Best Fixed Annuity Rates (Updated Monthly)
Best Fixed Annuity Rates (Updated Monthly)
Looking for the best fixed annuity? You're probably comparing rates from a handful of carriers, trying to figure out which one actually pays the highest guaranteed yield without the catch.
Here's the honest version: there isn't one "best" fixed annuity. There's a best one for your situation — your timeline, your tax bracket, your liquidity needs, and the rates available on the day you're ready to fund it. Rates change weekly. The carrier paying the top rate in March may not be paying top in May.
What I do is compare what's actually available across the carriers I'm appointed with — Athene, F&G, Allianz, Corebridge, American National, MassMutual Ascend, and others — and tell you the truth about which one fits.
No single-carrier pitch. No aggregator funneling you to whoever paid the highest referral fee. Just the math.
Current best fixed annuity rates (updated monthly)
| Term | Carrier (top rate) | Guaranteed Rate | Surrender |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year MYGA | Top A-rated carrier | on request | 9/8/7/6/5/4/3 |
| 5-year MYGA | Top A-rated carrier | on request | Decreasing schedule |
| 7-year MYGA | Top A-rated carrier | on request | Decreasing schedule |
| 10-year MYGA | Top A-rated carrier | on request | Decreasing schedule |
*Rates current as of publication. Subject to change daily. Minimum funding amounts vary by carrier ($5K–$25K typical). Not FDIC insured — backed by the issuing carrier and state guaranty association.*
What is a fixed annuity, really?
A fixed annuity is a contract with an insurance carrier where you hand them a lump sum and they pay you a guaranteed interest rate for a fixed number of years. Think of it as a CD's smarter cousin — same "safe money" job, usually higher rate, tax-deferred growth.
Three flavors most people compare:
Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA). Fixed rate, fixed term — usually 3, 5, 7, or 10 years. Simplest version. Closest thing to a CD.
Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA). Rate tied to a market index (S&P 500, Russell 2000, etc.) with a guaranteed floor of 0%. You participate in upside up to a cap; you never lose principal to market drops. More complex, often paired with a lifetime income rider.
Immediate Annuity (SPIA). You hand the carrier money today, they start sending you monthly income for life (or a set period) starting next month. Different job — pure income replacement, not growth.
If you searched "best fixed annuity rates," you almost certainly want a MYGA. Keep reading.
How fixed annuity rates actually work
The carrier invests your money in their general account (mostly high-grade corporate bonds and treasuries). They lock in a yield, take a small spread, and pay you the rest as your guaranteed rate.
This is why MYGA rates roughly track 10-year Treasury yields — when bond yields rise, MYGA rates follow within a few months. When yields drop, MYGA rates drop too.
What that means for you: don't wait for "the perfect rate." I've watched plenty of clients hold cash in a 0.5% savings account for six months waiting for a 6% MYGA that never came — and miss out on $15,000 of interest in the process.
The right move is to lock in the highest current rate that matches your liquidity window.
Fixed annuity vs CD — which is better?
| Feature | 5-year MYGA | 5-year CD |
|---|---|---|
| Current top rate | on request | on request |
| Tax treatment | Tax-deferred (grow inside contract) | Taxable annually |
| Early withdrawal | Surrender charge (decreasing schedule) + 10% IRS penalty if under 59½ | 6-month interest penalty |
| Insurance backing | State Guaranty Association (typically $250K limit) | FDIC ($250K limit) |
| Lifetime income option | Yes — can annuitize at maturity | No |
The short version: MYGAs win on rate and tax-deferral. CDs win on liquidity and federal backing.
If you have IRA money or non-qualified money that won't be touched for 3+ years, the MYGA almost always wins net of taxes. If you might need it next year, stay in the CD.
Run the comparison for my situation →
Why you should NOT buy direct from a carrier
Most people start at Schwab, Fidelity, or the carrier's own site. Reasonable instinct. Here's why it usually leaves money on the table:
- Each carrier shows you their rate — not the market. Schwab pushes the Schwab-affiliated carrier. Fidelity pushes Fidelity-issued. You see one rate, not seven.
- Carriers compete for broker business with higher rates on broker-distributed products than direct-to-consumer ones. The exact same MYGA can pay 0.25-0.50% more when sold through an independent broker than through the carrier's website.
- No suitability check. A 6.0% 10-year MYGA looks great until you realize you need that money in year 4 and just paid an 8% surrender charge.
Independent brokers — like me — get paid a one-time commission by the carrier, not by you. There's no advisory fee, no AUM percentage, no ongoing cost. The rate you see is the rate you get.
How I compare for you
When you fill out the Discovery Form, I pull live rate sheets from every carrier I'm appointed with and run a side-by-side on:
- Guaranteed rate (the headline number)
- Surrender schedule (what it costs if you need to exit early)
- Free withdrawal provision (most MYGAs allow 10%/yr penalty-free)
- Renewal rate floor (what happens at end of term)
- Carrier financial strength (A.M. Best rating — A or better only)
- State guaranty limit in your state
You get a one-page summary. We talk through it on a 20-minute call. You decide. No pressure, no follow-up calls to your spouse, no "limited time" nonsense.
Common questions
How much money do I need to start? Most MYGAs have a $10K minimum. Some go down to $5K. Top rates usually require $25K+.
Is my money safe? Fixed annuities are backed by the carrier's general account. They're not FDIC insured, but every state has a guaranty association that covers contract holders up to a limit (usually $250K) if a carrier fails. The carriers I work with are all A.M. Best rated A or better.
What happens at the end of the term? You can take the money out, roll it to another annuity tax-free (1035 exchange), or annuitize for lifetime income. Most clients roll to the new highest-rate MYGA.
Can I lose money? Not to market drops. The only ways to lose principal: surrender early and incur a charge larger than your accumulated interest, or the carrier fails AND your state guaranty doesn't cover the full amount.
What about taxes? Inside an IRA, no tax until you withdraw. Non-qualified money grows tax-deferred — you only pay tax on the interest portion when you withdraw.
How do I know you're not just pushing the carrier that pays you the most? Two things: (1) commission spreads between top-rated MYGAs are nearly identical (within 0.10%), so there's no incentive to push one over another. (2) I'll show you the comparison spreadsheet with every carrier on it — you decide which one wins.
Ready to compare?
Fill out the Discovery Form. It takes 4 minutes. I'll send back a one-page comparison within one business day showing the top 3 MYGA options for your situation — guaranteed rate, surrender schedule, carrier rating, side-by-side.
No call required to get the comparison. If you like what you see, we set up a 20-minute call. If you don't, you keep the comparison and move on.
*Hans Goldstein is an independent insurance broker licensed in multiple states. NPN 20602398. Not a fiduciary investment advisor. Annuities are insurance products, not securities. Past performance and guaranteed rates do not predict future returns. Surrender charges, market value adjustments, and tax penalties may apply.*
Related reading
- Best MYGA Rates (updated monthly)
- Best Fixed Annuity Rates
- Annuity vs CD — the honest math
- Best CD Rates 2026
- MYGA carrier-by-carrier reviews
- CD bank-by-bank reviews
Get your live side-by-side comparison
Hans Goldstein, independent licensed insurance producer.
Drop your info and within one business day you'll get a written one-page comparison — top options for your target term, guaranteed rate, surrender schedule, carrier strength, and state guaranty limit. No pitch, no follow-up calls unless you ask.
Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer appointed with multiple A-rated carriers
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