Last updated: April 2026 | By AnnuityJournal Editorial Team
- Best for maximum safety: New York Life (AM Best A++, $14.7B in 2025 sales)
- Best for competitive rates: Athene Annuity (AM Best A, MYGA rates up to 6.30%)
- Best mutual company: MassMutual (AM Best A++, 150+ years of dividends)
- Best product variety: Corebridge Financial (AM Best A, broadest lineup)
- Best for income riders: Nationwide (AM Best A+, GLWB strength)
The best fixed annuity companies of 2026 are New York Life, Athene Annuity, MassMutual, Corebridge Financial, Nationwide, Global Atlantic, Midland National, and F&G. These eight carriers lead the U.S. market by sales volume, carry AM Best financial strength ratings of A- or higher, and currently offer MYGA rates ranging from 5.00% to 6.30% APY.
This ranking is based on LIMRA Q3 2025 sales data (the most recent available), AM Best financial strength ratings, and current MYGA rate competitiveness. Whether you want a multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) or a traditional fixed annuity, the company you choose matters as much as the rate. Here is who leads the market and why.
- New York Life and MassMutual are the only two fixed annuity companies in the top 10 with an AM Best A++ (Superior) rating, the highest grade available.
- Athene is the #2 fixed annuity company by sales with $14.1 billion through Q3 2025 and consistently offers some of the most competitive MYGA rates in the market.
- The U.S. fixed annuity market totaled $347 billion through Q3 2025, on pace for another record year after 2024’s $432.4 billion.
- Fixed annuities are not FDIC-insured. AM Best ratings are the primary indicator of company safety.
- MYGA rates from A-rated carriers currently range from roughly 5.00% to 6.30% depending on term, well above most bank CDs.
How We Rank Fixed Annuity Companies
Rankings are based on four criteria — not advertising relationships or commission rates.
- Financial strength: AM Best rating, the gold standard for insurance company stability
- Market trust: LIMRA sales volume data, which reflects where consumers and advisors actually put their money
- Rate competitiveness: How current MYGA and fixed annuity rates compare to the broader market
- Product depth: Range of terms, payout options, and rider availability
USAA Life ranked #5 nationally with $7.0 billion in fixed annuity sales through Q3 2025, but its products are available exclusively to military members and their families — so we’ve excluded it from this consumer guide.
Best Fixed Annuity Companies at a Glance (2026)
| Company | AM Best | YTD Sales (Q3 2025) | LIMRA Rank | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Life | A++ Superior | $14.7 billion | #1 | Maximum financial strength |
| Athene Annuity & Life | A Excellent | $14.1 billion | #2 | Competitive MYGA rates |
| MassMutual | A++ Superior | $9.1 billion | #3 | Mutual company stability |
| Corebridge Financial | A Excellent | $8.4 billion | #4 | Broadest product lineup |
| Nationwide | A+ Superior | $5.2 billion | #6 | Income rider options |
| Global Atlantic | A- Excellent | $4.5 billion | #7 | Flexible MYGA terms |
| Midland National | A+ Superior | Part of $7.3B Sammons group | Top 5 (Sammons) | MYGA rate leaders |
| F&G (Fidelity & Guaranty Life) | A- Excellent | $3.4 billion | #13 | Short-term competitive rates |
New York Life: Best for Financial Strength
New York Life is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States — and the #1 fixed annuity company by sales volume through Q3 2025, with $14.7 billion sold. That’s roughly 4% of the entire U.S. fixed annuity market from a single carrier.
Its AM Best A++ (Superior) rating is the highest grade available, shared by fewer than a dozen U.S. life insurers. As a mutual company, New York Life is owned by its policyholders — not outside shareholders — meaning there’s no pressure to sacrifice long-term solvency for quarterly earnings.
New York Life’s fixed annuities tend to pay slightly lower rates than stock-company competitors like Athene or Corebridge. The tradeoff is unmatched financial stability backed by 180 years of continuous operation. For savers with $250,000 or more who put safety above yield, few companies offer more confidence.
AM Best Rating: A++ (Superior)
LIMRA Rank: #1 total fixed annuity sales, YTD Q3 2025
Founded: 1845
Notable Products: NYL Secure Term MYGA, Guaranteed Future Income Annuity II
Read our full New York Life Annuity Review →
Athene Annuity & Life: Best for Competitive Rates
Athene is the #2 fixed annuity company by sales volume — just $600 million behind New York Life with $14.1 billion through Q3 2025. Founded in 2009 and backed by Apollo Global Management, Athene was built specifically for accumulation products, and it shows.
Athene consistently ranks among the top rate-payers in the MYGA market. Its Benefit 10 and Ascent Pro products regularly appear on best-rate comparisons for 3-, 5-, and 7-year terms. For a saver who wants a strong, well-capitalized company with yields that actually compete with the market, Athene is the default answer.
Its AM Best A (Excellent) rating is one notch below the mutual giants, but still solid. Athene’s scale — it manages over $300 billion in assets — gives it investment advantages smaller companies can’t match.
AM Best Rating: A (Excellent)
LIMRA Rank: #2 total fixed annuity sales, YTD Q3 2025
Founded: 2009
Notable Products: Athene Benefit 10, Ascent Pro MYGA, Agility FIA
Read our full Athene Annuity Review →
MassMutual: Best for Mutual Company Stability
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company — MassMutual — is one of two fixed annuity companies in this guide with an AM Best A++ rating. Through Q3 2025, MassMutual reported $9.1 billion in fixed annuity sales, making it the third-largest player in the market.
What sets MassMutual apart from New York Life — the other A++ company — is its history of paying policyholder dividends. While dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid them every single year since 1869. That kind of continuity is rare in any industry.
For fixed annuity buyers, MassMutual’s Stable Voyage MYGA and RetireEase SPIA offer guaranteed rates backed by one of the most financially secure insurers in the country. Rates won’t top the charts, but the stability floor is about as solid as it gets.
AM Best Rating: A++ (Superior)
LIMRA Rank: #3 total fixed annuity sales, YTD Q3 2025
Founded: 1851
Notable Products: Stable Voyage MYGA, RetireEase SPIA
Read our full MassMutual Annuity Review →
Corebridge Financial: Best for Product Variety
Corebridge Financial — formerly AIG Life & Retirement — is the fourth-largest fixed annuity company by sales, with $8.4 billion sold through Q3 2025. Corebridge went public in 2022 as a standalone company separate from AIG, and has continued to grow its market share.
No company on this list offers a broader product lineup. Corebridge sells MYGAs, traditional fixed annuities, fixed index annuities, RILAs, and income annuities — all under one roof. For advisors and consumers who want to consolidate multiple products with a single carrier, Corebridge stands out for its depth.
The company carries an AM Best A (Excellent) rating. Its MYGA rates are generally competitive with the market, though not consistently at the top of rate charts.
AM Best Rating: A (Excellent)
LIMRA Rank: #4 total fixed annuity sales, YTD Q3 2025
Founded: 1919 (as part of AIG)
Notable Products: Safe Harbor MYGA, Polaris Variable, Assured Edge Income Builder FIA
Read our full Corebridge Financial Annuity Review →
Nationwide: Best for Income Riders
Nationwide reported $5.2 billion in fixed annuity sales through Q3 2025, ranking sixth overall. It carries an AM Best A+ (Superior) rating — one notch below the A++ mutual companies, but above many of the stock-company competitors writing more volume.
Nationwide’s strength is income. Its New Heights fixed index annuity and FlexChoice Access products include guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB) riders that are competitive with the broader market. For retirees who want a guaranteed rate during accumulation and a guaranteed income switch they can flip at retirement, Nationwide builds both into a single product cleanly.
Nationwide is also one of the few top-10 companies that distributes through multiple channels — banks, independent agents, and broker-dealers — making its products widely accessible.
AM Best Rating: A+ (Superior)
LIMRA Rank: #6 total fixed annuity sales, YTD Q3 2025
Founded: 1926
Notable Products: New Heights FIA, FlexChoice Access, Destination B Series
Global Atlantic: Best for Flexible MYGA Terms
Global Atlantic Financial Group sold $4.5 billion in fixed annuities through Q3 2025, ranking seventh in the market. Backed by KKR since 2021, Global Atlantic has grown rapidly and carries an AM Best A- (Excellent) rating.
Global Atlantic’s SecureFore MYGA series is available in term lengths from 3 to 10 years — one of the widest ranges in the market. That flexibility makes it a good fit for annuity laddering strategies where you want to stagger maturities across multiple years. Rates are competitive and surrender charge schedules are straightforward.
AM Best Rating: A- (Excellent)
LIMRA Rank: #7 total fixed annuity sales, YTD Q3 2025
Founded: 2004
Notable Products: SecureFore MYGA, ForeAccumulation II, ForeRetirement FIA
Read our full Global Atlantic Annuity Review →
Midland National: Best for MYGA Rate Seekers
Midland National Life Insurance is a subsidiary of Sammons Financial Companies, which reported $7.3 billion in fixed annuity sales as a group through Q3 2025 — making Sammons one of the top five fixed annuity distributors in the country. Midland National itself carries an AM Best A+ (Superior) rating.
Midland National’s Guarantee Platinum MYGA series consistently shows up at or near the top of rate comparisons for 3-, 5-, and 7-year terms. It’s not a household name, but among independent financial advisors who actively shop rates, Midland National is a frequent recommendation. The product lineup is intentionally simple — accumulation first, few bells and whistles — which is exactly what many MYGA buyers want.
Midland National products are available exclusively through independent insurance agents, not through banks or direct-to-consumer channels.
AM Best Rating: A+ (Superior)
Parent Sales: $7.3B YTD Q3 2025 (Sammons Financial Companies)
Founded: 1906
Notable Products: Guarantee Platinum MYGA, Endeavor 12 FIA
Read our full Midland National Annuity Review →
F&G (Fidelity & Guaranty Life): Best for Short-Term Fixed Rates
F&G — formerly Fidelity & Guaranty Life — sold $3.4 billion in fixed annuities through Q3 2025. The company carries an AM Best A- (Excellent) rating and has built a solid reputation for competitive rates on shorter-term MYGAs and traditional fixed products.
F&G distributes primarily through banks and broker-dealers, making its products more accessible to consumers who don’t work with an independent insurance agent. If your financial institution offers fixed annuities, there’s a reasonable chance F&G is behind the product. Its Prosperity Elite and Safe Harbor MYGA products are frequently cited for competitive 2- and 3-year rates.
AM Best Rating: A- (Excellent)
LIMRA Rank: #13 total fixed annuity sales, YTD Q3 2025
Founded: 1959
Notable Products: Safe Harbor MYGA, Prosperity Elite Fixed Annuity
Current Fixed Annuity Rates From A-Rated Carriers
All rates below are updated in real time from carriers with AM Best ratings of A- or better. Rates change frequently — check back often.
2-Year MYGA Rates
| Carrier | Product | AM Best | Rate | Term | Min Premium | Free Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axonic Insurance | Waypoint 2 MYGA | 5.00%Top Rate | 2 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Oceanview Life and Annuity | Harbourview 2 | 4.80% | 2 yr | $70,000 | 10% | |
| GBU Life | Asset Guard Select 2 | 4.75% | 2 yr | $25,000 | 10% | |
| Mass Mutual | Premier Voyage 2 | 3.75% | 2 yr | $1,000,000 | 10% |
3-Year MYGA Rates
| Carrier | Product | AM Best | Rate | Term | Min Premium | Free Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 3 (Simple Interest) SI | 5.60%Top Rate | 3 yr | $100,000 | 0% | |
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 3 CA (Simple Interest) SI | 5.50% | 3 yr | $100,000 | 0% | |
| Axonic Insurance | Waypoint 3 MYGA | 5.45% | 3 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Ibexis | MYGA Plus 3 (Simple Interest) SI | 5.40% | 3 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Ibexis | MYGA Plus 3 (Simple Interest) CA SI | 5.30% | 3 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company | TaxVantage® Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity 3 | 5.25% | 3 yr | $2,500 | 0% | |
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 3 With Liquidity (Simple Interest) SI | 5.25% | 3 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 3 CA With Liquidity (Simple Interest) SI | 5.15% | 3 yr | $100,000 | 10% |
4-Year MYGA Rates
| Carrier | Product | AM Best | Rate | Term | Min Premium | Free Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceanview Life and Annuity | Harbourview 4 | 5.20%Top Rate | 4 yr | $70,000 | 10% | |
| Oxford Life Insurance Company | Multi-Select 4 | 5.10% | 4 yr | $20,000 | 10% | |
| Clear Spring Life | Preserve MYGA 4 | 5.05% | 4 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Pacific Guardian Life | Diamond Head 4 | 5.00% | 4 yr | $10,000 | 10% | |
| GBU Life | Asset Guard Select 4 | 4.75% | 4 yr | $25,000 | 10% | |
| Mass Mutual | Premier Voyage 4 | 4.70% | 4 yr | $1,000,000 | 10% | |
| Corebridge Financial | Corebridge Pathway Choicesm Fixed 4 Annuity | 4.60% | 4 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Guardian Insurance & Annuity Co. | Guardian Fixed Target Annuity 4 | 4.60% | 4 yr | $100,000 | 10% |
5-Year MYGA Rates
| Carrier | Product | AM Best | Rate | Term | Min Premium | Free Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 5 (Simple Interest) SI | 6.30%Top Rate | 5 yr | $100,000 | 0% | |
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 5 CA (Simple Interest) SI | 6.20% | 5 yr | $100,000 | 0% | |
| Ibexis | MYGA Plus 5 (Simple Interest) SI | 5.90% | 5 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Ibexis | MYGA Plus 5 (Simple Interest) CA SI | 5.80% | 5 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 5 With Liquidity (Simple Interest) SI | 5.75% | 5 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Axonic Insurance | Waypoint 5 MYGA | 5.70% | 5 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company | TaxVantage® Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity 5 | 5.65% | 5 yr | $2,500 | 0% | |
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 5 CA With Liquidity | 5.65% | 5 yr | $100,000 | 10% |
6-Year MYGA Rates
| Carrier | Product | AM Best | Rate | Term | Min Premium | Free Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford Life Insurance Company | Multi-Select 6 | 5.55%Top Rate | 6 yr | $20,000 | 10% | |
| Oceanview Life and Annuity | Harbourview 6 | 5.50% | 6 yr | $70,000 | 10% | |
| Clear Spring Life | Preserve MYGA 6 | 5.25% | 6 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Pacific Guardian Life | Diamond Head 6 | 5.20% | 6 yr | $10,000 | 10% | |
| Mass Mutual | Premier Voyage 6 | 5.05% | 6 yr | $1,000,000 | 10% | |
| Guardian Insurance & Annuity Co. | Guardian Fixed Target Annuity 6 | 4.80% | 6 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| American General Life Insurance Company | American Pathway VisionMYG 6 | 4.45% | 6 yr | $100,000 | 15% | |
| Corebridge Financial | American Pathway VisionMYG 6 | 4.45% | 6 yr | $100,000 | 15% |
7-Year MYGA Rates
| Carrier | Product | AM Best | Rate | Term | Min Premium | Free Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 7 (Simple Interest) SI | 6.50%Top Rate | 7 yr | $100,000 | 0% | |
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 7 CA (Simple Interest) SI | 6.40% | 7 yr | $100,000 | 0% | |
| Ibexis | MYGA Plus 7 (Simple Interest) SI | 6.15% | 7 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Ibexis | MYGA Plus 7 (Simple Interest) CA SI | 6.05% | 7 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 7 With Liquidity (Simple Interest) SI | 5.95% | 7 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Knighthead Life | Staysail 7 CA with Liquidity (Simple Interest) SI | 5.85% | 7 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company | TaxVantage® Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity 7 | 5.60% | 7 yr | $2,500 | 0% | |
| Aspida | Synergy Choice 7 | 5.50% | 7 yr | $100,000 | 0% |
8-Year MYGA Rates
| Carrier | Product | AM Best | Rate | Term | Min Premium | Free Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Spring Life | Preserve MYGA 8 | 5.25%Top Rate | 8 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Oxford Life Insurance Company | Multi-Select 8 | 5.20% | 8 yr | $20,000 | 10% | |
| Pacific Guardian Life | Diamond Head 8 | 5.20% | 8 yr | $10,000 | 10% | |
| Guaranty Income Life | Guaranty Rate Lock 8 | 4.10% | 8 yr | $100,000 | 5% |
9-Year MYGA Rates
| Carrier | Product | AM Best | Rate | Term | Min Premium | Free Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Bankers Life | Heritage Elite 9 | 5.50%Top Rate | 9 yr | $10,000 | 0% | |
| Liberty Bankers Life | Heritage Premier 9 | 5.45% | 9 yr | $10,000 | Interest Only | |
| Liberty Bankers Life | Heritage Premier Plus 9 | 5.35% | 9 yr | $10,000 | Interest Only | |
| Royal Neighbors of America | MYGA 9 Year CA | 5.30% | 9 yr | $100,000 | Interest Only | |
| Clear Spring Life | Preserve MYGA 9 | 5.25% | 9 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Liberty Bankers Life | Heritage Classic 9 | 5.25% | 9 yr | $10,000 | 10% | |
| Pacific Guardian Life | Diamond Head 9 | 5.20% | 9 yr | $10,000 | 10% | |
| Securian Financial | SecureOption Choice 9 | 5.20% | 9 yr | $500,000 | 10% |
10-Year MYGA Rates
| Carrier | Product | AM Best | Rate | Term | Min Premium | Free Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceanview Life and Annuity | Harbourview 10 | 5.65%Top Rate | 10 yr | $70,000 | 10% | |
| Axonic Insurance | Waypoint 10 MYGA | 5.50% | 10 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| Royal Neighbors of America | MYGA 10 Year | 5.50% | 10 yr | $100,000 | Interest Only | |
| Reliance Standard Life | Reliance Guarantee - 10 | 5.30% | 10 yr | $20,000 | 10% | |
| Clear Spring Life | Preserve MYGA 10 | 5.25% | 10 yr | $100,000 | 10% | |
| American National Insurance Company | Palladium MYG Annuity 10 | 5.20% | 10 yr | $250,000 | 10% | |
| Pacific Guardian Life | Diamond Head 10 | 5.20% | 10 yr | $10,000 | 10% | |
| Oxford Life Insurance Company | Multi-Select 10 | 5.15% | 10 yr | $20,000 | 10% |
Rates shown are for informational purposes only and subject to change without notice. Only carriers rated A− or better by AM Best are included. Products marked SI use simple interest — the effective compound yield is lower than the stated rate. Minimum premiums shown are for non-qualified (after-tax) funds. Always verify current rates with a licensed annuity broker before purchasing.
For a full breakdown by term, see our Best MYGA Rates of 2026 page.
How to Choose the Right Fixed Annuity Company
The right company depends on what you’re optimizing for. Here’s how to think through it:
Prioritize Safety? Go Mutual.
New York Life and MassMutual are both A++ mutual companies with 150+ year histories. If you’re putting $500,000 or more into a single contract and losing sleep over company risk, the rate gap between them and higher-yielding competitors is worth paying. You’re buying peace of mind along with the annuity.
Prioritize Yield? Go With a Stock Company.
Athene, Corebridge, Global Atlantic, and Midland National typically pay 0.25%–0.60% more than the A++ mutual companies. Over a 5-year MYGA, that gap can mean $3,000–$6,000 more in interest on a $100,000 contract. All four carry AM Best A- or better ratings — solid, not risky.
Match the Term to Your Timeline.
Fixed annuity terms run from 2 to 10 years. Longer terms generally offer higher rates, but surrender charges apply if you withdraw early. A good rule: never put money in a fixed annuity that you might need before the contract matures. For laddering strategies, match each rung to a predictable cash need.
Understand What’s Guaranteed.
Every fixed annuity guarantees your principal and a stated interest rate for the contract term. What varies is the surrender charge schedule, the renewal rate process, and whether any riders are included. Read the contract before signing — especially the surrender charge table and the free withdrawal provision (most allow 10% per year penalty-free).
For more detail, see: How to Buy an Annuity Without Getting Ripped Off →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest fixed annuity company?
New York Life and MassMutual both carry AM Best A++ (Superior) ratings — the highest possible — and have operated continuously for more than 150 years. Both are mutual companies owned by policyholders rather than shareholders, which removes the pressure to take on additional risk to satisfy investors.
Are fixed annuities FDIC insured?
No. Fixed annuities are not FDIC insured. They are backed by the issuing insurance company’s balance sheet and, as a secondary layer, by each state’s guaranty association — which typically covers up to $250,000 per company per person. This is why AM Best ratings matter: with fixed annuities, you are relying on the insurer’s financial strength rather than a federal deposit guarantee.
What is the best fixed annuity rate available right now?
MYGA rates from A-rated carriers currently range from approximately 5.00% to 6.30% depending on term length and company. The current top 5-year rate is 6.30% and the top 7-year rate is 6.15% as of April 2026. Rates change weekly; use the live rate table above for current figures from A- or better rated carriers.
Can I lose money in a fixed annuity?
Not under normal circumstances. Fixed annuities guarantee both your principal and a stated interest rate for the full contract term. The only scenarios where you could lose money are: (1) the issuing insurance company becomes insolvent — an extremely rare event with A-rated carriers — or (2) you surrender the contract early and face surrender charges that exceed your earned interest in the early years.
How much does a $100,000 fixed annuity pay?
In a MYGA earning 5.25%, a $100,000 investment grows to approximately $129,200 over 5 years — roughly $5,842 in annual interest equivalent. If you convert to income at maturity, a $100,000 immediate annuity for a 65-year-old typically pays $500–$650 per month for life, depending on the company, payout option, and current interest rate environment.
What is the difference between a fixed annuity and a MYGA?
A MYGA (multi-year guaranteed annuity) is a type of fixed annuity. The term “fixed annuity” covers any annuity that pays a guaranteed interest rate, including both traditional fixed annuities and MYGAs. MYGAs lock in one rate for the entire contract term (typically 3–10 years), while some older “traditional” fixed annuities reset their rate annually. Most of what’s sold today as a “fixed annuity” is functionally a MYGA.
How many fixed annuity companies are there in the U.S.?
There are more than 100 insurance companies that sell fixed annuities in the United States. However, the top 20 companies account for roughly 74% of all fixed annuity sales, according to LIMRA Q3 2025 data. Most consumers and advisors work with a much shorter list — typically 10–15 carriers with strong AM Best ratings and competitive rates.
Related reading: See our guide to best fixed annuity rates available today.
