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About Symetra
Symetra Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Symetra Financial, providing a comprehensive range of annuity products including fixed indexed annuities, multi-year guaranteed annuities, and income-focused products. Known for competitive MYGA rates and accessible income solutions, Symetra serves customers through banks, broker-dealers, and independent agents across most states.
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How we scored them
Income Options84/100
Financial Strength85/100
Fees & Costs83/100
Flexibility80/100
Customer Service82/100
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The tradeoffs
What works
- Competitive 5-year and 7-year MYGA rates
- Income Edge Plus offers choice between level and increasing income payments
- Accessible $10,000 minimum premiums on income products
- Strong A rating from AM Best and S&P
- Broad distribution through banks and broker-dealers
What to watch
- FIA caps are lower than top-tier competitors
- Limited product customization options
- Surrender periods extend to 7-9 years on some products
- Income rider mandatory on Income Edge Plus (not optional)
- Not available in New York on several products
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Income rider fees
Disclosed charges for optional riders on Symetra Life products, live from Annuity Rate Watch. Product-level detail is on each review.
| Rider | Product | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Stride GLWB | Symetra Stride | 1.10% annually (2.50% max) |
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Best fit for these buyers
Buyers seeking competitive fixed-rate MYGAs with moderate commitments
Retirees wanting guaranteed lifetime income with inflation-fighting options
Investors comfortable with 5-7 year surrender periods for rate certainty
Ages 50-75 in retirement accumulation or early income phase
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Frequently asked questions
Is Symetra a good annuity company?
Symetra earns an average rating of 4.0/5 across the 9 products we've reviewed, and A.M. Best rates the carrier A for financial strength. We describe its financial position as "Excellent" with $60+ Billion in total assets.
What are the fees for Symetra annuities?
Fee structures vary by product. Optional income riders on Symetra products carry disclosed charges — for example Stride GLWB (Symetra Stride): 1.10% annually (2.50% max). See each product review for the full fee detail.
What is the surrender period for Symetra annuities?
Surrender periods on Symetra'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.