Annuity Atlas
Reviews

Expert review · 2025

MassMutual Ascend review

Annuity Atlas has published 46 editorial reviews of MassMutual Ascend products. Average peer-group rating 4.0 / 5, top-rated product earns 4.3 / 5. Browse the full lineup below.

Our rating

4.0
Avg ★ / 5
Products reviewed46
Top product★ 4.3
Get my free review
Reviews published
46
Average rating
★ 4.0 / 5
Top-rated product
American Freedom Classic 5 (2025)
Categories covered
MYGA · FIA · Income
01

46 MassMutual Ascend annuities reviewed

Sorted by star rating. Click any product for the full peer-group review.

ProductTypeSurrenderRatingIncome riderBonus
American Freedom Classic 5 (2025)
Savers who want a guaranteed fixed rate for five years backed by a top-rated carrier, with no index complexity and no rider fees
MYGA5yrA++Review →
Index Protector 7
Fee-sensitive RIA clients who want a clean, no-MVA FIA with a broad crediting menu and a carrier that carries the strongest possible financial strength rating
FIA7yr 4.3Review →
SecureGain 5 (2025)
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
MYGA5yrA++Review →
American Freedom Aspire 5
Conservative savers who want a locked 5-year rate from a top-rated carrier, no market value adjustment risk, and included care waivers at no extra cost
MYGA5yrA++Review →
American Freedom Aspire 7
Conservative savers who want a guaranteed rate locked for seven years, a strong carrier behind it, and a clean no-fee structure
MYGA7yrA++Review →
American Freedom Classic 7 (2025)
Conservative savers who want a locked rate from an A++ carrier for a 7-year window and do not need access to most of their principal during that time
MYGA7yrA++Review →
American Freedom Elevate 5
Savers who want a guaranteed rate for five years, no market exposure, and the comfort of a carrier with the highest possible A.M. Best rating
MYGA5yrA++Review →
American Freedom Elevate 7
Savers who want a fully guaranteed seven-year rate from a top-rated carrier and have no near-term income or liquidity needs
MYGA7yrA++Review →
American Legend 7
Buyers who want principal protection, a broad crediting menu with cap-lock options, and the flexibility to add a competitive income rider without being required to pay for one
FIA7yr 4.2Review →
Index Protector 7 MVA
Conservative buyers who want principal protection, a meaningful index menu, and the option to layer in a guaranteed income rider on a 7-year time horizon
FIA7yr 4.2Review →
Index Summit 6
Growth-minded buyers who want more upside than a fixed indexed annuity offers and are willing to accept limited, defined market-loss risk in exchange
FIA6yr 4.2Review →
Premier Income Bonus with MVA
Buyers who want to lock in future lifetime income on a shorter-than-usual 7-year commitment, value a built-in income rider with a guaranteed roll-up, and are buying through a top-rated carrier
Income7yr 4.2Yes
1.15% annually of benefit base (maximum 2.50%); deducted from account value at end of each contract year fee
Review →
SecureGain 7 (2025)
Conservative savers who want a seven-year locked rate, a top-tier carrier, and clean withdrawal terms without rider complexity
MYGA7yrA++Review →
Advantage 5 Advisory
RIA clients who want a clean, fee-free 5-year locked rate with a best-in-class carrier behind it
MYGA5yrA++Review →
AssuranceSelect 5 Plus with MVA
Buyers who want a short-commitment FIA from a highly rated carrier with a broad crediting menu and no income rider costs
FIA5yr 4.1Review →
Index Achiever Advisory
Fee-based clients of a registered investment advisor who want structured index growth with a partial downside buffer and no commission-driven surrender cage
FIA0yr 4.1Review →
Index Protector 4
Conservative savers who want a short commitment, principal protection, and index-linked upside potential from a carrier with top-tier financial strength
FIA4yr 4.1Review →
Index Summit 6 Pro
Buyers who want a defined-outcome growth contract from a top-rated carrier and are willing to pay an explicit annual fee in exchange for higher caps and a deep strategy menu
FIA6yr 4.1Review →
Premier Income Bonus
Pre-retirement buyers who want a relatively short surrender commitment, a built-in income rider with an upfront benefit-base credit, and a top-rated carrier behind the guarantee
Income7yr 4.1Yes
1.15% of benefit base annually (maximum 2.50%); deducted from account value fee
Review →
Safe Return
Conservative accumulation buyers who want a clean 10-year FIA with principal protection, a built-in return-of-premium guarantee, and carrier-grade credibility from a MassMutual subsidiary
FIA10yr 4.1Review →
American Freedom Aspire 3
Conservative savers who want a short, guaranteed-rate commitment backed by a top-rated carrier with no market risk and no rider complexity
MYGA3yrA++Review →
American Freedom Classic 3 (2025)
Conservative savers who want a short, guaranteed-rate commitment from a top-rated carrier with clean liquidity terms
MYGA3yrA++Review →
American Freedom Elevate 3
Conservative savers who want a fully guaranteed rate locked for three years with minimal complexity and strong carrier backing
MYGA3yrA++Review →
American Landmark 3 with MVA
Buyers who want a short FIA commitment, principal protection, and index-linked growth potential without paying for an income rider
FIA3yr 4.0Review →
American Landmark 5
Buyers who want a shorter FIA commitment, principal protection, and a real index menu without paying for an income rider they don't need
FIA5yr 4.0Review →
American Legend 7 with MVA
Accumulation-focused buyers who want principal protection, a wide index menu, and a financially strong carrier, and who can tolerate a 7-year commitment with an MVA
FIA7yr 4.0Review →
AssuranceSelect 3 Plus with MVA
Buyers who want a short FIA commitment, principal protection, and a broader index menu than a MYGA offers — without paying for an income rider
FIA3yr 4.0Review →
AssuranceSelect 3 Plus with MVA (Truist)
Savers who want a short FIA commitment with principal protection, a familiar index menu, and the backing of a top-rated carrier — and who do not need lifetime income features
FIA3yr 4.0Review →
AssuranceSelect 7 Plus with MVA
Accumulation-focused buyers who want principal protection, a broad index menu, and the option to add income benefits later — backed by one of the strongest carrier ratings in the industry
FIA7yr 4.0Review →
AssuranceSelect 7 Plus with MVA (Truist)
Bank-channel buyers who want principal protection, a 7-year indexed annuity with a distinctive cap-lock strategy, and the option to add income protection without paying for it upfront
FIA7yr 4.0Review →
Index Frontier 5 Plus
Growth-oriented buyers who can tolerate some market loss in exchange for higher upside than a fully protected indexed annuity, and who want a relatively short 5-year commitment
FIA5yr 4.0Review →
Index Protector 5
Buyers who want principal-protected FIA growth from a top-rated carrier, prefer a shorter 5-year commitment, and do not need a guaranteed income rider
FIA5yr 4.0Review →
SecureGain 3 (2025)
Conservative savers who want a guaranteed fixed rate, a short three-year commitment, and the backing of a top-rated carrier
MYGA3yrA++Review →
American Freedom Liberty 5 with MVA (PNC)
Conservative buyers in the PNC channel who want a short-duration FIA from a carrier with top-tier financial strength, a clean fee structure, and a bail-out provision if rates drop
FIA5yr 3.9Review →
American Freedom Liberty 7 with MVA (Wells Fargo)
Buyers who already work with a Wells Fargo advisor and want an A++-backed FIA with rate certainty through a 7-year cap lock strategy and a genuine income rider option
FIA7yr 3.9Review →
American Landmark 5 with MVA
Conservative accumulators who want a short FIA commitment, a broad index menu, and no rider fees, and who are comfortable with the MVA risk built into this version
FIA5yr 3.9Review →
American Freedom Liberty 3 with MVA (PNC)
Conservative buyers who want a short FIA commitment, principal protection, and the backing of a top-rated carrier without income rider complexity
FIA3yr 3.8Review →
American Landmark 3
Buyers who want a short-commitment FIA with principal protection and a well-rated carrier, and who do not need an income rider
FIA3yr 3.8Review →
AssuranceSelect 5 Plus with MVA (Truist)
Conservative buyers who want a shorter FIA commitment, principal protection, and crediting variety, and who happen to work with a Truist advisor
FIA5yr 3.8Review →
Index Protector 5 MVA (Raymond James)
Fee-sensitive advisory clients who want a clean 5-year FIA with no rider overhead and access through a Raymond James relationship
FIA5yr 3.8Review →
Index Protector 5 MVA (Truist)
Conservative accumulation buyers who are already Truist clients and want a short-horizon FIA with a competitive fixed declared rate and a carrier rated A++ by AM Best
FIA5yr 3.8Review →
Index Protector 5 MVA (Wells Fargo)
Conservative accumulators in the Wells Fargo channel who want principal protection, a short 5-year commitment, and a diversified index menu without paying for a built-in income rider
FIA5yr 3.8Review →
Index Protector 7 MVA (Raymond James)
Raymond James advisory clients seeking principal-protected FIA accumulation with the option to layer in guaranteed income later
FIA7yr 3.8Review →
American Freedom Liberty 5 with MVA (Wells Fargo)
Wells Fargo clients who want a short FIA commitment with a bailout provision and no rider fees
FIA5yr 3.7Review →
American Freedom Liberty 7 with MVA (PNC)
Accumulation-focused buyers who want principal protection with a multi-index crediting menu and are comfortable purchasing exclusively through PNC bank
FIA7yr 3.7Review →
Safe Return (Raymond James)
Accumulation-focused buyers working with a Raymond James advisor in Massachusetts or Washington who want a no-fee FIA with a bailout provision and no MVA risk
FIA10yr 3.7Review →
At a glance

MassMutual Ascend lineup

Products reviewed
46
Average rating
★ 4.0 / 5
Top product
★ 4.3 / 5
Categories
MYGA · FIA · Income
Compare

See MassMutual Ascend vs. others

Stack income, fees, and ratings against competing carriers side by side.

Compare annuities

See your MassMutual Ascend income projection

  • Personalized estimate
  • Based on age, premium & goals
  • No pressure, no pitch.
Compare MassMutual Ascend