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About American National
American National Insurance Company is a 120-year-old annuity provider headquartered in Galveston, Texas, now part of Brookfield Reinsurance. Known for a balanced lineup of MYGA, fixed indexed, and income annuities with straightforward product design, American National serves conservative investors seeking principal protection and guaranteed income. Their Palladium MYGA series and Select income products are core offerings for savers prioritizing stability over complexity.
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How we scored them
Income Options84/100
Financial Strength90/100
Fees & Costs85/100
Flexibility78/100
Customer Service82/100
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The tradeoffs
What works
- Strong A-rated financial strength with 120+ years of operating history
- Competitive MYGA rates across multiple durations
- Clean product design with straightforward crediting strategies
- Meaningful income rider options with care-linked enhancements
- Solid carrier fundamentals and claim-paying reliability
What to watch
- Limited variable annuity and RILA offerings compared to larger competitors
- Fewer indexed crediting strategies than newer players like Smart Start Select
- Some older products (Strategy Index) have simpler feature sets
- Not available in all states (e.g., New York restrictions on certain products)
- S&P rating not published — AM Best rating is sole independent assessment
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What you could receive
Estimated guaranteed lifetime income based on a single premium payment. Actual rates may vary.
| Investment | Age | Monthly | Annual | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | 60 | $515 | $6,180 | Lifetime |
| $250,000 | 65 | $1,430 | $17,160 | Lifetime |
| $500,000 | 65 | $2,860 | $34,320 | Lifetime |
| $1,000,000 | 70 | $6,380 | $76,560 | Lifetime |
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Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Contract Fee | $0 | No annual maintenance fee on base MYGA or FIA contracts |
| Income Rider Fee | 1.00% | Annual fee on Select Income Focus and other optional lifetime income riders |
| Surrender Charge | Varies by product | Declining schedule over 3-10 year periods; 10% annual free withdrawal on most products after year one |
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Early withdrawal penalties
Charges apply to amounts above the annual free withdrawal (typically 10%).
| Yr 1 | Yr 2 | Yr 3 | Yr 4 | Yr 5 | Yr 6 | Yr 7 | Yr 8 | Yr 9 | Yr 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 0% |
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Best fit for these buyers
Conservative savers prioritizing principal protection and carrier strength
MYGA buyers seeking competitive guaranteed rates with proven reliability
Retirees wanting straightforward income products with care enhancements
Ages 55-75 planning for retirement income from a financially solid carrier
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Frequently asked questions
Is American National a good annuity company?
American National earns an average rating of 4.0/5 across the 34 products we've reviewed, with an AM Best rating of A and S&P rating of Not Rated. Their financial strength is rated "Excellent" with $40+ Billion in total assets. American National is particularly strong in financial strength.
How much income can I get from a American National annuity?
Income depends on your investment amount and age. For example, a $500,000 investment at age 65 could generate approximately $34,320 per year in guaranteed lifetime income. A $250,000 investment at the same age could generate about $17,160 per year.
What are the fees for American National annuities?
American National charges Annual Contract Fee: $0, Income Rider Fee: 1.00%, Surrender Charge: Varies by product. Notably, there is no annual contract fee on the base contract, which is a competitive advantage.
What is the surrender period for American National annuities?
American National annuities typically have a 10-year surrender period. Charges start at 8% in year one and decline to 0% in the final year. Most products allow 10% annual free withdrawals without penalty.