Reviews
Expert picks · ranked by star rating
The best annuities in each category
We evaluate every product on seven dimensions — rates, fees, payout strength, rider quality, carrier health, flexibility, and contract clarity. Each is scored on a 100-point scale and ranked within its peer group. No carrier pays for placement.
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01
Fixed Annuity Reviews
Reviews of traditional fixed annuities and multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs) that offer guaranteed interest rates with principal protection. Rated on rate competitiveness, flexibility, carrier strength, and consumer clarity.
| # | Product | A.M. Best | Surrender | Income rider | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | American Freedom Classic 5 (2025) MassMutual Ascend · Savers who want a guaranteed fixed rate for five years backed by a top-rated carrier, with no index complexity and no rider fees | A++ A.M. Best | 5-yr | — | View → |
| 02 | SecureGain 5 (2025) MassMutual Ascend · Conservative savers who want a fully guaranteed five-year rate from a top-rated carrier, no rider complexity, and a 10% annual withdrawal allowance for flexibility | A++ A.M. Best | 5-yr | — | View → |
| 03 | Secure Term Choice Fixed Annuity 5-Year New York Life · Conservative savers who want a guaranteed fixed rate locked for 5 years with the backing of the highest-rated carrier in the industry | A++ A.M. Best | 5-yr | — | View → |
| 04 | Secure Term Choice Fixed Annuity 6-Year New York Life · Conservative savers who want a fully guaranteed fixed rate for six years, issued by one of the few insurance companies to hold the highest AM Best rating | A++ A.M. Best | 6-yr | — | View → |
| 05 | Secure Term Choice Fixed Annuity 7-Year New York Life · Conservative savers who want a guaranteed 7-year locked rate backed by the strongest financial-strength rating in the insurance industry | A++ A.M. Best | 7-yr | — | View → |
02
Fixed Indexed Annuity Reviews
In-depth reviews of fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) focused on accumulation, principal protection, and index-linked growth potential. Each product is rated within its peer group based on design, flexibility, fees, and overall consumer fit.
| # | Product | ★ Rating | Surrender | Income rider | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Allianz Index Advantage+ Allianz · Buyers who want higher growth potential than traditional FIAs through a structured buffer/floor design with multiple index options and a 6-year surrender period | ★ 4.5 Top-Tier Option | 6-yr | — | View → |
| 02 | Equitable Structured Capital Strategies Plus 21 Advisor NY Equitable · New York clients of fee-based or fee-only advisors who want buffered equity exposure with no surrender period and the most competitive cap rates in the SCS Plus 21 family | ★ 4.5 Top-Tier Option | 0-yr | — | View → |
| 03 | Athene Protector 5 Athene · Buyers who want principal protection with accumulation potential on a shorter 5-year timeline from a top-rated carrier | ★ 4.4 Strong Option | 5-yr | — | View → |
| 04 | Athene Accumulator 5 Athene · Buyers who want a 5-year accumulation FIA with strategy charges that enable higher crediting potential from a top-rated carrier | ★ 4.4 Strong Option | 5-yr | — | View → |
| 05 | Allianz Index Advantage Income ADV Allianz · Fee-based-advisor clients who want a registered index-linked annuity with built-in lifetime income, structured downside protection through buffers and floors, and the option of level or increasing income payments | ★ 4.4 Strong Option | 0-yr | Yes 0.70% annual Income Benefit rider fee plus 0.25% product fee | View → |
03
Income Annuity Reviews
Reviews of income-focused fixed indexed annuities designed for protected lifetime income, legacy planning, and retirement income generation. Rated on income design, rider value, payout structure, and overall fit for income-seeking buyers.
| # | Product | ★ Rating | Surrender | Income rider | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Allianz Retirement Foundation ADV Allianz · Fee-based advisor clients who want a competitive income FIA designed for the advisory channel with strong income terms and top-tier carrier backing | ★ 4.5 Top-Tier Option | 7-yr | Yes Built into product design | View → |
| 02 | Nationwide INCOME Promise Select Nationwide · Buyers who want immediate guaranteed income with more payout flexibility and liquidity access than most SPIAs offer | ★ 4.4 Top-Tier Option | 0-yr | — | View → |
| 03 | Allianz Core Income 7 Allianz · Buyers who want a competitive 7-year income FIA with stronger income terms than Essential Income 7 from the same top-rated carrier | ★ 4.4 Strong Option | 7-yr | Yes Built into product design | View → |
| 04 | American National Select Income Focus 7 American National · Retirees and near-retirees who want a 7-year FIA with an income rider offering one of two simple high roll-up options, and who want the Wellbeing Benefit as a built-in care enhancement at no additional charge | ★ 4.4 Strong Option | 7-yr | Yes 1.0% annually | View → |
| 05 | American Equity EstateShield 10 American Equity · Buyers who want no-fee lifetime income, increasing payout potential, a Wellbeing Benefit, and enhanced legacy options | ★ 4.3 Strong Option | 10-yr | Yes No fee | View → |
04
Variable Annuity Reviews
Reviews of variable annuities offering market-linked accumulation, tax-deferred growth, and optional living benefit riders. Rated on cost efficiency, investment menu, liquidity, rider value, and overall fit for accumulation and income-planning buyers.
| # | Product | ★ Rating | Surrender | Income rider | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Nationwide Monument Advisor Nationwide · Larger-account investors working with fee-based advisors who want tax-deferred growth, full liquidity, and the broadest possible investment menu at a fraction of traditional VA costs | ★ 4.5 Top-Tier Option | 0-yr | — | View → |
| 02 | Investor Advantage RIA Class Lincoln · Investors working with a fee-only or fee-based advisor who want tax-deferred growth in low-cost subaccounts without surrender charges or sales commissions | ★ 4.4 Strong Option | 0-yr | — | View → |
| 03 | Schwab Genesis Advisory Variable Annuity Protective Life · Schwab advisory clients who want a variable annuity with no surrender charges, exceptionally low 0.25% base expense, 129 subaccount choices, and optional SecurePay II (Schwab) living benefit rider through their existing Schwab relationship | ★ 4.3 Strong Option | 0-yr | — | View → |
| 04 | Equitable Retirement Cornerstone 19 B-Share NY Equitable · New York buyers in the 50-70 range who want a variable annuity that can pivot from accumulation to guaranteed lifetime income, value the dual-account 'Investment + Protected Benefit' design, and want interest-rate-linked income roll-up | ★ 4.3 Strong Option | 7-yr | Yes Not specified in available materials (GMIB-IX rider charge detailed in rider specs) | View → |
| 05 | Nationwide L.inc+ Core Advisory Nationwide · Fee-based advisor clients who want the cost efficiency of an advisory VA with the added flexibility of optional living benefit riders for income planning | ★ 4.2 Strong Option | 0-yr | Yes Varies by rider elected | View → |
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