Annuity sales hit a record $448.9 billion in 2025, driven by strong demand for income protection and rate stability. Growth has cooled in 2026, though sales rebounded last quarter and remain near record levels. The three products below are Annuity.org’s top picks in their categories, based on our ratings, terms, and features methodology.
Rates, ratings, and product details are reviewed regularly. Last checked: September 2026.
Best Annuities: Side-by-Side Comparison
How our top picks stack up across the dimensions that matter most for buyers.
| Product | Type | AM Best Rating | Min. Premium | Surrender Period | Key Feature | Annuity.org Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz Benefit Control Annuity | Fixed Index | A+ (Superior) | $20,000 | 10 years | Lifetime income + market protection | 5.0 / 5 |
| MassMutual Stable Voyage | Fixed (MYGA) | A++ (Superior) | $10,000 | 3–5 years | Guaranteed rate + nursing-home & terminal-illness waivers | 5.0 / 5 |
| Jackson National Perspective II | Variable | A (Excellent) | $5,000 (qual.) / $10,000 (non-qual.) | 7 years | 100+ subaccounts, 0.85% M&E ratio | 4.35 / 5 |
Best Fixed Index Annuity: Allianz Benefit Control Annuity
Best For: Lifetime Income + Market Protection
Fixed index annuities let you capture market-linked growth without risking your principal. This year’s standout is the Allianz Benefit Control Annuity, which pairs that growth potential with an optional lifetime income benefit from a top-rated insurer.
Ranked as a Best Annuity Company of 2026
Allianz Benefit Control Annuity
A fixed index annuity built for retirees who want index-linked upside with a guaranteed income option built in.
- Allows for lifetime income withdrawals through its built-in income benefit
- Strong accumulation potential tied to multiple index choices
- 10% penalty-free withdrawal allowance each year
Best Fixed Annuity: MassMutual Stable Voyage
Best For: Guaranteed Growth + Flexibility
Fixed annuities vary widely in term length and renewal flexibility — the MassMutual Stable Voyage stands out on both fronts, backed by one of the highest-rated insurers in the industry.
Ranked as a Best Annuity Company of 2026
MassMutual Stable Voyage
Competitive guaranteed rates paired with real flexibility — shorter surrender terms and built-in access to your money if health needs change.
- Offers fixed guaranteed interest for 3–5 years
- 30-day renewal window with lower surrender charge options
- Nursing home and terminal illness waivers included
Best Variable Annuity: Jackson National Perspective II
Best For: Low Fees + Long-Term Growth
Variable annuities carry more risk than other annuity types — your principal isn’t guaranteed, and fees can add up fast. ‘The biggest component of a variable annuity for customers is fees, which people just don’t like. The 2.5% or 3% fees,’ Chalisa said. Jackson National’s Perspective II stands out for keeping those fees well below the category norm.
Jackson National Perspective II
The nation’s top-selling variable annuity, and a longtime advisor favorite for its wide range of subaccounts and optional living benefits.
- Access to more than 100 investment options
- Competitive 0.85% M&E ratio and low administrative costs
- Optional death and lifetime income benefits
- Fee waiver for contracts exceeding $1 million
Best Selling Annuity Products
Based on the data from our independent agency partners, consumers gravitate towards certain annuities over others. Many factors impact how annuity products sell, including provider coverage, simplicity, cost, and expected benefits.
These annuities were the top 10 highest-selling products based on 2025 data.
| Rank | Insurance Carrier | Product Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson National | Perspective II Flexible Premium Variable & Fixed Deferred Annuity |
| 2 | Allianz Life | Allianz Benefit Control Annuity |
| 3 | Athene | Athene Performance Elite |
| 4 | Corebridge Financial | Power Select Plus Income |
| 5 | Fidelity & Guaranty | F&G Safe Income Advantage® |
| 6 | North American | Secure Horizon Plus |
| 7 | Aspida | Synergy Choice™ Bonus |
| 8 | Lincoln Financial | OptiBlend Fixed Indexed Annuity |
| 9 | MassMutual | Stable Voyage |
| 10 | Nationwide | Destination Future Variable Annuity |
Our Methodology
Annuity.org’s independent editorial team employs a strict, fact-based methodology when evaluating annuity products. A product must be available through one of Annuity.org’s top annuity providers to be considered.
This helps to ensure that only products sold by some of the top companies in the industry were considered.
We compared eligible products based on factors such as their terms and features offered, available riders, liquidity and access to product-specific features like index options for fixed index annuities and payout options for income annuities.
It’s important to remember that annuities are incredibly diverse products that can cover a wide range of needs. Different products work better for different people, and no single annuity can help everyone achieve their financial goals.
While this list includes some exceptional products sold by top industry providers, it’s always important to consider your personal circumstances before making a decision.
PRUDENTIAL
Annuities are issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ, and affiliates.
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- 150+ years in business
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Frequently Asked Questions
Annuities aren’t really an investment in the stock-market sense — they’re an insurance contract designed to protect income, not maximize returns. For someone who already has enough growth-oriented savings and wants guaranteed income they can’t outlive, an annuity can fill that gap well. For someone still building savings or who needs full access to their money, it may not be the right fit yet.
It depends on the type. Fixed and fixed index annuities protect your principal from market losses. Variable annuities tie your account value to investment subaccounts, so it can go down as well as up. Any annuity can also lose value relative to fees or surrender charges if you withdraw more than allowed during the surrender period.
Minimum premiums on the products covered here range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the carrier and contract. Fixed and fixed index annuities typically don’t carry an explicit annual fee; variable annuities charge fees for the underlying subaccounts (often called the M&E, or mortality and expense, ratio) plus any optional riders.
Start with the insurer’s financial strength rating — AM Best is the standard reference — since that reflects its ability to pay out decades from now. From there, compare surrender periods, minimum premiums, and riders that matter to you, like income guarantees or long-term care waivers.
A fixed annuity pays a guaranteed rate for a set term. A fixed index annuity ties growth to a market index’s performance while still protecting principal. A variable annuity invests your premium in subaccounts similar to mutual funds, carrying more growth potential and more risk.
Still have questions?
