See the highest illustrated returns, traditional index options, and declared fixed interest rates in one place.
Choosing the right fixed indexed annuity (FIA) can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time comparing all types of annuity rates. Some annuities advertise eye-catching illustrated returns using engineered indexes, while others tie growth to familiar benchmarks, such as the S&P 500 or Nasdaq. Additionally, many FIAs offer fixed interest rates that directly compete with CDs and MYGA rates. Understanding these differences is crucial because the option you choose affects how your money grows, the level of risk you’re exposed to, and the reliability of your income in retirement.
Fast Facts: Best Fixed Indexed Annuity Rates
- Highest Illustrated Return (Engineered Index): Athene BCA 12 – Projected return of about 26.1% over 12 years (based on illustration)
- Highest Traditional Index Return: Security Benefit Strategic Growth Annuity – Projected return of about 12.53% over 10 years, based on the performance of the S&P 500
- Highest Declared Fixed Rate: Harbourview 10 (Oceanview) – 9.05% fixed interest rate guaranteed for 1 year (changes annually)
Note: Rates change frequently. These examples show current top offerings based on carrier illustrations and declared rates.
Fixed Index Annuity Rates: The Red Flags the Sales Illustration May Not Show
The Best Fixed Index Annuity Cap Rates
The cap rate represents the maximum interest (the “ceiling”) a Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) can earn from its chosen index during a crediting period. Below are the current top annual reset cap rates, which determine how much interest can be credited each year. Contact us for details on multi-year reset options, which can offer higher long-term growth potential.
Buying Tip: As you are comparing the best fixed indexed annuity rates of October 2026, fixed indexed annuities for accumulation should be judged by annual crediting mechanics, renewal terms, index simplicity, and realistic upside—not by the most impressive hypothetical backtest.
| Company and Product | Index | Cap Rate | Annuity Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford Life Select 3 | S&P 500 | 9.7% | 3 Years |
| Mutual of Omaha Ultra Advantage 4 | S&P 500 | 9.5% | 4 Years |
| Global Atlantic ForeAccumlation II | S&P 500 | 11.75% | 5 Years |
| Americo Growth Commander | S&P 500 IQ PTP Cap | 11.65% | 6 Years |
| Americo LibertyMark Freedom 7 | S&P 500 IQ | 18.5% | 7 Years |
| Midland LiveWell | Nasdaq-100 Volatility Control 12% | 11.75% | 8 Years |
| LSW Income Driver | S&P 500 | 6% | 9 Years |
| Aspida Synergy Choice Max 10 | T. Rowe Price U.S. Equity 15 PTP Cap | 20% | 10 Years |
Best Fixed Indexed Annuities With Cap Locks
| Product | Term | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Sagicor | 5 Year | 10.00% |
| Sagicor | 7 Year | 10.00% |
| Sagicor | 10 Year | 10.00%* |
| Oceanview CapLock | 7 Year | 9.50% |
| Oceanview CapLock | 5 Year | 9.45% |
| MassMutual American Legend | 7 Year | 9.10% |
| Pacific Life Pac Index | 10 Year | 8.85% |
| Pacific Life Pac Index | 7 Year | 8.80% |
| Global Atlantic ForeAccumulation | 5 Year | 8.50% |
| Global Atlantic ForeAccumulation | 7 Year | 8.50% |
| Augustar Observatory | 10 Year | 8.25% |
| Lincoln OptiBlend | 5 Year | 8.25% |
| GILICO GuidePath Growth | 7 Year | 8.00% |
| Mutual of Omaha Ultra Advantage | 3 Year | 8.00% |
| Mutual of Omaha Ultra Advantage | 4 Year | 8.00% |
| Mutual of Omaha Ultra Advantage | 5 Year | 8.00% |
| Mutual of Omaha Ultra Advantage | 7 Year | 8.00% |
| Mutual of Omaha Ultra Advantage | 10 Year | 8.00% |
| GILICO GuidePath Growth | 5 Year | 7.75% |
| Integrity Indextra | 5 Year | 7.75% |
| Augustar Observatory | 7 Year | 7.50% |
| Lincoln OptiBlend | 7 Year | 7.50% |
| Integrity Indextra | 7 Year | 7.50% |
| Integrity Indextra | 10 Year | 7.50% |
| The Standard Enhanced Choice | 5 Year | 7.50% |
| The Standard Enhanced Choice | 7 Year | 7.50% |
| Augustar Observatory | 5 Year | 7.25% |
| MassMutual American Landmark | 5 Year | 7.20% |
*Sagicor 10-Year: The 10% cap is guaranteed for Years 1–5. A new guaranteed cap is set for Years 6–10.
Oceanview CapLock: The 9.35% cap applies to the S&P 500, Russell 2000, and Nasdaq 100.
The Best Fixed Index Annuity Participation Rates With No Cap
The participation rate refers to the percentage of the market index’s gain that your contract will receive interest credits on. Below are the current top annual participation-rate options with no cap, meaning there’s technically no upper limit (no “ceiling”) to the interest you could earn when the index performs well. Contact The Annuity Expert for details on additional multi-year terms and strategies.
| Company and Product | Index | Participation Rate | Annuity Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland Summit Focus 3 | BlackRock ESG | 350% | 3 Years |
| GBU Financial Life | Barclays Agility Shield | 270% | 4 Years |
| North American Secure Horizon | Loomis Sayles Managed Futures 2 | 275% | 5 Years |
| Americo Growth Commander | Morgan Stanley Enhanced Allocation | 302% | 6 Years |
| Athene AccuMax | Shiller Barclays CAPE Allocator 6 | 480% | 7 Years |
| North American Performance Choice 8 | Morgan Stanley Dynamic Global | 285% | 8 Years |
| Nationwide New Heights | Goldman Sachs New Horizons | 255% | 9 Years |
| NAC Secure Horizon | Loomis Sayles Managed Futures | 485% | 10 Years |
What Fixed Indexed Annuity Rates Really Mean
Fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) can grow in three different ways:
- Illustrated Returns (engineered indexes): Carriers design their own indexes in partnership with banks. These often show high growth potential, but the indexes are new and lack long-term history.
- Traditional Index Returns (S&P 500, NASDAQ): These utilize long-standing stock market indexes with decades of historical data. They’re capped or limited but provide transparency.
- Declared Fixed Interest Rates: A guaranteed interest rate inside the FIA, similar to a fixed annuity (MYGA). It doesn’t rely on market performance and grows steadily.
Best Overall Illustrated Returns (Engineered Indexes)
These are custom indexes created by investment banks or insurers, often combining multiple asset classes (stocks, bonds, volatility controls, commodities). Examples:
- AI-Powered Global Opportunities Index
- BofA Global MegaTrends Index
- Nasdaq Premier Index
They use formulas and volatility controls to smooth returns. For example, a 5% volatility-controlled index might shift between equities and bonds to maintain stable risk.
- Athene Performance Elite 7 – ~19.7% illustrated return, 7-year contract.
- Athene Accumulator 10 – ~18.7% illustrated return, 10-year contract.
- American Equity AssetShield 10 – ~14.4% illustrated return, 10-year contract.
Pros: Highest potential growth, designed for accumulation.
Cons: Based on engineered indexes with no long-term track record; often include fees.
| Product Name | Rating | Term | Index Option | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athene Performance Elite 7 | A+ | 7y | 1-Year AI Global Opp. PTP | 20.33% |
| Athene Accumulator 10 | A+ | 10y | 1-Year AI Global Opp. PTP | 17.49% |
| Midland Summit Edge | A+ | 10y | S&P 500 Dynamic Intraday TCA | 11.13% |
| Global Atlantic ForeAccumulation 5 | A | 5y | Nasdaq-100 Agile 15% | 12.99% |
All-Around FIA Accounts Table
- Product Name: Marketing name of the FIA (e.g., Athene Performance Elite 7).
- Rating: AM Best rating for the insurer’s financial strength (A+, A, etc.).
- Term: Surrender charge period (contract length in years).
- Index Option: The index/crediting strategy tied to performance (e.g., AI Global Opportunities PTP, BofA MegaTrends).
- Return: The projected or credited return rate given in the document (e.g., 19.72%).
Best Traditional Index Returns (We Recommend These)
At The Annuity Expert, we follow the K.I.S.S. Method — Keep It Simple, Stupid — when choosing Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) indices focused on growth rather than income. Our philosophy is simple: stick with indexes you recognize, understand, and regularly see in financial news. These are long-established, publicly traded market benchmarks with proven performance histories spanning decades. Examples include:
- S&P 500 (500 largest U.S. companies)
- Nasdaq-100 (top 100 non-financial Nasdaq companies)
- Dow Jones Industrial Average (30 large U.S. companies)
Your annuity credits interest based on a percentage of the growth in these indexes, subject to caps, participation rates, or spreads.
Pros: Based on familiar indexes with a long history, transparent performance.
Cons: Lower caps and participation rates compared to engineered options; growth may lag behind illustrations.
| Product Name | Rating | Term | Index Option | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Life Summit Prime 10 | A- | 10 Years | 1-Year Nasdaq-100 PTP | 12.07% |
| Americo Elite 5 | A | 5 Years | 1-Year S&P 500 PTP | 12.85% |
| American Equity Asset Shield | A | 10 Years | Dow Jones Industrial Average | 6.10% |
Traditional FIA Accounts Table
- Product Name: The annuity product’s name (e.g., Strategic Growth 7 Annuity).
- Rating: Insurer’s AM Best rating (A, A-).
- Term: Contract length in years (e.g., 7, 10).
- Index Option: The chosen crediting method (e.g., “S&P 500 PTP with spread buy-up,” “Nasdaq-100 PTP”).
- Return: Illustrative hypothetical credited return or cap/participation percentages given in the report.
Best Declared Fixed Interest Rates (Safe and Predictable)
A declared fixed rate in a Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) works like a traditional fixed account inside the annuity. Instead of tying interest to an index (like the S&P 500), the insurance company declares a fixed interest rate—usually guaranteed for one year at a time.
- How it works: At the start of each policy year, the insurer announces the declared rate. Your money in that account earns that rate for the year, regardless of market performance. At the next anniversary, the insurer may adjust the rate based on market conditions.
- Why it’s unique: It provides guaranteed growth for that year, giving you a safe, predictable option alongside index strategies.
This feature is useful if you want stability and liquidity inside your FIA, but keep in mind that the rate can change annually (unlike MYGAs, which lock rates for the entire term).
- Harbourview 10 (Oceanview) – 9.05% declared first-year fixed rate that changes annually for 10 years.
- Harbourview 7 (Oceanview) – 9.05% declared first-year fixed rate that changes annually for 7 years.
- Strategic Growth 7 (Security Benefit) – 8% declared first-year fixed rate that changes annually for 7 years.
- Index Protector 5 (MassMutual) – 6% declared first-year fixed rate that changes annually for 5 years.
Pros: Guaranteed growth, predictable, no index dependence.
Cons: Lower upside compared to index options, may lag inflation over time.
Fixed Indexed Annuity GLWB Payout Rates
A Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) is an optional rider that can be added to many fixed indexed annuities. It converts your FIA into a personal pension, providing you with a steady stream of income that you can’t outlive.
- How Payouts Work: Your income is based on your age when withdrawals begin, the deferral period, and the payout option you choose (level, increasing, or CPI-based). Payout percentages generally range between 5% and 10% of your benefit base. The longer you wait to take income, the higher your payout rate.
- Why It Matters: Unlike annuitization, GLWB income is revocable—you can stop withdrawals or adjust your plan at any time. Your beneficiaries can still inherit the account value if you pass away.
- Pros: Guaranteed lifetime income, flexibility to start and stop withdrawals, and legacy protection.
- Cons: Rider fees reduce growth, payout percentages vary by carrier, and growth potential is capped.
Use this tool to see the latest index annuity rates for guaranteed annual lifetime withdrawals:
Other Comparative Features of Index Annuities
Here are FIAs that offer competitive rates for lifetime income, long-term care benefits, and enhanced death benefits in addition to the cap and participation rates above.
| Product | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| F&G Safe Income Advantage | Lifetime Income |
| Athene Ascent Pro Bonus | Lifetime Income |
| North American Income Pay Pro | Lifetime Income |
| Equitrust Bridge Annuity | Long-Term Care |
| OneAmerica Indexed Annuity Care | Long-Term Care |
| Legacy LibertyMark with Heritage Maximizer | Enhanced Death Benefits |
| Athene Agility 10 | Enhanced Death Benefits |
Next Step:
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Questions From Our Readers
Are fixed indexed annuity rates guaranteed?
Only the declared fixed interest rate is contractually guaranteed. Index-based returns are not guaranteed; they depend on participation rates, caps, and market performance.
How often do FIA rates change?
Declared rates typically reset annually. Participation rates and caps on index strategies can also change each year, depending on the insurer. However, some fixed index annuities lock in the caps and participation rates for the entire term.
Are FIAs better than CDs?
FIAs often offer higher potential returns, tax-deferred growth, and downside protection. CDs provide shorter terms, FDIC insurance, but lower yields and annual taxable interest.
Can I lose money in a fixed indexed annuity?
Your principal is protected if you follow the contract terms. Losses can occur from surrender charges, fees, or early withdrawals—not from index performance.
What happens at the end of an FIA term?
You can renew, transfer to another annuity, take withdrawals, or annuitize for income. Most people compare new rates and options before making a decision.
Can I add lifetime income to an FIA?
Yes. Many FIAs offer Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) riders for a fee, turning your annuity into a personal pension.