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Annuity Rates: Fixed and Indexed Samples
Educational information only, not personalized tax, legal, or investment advice. Christian is a licensed insurance agent (NC Life & Health), not a CPA or registered investment adviser. Discuss your own situation with a qualified professional.
Read this first: a sample, not a quote
Rates below come from the Annuity.com rate board, which draws on the Cannex feed, and were current on November 6, 2026. They are a dated sample to show the range, not a quote for you. Rates change when carriers reprice, and they vary by state, premium amount, and the carrier's financial strength rating. Ask for current rates before deciding anything.
Fixed annuity sample rates by term
On November 6, 2026, the highest 3-year fixed annuity rate on the board was 6.10% from Revol One, rated B++ by AM Best, while Athene, rated A+, paid 5.75%. The highest 5-year rate was 6.40% from Wichita National Life, rated B+, while Aspida, rated A-, paid 6.30% and Athene paid 6.05%. The spread between the highest rate and the highest A-rated rate was small, which is the point: a top rate from a lower-rated carrier is not automatically the better contract.
Why two rate boards disagree
Some boards quote simple interest, which can print a higher headline number that works out lower when compounded over the term. The figures above are True Blended Yield, the annualized rate across the full term. Boards also update on different days and filter by different minimum premiums. Compare the same term, the same rate basis, and the same date.
Indexed annuity rates work differently
A fixed indexed annuity has no stated interest rate to quote. Interest is credited from the performance of an index, limited by a cap, a participation rate, or a spread. A cap is the most you can be credited in a period. A participation rate is the share of the index gain you receive. A spread is an amount taken off the gain before crediting. The credit for a past period says nothing about the next one.
What moves annuity rates
Fixed annuity rates follow Treasury yields and the carrier's own pricing, so they rise and fall with interest rates. Longer terms and larger premiums can pay more. A carrier with a stronger financial strength rating may pay a little less, because buyers pay for the strength. Rates are set by the insurer, not by the agent.
Surrender charges and taxes still apply
A fixed annuity rate is guaranteed only for its term, and taking money out during the surrender period, often 5 to 10 years, can trigger a charge. Growth is tax-deferred until withdrawal, and a taxable withdrawal before age 59 and a half can face a 10 percent additional federal tax. Annuities are insurance contracts, not bank deposits, and they are not FDIC-insured.
| Term | Sample rate range |
|---|---|
| 3-year fixed (MYGA) | 5.75% to 6.10% |
| 5-year fixed (MYGA) | 6.05% to 6.40% |
| Fixed indexed | No fixed rate. Credit depends on the index, the cap, and the participation rate. |
Your records checklist
- Note the date on any rate you compare. A rate from last month is not today's rate.
- Compare the same term and the same rate basis, compounded or simple interest.
- Check the carrier's AM Best rating next to the rate.
- Ask for the surrender period and the free withdrawal amount in writing.
- Confirm the rate is guaranteed for the full term, and what happens when the term ends.
Common questions
- Are these annuity rates guaranteed?
- The sample rates were guaranteed for their terms when published, but the board changes as carriers reprice. A rate is only locked when the contract is issued.
- Why does another site show a higher top rate?
- Boards differ in update timing, minimum premiums, and whether they quote simple or compounded interest. Compare the same term, basis, and date before judging.
- Does the highest rate mean the best annuity?
- No. The rate is one term among many. Surrender period, free withdrawal terms, insurer strength, and how the rate resets after the term matter as much.
- How often do annuity rates change?
- Carriers reprice regularly as Treasury yields move. In the week ending November 6, 2026, 28 fixed annuity rates from 7 carriers took effect on the Annuity.com board.
Sources and current instructions
Check the tax year and any later updates before acting. These are the primary sources used for this guide.