By Cathy DeWitt Dunn

Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast rule to use when choosing between some of the best Annuity companies. But there are several factors that you may want to take into consideration. One thing to keep in mind is that an annuity product guarantee is only as good as the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. So you may want to make sure the insurance company is stable and in good standing when choosing an annuity provider.

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How do you compare some of the best annuity companies?

We understand your need to research annuity providers, so we’ve put together some great tools to help you compare annuity companies before your purchase.

Our comparison data includes:

• Better Business Bureau ratings information
• Links to reviews from Consumer Affairs
• Wikipedia information for company descriptions
• LIMRA reported year-end sales data
• Links to the company websites

This is publicly available data that we have pooled together in one place for your convenience.

The following information is laid out in a non-biased format to help your research. These annuity companies are listed in alphabetical order so as not to show favoritism to any specific company. With that said, we also want you to know that we are here to help assist you in your annuity purchase in any way we can. If you have questions, call us at (972) 473-4700 or request an appointment for a face-to-face meeting.

Good luck with your research. If there is anything else we can do to help, please let us know.

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AIG Annuities

American International Group, Inc., also known as AIG, is an American multinational insurance corporation with operations in more than 80 countries. As of 2016, AIG companies employed around 56,400 people. The company operates through three businesses: AIG Property Casualty, AIG Life and Retirement, and United Guaranty Corporation (UGC). AIG Property Casualty provides insurance products for commercial, institutional, and individual customers. AIG Life and Retirement provides life insurance and retirement services in the United States. UGC focuses on mortgage guaranty insurance and mortgage insurance. AIG also provides financial services in global capital markets operations, including direct investment and retained interests. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: A- (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: AIG Annuities Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $3.87 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $17.19 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $20.00 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $18.95 billion

Visit the Company Website:  AIG

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Allianz Life Annuities

Minneapolis-based Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) provides annuities and life insurance products in the United States in all states except for New York. In New York, annuities and life insurance products are offered by Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York (Allianz Life of NY). More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: A+ (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Allianz Life Annuities Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $2.20 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $12.25 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $10.78 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $14.96 billion

Visit the Company Website: Allianz Life

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American Equity Investment Life

American Equity is headquartered in the heart of the Midwest. They are a leader in the fixed indexed annuities marketplace. American Equity’s growth and success is attributed to excellent customer service and an emphasis on building customer relationships. The company is guided by their Principles of Excellence. American Equity Investment Life does more than sell retirement annuity products. They are dedicated to fostering opportunity and innovation to meet the ever-changing needs and goals of retirement. More from American Equity company website.

Better Business Bureau Rating: A+ (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: American Equity Investment Life Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $1.08 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $7.13 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $7.08 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $4.18 billion

Visit the Company Website: American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

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AXA US

AXA is a French multinational insurance firm headquartered in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. They engage in global insurance, investment management, and other financial services.

AXA joined the top three global financial services brands in 2016. The AXA Group operates primarily in Western Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific region, and the Middle East, with presence also in Africa. AXA is a conglomerate of independently run businesses. The businesses operate according to the laws and regulations of many different countries. They are a component of the Euro Stoxx 50 stock market index. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: A+ (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Not listed on ConsumerAffairs.com

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $2.67 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $10.46 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $9.88 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $9.75 billion

Visit the Company Website: AXA US

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Fidelity Annuities (Fidelity Investments)

Fidelity Investments is a multinational financial services corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Fidelity Investments operates a brokerage firm and manages a large family of mutual funds. They also provide fund distribution and investment advice, retirement services, wealth management, securities execution and clearance, and life insurance. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: C- (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Fidelity Investments Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Variable Annuity Sales (Fidelity Investments Life): $0.41 billion

2017 Q1 Fixed Annuity Sales (Fidelity & Guaranty Life): $0.60 billion

2016 Variable Annuity Sales (Fidelity Investments Life): $1.40 billion

2016 Fixed Annuity Sales (Fidelity & Guaranty Life): $2.53 billion

2015 Variable Annuity Sales (Fidelity Investments Life): $2.01 billion

2015 Fixed Annuity Sales (Fidelity & Guaranty Life): $2.06 billion

2014 Variable Annuity Sales (Fidelity Investments Life): $2.05 billion

2014 Fixed Annuity Sales (Fidelity & Guaranty Life): $2.52 billion

Visit the Company Website: Fidelity

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Fidelity & Guaranty Life

For over 50 years, Fidelity & Guaranty Life has been a catalyst to help others plan for tomorrow. With approximately 700,000 policyholders counting on the protection features of our life insurance and annuity products, they constantly push themselves to innovate on your behalf. Everything they do is designed to meet your changing needs while making sure you understand your options, have an easy experience, and feel great about helping protect your family and your future retirement. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: A+ (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Not listed on ConsumerAffairs.com

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales:

2016 Annuity Sales:

2015 Annuity Sales:

2014 Annuity Sales:

Visit the Company Website: Fidelity & Guaranty Life

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Jackson National Life

Jackson National Life Insurance Company is a U.S. company that offers annuities for retail investors and fixed income products for institutional investors. Jackson subsidiaries and affiliates provide specialized asset management and retail brokerage services. Jackson is a subsidiary of the British insurer, Prudential plc, which acquired the company for $608 million in 1986. That company is unrelated to the American insurance conglomerate, Prudential Financial. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: A- (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Not listed on ConsumerAffairs.com

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $4.70 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $18.60 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $24.50 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $24.51 billion

Visit the Company Website:  Jackson National Life Insurance Company

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Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln National Corporation is a Fortune 250 American holding company, which operates multiple insurance and investment management businesses through subsidiary companies. Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for LNC and its subsidiary companies. More from Wikipedia.*

ConsumerAffairs: Not listed on ConsumerAffairs.com

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $2.12 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $8.65 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $14.64 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $15.53 billion

Visit the Company Website:  Lincoln Financial Group

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MassMutual Annuities

Founded in 1851, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) is an American mutual life insurance company serving 5 million clients. With headquarters in Springfield, Massachusetts, the company employs more than 7,000 in the United States, and a total of 10,614 internationally. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: B- (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: MassMutual Annuities Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $0.67 billion

2016 Variable Annuity Sales: $0.68 billion

2016 Fixed Annuity Sales: $1.91 billion

2015 Variable Annuity Sales: $1.06 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $2.75 billion

Visit the Company Website: MassMutual

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MetLife

MetLife, Inc. is the holding corporation for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLIC), better known as MetLife, and its affiliates. They are among the largest global providers of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, with 90 million customers in over 60 countries. The firm was founded on March 24, 1868. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: B- (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: MetLife Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Variable Annuity Sales: $0.25 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $7.84 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $10.15 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $9.06 billion

Visit the Company Website:  MetLife

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Midland National

Midland National is a member of Sammons Financial Group, Inc. (SFG). SFG is the parent of a group of member companies under the Insurance Holding Company Act, which is made up of several successful financial services companies. These companies offer a variety of financial and retirement products through multiple distribution channels. Some of the products consist of retirement products, annuities, and life insurance (including bank, corporate, and credit union-owned life insurance). Because they are a privately-held company, they can maintain a long-term strategic view and focus on customers rather than short-term earnings. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: A+ (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Midland National News

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales:

2016 Annuity Sales:

2015 Annuity Sales:

2014 Annuity Sales:

Visit the Company Website: Midland National

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Nationwide

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies is a group of large U.S. insurance and financial services companies based in Columbus, OH. The company also operates regional headquarters in Des Moines, IA; San Antonio, TX; Gainesville, FL; Raleigh, NC; and Westerville, OH. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: A+ (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Nationwide Life Insurance Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $2.21 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $7.84 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $2.48 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $7.52 billion

Visit the Company Website:  Nationwide

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New York Life

New York Life Insurance Company (NYLIC) is the largest mutual life-insurance company in the United States, and one of the largest life insurers in the world. NYLIC ranked #69 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list, with about $570 billion in total assets under management, and more than $25 billion in surplus and AVR. In 2007, NYLIC achieved the best possible ratings by the four independent rating companies (Standard & Poor’s, AM Best, Moody’s and Fitch). Other New York Life affiliates provide an array of securities products and services, as well as institutional and retail mutual funds. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: A+ (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: New York Life Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $3.91 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $12.84 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $12.02 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $11.29 billion

Visit the Company Website:  New York Life

Pacific Life Annuities

Pacific Life Insurance Company is an American insurance company providing life insurance products, annuities, and mutual funds. They offer a variety of investment products and services to individuals, businesses, and pension plans. Pacific Life also counts more than half of the 100 largest U.S. companies as clients. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: A- (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Pacific Life Annuities Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $1.71 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $6.21 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $6.59 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $7.02 billion

Visit the Company Website:  Pacific Life

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Prudential Annuities

Prudential Financial, Inc. is an American Fortune Global 500 and Fortune 500 company. Their subsidiaries provide insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services to both retail and institutional customers in the United States and over 30 other countries. Principal products and services provided include: life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, pension and retirement-related investments, administration and asset management, securities brokerage services, and commercial and residential real estate in many states of the U.S. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: NR (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Prudential Annuities Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $1.52 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $8.44 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $9.54 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $10.71 billion

Visit the Company Website:  Prudential

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TIAA-CREF

TIAA, was formally known as TIAA—CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association—College Retirement Equities Fund). They are a Fortune 100 financial services organization and a leading retirement provider of financial services for the academic, research, medical, cultural and governmental industries. TIAA serves over 5 million active and retired employees participating at more than 15,000 institutions and has $1 trillion in combined assets under management with holdings in more than 50 countries (as of December 31, 2017). More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: B (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Not listed on ConsumerAffairs.com

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $3.24 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $13.01 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $12.75 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $12.50 billion

Visit the Company Website:  TIAA

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Transamerica

The Transamerica Corporation is an American holding company for various life insurance companies and investment firms.  They offer life and supplemental health insurance, investments, and retirement services. The company’s main offices are in Baltimore, Maryland; Denver, Colorado and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Affiliated offices are located throughout the United States. In 1999, it became a subsidiary of Aegon, a European financial services company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. More from Wikipedia.*

Better Business Bureau Rating: A- (As of 2019)

ConsumerAffairs: Transamerica Consumer Reviews and Complaints

LIMRA Sales Data:

2017 Q1 Annuity Sales: $0.89 billion

2016 Annuity Sales: $4.48 billion

2015 Annuity Sales: $7.88 billion

2014 Annuity Sales: $10.20 billion

Visit the Company Website:  Transamerica

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* Note: This article uses material from multiple Wikipedia articles (links to each article provided above) which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.

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