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Best A++ and A+ Rated Annuity Companies (2026)
Annuity carriers holding AM Best A++ or A+ (Superior) financial-strength ratings, ranked by strength signals first with live CANNEX product breadth as a tiebreak.
CANNEX data as of October 23, 2026 - 17 companies ranked
Best company screen
What makes an annuity company best?
A carrier is not best because it has the highest rate on one contract. For long-term annuity guarantees, claims-paying ability comes first: AM Best and other agency ratings, then product breadth, then product fit for the buyer's goal.
Use this page as a financial-strength shortlist, then compare rates verified as of the date shown for each product type. The strongest company for a MYGA buyer may not be the same company for an FIA income-rider buyer.
How we rank
Financial strength first.
- AM Best tier is the primary ranking signal. A++ carriers rank ahead of A+ carriers, then A and A-.
- Additional agency ratings from carrier profiles or CMS data strengthen the financial-strength score when available.
- Product breadth verified as of the displayed CANNEX/AdvisorWorld date is only a tiebreak after financial-strength signals.
| # | Carrier | AM Best | Why it ranks | Live products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation (NYLIAC) | A++ | AM Best A++ carrier with 6 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A++ · Fitch: AAA · Moody's: Aa1 · Standard & Poor's: AA+. | 6 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company | A++ | AM Best A++ carrier with 2 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A++ · Fitch: AA+ · Moody's: Aa3 · Standard & Poor's: AA+. | 2 |
| 3 | MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company | A++ | AM Best A++ carrier with 25 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A++ · Standard & Poor's: A+. | 25 |
| 4 | Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company | A++ | AM Best A++ carrier with 9 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A++ · Standard & Poor's: A+. | 9 |
| 5 | Athene Annuity and Life Company | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 31 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Fitch: A+ · Moody's: A1 · Standard & Poor's: A+. | 31 |
| 6 | Pacific Life Insurance Company | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 12 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Fitch: AA- · Moody's: Aa3 · Standard & Poor's: AA-. | 12 |
| 7 | Minnesota Life Insurance Company - A Securian Co. | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 7 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Fitch: AA · Moody's: Aa3 · Standard & Poor's: AA-. | 7 |
| 8 | Protective Life Insurance Company | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 7 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Fitch: AA- · Moody's: Aa3 · Standard & Poor's: AA-. | 7 |
| 9 | Integrity Life Insurance Company (W&S) | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 5 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Fitch: AA · Moody's: Aa3 · Standard & Poor's: AA-. | 5 |
| 10 | Western-Southern Life Assurance Company | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 5 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Fitch: AA · Moody's: Aa3 · Standard & Poor's: AA-. | 5 |
| 11 | Midland National Life Insurance Company | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 22 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Fitch: A+ · Standard & Poor's: A+. | 22 |
| 12 | North American Company for Life and Health Insurance | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 19 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Fitch: A+ · Standard & Poor's: A+. | 19 |
| 13 | Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 16 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Moody's: Aa3 · Standard & Poor's: AA. | 16 |
| 14 | Nationwide Life Insurance Company | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 13 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Moody's: A1 · Standard & Poor's: A+. | 13 |
| 15 | Prudential Financial | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 12 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Fitch: AA- · Standard & Poor's: AA-. | 12 |
| 16 | United of Omaha Insurance Company (a Mutual of Omaha company) | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 4 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Moody's: A1 · Standard & Poor's: AA-. | 4 |
| 17 | The Lafayette Life Insurance Company | A+ | AM Best A+ carrier with 2 active products in the refreshed CANNEX dataset. Rating source: CANNEX via AdvisorWorld, as of October 23, 2026; agencies: A.M. Best: A+ · Fitch: AA · Standard & Poor's: AA-. | 2 |
Disclosure and sources: rankings reflect financial strength signals first, not a personalized recommendation. AM Best ratings and product breadth verified as of the displayed date are sourced from CANNEX via AdvisorWorld; additional agency ratings come from carrier profile data where available. The best annuity company for you depends on product type, state, premium, time horizon, liquidity needs, and income goals. Guarantees are backed by the issuing carrier's claims-paying ability and are not FDIC-insured.
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Best A++ and A+ annuity companies FAQ
What is the best annuity company?
There is no single best annuity company for every buyer. This ranking starts with financial strength - especially AM Best and other agency ratings where available - then uses current product breadth as a tiebreak. The right carrier still depends on the annuity type, state, premium, liquidity needs, and income goal.
Does an A++ rating matter?
An A++ AM Best rating is a strong claims-paying-ability signal, but it does not automatically make one product best for you. Product terms, surrender schedule, rider costs, state availability, and the current CANNEX rate data still matter.
Is the highest-rated company always best for me?
No. Higher financial-strength ratings are valuable, but a carrier with the strongest rating may not offer the product type, term, rider, or current rate that fits your goal. Use this list as a trust screen, then compare current rates and contract details.
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