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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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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 | $505 | $6,060 | Lifetime |
| $250,000 | 65 | $1,410 | $16,920 | Lifetime |
| $500,000 | 65 | $2,820 | $33,840 | Lifetime |
| $1,000,000 | 70 | $6,380 | $76,560 | Lifetime |
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Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Base Contract Fee | 1.30% - 1.50% | Annual fee on structured RILA crediting options; advisor shares may have lower charges |
| Income Rider Fee (GLWB) | 1.50% - 2.50% | Annual fee on guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit base; advisor channels may offer fixed rates |
| Surrender Charge | Varies by class | 6-7 year B-share schedules on commission products; I-share and C-share variants have no surrender period |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7% | 7% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
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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
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Frequently asked questions
Is Equitable a good annuity company?
Equitable earns an average rating of 3.9/5 across the 32 products we've reviewed, with an AM Best rating of A and S&P rating of A+. Their financial strength is rated "Excellent" with $350+ Billion in total assets. Equitable is particularly strong in financial strength.
How much income can I get from a Equitable annuity?
Income depends on your investment amount and age. For example, a $500,000 investment at age 65 could generate approximately $33,840 per year in guaranteed lifetime income. A $250,000 investment at the same age could generate about $16,920 per year.
What are the fees for Equitable annuities?
Equitable charges Base Contract Fee: 1.30% - 1.50%, Income Rider Fee (GLWB): 1.50% - 2.50%, Surrender Charge: Varies by class. Fee structures vary by product — review the specific product details before purchasing.
What is the surrender period for Equitable annuities?
Equitable annuities typically have a 10-year surrender period. Charges start at 7% in year one and decline to 0% in the final year. Most products allow 10% annual free withdrawals without penalty.