Mountain Life
Key Company Metrics
AM Best Rating: B- (Fair)
Years in Business: Founded in 1972; began selling annuities in November 2024
Revenue: $5.9 Million
Product Availability: Alpine Horizon MYGA, Mesa Guard MYGA, Secure Summit MYGA
Bottom Line: Mountain Life is a decades-old Tennessee life insurer that entered the MYGA market in November 2024 under new ownership, with rates competitive against larger carriers. Its AM Best rating has been volatile, though — it’s moved twice in the past year and now sits at B- (Fair) following a review tied to a shareholder dispute. It’s worth a look for MYGA shoppers comparing rates through an independent agent, but buyers should verify the current AM Best status directly and weigh it against more established, higher-rated alternatives before committing.
Mountain Life Product Types & Features
Mountain Life’s current annuity lineup is entirely multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs): a fixed rate locked for the full term, tax-deferred growth and principal protection. No other types of annuities, such as indexed or immediate annuities, are available. However, the company has announced an upcoming fixed annuity, for which it has an open waitlist.
Alpine Horizon MYGA®
Alpine Horizon is Mountain Life’s streamlined option, built around the company’s highest available crediting rate.
With a $5,000 minimum premium, it offers tax-deferred growth with guaranteed rates for three, four or five years. It includes a death benefit for your beneficiaries, and after the first year, annuitants benefit from a 5% free annual withdrawal, unless you add a rider for a higher withdrawal.
Who It Works Best For: Elizabeth is approaching retirement and looking to maximize her earnings. She prioritizes a higher rate and doesn’t have any need for additional riders, so she chooses the Alpine Horizon MYGA.
Mesa Guard MYGA®
Mesa Guard is built around penalty-free rate protection and flexible withdrawal access. You still receive tax-deferred growth with a death benefit, but it also includes nursing home and terminal illness riders.
The first year has a 6% guaranteed rate. After that, your crediting rate may change. However, if it falls below 5% during years two to five, you can opt out without penalty. The same withdrawal rules apply as the Alpine Horizon, and there is still a $5,000 minimum premium.
Who It Works Best For: Sam wants to play it safe with more protection than the standard fixed annuity. He opts for the Mesa Guard MYGA, which provides the security of a guaranteed rate with added protection from nursing home and terminal illness riders.
Secure Summit MYGA®
Secure Summit is Mountain Life’s original, most comprehensive MYGA. This tax-deferred annuity offers guaranteed rates for two, three, five, six, seven, eight, nine or 10 years. During the first 30 days of the renewal period, you can take a partial or full surrender without penalty.
The same $5,000 minimum premium and withdrawal terms apply. A death benefit and nursing home and terminal illness riders are also included.
Who It Works Best For: Corrine wants to play it safe, so she opts for the Secure Summit MYGA. This gives her the security of a long-term locked rate, with her preferred riders already included.
Fixed Index Annuity
Mountain Life has also opened a waitlist for its upcoming fixed indexed annuity (FIA). This new annuity will offer the opportunity for index-linked growth with downside protection.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Mountain Life MYGAs
| Feature | Alpine Horizon® | Mesa Guard® | Secure Summit® |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term options | 3, 4, or 5 years | 5 years | 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 years |
| Minimum premium | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Withdrawal flexibility | 5% free annual withdrawal after first year May purchase rider for: 10% annual free withdrawal for Non-Qualified Plans Free RMD withdrawals for Qualified Plans | 5% free annual withdrawal after first year May purchase rider for: 10% annual free withdrawal for Non-Qualified Plans Free RMD withdrawals for Qualified Plans | 5% free annual withdrawal after first year May purchase rider for: 10% annual free withdrawal for Non-Qualified Plans Free RMD withdrawals for Qualified Plans |
| Best For | Highest available crediting rate without the need for added riders | Liquidity with the benefit of a guaranteed rate | The most comprehensive long-term protection |
- Alpine Horizon® can benefit savers who want the single highest guaranteed rate on offer.
- Mesa Guard® is for savers who want some access to funds during the term without having to pay a penalty.
- Secure Summit® works for savers seeking the most term-length flexibility in one product.
Explore the Best Rates from Mountain Life
To help you determine which type of annuity is best for you, this is an overview of the three Mountain Life annuities available.
| Term | Product | AM Best Rating | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years | Alpine Horizon | B- | 6.10 % |
| 5 Years | Alpine Horizon | B- | 6.45 % |
| 5 Years | Alpine Horizon | B- | 6.20 % |
Want to see how Mountain Life’s annuities compare? Our comparison tool makes it simple. In clear, straightforward terms, you can review contract details, guarantees, and payout options, so you can choose the annuity that fits your retirement needs with confidence.
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| Product |
Rate
|
Guarantee Period
|
Surrender Period
|
AM Best Rating
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mountain Life Insurance Company Alpine Horizon |
6.10% | 3 Years | 3 Years | B- |
|
Mountain Life Insurance Company Alpine Horizon |
6.45% | 5 Years | 5 Years | B- |
|
Mountain Life Insurance Company Alpine Horizon |
5.80% | 4 Years | 4 Years | B- |
|
Mountain Life Insurance Company Alpine Horizon |
6.20% | 5 Years | 5 Years | B- |
|
Mountain Life Insurance Company Alpine Horizon |
5.85% | 3 Years | 3 Years | B- |
Customer Satisfaction and Complaint History
As a smaller company with minimal market share, Mountain Life is not a part of J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Life & Annuity Distribution Partner Experience Study. Its U.S. market share is just 0.004%, so it does not rank among larger companies like Corebridge Financial and Security Benefit, which top the study.
However, Mountain Life does rate favorably when it comes to company complaints. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), there has not been a single complaint against the company in 2026, giving it an overall 0% rating.
See which annuity providers our independent editorial team ranked as the Best Annuity Companies of 2026.
How To Buy a Mountain Life Annuity
- Work with a licensed independent agent to compare Mountain Life’s MYGAs against your retirement goals. Note that Mountain Life is not sold direct-to-consumer, so you will need to work with a partner agent to buy.
- Choose a product and term, such as the Secure Summit annuity with a 5-year term.
- Complete the application through your agent.
- Fund the annuity.
- Register at my.mountainlife.com to track your contract and monitor performance.
Funding Options:
- Bank transfer / ACH
- 1035 exchange from an existing annuity or life policy
- Rollovers and transfers from most retirement accounts (401(k)s, 403(b)/TSA plans, IRAs)
- Non-qualified funds
Mountain Life vs. Competitors
Mountain Life is the new kid on the block, as it only began selling annuities in 2024. It is far behind more established companies like Sentinel Security Life, which was established in 1948, and CL Life and Annuity, founded in 1978.
Mountain Life does not offer as diverse of a menu as Sentinel Security Life, which provides a choice of six fixed, indexed and income annuities. Like CL Life, it sticks to a couple of tried-and-true products that target a retiree’s specific needs.
As far as rankings, Mountain Life falls a bit behind Sentinel Security Life and CL Life and Annuity. None of the three make J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Life & Annuity Distribution Partner Experience Study as smaller companies.
Like the other two providers, you must purchase your annuity through an agent instead of buying directly online.
| Criteria | Mountain Life | Sentinel Security Life | CL Life and Annuity |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM Best rating | B- (Fair) | B (under review) | B++ (Good) |
| Products offered | 3 MYGAs | 6 fixed, indexed and income annuities | Deferred annuities, SPIAs |
| Buy online, no agent | No | No | No |
| Selling annuities since | 2024 | 1948 | 1978 |
Manage Your Mountain Life Annuity Online
Policyholders can review contract details and monitor performance through Mountain Life’s secure online portal. You can also contact the company by phone, email or mail. The online contact form is another form of contact.
| Type of Contact | Contact Details |
| Phone | (800) 888-6542 |
| [email protected] | |
| Online Portal | https://my.mountainlife.com |
| Online contact form | https://www.mountainlife.com/about#contact |
| Address | 2416 Sir Barton WaySuite 110Lexington, Kentucky 40509 |
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Mountain Life FAQs
On September 2, 2026, AM Best released Mountain Life from review, giving it a final rating of B- (Fair). This is a lower rating suggesting less stability than other nationally-known annuity carriers, such as Allianz and Nationwide, which both earn A+ (Superior) ratings.
Yes, Mountain Life sells its annuities exclusively through independent, licensed insurance agents. You are unable to buy directly from the company.
Mountain Life offers three multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs): Alpine Horizon, Mesa Guard and Secure Summit, in terms ranging from two to 10 years. A fixed indexed annuity is coming soon but isn’t available yet. For now, you can sign up on the waitlist.
Mountain Life is a decades-old life insurer. However, it only began selling annuities in November 2024, after new owner MEM Capital acquired the company in 2024 and added a MYGA product line.
