How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- MassMutual and New York Life carry the highest financial strength ratings at A++ from AM Best, which matters because an annuity guarantee is only as strong as the insurer behind it.
- Multi-year guaranteed annuities in 2026 offer rates above many traditional savings accounts and CDs, with top MYGA rates around 5.25 to 5.90 percent depending on term and state.
- Fixed indexed annuities combine principal protection with growth potential tied to an index, with a 0 percent floor in negative years, but caps and participation rates limit upside.
- Money disclaimer: this article is general information only, not financial advice. Rates vary by state and contract, surrender periods run 3 to 10 years, early withdrawals can trigger surrender charges plus taxes, and a 10 percent federal penalty may apply before age 59 and a half. Always request an updated rate sheet in writing before purchasing, and consider speaking with a fiduciary adviser.
- Most insurers do not publish rates or minimums, so plan to ask for them in writing, and check the surrender period, fees, caps, and how the seller is paid before signing.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 MassMutual | Highest rating plus strong MYGA rates | 5.75% for 5 years | Not applicable |
 New York Life | Highest rating plus long terms | 5.60% for 7 years | Not applicable |
 Allianz Life | Indexed annuities and income riders | 5.50% for 5 years | Not applicable |
 Prudential | Shorter 3-year terms | 5.25% for 3 years | Not applicable |
 Pacific Life | Balanced MYGA terms | 5.45% for 5 years | Not applicable |
 Nationwide | Indexed annuities with uncapped options | See website | Not applicable |
 Lincoln Financial | Hybrid index options | See website | Not applicable |
 American Equity | Indexed accumulation | See website | Not applicable |
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The best fixed annuity companies
Starting price5.75% for 5 years
Free planNot applicable
MassMutual is the top pick for buyers who prioritize financial strength, carrying an A++ AM Best rating alongside S&P AA+, Moody's Aa3, and Fitch AA+ in carrier listings. Its 5-year MYGA rate is reported at 5.75 percent in one 2026 comparison, while its 7-year Premier Voyage rate is listed at 5.85 percent as of October 27, 2026, so confirm the term and product before comparing. MassMutual also leads AI recommendation coverage at 82.5 percent in one October 2026 trend report.
The trade off is rating strength against rate confusion. MassMutual offers the highest rating here, but its rates differ by term, product, and state. MassMutual fits buyers who want the strongest insurer behind a fixed rate guarantee.
What we like- A++ AM Best rating, the highest here
- 5.75 percent for 5 years in one 2026 comparison
- 5.85 percent for 7 years on Premier Voyage in another listing
- Mutual insurer structure
- Strong for deferring required minimum distributions past age 73
Watch out for- Rate reports conflict at 5.75 and 5.85 percent by term and product
- Minimum premium $10,000 in one listing
- Rates vary by state and contract
- Surrender periods apply
Starting price5.60% for 7 years
Free planNot applicable
New York Life is the other A++ pick, with the strongest Fitch rating here at AAA alongside S&P AA+ and Moody's Aa1, and it ranks first in AI recommendation leadership at 45.2 percent in one October 2026 trend report. Its 7-year MYGA rate is reported at 5.60 percent in one 2026 comparison and 5.50 percent for its Secure Term MVA II in another listing as of October 27, 2026, so confirm the product before comparing. It offers flexible payout options and early withdrawal provisions on some contracts.
The trade off is rating strength against rate variation. New York Life offers top ratings and long terms, but its 7-year rates differ by product and listing. New York Life fits buyers who want a top-rated insurer for a 7-year term.
What we like- A++ AM Best rating
- S&P AA+, Moody's Aa1, Fitch AAA in carrier listings
- 5.60 percent for 7 years in one 2026 comparison
- Flexible payout options
- Early withdrawal provisions in some products
Watch out for- Rate reports conflict at 5.50 and 5.60 percent for 7-year terms
- Minimum premium $10,000 in most listings
- Rates vary by state
- Surrender periods apply
Starting price5.50% for 5 years
Free planNot applicable
Allianz Life is the indexed annuity pick, strongest for income riders, with an A+ AM Best rating and S&P AA, Moody's Aa3, and Fitch AA in carrier listings. Its 5-year MYGA rate is reported at 5.50 percent, while its fixed indexed annuity offers an S&P 500 option with 100 percent participation, an 8.50 percent cap, and a 20 percent income rider bonus in one listing. It suits buyers who want principal protection with index-linked upside plus income rider options.
The trade off is indexed upside against caps. Allianz indexed annuities protect principal with a 0 percent floor, but caps and participation rates limit upside in strong markets. Allianz fits buyers who want indexed growth plus income riders.
What we like- A+ AM Best rating
- 5.50 percent for 5 years in one 2026 comparison
- Strongest for income riders in fixed indexed annuities
- S&P 500 option with 100 percent participation and 8.50 percent cap
- 20 percent income rider bonus in one listing
Watch out for- Minimum premium $5,000 in one listing
- Indexed returns depend on caps, spreads, and participation rates
- Surrender periods of 3 to 10 years
- Rider fees reduce accumulation value
Starting price5.25% for 3 years
Free planNot applicable
Prudential is the shorter term pick, offering 5.25 percent for 3 years with an A+ AM Best rating, which suits buyers who want a fixed rate without locking money up for 5 or 7 years. Its Fixed Annuity Plus product allows penalty-free withdrawals up to 10 percent annually in one listing, though its minimum premium of $25,000 is the highest here.
The trade off is flexibility against rate and minimum. Prudential offers a shorter term and some penalty-free access, but its rate is lower and its minimum is higher. Prudential fits buyers who want a 3-year fixed rate with some liquidity.
What we like- A+ AM Best rating
- 5.25 percent for 3 years in one 2026 comparison
- Shorter commitment than 5 and 7-year terms
- Penalty-free withdrawals up to 10 percent annually in one product listing
Watch out for- Minimum premium $25,000 in one listing, the highest here
- Lower rate than longer terms
- Rates vary by state
- Surrender charges apply on early withdrawal
Starting price5.45% for 5 years
Free planNot applicable
Pacific Life is the balanced pick, offering 5.45 percent for 5 years with an A+ AM Best rating, plus long-term rate lock and multiple income options for retirement planning. Its minimum premium is reported at $10,000 in one listing and $25,000 in another, so confirm the product and state before comparing.
The trade off is balance against minimum confusion. Pacific Life offers a solid middle rate and term, but its minimum premium differs by listing. Pacific Life fits buyers who want a balanced 5-year MYGA from a highly rated insurer.
What we like- A+ AM Best rating
- 5.45 percent for 5 years in one 2026 comparison
- Balanced term and rate
- Long-term rate lock options
- Multiple income options
Watch out for- Minimum premium $10,000 in one listing and $25,000 in another, so confirm before buying
- Rates vary by state
- Surrender periods apply
- Indexed options thinner than Allianz
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
Nationwide is the uncapped indexed pick, offering a NASDAQ-100 indexed annuity with 110 percent participation and an uncapped cap in one listing, plus a 25 percent income rider bonus, which suits buyers who want index upside without a cap. It publishes no comparable MYGA rate in most listings, so fixed rate buyers should request a quote.
The trade off is uncapped upside against rider fees. Nationwide removes the cap on one indexed option, but income rider fees of 0.75 to 1.25 percent per year reduce accumulation value. Nationwide fits buyers who want uncapped indexed growth with income rider options.
What we like- NASDAQ-100 indexed option with 110 percent participation and uncapped cap in one listing
- 25 percent income rider bonus in one listing
- Strong for income riders
- Large insurer with broad product range
Watch out for- No comparable MYGA rate published in most listings
- Indexed returns depend on participation and spreads
- Rider fees of 0.75 to 1.25 percent per year reduce accumulation
- Surrender periods apply
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
Lincoln Financial is the hybrid index pick, offering a Hybrid Volatility Index option with 125 percent participation and spread-based crediting, plus a 15 percent income rider bonus in one listing. Its volatility-controlled index suits buyers who want smoother indexed growth, though spread-based crediting is harder to compare directly with cap-based products.
The trade off is volatility control against comparability. Lincoln smooths indexed growth through a hybrid index, but its spread-based crediting makes direct comparison harder. Lincoln fits buyers who want volatility-controlled indexed accumulation.
What we like- Hybrid Volatility Index option with 125 percent participation and spread-based crediting
- 15 percent income rider bonus in one listing
- Strong for accumulation with volatility control
- Broad product range
Watch out for- Spread-based crediting is harder to compare than cap-based options
- No comparable MYGA rate published in most listings
- Rider fees reduce accumulation
- Surrender periods apply
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
American Equity is the indexed accumulation pick, offering an S&P 500 indexed annuity with 100 percent participation and a 9.00 percent cap, plus a 20 percent income rider bonus in one listing. It suits buyers who want competitive indexed accumulation with a straightforward S&P 500 option.
The trade off is cap clarity against upside limits. American Equity offers a clear 9.00 percent cap, but that cap limits upside in strong market years. American Equity fits buyers who want straightforward indexed accumulation.
What we like- S&P 500 indexed option with 100 percent participation and 9.00 percent cap in one listing
- 20 percent income rider bonus
- Strong for accumulation
- Competitive indexed rates
Watch out for- No comparable MYGA rate published in most listings
- Cap limits upside in strong markets
- Rider fees reduce accumulation
- Surrender periods apply
How we chose
We compared published rate lists, carrier ratings, and contract terms from 2026, favoring companies with distinct strengths: the highest ratings, the best indexed riders, the shortest terms, the most balanced terms, the best uncapped options, the best hybrid indexes, and the best indexed accumulation. We recorded rates as reported and flagged conflicts for MassMutual, New York Life, and Pacific Life, where listings differ by product, term, or state. We favored insurers with A- or better AM Best ratings and competitive 2026 pricing, and we stressed that guarantees are only as strong as the insurer behind them.
How to choose a fixed annuity company
Start with your goal: principal protection with a fixed rate points to a MYGA from MassMutual, New York Life, Allianz, Prudential, or Pacific Life, while index-linked growth points to a fixed indexed annuity from Allianz, Nationwide, Lincoln, or American Equity. Next, check the four things that matter most: the issuer's AM Best rating, the length of the surrender period, the fees and caps built into the product, and how the seller is paid. Then request rates in writing, since most insurers do not publish rates or minimums and rates vary by state and contract. Finally, compare alternatives before signing: CDs, Treasury bonds, and high-yield savings offer liquidity that annuities do not, and surrender charges plus taxes make early exit costly, so only commit money you will not need during the surrender period.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best fixed annuity company?
MassMutual and New York Life carry the highest A++ AM Best ratings, Allianz is strongest for indexed income riders, Prudential suits shorter 3-year terms, and Pacific Life offers a balanced 5-year MYGA.
What is a MYGA?
A multi-year guaranteed annuity functions like a CD with tax-deferred growth, paying a guaranteed interest rate for a set term, such as 3, 5, or 7 years, with rates around 5.25 to 5.90 percent in 2026 listings.
What is a fixed indexed annuity?
A fixed indexed annuity links returns to a market index with a 0 percent floor, so your account value cannot decrease from index losses, but caps, spreads, and participation rates limit upside, and rider fees can reduce accumulation value.
Are fixed annuities safe?
Fixed annuities are considered low risk due to guaranteed returns, but guarantees are only as strong as the issuing insurer, so choose a financially stable provider with a high AM Best rating, and note that state guaranty associations offer limited backup.
What happens if I withdraw early from an annuity?
Early withdrawals may incur surrender charges, plus income tax, and a 10 percent federal penalty may apply before age 59 and a half, though some contracts permit limited penalty-free withdrawals, such as 10 percent annually.
Should I buy an annuity or a CD?
Annuities offer tax-deferred growth and often higher rates than CDs, but CDs offer liquidity and FDIC insurance, while annuities lock money up for years with surrender charges, so compare both before committing.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.