Companies

The best fixed annuity rates can vary depending on factors such as market conditions, the annuity company’s financial stability, and the annuity’s specific terms and conditions. Some annuity companies that are known for offering competitive fixed annuity rates include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
Pacific Guardian Life Insurance CompanyAA
Oceanview Life and Annuity CompanyA-N/A

The Best Annuity Companies That Charge Low Fees

The number of fees charged by annuity companies can vary greatly, so it’s important to carefully review the terms and conditions of each annuity before choosing one. Some annuity companies may charge low or no fees to their customers, while others may charge higher fees for additional benefits or their annuity services. Some annuity companies that are known for charging low or no fees include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
American Equity Investment Life Insurance CompanyA-A-
Midland National Life Insurance CompanyA+A+
North American Company for Life and HealthA+A+
Athene Annuity and Life CompanyAA+

The Best Fixed Index Annuity Companies

The best fixed-index annuity companies offer competitive rates, flexible payout options, and a solid financial history. Some popular fixed-indexed annuity companies include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
American Equity Investment Life Insurance CompanyA-A-
Midland National Life Insurance CompanyA+A+
North American Company for Life and HealthA+A+
Athene Annuity and Life CompanyAA+
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North AmericaA+A+

The Best Pension Annuity Companies

The best pension annuity companies have a solid financial history, offer competitive rates, and provide a reliable and stable income stream. Some top pension annuity companies include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
Symetra Life Insurance CompanyAA
Nationwide Life Insurance CompanyA+A+
Athene Annuity and Life CompanyAA+
American Equity Investment Life Insurance CompanyA-A-

The Best Deferred Income Annuity Companies

The best deferred income annuity companies offer competitive rates, flexible payout options, and a solid financial history. Some popular deferred-income annuity companies include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
Symetra Life Insurance CompanyAA
Nationwide Life Insurance CompanyA+A+
Athene Annuity and Life CompanyAA+
American Equity Investment Life Insurance CompanyA-A-

The Best Immediate Annuity Companies

The best immediate income annuity companies offer competitive rates and a reliable and stable income stream. Some top immediate annuity companies include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
Symetra Life Insurance CompanyAA
Nationwide Life Insurance CompanyA+A+
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North AmericaA+A+

The Best Hybrid Annuity Companies

The best hybrid companies are those that offer a combination of features from both fixed and variable annuities. Some popular hybrid annuity companies include:

CompanyA.M. Best RatingS&P Rating
Symetra Life Insurance CompanyAA
Nationwide Life Insurance CompanyA+A+
Athene Annuity and Life CompanyAA+
American Equity Investment Life Insurance CompanyA-A-

Who Issues Annuities?

First and foremost, annuities are issued by insurance companies. This is a key piece of knowledge because insurance companies must maintain certain financial reserves to pay out annuity benefits. This offers a layer of protection to annuity owners, ensuring they receive the payouts they’re entitled to.

For example, consider companies like Nationwide, AIG, or Prudential. These industry giants are renowned for their annuity offerings, providing a variety of choices to cater to individual financial needs and goals.

What to Consider When Choosing an Annuity Company

When choosing an annuity company, it’s essential to consider several factors, including its financial stability, the types of annuities it offers, and its fees.

  • Financial Stability: Look for a company with a solid financial history and a good credit rating. This will help ensure that the company can pay out the annuity income stream for the duration of the contract.
  • Types of Annuities: Different annuity companies offer different types of annuities, such as fixed annuities, variable annuities, and indexed annuities. Consider your financial goals and risk tolerance when choosing your type of annuity.
  • Fees: Annuities come with various fees, such as mortality and expense fees, administrative fees, and surrender charges. Understanding these fees and how they will impact your overall return on investment is essential.
Top Annuity Companies

What We Like To See In An Annuity Company

Plenty of annuity companies exist, but not all are created equal. There are several different factors to consider when choosing an annuity company.

  • One important thing to look for is a company with a solid financial rating. A.M. Best is a leading rating agency for insurance companies, and you should look for a company with an “A-” or better rating.
  • Another thing to consider is the variety of products that the company offers. Some companies are more innovative and may offer a broader range of products that can meet your needs.
  • Annuities should be easy to understand. The best annuity companies will explain how annuities work clearly and concisely.
  • Transparency is also essential. Choose a company that is upfront about fees. The best annuity companies will have nothing to hide.
  • We want a company that offers plenty of liquidity annually without a penalty.
  • It should be easy to cancel your annuity if you need to.
  • They have a death benefit to be passed down to beneficiaries in a lump sum.
  • Policies allow you to transfer or cash in your investment plus interest after the term without a penalty.

Ultimately, you should choose a company you feel confident in and believe will provide you with the best possible service.

Best Annuity For Retirement

What We Don’t Like To See In An Annuity Company And Their Products

  • Companies that are “B” rated. Too many options exist with “A” rated companies with similar benefits.
  •  Requires you to give up control of your money (annuitization).
  • Any annuity products that can lose money to market volatility.
  • Doesn’t offer a death benefit for beneficiaries.
  • Complex annuity products that are not straightforward.
  • Hidden gimmicks.

Next Steps

Now that you know our top picks for the best annuity companies, it’s time to start shopping around for the best annuities. Comparing policies is essential to finding the right one for your needs and objectives. And if you have any questions or want a free quote, be sure to contact us – we’re happy to help!

The Best Annuity Companies

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy an annuity without a broker?

Various annuities are available, but almost all of them must be purchased through a broker. This is because annuities are complex products that require the expertise of a professional to select the right one for your needs.

Which company is best for annuities?

The best annuity company for you depends on your financial goals and needs. Some top annuity companies include Athene, North American, Midland National, Lincoln Financial Group, and Nationwide.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this guide may be affiliate links. I may receive a commission at no cost to you if you purchase a policy. It helps us keep the lights on!

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

I’m a licensed financial professional focusing on annuities and insurance for more than a decade. My former role was training financial advisors, including for a Fortune Global 500 insurance company. I’ve been featured in Time Magazine, Yahoo! Finance, MSN, SmartAsset, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg, The Simple Dollar, U.S. News and World Report, and Women’s Health Magazine.

The Annuity Expert is an online insurance agency servicing consumers across the United States. My goal is to help you take the guesswork out of retirement planning or find the best insurance coverage at the cheapest rates for you. 

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