Company Overview
Global Atlantic Financial Group has been in the insurance and annuity business since 2004. Originally founded as part of Goldman Sachs and later spun off as an independent entity, it was acquired by global investment firm KKR in 2021. With over two decades of experience and strong backing from a major institutional investor, Global Atlantic is a financially stable company offering a focused selection of retirement planning solutions.
Financial Ratings That Reflect Stability
Global Atlantic holds solid financial strength ratings from all major credit rating agencies:
- AM Best: A (Excellent)
- Standard & Poor’s: A- (Strong)
- Fitch: A (Strong)
- Moody’s: A3
- Comdex Score: 75
These ratings confirm the company’s ability to meet its financial obligations and support its long-term insurance and annuity contracts.
Our Professional Opinion
Global Atlantic is a good annuity company with several products we like for accumulation, lifetime income, and long-term care. Its annuities offer some features we look for, but the right choice still depends on the guaranteed rate, income payout, fees, and access to your money.
Forethought Life Insurance Company, which issues many Global Atlantic annuities, has an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best. That is a good rating and above our A− minimum.
For accumulation, we like the option to lock a cap on the traditional S&P 500 for the selected term. That gives you more certainty than a high initial cap that the insurer can reduce at renewal. We also like the fixed annuity choices, particularly when their rates and first-year liquidity are competitive.
For the fixed-rate portion of your comparison, review current fixed annuity rates from multiple insurers using the same term and deposit.
For lifetime income, some products offer contractual growth in the value used to calculate your future paycheck. We prefer that approach for deferred income over relying on future index performance. Compare the actual guaranteed payment, because the income base is not cash you can withdraw.
We also like that Global Atlantic offers an annuity with dedicated long-term care benefits that can continue after the account value is depleted. That is more useful for care planning than an ordinary withdrawal waiver.
What We Like
- Good financial strength: Forethought Life’s A rating exceeds our minimum.
- Cap-lock option: Some accumulation strategies lock an S&P 500 cap for the term.
- Guaranteed income growth: Some riders provide a contractual path toward future lifetime income.
- Long-term care coverage: A specialized annuity can provide qualifying benefits beyond the account value.
What We Don’t Like
- Some income riders depend on performance: We prefer a guaranteed roll-up for income starting years from now.
- Optional fees: Income, death-benefit, and enhanced growth features can reduce account value.
- Changing crediting terms: Not every indexed strategy locks its cap or participation rate.
- Surrender restrictions: Larger early withdrawals can trigger charges and a market value adjustment.
Explore our individual Global Atlantic annuity reviews using the links below to see which products we like and what to compare before buying.
What Products Does Global Atlantic Offer?
Global Atlantic focuses on retirement and end-of-life planning products, specifically:
- Fixed Annuities – Guaranteed growth with no market risk
- Fixed Index Annuities (FIAs) – Market-linked interest potential with downside protection
- Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs) – Controlled downside risk with higher upside potential
- Income Annuities – Guaranteed income for life or a set period
- Preneed Funeral Insurance – Pays funeral costs through funeral home arrangements
Global Atlantic no longer issues new traditional life insurance policies, so clients seeking term or permanent life insurance will need to work with another insurer.
If you are looking to compare long-term care insurance from Global Atlantic, contact our brokers.
Our Global Atlantic Annuity Reviews
- Global Atlantic ForeAccumulation II
- Global Atlantic ForeCare Annuity
- Global Atlantic ForeCertain Income Annuity
- Global Atlantic ForeIncome II
- Global Atlantic Income 150+ SE Annuity
- Global Atlantic SecureFore Fixed Annuity Series
- Global Atlantic SecureFore II Annuity
Compare Global Atlantic Annuity Income With 25+ Companies
Why You Must Compare Premium Rates, Interest Rates, and Income Payouts
When evaluating any insurance or annuity product, it’s essential to compare the three key levers that affect your financial outcomes:
- Premium rates: What you contribute initially or over time can vary based on your age, contract terms, and benefit selections.
- Interest rates: Fixed annuities and the fixed account options in FIAs have rates that determine guaranteed growth; these vary widely between carriers.
- Income payouts: The guaranteed income amount you receive from a GLWB rider or annuitization differs across providers—affecting how much money you’ll have to spend in retirement.
Without comparing these factors side-by-side, you risk locking into a contract that underperforms or doesn’t meet your goals for growth, protection, or income.
Pros and Cons of Choosing Global Atlantic
What You Get With Global Atlantic
- Financial stability backed by KKR
- A wide range of annuity types to suit different retirement income needs
- Index-linked growth potential with built-in protection
- Guaranteed income options through income riders or annuitization
- Products designed for conservative savers seeking long-term security
What You Give Up With Global Atlantic
- No access to new term or permanent life insurance policies
- Limited living benefit options like long-term care or chronic illness riders
- No proprietary equity indexes with deep historical performance (compared to other carriers)
- Customer service has been a concern for some policyholders, especially during withdrawals or death claims
- Some competing carriers may offer more competitive payout rates or liquidity options
Who Needs Global Atlantic?
You might benefit from Global Atlantic if:
- You want protection from market losses while still capturing some market-linked growth
- You need guaranteed income and prefer a company with solid financial backing
- You want to simplify your estate planning by prepaying funeral costs
- You’re rolling over a 401(k), IRA, or using non-qualified funds for retirement income
You may not need Global Atlantic if:
- You want a new life insurance policy—they no longer offer new coverage
- You require advanced long-term care or chronic illness benefits
- You want access to cutting-edge indexes or income riders with enhanced features
- You expect high-touch, ongoing service or proactive account support
Additional Insurance to Consider
Depending on your financial goals, you may also need:
- Long-Term Care Annuities: To protect against nursing home or assisted living costs
- Final Expense Insurance: If preneed insurance isn’t available in your area
- Disability Insurance: For income replacement in your working years
- Term Life Insurance: To provide temporary protection for loved ones
Lifetime Income and Liquidity Features
All Global Atlantic annuities offer guaranteed lifetime income either through annuitization or through a GLWB (Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit) rider. We don’t recommend annuitization because it’s irrevocable and removes flexibility. Income riders allow you to retain control of your money, earn interest, and leave the balance to your beneficiaries.
Contracts can be funded with non-qualified savings, IRAs, Roth IRAs, or qualified plan rollovers. After the surrender period ends, your contract becomes fully liquid, and interest continues to grow tax-deferred. Upon death, your full remaining account value is paid to your beneficiaries as a lump sum or with spousal continuation options.
Get a Free Quote From The Annuity Expert
Global Atlantic may be a good choice, but it’s not the only choice—and it may not offer the best rates or benefits available. Contact The Annuity Expert for free quotes and side-by-side comparisons. We’ll help you choose the right annuity or insurance plan based on the best premium rates, highest interest credits, and strongest income payouts for your specific financial goals.
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