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Annuity rates today — and how to compare them without getting sold.
“Annuity rates” means four different numbers, and the highest one is frequently the worst deal. Here is how each rate is quoted, what quietly offsets it, and the six-point checklist we run before any rate is worth considering.
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The four rates people mean when they say “annuity rates”
| Product type | How the rate is quoted | What to compare | Common trap |
|---|---|---|---|
| MYGA (multi-year guaranteed) | One fixed rate for a stated term (typically 2–10 years) | Rate, term, free-withdrawal allowance, and carrier rating together | A 10-year rate that looks great but locks your liquidity for a decade |
| Fixed indexed annuity (FIA) | Caps, participation rates, and spreads on an index — with a 0% floor | The crediting method, not the headline — plus any rider fee | A large upfront bonus paired with a low cap and a long surrender schedule |
| Income / annuitization rate | Guaranteed dollars per year per $100,000, for life | Guaranteed income at your age and start date, joint vs single life | Comparing a projected rate to another carrier's guaranteed one |
| Fixed annuity renewal rate | The rate applied after the initial guarantee period ends | Renewal history and the contractual minimum guaranteed rate | A high first-year teaser that renews near the contract minimum |
Rates, caps, participation rates, and payouts vary by carrier, state, age, deposit size, and term, change frequently, and are subject to carrier approval. Guarantees are backed solely by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
The six-point check before any rate matters
A rate is only as good as the contract around it. We run this list on every quote we bring you — and we will tell you when the honest answer is that no annuity is needed at all.
- Carrier financial strength rating and how long they have paid claims
- The full surrender schedule and the annual free-withdrawal percentage
- Every fee: rider charges, spreads, and any bonus vesting rules
- Whether the income guarantee is contractual or merely illustrated
- How the contract handles death benefits and spousal continuation
- Whether the product is even needed — sometimes the answer is no product
Why we quote live instead of publishing a table
Carrier rates reprice as often as weekly and differ by state and deposit band. A table on a web page is marketing; a current illustration for your age, state, and start date is information you can decide with.
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Select a Time for My Call →Annuity rate FAQ
- What are annuity rates today?
- It depends which rate you mean. Multi-year guaranteed annuities quote a fixed interest rate for a set term. Fixed indexed annuities quote caps, participation rates, and spreads instead of a single rate. Income annuities quote a payout percentage based on your age, gender, and start date. All three move with Treasury yields and change as often as weekly, which is why we quote live rather than publishing a stale table.
- Why won't you publish a rate table on this page?
- Because a published rate is out of date within days, varies by state, deposit size, and term, and is frequently used as bait for a product that is not suitable. We pull current rates from A-rated carriers licensed in your state during your appointment so what you see is what you can actually get.
- Are higher annuity rates always better?
- No. The highest headline rate often carries a longer surrender period, a lower-rated carrier, a bonus that vests over a decade, or a rider fee that offsets the advantage. Rate, carrier strength, liquidity, and rider mechanics have to be compared together.
- How do fixed indexed annuity caps and participation rates work?
- A cap sets the maximum interest credited in a term. A participation rate credits a percentage of the index's gain. A spread subtracts a fixed amount from the index gain. In a negative year, the credit is zero rather than a loss, so the floor is what makes the ceiling acceptable.
- What is a good payout rate for lifetime income?
- Payout rates rise sharply with age and deferral. The right benchmark is not the percentage; it is whether the guaranteed dollars cover your essential expenses for life. We compare guaranteed income per $100,000 across carriers for your exact age and start date.
- Do annuity rates depend on my state?
- Yes. Product availability, rider features, and rates vary by state of residence and are subject to carrier approval. We have an Expert licensed in your state who will quote what is actually filed and available where you live.
Related reading: The Retirement Confidence Review, what annuity fees really cost, and building a retirement paycheck.
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The Advisors We Recommend All Work With Top-Rated Insurance Companies
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- Allianz Life
- Corebridge Financial
- EquiTrust Life
- Global Atlantic
- North American
- Pacific Life
- MassMutual
- American Equity
- Mutual of Omaha
- Symetra
- Jackson National
- Protective
- Transamerica
- Securian Financial
- Ameritas
- Equitable
Disclosure: Carrier names and logos are shown for identification and reference purposes only. Their appearance here does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, sponsorship, or approval of My IRA Hero, its advisors, or any strategy discussed on this site, and it does not imply any affiliation, partnership, or agency relationship with these companies.
Results are not guaranteed. Nothing on this page is a solicitation for any specific product, a projection of future performance, or a promise of any particular outcome. Product availability, features, riders, and rates vary by carrier, state, age, health, and suitability, and are subject to change and underwriting approval. Any guarantees are backed solely by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. My IRA Hero does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice; consult your own qualified professionals.
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