Best Fixed Indexed Annuities for Growth
There will be considerable debate around this topic so I’ll give you all reasons why I recommend this path. For the most part, you will find no difference between two different fixed indexed annuities so the deciding factor comes down to who you want to advise you. Many agents will go with what is easy to sell, while others will suggest something based on their own compensation. As a consumer you need to decide what is most important to you and realize that most advisors don’t work very hard to study the available products.
When your focus is safe accumulation of assets, all you really want is to make sure the money is safe and can get the highest return possible. It sure makes sense then to first focus on solid companies. After that you can get into a debate about indexes and past performance but the future is guaranteed to be different. Can you really trust that? Most salespeople like to show you a projection but will never be able to explain how your contract might perform differently. That’s why you need a variety of options that work in various market conditions. Two podcasts below will explain in more detail about indexes and projected illustrations.
The best is just a matter of opinion but there’s a list of things to consider so that your opinion is based on something reliable. I’ve always said that if one does well then all will do well but that’s assuming they all have the same options. I’ve studied this for a long time so it’s easy for me to evaluate a product. The first FIA I sold was based on a comparison of about 150 available products at the time. I looked for competitive value and took a shot at a contract with a solid company. It worked out and over time a lot of the myths about indexed annuities were dispelled. You can’t change my mind that what I found all those years ago is one of the best annuities for safety and upside growth potential. I called this out years ago. The small company I chose initially was purchased by one of the most stable financial institutions in the world. Clearly I was the only one who found value in it.
Here’s an old newsletter from when that happened: Smart Annuities
Every time I find myself saying something a few dozen times during meetings it indicates that it’s worth a podcast episode. What products and companies do I prefer, and why? I choose based on experience. I like a financially strong company, good index options, and a history of holding rates steady. There are other companies with similar products but unless there’s a material advantage to something else then I have no reason to change. It’s better for me to have large blocks of business at a couple of companies than it is to have little pieces of business all over the place.
The two companies I recommend with the utmost confidence are Midland National and Mass Mutual Ascend. Both come with a solid A+ rating and the best customer service in the industry. I will highlight a product from each and let you know how it’s different with the other products at both companies.
Midland National RetireVantage 10
Competitive fixed interest rate and five different indexes to choose from
Total of 17 allocation options with both one and two year resets available
S&P 500, NASDAQ, and blended indexes available
Negative performance trigger if you want to bet against the market
10% annual free withdrawal
Similar products available with five and eight year surrender terms
Mass Mutual Ascend Legend 7
Highest fixed rate in the industry and five additional indexes
All indexes are one year reset options for simplicity
S&P 500 cap lock option so you never have to worry about rates dropping
S&P 500, US Real State, and Gold indexes offer diversity
10% annual free withdrawal
Similar products available with three and five year surrender terms
Many people ask why I recommend the longest surrender terms offered by each company. First, this is not a recommendation and everyone will choose something differently depending on personal circumstances. Second, the longer surrender terms have more options so this is the best way to highlight all of what’s possible. If you choose a shorter term then some of the stuff like index options above won’t be available. Either way, when you work with me you get an option between companies and product terms. It’s how agents are supposed to do things but many take the easier route or are influenced by a wholesaler.
If you are seriously considering a fixed indexed annuity for safe accumulation of assets do your homework. Don’t move forward until you are absolutely sure that a multi year guaranteed fixed annuity isn’t more appealing to you. It’s the building block of an indexed annuity and many find the simplicity desirable. Indexed annuities pay higher commissions so many agents and wholesalers skip this step because they want to make the most money. I want to make a lot of money too but not at your expense. If you get an indexed annuity from me it’s because you wanted it. A podcast from a year and a half ago explains a mistake that a lot of advisors make in regards to this.
Don’t Just Jump to Indexed Annuities
This is a simple list and that’s the way it should be. You can meet with a dozen other professionals and you won’t find anything much different than what is listed. Relationships are important as well so if you have an advisor who is showing you something similar then don’t be afraid to run it by me. Prudential, Pacific Life, Lincoln, and a few others are solid companies with similar options. There’s nothing wrong with those but I’m loyal to the companies that got me here. Complete your due diligence but don’t make it unnecessarily complicated. I’m here to help if you want to make sure it’s done right.
Have a great weekend!
Bryan
Watch The Podcast Episode: Best Fixed Indexed Annuities For Growth
Download Episode 183: Best Fixed Indexed Annuities For Growth on Apple Podcast
Last Updated on June 28, 2025 by Bryan Anderson
