Best Annuities of 2026
Annuities are a popular choice for retirement planning and long-term financial security. Fixed annuities provide steady interest, indexed annuities link growth to market performance, and Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs) lock in rates for set periods. Explore these options with a financial advisor to find the best fit for your long-term goals.
Best for Retirees Seeking
Guaranteed Income & Financial Stability
- FastBreak™ annuity lets you grow savings safely and withdraw when needed, all with tax-smart flexibility.
- Penalty-free access to your funds before age 59 ½ without an IRA early withdrawal tax
- Can be structured as fixed, variable, or indexed annuities
- No commissions, hidden fees, or charges with FastBreak™
- Fixed, Variable, Income, & Index Annuity options available
- Annuities designed for guaranteed interest or market exposure
- Lifetime income payments, living benefits and/or death benefit protection
- Fixed Index, Variable, & Index Variable annuities
- Death benefit options & tax-deferred growth potential
- Consistently high financial ratings
- Accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating
- Retirement savings account with a guaranteed rate up to 5.20% APY*
- A- (excellent) financial strength by AM Best
- Designed for retirement savings with a focus on long-term, tax-deferred growth
- Renew or withdraw at the end of the Guaranteed Interest Rate Period without penalties
- Fixed index, Registered Index-Linked, Immediate & Fixed annuities
- 165 years of experience | Efficient & scalable platform
- Request monthly income direct deposits
- Stable and significant base of earnings
Consider Alternative Options:
Gold IRA
- Get Up to $20,000 in Free Metals on Qualifying Purchases
- Commission-Free Exchange Program
- Free IRA Set Up and No-Fee Buybacks
Indexed Universal Life Insurance
- No risk to principal with access to steady growth
- Lifelong coverage to protect you and loved ones
- Have the potential to grow tax-efficient wealth
- Best for under 50 years old
Why are people investing in annuities?
After years of hard work, protecting your retirement income is just as important as growing your savings. With market volatility, longer life expectancy, and uncertainty around Social Security, many Americans are turning to annuities to create a more predictable and stable retirement.
Guaranteed income for life: One of the biggest reasons people invest in annuities is the promise of steady income. Certain annuities can provide guaranteed payments for life, helping retirees avoid the risk of outliving their savings.
Protection from market volatility: While some annuities offer growth tied to the market, many include downside protection. This can be especially appealing during economic downturns, when traditional investments may fluctuate sharply.
Tax-deferred growth: Money invested in an annuity grows tax-deferred, meaning you don’t pay taxes on earnings until you begin taking withdrawals. This allows your savings to compound more efficiently over time.
How do annuities work?
An annuity is a financial product issued by an insurance company that allows you to convert a portion of your savings into future income. You can fund an annuity with a lump sum or a series of payments, and in return, the insurance company agrees to provide income either immediately or at a later date.
There are several types of annuities—such as fixed, indexed, and variable—each designed to meet different financial goals and risk tolerances. We’ve compared the best annuity companies and providers to help you understand your options and choose a solution that aligns with your retirement plan.
Once you select an annuity provider, their licensed specialists can walk you through the details, explain payout options, and help you decide which annuity type best fits your needs.
Step 1: Choose the right type of annuity
The first step is deciding which annuity structure makes sense for your retirement goals:
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Fixed annuities offer predictable, guaranteed interest and stable income.
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Indexed annuities provide growth potential linked to a market index, with built-in protection against losses.
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Variable annuities allow for higher growth potential but come with market risk.
Many retirees work with top-rated annuity companies that offer personalized guidance to ensure they understand fees, income riders, and payout timelines before moving forward.
Step 2: Fund your annuity
You can fund an annuity using savings from a variety of sources, including cash, brokerage accounts, or by rolling over funds from an existing retirement account such as a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). When done properly, rollovers are typically tax-free, allowing you to reposition your retirement savings without triggering immediate taxes.
Once funded, your annuity begins accumulating value based on its structure. When you’re ready, you can turn that value into a reliable stream of income—helping provide financial confidence and peace of mind throughout retirement.
Gainbridge® FastBreak™ Annuity (CPC)
Gainbridge® FastBreak™ Annuity Key Features:
- Issued by: Gainbridge Life Insurance Company
- Interest Rate & Terms: Up to 5.15% guaranteed with 3-10 year terms¹ available
- Minimum Deposit: $1,000 – $1M
- Taxes: Interest taxable as earned
- Withdrawals: Up to 10% of account value each year²
Pros, Cons, and How it Compares:
The FastBreak™ annuity, offered by Gainbridge, is a non-tax-deferred savings product with a guaranteed annual percentage yield (APY) up to 5.15%.¹ It is available in terms ranging from three to ten years and requires a minimum investment of $1,000.
Unlike tax-deferred annuities, FastBreak™ requires you to pay income tax on the gains credited to your account each year. While this means you don't receive the tax-deferred growth common with other annuities, it offers the advantage of flexibility. You can access your funds before age 59 ½ without incurring early withdrawal penalties, which is typically not an option with tax-deferred products.
Who It's Best For:
According to Gainbridge, the FastBreak™ annuity is ideal for individuals focused on medium to long-term savings goals who want the flexibility to access their money if needed, before reaching retirement age. With its competitive APY and penalty-free early withdrawal feature, it’s a good fit for those seeking steady growth with financial flexibility.
Gainbridge® SteadyPace™ Annuity (CPC)
Gainbridge® SteadyPace™ Annuity Key Features:
- Issued by: Gainbridge Life Insurance Company
- Interest Rate & Terms: Up to 5.20% guaranteed with 3-10 year terms¹ available
- Minimum Deposit: $1,000 – $1M
- Taxes: Earnings grow tax-deferred; taxes are due upon withdrawal
- Withdrawals: Up to 10% of account value can be withdrawn annually without penalty²
Pros, Cons, and How it Compares:
The Gainbridge® SteadyPace™ annuity is a tax-deferred savings option offering a competitive 5.20% APY and flexible term lengths ranging from three to ten years. With a minimum deposit requirement of $1,000, this annuity is accessible to a wide range of investors. Earnings grow tax-deferred, allowing potential tax savings, and you can withdraw up to 10% of your account value annually without penalty, starting in the first contract year.
Upon maturity, you have the flexibility to receive your funds as a lump sum, opt for regular payments over five to ten years, or renew your contract for continued growth under the prevailing terms. However, withdrawals before age 59½ may incur a 10% federal tax penalty on earnings in addition to ordinary income taxes.
Who It's Best For:
The Gainbridge® SteadyPace™ annuity is ideal for individuals seeking secure, tax-deferred growth with guaranteed returns. It suits those with medium- to long-term savings goals, including pre-retirees and retirees who value flexibility, predictable income, and low-risk investment options.
SoFi's Disclaimers:
¹ APY disclosures: Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
² Up to $300 Bonus Tiered Disclosure: New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.
SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.60% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
³ Fee Policy: We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
⁴ ATM Access: We've partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at their discretion at any time.
⁵ Overdraft Coverage: Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.
⁶ Early Access to Direct Deposit Funds: Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.
⁷ Additional FDIC Insurance: SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.
8 0.70% Savings APY Boost: Earn up to 4.30% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.60% APY as of 11/12/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.