Like a CD, from an insurer
Fixed rate (MYGA)
A set rate for a set number of years. Simple, predictable, tax-deferred.
- Good for
- Safe, steady growth
- Watch for
- Surrender charges if you leave early
- We rank on
- Guaranteed yield to surrender
Independent annuity comparison
Shopping for an annuity?Get a straight answer.
We compare the whole market on the number that actually matters, in plain English. Then you decide what happens next, on your own or with a licensed specialist.
Takes about 2 minutes No obligation All 50 states served
How it works
Here's the whole thing, in about a minute.
The captain walks you through it. Captions on, sound optional.
- 1
Tell us your goal
Income now, steady growth, or protecting what you have. A few plain questions, about two minutes.
- 2
We check the whole market
Carrier-filed rates for all 1,129 products in our catalog, refreshed nightly. Brochure facts fill in what the rate feed does not carry.
- 3
We compare like with like
Each contract is measured against its real peers on one honest number: guaranteed yield to surrender, a comparable index cap, or a real income quote. Never a teaser rate or a bonus.
- 4
You decide
Read your comparison yourself, or book a call where a licensed specialist walks through carrier illustrations with you. No obligation.
The headline rate
First-year rate*
*bonus included, first year only, conditions apply
What we rank on
The honest number
What the contract really pays over its term, measured against its real peers.
How we're different
Big headline rates hide the fine print. We don't rank on them.
A first-year bonus can make an average contract look like the best on the market. We line every contract up against its real peers on one number the carrier filed, and show you the date we measured it.
- Fixed rate (MYGA)
- Guaranteed yield to surrender
- Fixed indexed
- Comparable annual S&P 500 cap
- Income
- A real income quote per $100,000
1,129
annuities compared, from carrier-filed rate sheets
Every night
rates refresh automatically, so you never see last month's numbers
No star ratings
Real data, or we say we don't know. Nothing made up.
Annuities 101
Three kinds of annuity. Here's what each one is for.
Most of the confusion comes from lumping these together. They do different jobs, and we compare each one on a different number.
Some upside, no market losses
Fixed indexed
Interest tied to an index like the S&P 500, up to a cap. When the index falls, you're credited zero, not a loss.
- Good for
- Growth with a floor
- Watch for
- Caps, spreads and fees
- We rank on
- Comparable annual S&P 500 cap
A paycheck for life
Income
Turns savings into income you can't outlive, now or starting later.
- Good for
- Covering the bills in retirement
- Watch for
- Rider fees and start ages
- We rank on
- A real income quote per $100,000
Today's market · updated daily
Today's top fixed rates.
| Product | Rate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpine Horizon 5 Mountain Life | Mountain Life | B- | 5 yr MYGA | 6.45% APY | Review |
Secure Legacy 5 Year Upstream Life | Upstream Life | NR | 5 yr MYGA | 6.38% APY | Review |
Aspida Synergy Choice MYGA Aspida | Aspida | A- | 7 yr MYGA | 6.35% APY | Review |
DirectGrowth MYGA 10-Year Revol One | Revol One | B++ | 10 yr MYGA | 6.30% APY | Review |
Personal Choice Annuity 10 Sentinel Security | Sentinel Security | C+ | 10 yr MYGA | 6.25% APY | Review |
Carrier-filed rates as of the latest nightly refresh. They change without notice and vary by state, age and premium.
From our 2026 review
A $500K premium at age 62. 16 carriers, 16 answers.
The spread between the highest- and lowest-paying carrier in our review: $7,045 a month, for life. Single life, income starting around age 67; start ages vary by carrier.
High$10,128/mo
Median$5,007/mo
Low$3,083/mo
Carriers worth your attention this month
Highly rated, real income quotes.
Nationwide
New Heights Select 8$9,401/moprojected on $500K · income at 75
Read our review →
Athene Annuity
Ascent Pro 10 Bonus (State Variations)$9,084/moprojected on $500K · income at 75
Read our review →
North American
Income Pay Pro 10$4,959/moprojected on $500K · income at 67
Read our review →
Protective Life
Protective Income Builder$4,916/moprojected on $500K · income at 67
Read our review →Plain English
Words you'll hear from any agent.
- Surrender charge
- A fee for taking out more than the free amount before the term ends.
- Cap
- The most an indexed annuity can credit you in a period.
- Bonus
- Extra credited up front. Often paid for with a lower rate later.
- Income rider
- An add-on that guarantees lifetime income, usually for a yearly fee.
- Free withdrawal
- How much you can take out each year without a surrender charge.
- 1035 exchange
- Moving from one annuity to another without a tax bill.
- A.M. Best rating
- An independent grade of the insurer's financial strength.
Already own one?
See if yours still holds up.
Rates move. A contract that was competitive five years ago may not be now. Check before your surrender period ends.
Why Annuity Atlas
The old way vs. a better one.
| What you get | Traditional advisor | Annuity Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Compares 1,129+ products at once | No | Yes |
| Carrier-filed rates, refreshed nightly | No | Yes |
| Transparent fee breakdowns | No | Yes |
| Not tied to one carrier | No | Yes |
| Paid by carriers, never by you | No | Yes |
| AM Best & S&P strength ratings | No | Yes |
How we make money
Paid by carriers. Answerable to you.
We earn commissions
When you purchase an annuity through our licensed team, the issuing insurance company pays a commission. You never pay us directly — but it is a conflict of interest, and we'd rather say so plainly.
Rankings aren't for sale
Placement comes from carriers' own filed rates. No carrier can pay to move up, and commission size never enters the comparison.
Real reviews, or none
On-camera reader interviews are in production. Until they're ready, we publish no testimonials at all — never a fabricated quote.
Common questions
The questions everyone asks first.
What is an annuity, in one sentence?
A contract with an insurance company: you give it a sum of money, and it promises growth, income, or both, on the terms written in the contract.
Can I lose money in an annuity?
Fixed and fixed indexed annuities don't lose value when markets fall. You can lose money by leaving early, through surrender charges, and every guarantee depends on the insurer's ability to pay.
How much do I need to start?
It depends on the product. Your comparison only shows products that accept the amount you enter.
How are annuities taxed?
Growth is tax-deferred. When you withdraw, earnings are taxed as ordinary income. Money from an IRA is taxed in full.
How do you get paid?
If you buy through our licensed team, the insurance company pays a commission. You never pay us directly, and it never changes the ranking.
Ready when you are.
See your comparison on your own in a couple of minutes, or have a licensed specialist walk you through your options and carrier illustrations on a call. No obligation either way.
