Annuity Atlas
Reviews

Expert review · 2026

MassMutual Ascend review

Annuity Atlas covers 9 MassMutual Ascend annuity products with live rates and contract specs. 8 carry full editorial reviews.

Carrier strength

A++
A.M. Best
Products9
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Products covered
9
A.M. Best
A++
Categories covered
MYGA · FIA · Income
01

9 MassMutual Ascend annuities

Click any product for rates, specs, and the full peer-group review.

ProductTypeSurrenderRatingIncome riderBonus
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 →
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 →
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 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
FIA3yrA++——Review →
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
FIA5yrA++——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
FIA7yrA++——Review →
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
Income7yrA++Yes
1.15% annually fee
—Review →
Premier Income Bonus Non MVAFIA7yrA++Yes
1.15% annually fee
—Details →
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
FIA10yrA++——Review →
02

Income rider fees

Disclosed charges for optional riders on MassMutual Ascend products, live from Annuity Rate Watch. Product-level detail is on each review.

RiderProductFee
Legacy Ascender Death BenefitAmerican Landmark 50.95%
Income AscenderAmerican Legend 71.10% annually
IncomeSecureAmerican Legend 70.95% annually
IncomeSecureAmerican Legend 71.00% annually
Inheritance EnhancerAmerican Legend 70.95% annually
Inheritance EnhancerAmerican Legend 71.15% annually
Premier Income BonusPremier Income Bonus1.15% annually
IncomeDuoSafe Return1.05% annually

+1 more riders listed on individual product pages.

03

Frequently asked questions

Is MassMutual Ascend a good annuity company?
We have reviewed 8 MassMutual Ascend products, and A.M. Best rates the carrier A++ for financial strength.
What are the fees for MassMutual Ascend annuities?
Fee structures vary by product. Optional income riders on MassMutual Ascend products carry disclosed charges — for example Legacy Ascender Death Benefit (American Landmark 5): 0.95% ; Income Ascender (American Legend 7): 1.10% annually ; IncomeSecure (American Legend 7): 0.95% annually . See each product review for the full fee detail.
What is the surrender period for MassMutual Ascend annuities?
Surrender periods on MassMutual Ascend's current lineup run 3–10 years, depending on the product. Most products allow an annual free-withdrawal amount before charges apply — the product table above shows each product's surrender length, and each review covers the exact schedule.

Sources & standards

How we know what's on this page

Rates, terms & availability
Annuity Rate Watch, which aggregates carriers' filed rate sheets. Refreshed every night.
Financial strength
A.M. Best. We publish the carrier's letter rating rather than a score of our own.
Contract detail
The carrier's own brochure — minimum guaranteed surrender value, death benefit, RMD treatment, annuitization options, waiver riders and free-withdrawal terms. Where the brochure and the rate feed disagree, the brochure wins: it is the filed document. Where neither carries a fact, the page omits it. We do not fill gaps with estimates.
Full methodology →Who publishes this →

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