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About Equitable
Equitable is the former AXA US business, now operating as Equitable Holdings. A leader in variable annuities and registered index-linked annuities, Equitable offers a deep product portfolio built around sophisticated crediting strategies, multi-segment flexibility, and robust subaccount lineups. Known for innovation in structured RILA mechanics and fee-transparent advisor-channel products, Equitable serves investors seeking market participation with defined downside protection.
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How we scored them
Income Options85/100
Financial Strength90/100
Fees & Costs78/100
Flexibility87/100
Customer Service83/100
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The tradeoffs
What works
- Innovative RILA crediting strategies with six index choices and multiple segment types
- Strong advisor-channel offerings with fixed transparent fee structures
- Competitive cap rates on no-surrender advisor-share RILA variants
- Broad variable annuity subaccount lineup with 40+ fund options on newer platforms
- Built-in Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit options on income-focused products
What to watch
- Many flagship products available only in New York
- Base contract fees can be elevated (1.30%-1.50%+ before riders)
- Limited Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) offerings compared to fixed-focused peers
- Complex product structures requiring investor education on buffers and segment mechanics
- Pure accumulation RILA variants lack guaranteed income rider options
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Best fit for these buyers
Investors comfortable with RILA buffered crediting and multiple segment-type selection
Fee-based advisory clients seeking no-surrender indexed annuities with competitive caps
Pre-retirees aged 55-75 wanting buffered equity participation plus guaranteed lifetime income
Buyers working with advisors who value transparent, fixed-rate fee structures