Life Insurance Company Reviews, A to Z (2026)

Written and reviewed by Hans Goldstein, licensed insurance producer, NPN 20602398 · CA Insurance License #4273294
Last reviewed October 3, 2026 · Published October 3, 2026

Editorial review by a licensed agent who may earn a commission. No insurer pays for placement or grades. Hans is paid a commission by the insurer if you buy a policy through him. For life insurance, ask and he will tell you what he earns on your specific policy.

Carriers with a full review

Carrier index (AM Best financial strength ratings with effective or affirmation dates)

Ratings are AM Best's opinions, change over time, and are shown with their dates; check ambest.com for the current rating. Some dates come from the carrier's own ratings page.

Every product we have graded

Goldstein Index v1, graded Oct 3, 2026. Draft grades on public data; "Pending" means the fact is not public yet or waits for Hans's standardized case. How we grade.

Goldstein Index v1, graded Oct 3, 2026. Draft grades on public data; "Pending" means the fact is not public yet or waits for Hans's standardized case. How we grade.

Carriers covered briefly (not enough public data for a full review)

A review here needs dated, sourced facts. For these companies we found too few to grade, so they get a verified one-liner instead of a page. That is not a judgment on the company.

• Prudential: AM Best A+ affirmed 5/8/2026 (AM Best). Momentum IUL's fixed loan is charged 2.00% in years 1 to 10 and 1.05% after, credited 1.00% (Prudential fast facts, 6/2026); its guaranteed minimum cap is not publicly disclosed. Its single-life guarantee product is PruLife Essential UL; it retired its survivorship GUL in September 2025. Prudential also offers accelerated underwriting without an exam for some applicants.
• Brighthouse: AM Best A, under review with negative implications since 7/29/2026 (AM Best). Watch item.
• Foresters Financial: a fraternal benefit society, not a stock or mutual insurer (Foresters). Its term page shows no return-of-premium option. Its accelerated benefit percentages differ from other carriers', so never assume another carrier's figure applies.
• Globe Life: sells accidental death coverage direct to consumers. See accidental death insurance for how these policies pay.
• Ladder: online term that is not convertible to permanent coverage (Tritium compilation). That matters if your health could change before the term ends.
• Haven Life: MassMutual's online term brand is closed to new business; MassMutual services existing policies.
• Policygenius and Bestow: online marketplace and insurtech brands; the policy is issued by an insurance company, and that insurer's contract terms (conversion, riders) are what count.
• State Farm: listed by NerdWallet as selling return-of-premium term for ages 18 to 60, $100,000 to $250,000, in 20 or 30 years (secondary source, 7/31/2026, NerdWallet). Sold through State Farm agents.
• Primerica: a term-focused distributor; its 10-K describes term commissions as a percentage of first-year premium (Primerica 10-K).
• Cincinnati Life: AM Best A+ (3/5/2026); one of the few carriers still selling return-of-premium term (Cincinnati Life).
• Columbus Life and Lafayette Life (Western & Southern): AM Best A+ per Western & Southern (Western & Southern); Western & Southern sells IUL through Columbus Life.
• OneAmerica: AM Best A+ affirmed 9/30/2026 (OneAmerica); best known for Asset Care hybrid LTC (OneAmerica Asset Care review).
• Midland National and Sammons Financial: covered inside the North American review.

How to read a carrier review

Each review leads with the insurer's AM Best rating and date, then what it sells and which facts are public, then any documented record (rating actions, product exits, settlements), then who it fits. Product grades are on the Goldstein Index, dated and sourced. A low or pending grade usually means a number is not public, not that the product is bad.

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Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Tritium: term conversion privileges by carrier (April 2024 compilation)
2. AM Best Financial Strength Rating for Prudential Insurance Co of America: A+ (Superior), stable, affirmed, effective 2026-05-08 (as of 2026-05-08)
3. AM Best Financial Strength Rating for Brighthouse Life Insurance Company: A u (Excellent), under review with negative implications, effective 2026-07-29 (as of 2026-07-29)
4. Cincinnati Life sells term and term return of premium products (as of 2026-10-03)
5. Western & Southern says its life subsidiaries, including Lafayette Life and Columbus Life, hold AM Best A+ (Superior), held since June 2009. Ratings correct as of April 24, 2026 (as of 2026-04-24)
6. Foresters Financial: about (fraternal benefit society)