A.M. Best · A++ · A+
Superior rated annuity carriers
A++ and A+ are the two ratings A.M. Best classifies as Superior, its highest financial strength category. Carriers in this tier are judged to have a superior ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations. The rating describes the company, not the terms of any contract it issues.
Carriers in the Superior tier
| Carrier | A.M. Best | Category | Outlook | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MassMutual | A++ | Superior | Not recorded | Springfield, Massachusetts |
| Allianz Life | A+ | Superior | Not recorded | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Athene | A+ | Superior | Not recorded | West Des Moines, Iowa |
| Midland National | A+ | Superior | Not recorded | West Des Moines, Iowa and Sioux Falls, South Dakota |
| Minnesota Life (Securian) | A+ | Superior | Not recorded | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Nationwide | A+ | Superior | Not recorded | Columbus, Ohio |
| North American Company | A+ | Superior | Not recorded | West Des Moines, Iowa |
| Prudential | A+ | Superior | Not recorded | Newark, New Jersey |
Outlook is shown only where one has been recorded in the AnnuityScore carrier network.
What the Superior category actually says
Superior is the top category on the A.M. Best financial strength scale. It covers two ratings — A++ and A+ — and reflects an opinion that the company has a superior ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.
Most of the highest-volume annuity issuers in the United States sit in this tier. That concentration is worth remembering: a Superior rating is common among large issuers rather than rare, so on its own it does very little to separate one contract from another.
During a contract review, the useful questions after establishing the tier are direction and consistency — whether the rating has moved, which way, and what outlook A.M. Best has attached to it today.
Compare with other tiers
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Get My Free ScoreEducational content only. AnnuityScore is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any carrier named on this page. A.M. Best ratings and outlooks are as recorded in the AnnuityScore carrier network and are subject to change; A.M. Best is the authoritative source. Nothing here is a recommendation or a solicitation.