Annuity Atlas
Reviews

Expert review · 2025

Protective Life review

Japanese-backed insurer known for competitive income annuities and variable products.

Our rating

4.0
Avg ★ / 5
Products reviewed31
A.M. BestA+
S&PA+
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Founded
1907
Headquarters
Birmingham, AL
Total assets
$180+ Billion
A.M. Best
A+
01

31 Protective Life annuities reviewed

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

ProductTypeSurrenderRatingIncome riderBonus
Protective Income Builder
Buyers age 50 to 85 who want a 7-year income FIA with an aggressive 10.00% simple rollup on the benefit base, two payout options including one with annual increases after commencement, and Protective's A-plus carrier rating
Income7yr 4.3Yes
1.00% annually on benefit base (mandatory) fee
Review →
Schwab Genesis Advisory Variable Annuity
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
Variable0yr 4.3Review →
Protective Secure Saver Pro 5-Year
Edward Jones clients who want a 5-year guaranteed rate at competitive levels (5.20% at $75K+), 10% annual account-value liquidity, a 7%-starting surrender schedule, and 100% MGSV protection
MYGA5yrA+Review →
Protective Secure Saver Pro 7-Year
Edward Jones clients with a 7-year time horizon who want a competitive guaranteed rate (5.20% at $75K+), 10% annual account-value liquidity, a 7%-starting surrender schedule, and 100% MGSV protection
MYGA7yrA+Review →
Protective Guaranteed Income Indexed Annuity
Buyers age 50 to 79 who want a long-duration income FIA with a 15% bonus on the benefit base if income commences after year 5 (and 20% after year 10), a mandatory built-in lifetime income rider, and exposure to a competitive 4.0% simple rollup over 15 years
FIA10yr 4.2Yes
1.20% annually on benefit base (mandatory) fee
15% benefit base bonus if income starts after year 5; additional 20% after year 10 (35% combined)Review →
Protective Investors Benefit Advisory Variable Annuity
Fee-based advisory clients who want a variable annuity with no surrender charges, low 0.30% base expense, 146 variable subaccounts, and optional SecurePay III living benefit rider
Variable0yr 4.2Review →
Protective Secure Saver Fixed Annuity 5-Year
Buyers who want a competitive 5-year guaranteed rate (5.15% at $75K+), 10% annual account-value liquidity, and Protective's A-plus carrier rating across multiple distribution channels
MYGA5yrA+Review →
Protective Secure Saver Fixed Annuity 7-Year
Buyers with a 7-year time horizon who want a competitive guaranteed rate, 10% annual account-value liquidity, and broad distribution from Protective's A-plus carrier rating
MYGA7yrA+Review →
Smart Saver 7-Year (NY)
New York residents who want a clean seven-year locked rate with no index complexity, no rider fees, and an immediate free-withdrawal provision
MYGA7yrA+Review →
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity
Schwab clients with $100,000+ to deploy who want a low-cost variable annuity with no surrender charges, M&E that scales down at higher account values, 129 subaccount choices, and optional SecurePay II (Schwab) living benefit rider
Variable0yr 4.1Review →
Smart Saver 6-Year (NY)
New York residents who want a six-year locked rate with no market exposure, immediate free-withdrawal access, and a clean, fee-free contract structure
MYGA6yrA+Review →
Protective Asset Builder II 5-Year
Buyers who want a 5-year fixed indexed annuity with multiple S&P 500 strategies, a JP Morgan Mojave option, biennial Citi Flexible Allocation crediting, and Protective's A-plus carrier rating
FIA5yr 4.0Review →
Protective Asset Builder II 7-Year
Buyers who can commit for seven years and want a flexible crediting menu including dual S&P 500 cap structures, JP Morgan Mojave Index, and biennial Citi Flexible Allocation strategies through an A-plus rated carrier
FIA7yr 4.0Review →
Protective Asset Builder II 10-Year
Buyers with a long planning horizon who want the highest rate ceilings on Protective's Asset Builder II platform — particularly the 180% biennial Citi Flexible Allocation participation rate at the $100,000 band
FIA10yr 4.0Review →
Protective Income Creator Fixed Annuity
Buyers age 55 to 75 who want predictable lifetime income from a fixed-rate annuity (rather than indexed crediting) with a mandatory built-in income rider, sold through full-service broker-dealers
Income7yr 4.0Yes
0.95% annually on account value (mandatory) fee
Review →
Smart Saver 5-Year (NY)
New York residents who want a simple 5-year guaranteed rate, principal protection, and no rider complexity
MYGA5yrA+Review →
Protective Asset Builder II 5-Year with Return of Premium
Buyers who want a 5-year accumulation FIA with the additional protection of an automatic Return of Premium rider that ensures their surrender value cannot fall below total premium paid
FIA5yr 3.9Review →
Protective Asset Builder II 7-Year with Return of Premium
Buyers who want a 7-year accumulation FIA with the structural protection of an automatic Return of Premium rider that guarantees surrender value cannot fall below premium paid
FIA7yr 3.9Review →
Protective Dimensions V (Edward Jones)
Edward Jones clients who want a variable annuity with O-share structure (lower 0.55% M&E than B-share), 106 subaccount choices, an optional SecurePay Income Rider IV, and a surrender schedule that scales with premium size
Variable7yr 3.9Review →
Smart Saver 4-Year (NY)
New York residents who want a short-term guaranteed rate with no market-value adjustment risk and immediate access to 10% annually
MYGA4yrA+Review →
Protective Aspirations Variable Annuity
Buyers who want a variable annuity with broad subaccount choice (127 variable subaccounts), optional GLWB and enhanced death benefit riders, and Protective's A-plus carrier rating
Variable7yr 3.8Review →
Protective Smart Saver 5-Year
Bank clients who want a 5-year guaranteed rate, automatic Return of Premium protection, and 10% account-value liquidity from an A-plus carrier
MYGA5yrA+Review →
Protective Smart Saver 6-Year
Bank clients who want a 6-year guaranteed rate, automatic Return of Premium protection, and 10% account-value liquidity from an A-plus carrier
MYGA6yrA+Review →
Protective Smart Saver 7-Year
Bank clients who want a 7-year guaranteed rate, automatic Return of Premium protection, and 10% account-value liquidity from an A-plus carrier
MYGA7yrA+Review →
Indexed Annuity NY 5-Year
New York residents who want a short-commitment, principal-protected FIA with no MVA and straightforward S&P 500 crediting
FIA5yr 3.8Review →
Protective Investors Series Variable Annuity
Buyers who want a lower-cost B-share variable annuity (1.00% total annual expense) with 82 subaccount choices, an optional Return of Purchase Payments death benefit, and a 7-year surrender window from an A-plus carrier
Variable7yr 3.7Review →
Protective Smart Saver 4-Year
Bank clients who want a 4-year guaranteed rate, automatic Return of Premium protection, and 10% account-value liquidity from an A-plus carrier
MYGA4yrA+Review →
Indexed Annuity NY 10-Year
New York residents who want a principal-protected FIA with no rider fees and a straightforward two-strategy crediting menu
FIA10yr 3.7Review →
Indexed Annuity NY 7-Year
New York residents who want principal protection and index-linked growth potential with a 7-year commitment and no income rider complexity
FIA7yr 3.7Review →
Investors Benefit Advisory Variable Annuity (NY)
Investors already working with a fee-based advisor who want tax-deferred market exposure through a low-cost annuity wrapper, with the option to add lifetime income later
Variable0yr 3.7Review →
Aspirations Variable Annuity (NY)
New York residents who want tax-deferred market participation across a deep fund menu and may add a guaranteed-income or enhanced-death-benefit rider later
Variable7yr 3.5Review →
02

About Protective Life

Protective Life Insurance Company, owned by Japan's Dai-ichi Life, is a leading provider of variable and fixed annuities in the United States. With over 115 years of history, Protective is known for innovative income products featuring aggressive rollups and flexible payout designs, as well as competitively priced multi-year guaranteed annuities and variable annuities. Their A-plus financial rating and broad product range make them a solid choice for accumulation and income strategies.

03

How we scored them

Income Options88/100
Financial Strength92/100
Fees & Costs81/100
Flexibility83/100
Customer Service84/100
04

The tradeoffs

What works
  • A-plus financial strength rating backed by Dai-ichi Life
  • Aggressive income rollups on income FIAs (10% simple on Income Builder)
  • Competitive multi-year guaranteed annuity rates
  • Broad variable annuity platform with low-cost advisory options
  • Flexible payout and crediting options across product lines
What to watch
  • Some products not available in California or New York
  • Indexed crediting caps constrained on income products to fund guarantees
  • Longer surrender periods (7-10 years) on many flagship products
  • Rate banding creates meaningful spreads between low and high premium bands
05

What you could receive

Estimated guaranteed lifetime income based on a single premium payment. Actual rates may vary.

InvestmentAgeMonthlyAnnualGuarantee
$100,00060$535$6,420Lifetime
$250,00065$1,520$18,240Lifetime
$500,00065$3,040$36,480Lifetime
$1,000,00070$6,900$82,800Lifetime
06

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountDescription
Annual Contract Fee$0No annual maintenance fee on base FIA contracts
Income Rider Fee0.95% - 1.20%Mandatory on income products; varies by product. Income Builder: 1.00%, Guaranteed Income: 1.20%
Surrender ChargeVaries by yearDeclining schedule typically starting at 9% for 7-10 year products, reaching 0% at end of term
07

Early withdrawal penalties

Charges apply to amounts above the annual free withdrawal (typically 10%).

Yr 1Yr 2Yr 3Yr 4Yr 5Yr 6Yr 7Yr 8Yr 9Yr 10
9%9%8%7%6%5%4%3%2%0%
08

Best fit for these buyers

Income-focused retirees seeking aggressive rollup growth and lifetime guarantees
Buyers who value flexible payout options and carrier strength from a globally-backed insurer
Schwab advisory clients seeking low-cost variable annuities with no surrender charges
Ages 50-75 planning retirement income with a multi-year time horizon
09

Frequently asked questions

Is Protective Life a good annuity company?
Protective Life earns an average rating of 4.0/5 across the 31 products we've reviewed, with an AM Best rating of A+ and S&P rating of A+. Their financial strength is rated "Excellent" with $180+ Billion in total assets. Protective Life is particularly strong in financial strength.
How much income can I get from a Protective Life annuity?
Income depends on your investment amount and age. For example, a $500,000 investment at age 65 could generate approximately $36,480 per year in guaranteed lifetime income. A $250,000 investment at the same age could generate about $18,240 per year.
What are the fees for Protective Life annuities?
Protective Life charges Annual Contract Fee: $0, Income Rider Fee: 0.95% - 1.20%, Surrender Charge: Varies by year. Notably, there is no annual contract fee on the base contract, which is a competitive advantage.
What is the surrender period for Protective Life annuities?
Protective Life annuities typically have a 10-year surrender period. Charges start at 9% in year one and decline to 0% in the final year. Most products allow 10% annual free withdrawals without penalty.

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Compare Protective Life