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Equitable Life Insurance Review (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.

Short answer: Equitable is rated A by AM Best, placed under review with developing implications on 3/27/2026 while it merges with Corebridge Financial. "Developing" means the outcome could go either way; it is not a downgrade. Your policy's contract terms do not change because of a merger. Equitable's IUL, BrightLife Grow, has a 0% floor; its current caps and loan rates are not public.

Equitable at a glance

Companies: Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company; Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America

AM Best financial strength: A, under review with developing implications, 3/27/2026 (pending Corebridge merger) (AM Best: AM Best rates Equitable Financial and Equitable America A (Excellent), Under Review with Developing Implications, as of 03/27/26. rating (3/27/2026)).

What "under review with developing implications" means

AM Best places a rating under review when an event, here the planned combination with Corebridge Financial, could change it. Equitable's own ratings page shows A (Excellent), under review with developing implications, as of 3/27/2026, and notes Moody's placed its A1 under review for downgrade on 3/26/2026 (Equitable ratings page). Corebridge's American General Life is under the same kind of review (Corebridge review).

For a policy owner, three things are true at once: the insurer that issued your policy is still on the hook for it; your contract's guarantees and maximum charges do not change because of the merger; and the non-guaranteed levers (caps, participation rates, current charges, dividend-like credits) can be reset by the insurer within the contract's limits, as they always could.

What owners should do now

Request an in-force illustration showing guaranteed and illustrated values at your current premium.
Note your current caps and participation rates from the latest annual statement, so you can see any change next year.
Check any loan balance against the policy's cash value; a heavily borrowed policy has the least room for surprises.
Do nothing drastic. A rating review is not a reason by itself to surrender or replace a policy, and replacing a policy has costs of its own.

Own Equitable?

Get your policy graded.

Send your email and I'll send the in-force illustration request letter. Return it and I'll grade the policy within one business day.

We’ll email it to you. Hans Goldstein · NPN 20602398.

Rather talk it through? Or book 15 minutes on Hans’s calendar.

BrightLife Grow

Equitable's IUL page shows a 0% floor on index segments (Equitable). Current caps, guaranteed minimum caps and loan rates are not published for consumers; ask for them on an illustration. Equitable is also a major variable life and annuity company; those are securities, sold by prospectus through registered representatives, and are not covered here.

Who Equitable fits right now

Existing owners: keep monitoring, as above.
New buyers: fine to consider, with the rating review in mind; compare at least one carrier not involved in the merger.

Own a Equitable policy, or comparing one?

Send the policy or quote. Within one business day you get a written read on the Goldstein Index and two alternatives from other carriers.

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

Frequently asked questions

What is Equitable's AM Best rating?

A (Excellent), under review with developing implications as of March 27, 2026, according to Equitable's ratings page.

Is the Equitable and Corebridge merger bad for my policy?

A merger does not change your contract's guarantees or maximum charges. Non-guaranteed terms like caps can change within contract limits, as they always could.

What does 'developing implications' mean?

That the rating could move up, down or stay the same once the event resolves. It is not a downgrade.

Should I surrender my Equitable policy because of the review?

Not on that basis alone. Get an in-force illustration and a review first; surrendering or replacing has its own costs.

Does Equitable sell IUL?

Yes, BrightLife Grow, which has a 0% floor. Current caps are not public.

Sources

Hans Goldstein, CA Insurance License #4273294 · NPN 20602398 · Goldstein & Co. LLC dba Goldstein Insurance Services, CA License #6016830

Contact: hans@hansgoldstein.com · 213-414-2808

General education, not tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on your facts and on current law, which can change. Talk to your CPA or estate attorney. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Guarantees apply only to the contractual terms of the policy. Caps, participation rates, loan rates, charges and dividends are not guaranteed and can change. 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. Product and company names are trademarks of their owners. Goldstein Insurance Services is an independent agency, not affiliated with or endorsed by any insurer named here. Life insurance requires underwriting; not everyone qualifies. This page describes products in general terms; read the policy and the insurer's disclosures before you buy.