Best Fixed Annuity Rates (2026)
If you're shopping fixed annuities, you're probably comparing a handful of carriers to find the highest guaranteed yield without a catch buried in the contract.
| Contract | 3-year | 5-year | 7-year | Premium band | Source, effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athene MaxRate (most states) | 5.65% | 5.85% | 5.95% | $100,000+ | Athene MaxRate rate cards, 9/25/2026 |
| Athene MaxRate (most states) | 5.40% | 5.60% | 5.65% | Under $100,000 | Athene MaxRate rate cards, 9/25/2026 |
| Athene MaxRate (CA and 18 other states) | 5.65% | 5.80% | 5.90% | $100,000+ | Athene MaxRate rate cards, 9/25/2026 |
| MassMutual Stable Voyage | 5.40% | 5.50% | n/a (4-yr 5.45%) | $100,000+ | MassMutual Stable Voyage rate sheet, 9/28/2026 |
| A-rated-or-better market | ~5.50%-6.05% | varies | public carrier rate sheets, 10/14/2026 |
No verified 10-year rate is shown. For scale, the best nationally available 5-year CDs paid about 4.35%-4.50% APY on September 24, 2026 (DepositAccounts). Rates vary by state, premium and issue age.
There isn't one "best" fixed annuity. There's a best one for your situation, which depends on your timeline, your tax bracket, how much access you need to the money, and the rates on the day you fund it. Rates change weekly. The carrier paying the top rate in March may not be on top in May.
I compare what's available across the carriers I'm appointed with (Athene, F&G, Allianz, Corebridge, American National, MassMutual Ascend and others) and tell you which one fits. I don't push a single carrier, and I don't route you to whoever pays the biggest referral fee.
Current best fixed annuity rates
| 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.*
Rates expire like milk.
The best MYGA, CD and savings rates change every few weeks. Get a short email when a rate on this page changes.
We’ll email you when a rate on this page changes. Hans Goldstein · NPN 20602398.
Rather talk it through? Or book 15 minutes on Hans’s calendar.
What is a fixed annuity, really?
A fixed annuity is a contract with an insurance carrier: you hand over a lump sum and the carrier pays a guaranteed interest rate for a set number of years. It does the same "safe money" job as a CD, usually at a higher rate, and the growth is tax-deferred.
There are three types most people compare:
Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA). A fixed rate for a fixed term, usually 3, 5, 7 or 10 years. It is the simplest version and the closest thing to a CD.
Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA). Interest is tied to a market index such as the S&P 500 or Russell 2000, with a guaranteed floor of 0%. You get the upside up to a cap and never lose principal to a market drop. FIAs are more complex and often sold with a lifetime income rider.
Immediate Annuity (SPIA). You pay the carrier today and it starts sending you monthly income next month, for life or a set period. This one is for income, not growth.
If you searched "best fixed annuity rates," you almost certainly want a MYGA.
How fixed annuity rates actually work
The carrier invests your money in its general account, mostly high-grade corporate bonds and Treasuries. It locks in a yield, keeps a small spread, and pays you the rest as your guaranteed rate.
That 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.
So don't wait for "the perfect rate." I've watched plenty of clients sit in a 0.5% savings account for six months waiting for a 6% MYGA that never came, and miss $15,000 of interest doing it. Lock the best current rate for the term that matches when you'll need the money.
Fixed annuity vs CD, which is better?
| Feature | 5-year MYGA | 5-year CD |
|---|---|---|
| Top rate (September 24, 2026) | ~5.50-6.05% (A-rated) | ~4.35-4.50% APY |
| 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 |
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 I don't recommend buying direct from a carrier
Most people start at Schwab, Fidelity or the carrier's own site. That makes sense, but it usually leaves money on the table, for three reasons.
- Each platform shows you its own rate, not the market. Schwab pushes the Schwab-affiliated carrier and Fidelity pushes Fidelity-issued products. You see one rate, not seven.
- Carriers compete for broker business by paying more on broker-distributed products than on direct-to-consumer ones. The same MYGA can pay 0.25 to 0.50% more through an independent broker than through the carrier's website.
- Nobody checks whether it fits. A 6.0% 10-year MYGA looks great until you need the money in year 4 and pay an 8% surrender charge.
Independent brokers like me are paid a one-time commission by the carrier, not by you. There's no advisory fee or AUM percentage. 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:
- The guaranteed rate
- The surrender schedule, meaning what it costs to get out early
- Free withdrawals (most MYGAs allow 10% a year penalty-free)
- The renewal rate floor for when the term ends
- Carrier financial strength (A.M. Best A or better only)
- The guaranty limit in your state
You get a one-page summary, we go over it on a 20-minute call, and you decide. I won't chase you or your spouse with follow-up calls, and there are no deadlines.
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. You lose principal only if you surrender early and the charge is larger than your accumulated interest, or if 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 also grows tax-deferred, and you pay tax only on the interest when you take it out.
How do I know you're not just pushing the carrier that pays you the most? Commissions on top-rated MYGAs are within about 0.10% of each other, so I have no reason to favor one. And I'll show you the comparison spreadsheet with every carrier on it so you can pick the winner yourself.
Ready to compare?
Fill out the Discovery Form; it takes about 4 minutes. Within one business day I'll send a one-page comparison of the top 3 MYGA options for your situation, with rate, surrender schedule and carrier rating side by side.
You don't need a call to get it. If you like what you see, we set up a 20-minute call. If not, 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
- 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.
Send your details and within one business day I'll email a one-page comparison of the top options for your term: guaranteed rate, surrender schedule, carrier strength and your state's guaranty limit. We'll email it to you.
Rather talk it through? Or book 15 minutes on Hans’s calendar, or call 213-414-2808.
Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer appointed with multiple A-rated carriers
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