Last updated: April 14, 2026 by the AnnuityJournal Editorial Team.
Jackson National Life Insurance Company is the largest seller of variable annuities in the United States and one of the most recognizable names in the annuity industry. Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, Jackson has been the top VA issuer by sales volume in most years since the 2010s. The company was spun off from UK-based Prudential plc in 2021 and now trades publicly on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker JXN.
Jackson holds an AM Best A (Excellent) rating and manages more than $365 billion in assets. Their variable annuity lineup, particularly the Perspective II contract with the LifeGuard Freedom Flex income rider, has long been considered the benchmark in the independent advisor channel. Jackson also issues registered index-linked annuities (RILAs), fixed indexed annuities, and single premium immediate annuities.
Key Takeaways
- AM Best A (Excellent) rating, A from S&P and Fitch, A3 from Moody’s
- Largest variable annuity seller in the U.S. by sales volume
- Publicly traded as NYSE: JXN since September 2021 spinoff from Prudential plc (UK)
- $365B+ in assets under management
- Flagship Perspective II VA with LifeGuard Freedom Flex income rider
- Sold through independent broker-dealers, wirehouses, and RIAs
Jackson Company Overview
Jackson National was founded in 1961 in Jackson, Michigan, and later relocated to Lansing. In 1986 it was acquired by Prudential plc, the London-based insurance group (not to be confused with Prudential Financial of Newark, NJ). Under Prudential plc ownership, Jackson grew into the largest variable annuity issuer in the United States by the 2010s.
In September 2021, Prudential plc demerged Jackson in a distribution to shareholders, and Jackson began trading on the NYSE as Jackson Financial Inc. under the ticker JXN. Today Jackson operates as an independent U.S.-focused retirement services company with no foreign parent.
Jackson National Life Insurance Company is the primary annuity issuer. Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York handles New York State business. Both are well-capitalized and regulated.
Jackson Annuity Products
Variable Annuities
Jackson Perspective II is the flagship variable annuity and one of the most widely held VA contracts in the United States. It offers over 100 subaccounts from leading asset managers and pairs with the LifeGuard Freedom Flex rider for guaranteed lifetime withdrawals. The rider allows income to rise if the account grows but never falls once income begins, which is why advisors favor it for accumulation-plus-income planning.
Jackson Elite Access is a lower-cost investment-only variable annuity without lifetime income guarantees. It targets buyers who want tax-deferred access to alternative and non-traditional subaccounts rather than living benefits.
Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs)
Jackson Market Link Pro is a RILA offering index-linked returns with buffer or floor protection against losses. Buyers choose the level of downside protection they want, with the trade-off that deeper buffers lower the potential upside cap.
Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs)
Jackson MarketProtector credits interest based on the performance of indices like the S&P 500 with 100% principal protection. Caps and participation rates are competitive within the A-rated tier. See our FIA guide for how these work.
Income Annuities
Jackson ReadyIncome SPIA converts a lump-sum deposit into guaranteed income for life, joint life, or period certain. Competitive at ages 65 and up.
Financial Strength & Ratings
| Rating Agency | Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| AM Best | A (Excellent) | Third-highest of 16 rating levels |
| S&P Global | A (Strong) | Strong capacity to meet financial commitments |
| Fitch | A (Strong) | High credit quality |
| Moody’s | A3 (Good) | Low credit risk, upper-medium grade |
Every Jackson annuity is backed by the issuing insurer’s claims-paying ability and the policyholder’s state guaranty association, typically up to $250,000 per insurer per person.
Jackson Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| #1 variable annuity seller in the U.S. by volume | VA all-in fees with rider can reach 3.0% to 3.5% |
| LifeGuard Freedom Flex rider is benchmark for VA income | MYGA lineup is narrow compared to specialist carriers |
| Over 100 subaccount choices in Perspective II | A rating is one notch below A+ or A++ |
| Publicly traded with transparent financial reporting | Complex rider terms require advisor walkthrough |
| Strong capital ratios and conservative reserve management | No direct-to-consumer sales channel |
Who Is Jackson Best For?
- Variable annuity buyers wanting guaranteed lifetime income: Perspective II with LifeGuard Freedom Flex is widely considered the best-in-class VA income combination.
- Accumulation-focused investors: Elite Access allows tax-deferred access to a wide subaccount menu without paying for income riders.
- RILA buyers: Market Link Pro offers flexible buffer/floor choices for buyers who want partial downside protection.
- Buyers working with independent broker-dealers or RIAs: Jackson is distributed through most major advisory platforms.
Who Should Not Buy a Jackson Annuity
- Rate-focused MYGA buyers. Athene and Global Atlantic quote higher MYGA rates.
- Buyers uncomfortable with VA fee stacks. Variable annuity costs with living benefit riders run materially higher than standalone mutual funds.
- Buyers who require A++ carriers. If only the top AM Best rating will do, consider New York Life or MassMutual.
How to Buy a Jackson Annuity
- Find a licensed registered representative or independent agent appointed with Jackson.
- Request a full illustration for the specific product, subaccounts, and riders.
- Compare fees and rider features against at least two other A-rated VA or RILA carriers.
- Complete the application. Fund by wire, check, 1035 exchange, or IRA rollover.
- Review during the free-look period, which is 10 to 30 days depending on state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jackson a good annuity company?
Yes. Jackson holds an AM Best A (Excellent) rating and is the largest variable annuity seller in the United States. With $365 billion in assets and public NYSE listing (JXN), Jackson is financially sound and financially transparent. The Perspective II variable annuity with LifeGuard Freedom Flex is one of the most widely held VA contracts in the industry.
Who owns Jackson?
Jackson Financial Inc. is an independent, publicly traded U.S. company listed on the NYSE under the ticker JXN. It was spun off from UK-based Prudential plc in September 2021 and is no longer affiliated with any foreign parent. Jackson is not related to Prudential Financial of Newark, NJ.
What is Jackson’s AM Best rating?
Jackson National Life Insurance Company holds an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best, the third-highest of sixteen rating levels. It also carries A from S&P, A from Fitch, and A3 from Moody’s.
What types of annuities does Jackson offer?
Jackson offers variable annuities (Perspective II, Elite Access), registered index-linked annuities (Market Link Pro), fixed indexed annuities (MarketProtector), and single premium immediate annuities (ReadyIncome). Their variable annuity lineup is the flagship category.
How does the LifeGuard Freedom Flex rider work?
LifeGuard Freedom Flex is an optional guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB) rider on Jackson’s Perspective II variable annuity. It guarantees a lifetime income stream based on a benefit base that can grow with account performance or annual roll-up credits. Once income begins, payments never decrease even if the account value drops to zero.
Can I buy a Jackson annuity directly?
No. Jackson annuities are sold only through licensed registered representatives, broker-dealers, and RIAs. You cannot purchase directly from Jackson.
Are Jackson annuities safe?
Jackson annuities carry the same guarantees as any annuity issued by an A-rated U.S. insurer. Variable annuity subaccount values fluctuate with market performance, but any contractual guarantees (lifetime income, death benefit) are backed by Jackson’s claims-paying ability and the policyholder’s state guaranty association.
Is Jackson related to Prudential Financial?
No. Jackson was previously owned by Prudential plc, a UK-based insurer with no ownership link to Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU) of Newark, NJ. The two companies have been legally and operationally separate for over a century despite sharing the Prudential name internationally. Since September 2021, Jackson is an independent NYSE-listed company.
