Strongest and Weakest Annuity Insurers		Back

A weak insurance company represents a potential for financial loss to its annuity policyholders, as well as a number of headaches and hassles. Therefore, it is important to check the financial security offered by an insurer prior to investing in an annuity and then periodically monitor the company's condition going forward. Low-rated insurance companies should be avoided in favor of highly rated companies.

The following U.S. annuity providers received the highest ratings from Weiss Ratings.

Strongest Annuity Insurers Data as of 10/21/2008 Company Name State Weiss Safety Rating TEACHERS INS & ANNUITY ASN OF AM  NY  A+  STATE FARM LIFE INS CO  IL  A+  COUNTRY LIFE INS CO  IL  A+  AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE INS CO  WI  A+  AMERICAN FIDELITY ASR CO  OK  A+  STATE FARM LIFE & ACCIDENT ASR CO  IL  A+  NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INS CO  WI  A  NEW YORK LIFE INS CO  NY  A  MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INS CO  MA  A  PACIFIC LIFE INS CO  NE  A  NEW YORK LIFE INS & ANNUITY CORP  DE  A  GUARDIAN LIFE INS CO OF AMERICA  NY  A  FIDELITY INVESTMENTS LIFE INS CO  UT  A  USAA LIFE INS CO  TX  A  SOUTHERN FARM BUREAU LIFE INS CO  MS  A  JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INS CO OF NY  NY  A  SENTRY LIFE INS CO  WI  A  FORT DEARBORN LIFE INS CO  IL  A  AUTO-OWNERS LIFE INS CO  MI  A  UNITED FARM FAMILY LIFE INS CO  IN  A

The following U.S. annuity providers received the lowest ratings from Weiss Ratings.

Weakest Annuity Insurers Data as of 10/21/2008 Company Name State Weiss Safety Rating LINCOLN MEMORIAL LIFE INS CO  TX  E-  NORTH AMERICA LIFE INS CO OF TX  TX  E  KEY LIFE INS CO INC  IN  E  AMERICAN CENTURY LIFE INS CO  OK  E  SOUTHERN SECURITY LIFE INS CO INC  MS  E  NETCARE LIFE & HEALTH INS CO  GU  E  AMERICAN HOME LIFE INS CO  AR  E  CONTINENTAL LIFE INS CO OF SC  SC  E  LANDMARK LIFE INS CO  TX  E+  JEFFERSON NATIONAL LIFE INS CO  TX  D-  WILTON REASSURANCE LIFE CO OF NY  NY  D-  KILPATRICK LIFE INS CO  LA  D-  UNITED FUNERAL DIR BENEFIT LIC  TX  D-  ATLANTIC SOUTHERN INS CO  PR  D-  HAWTHORN LIFE INS CO  TX  D-  BANKERS CONSECO LIFE INS CO  NY  D  NORTH COAST LIFE INS CO  WA  D  GOLDEN STATE MUTUAL LIFE INS CO  CA  D  PROFESSIONAL LIFE & CAS CO  IL  D  UNITED FUNERAL BENEFIT LIFE INS CO  OK  D

Just because a particular insurer does not appear on this list of lowest rated life annuity providers, it does not necessarily mean that the company is safe or highly rated.  To check the rating of a specific company, Weiss Ratings offers several online options and publications covering life and health insurers.  

A =  Excellent B =  Good C =  Fair D =  Weak E =  Very Weak

For more information about Weiss Ratings and our products, contact our Customer Hotline at 1-800-289-9222.