Retire with confidence
We investigate hundreds of annuities from top-rated insurance companies to find the best retirement annuity for you. Whether you want more income or growth without the risk of losses so you can retire with confidence, we can help.
We investigate annuities, so you can retire with confidence
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Hear from our clients
Rated Excellent
Rated 4.9 | Based on 412 Trustpilot reviews
I was so fortunate to have had Scott
I was so fortunate to have had Scott Plamondon take me as his client. He is so knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of financial planning not just annuities. He has guided me through an extremely tough situation for which I am eternally grateful.
- Patricia
Scott was very knowledgeable and
Scott was very knowledgeable and explain annuities where I could understand. It was very pleasant and helpful on the phone and I would recommend him.
- Bonnie
Barbara and Terry were excellent and
Barbara and Terry were excellent and helped us a lot. They were very knowledgeable and patient with us. Thanks Dale and Liz Nuzum
- Cindy
Great service.
Barry was very helpful and responsive.
- Ken
I was delighted and very comfortable
I was delighted and very comfortable working with Barbara Halperin of Annuity Gator. I had no idea there were so many different annuities. Her years of experience and her knowledge were most helpful in explaining the difference between an annuity and what would be a tremendous lifelong annuity for me. I will be forever grateful to Barbara and Annuity Gator. Great people build great companies. Thanks, Barbara!
- ERNEST
Purchase of Annuaity
Thus far, all is going very well and all questions have been answered.
- Wallace
Skeptical though interested
Initially I was very skeptical concerning FIAs, how they worked and fit into my retirement plans. I had no idea what to expect, thought it was all fancy sales hype. I reached out to a few financial planners with various programs but not sold on the proposals. I did my homework, contacted Annuity Gator for their take on the subject which connected me with Joshua. After a few meetings, reading through his book things started to make sense. Joshua was straight forward answering any, all questions about the products available to me with great patience. We continued to meet for almost a year before coming up with a solution that fit my goals, decided to include my pension, 403B funds into two products to supplement Social Security at retirement. Joshua was on top of all the products available, ratings and felt my best interests were met. Joshua ran down all the numbers, options and went with guaranteed payments for life, a legacy option. Both FIAs together provided the shortfall I was looking for which included beneficiaries. Joshua was great to work with, would highly recommend his services.
- Keith
I was very pleased to get the insight I
I was very pleased to get the insight I needed from Ryan and appreciate his advice without any pressure whatsoever to purchase through him.
- DM
Very responsive company and people
Very responsive company and people. Happy to be part of their team and journey.
- Jerry
It was very educational. I understand the benefits and the implications of choosing an annuity.
It was very educational.
- Donna
Assistance opening an annuity
I would like to thank Scott Stooksbury for his excellent service in helping me open an annuity account through the Annuity Gator website. He is thorough, thoughtful and patient. I highly recommend him.
- ron
Jason Siebert was excellent
Jason Siebert was excellent. Never rushed me, answered all my questions (many, more than once), responded promptly to emails… He is confident and has a superb knowledge of annuities.
- David
Happy We Met Joshua Schlinsky
We met Joshua Schlinsky through annuity gator while we were working through some annuity options. Joshua educated us on some annuity options that were a good fit for our specific needs. He made the process comfortable for us as we worked towards the option that was the right fit for our situation. We are very happy with the annuity option that Joshua helped us choose. Joshua made this a positive experience for us.
- Scott
Keeping It Simple
My advisor explained the Annuity I was interested in simple terms. He was patient. I felt I was being educated.Have not made a decision yet after 4 conversations..but that’s ok..this is important to really understand before I lay my money down.
- Kate
Advisor was very seasoned informational
Advisor was very seasoned informational and extremely knowledgeable. Great Experience!!!
- Joseph
Outstanding Annuity Expertise
I was very close to retirement as a federal government employee and interested in securing an annuity. I had an idea of what I thought I wanted in general terms, however I just wasn t as aware of the types of specific annuity resources in the market place. I was grateful to work with Mr. Terry Ciotti. He provided the research and effort to inform and help me make the best choice for my retirement annuity. He was thorough and detailed with options to consider, patiently answering all of my questions. I remain most grateful for his knowledge and expertise and highly recommend him and the folks at Annuity Gator!
- Michael
Jeff was a great guy to get information
Jeff was a great guy to get information regarding annuities. He did research for our fafamily
- Duke
Annuity review
Explained very well.
- Prahad
I’ve been working with James Ault
I’ve been working with James Ault. He has been GREAT! Answers all my questions. Follows up as needed. Timely, knowledgeable, and friendly. I look forward to continuing to work with him.
- Greg
Joshua Schlinsky
I am delighted to share a review of my recent experience with Joshua Schlinsky. Annuity Gator provided the contact with Joshua, and I am glad they did. Initially, he listened to understand my needs, wants, and fears. He took the time to educate me on the alternatives available in the field of annuities. He answered every question and never pushed for a sale. We met several times by phone and Zoom meetings, and he walked us through a process that resulted in a slightly different approach than we started out with. I would recommend Joshua without any reservation. Thank you, Joshua.
- Steve
Jason Seibert of Annuity Gator annuities provision
The following is an evaluation of my experience with Jason Seibert of Annuity Gator Involving the acquisition of an annuity. My assessment of the services provided by Mr. Seibert is that they were exceptional in all aspects. He was extremely knowledgeable and absolutely professional. Additionally, it was obvious from our initial conversation that his genuine motivation was the provision of appropriate options tailored to the specifics of my rather complicated circumstance. Most impressively, Mr. Seibert did not focus on selling me. He spent the vast majority of our time listening . After careful evaluation he provided several choices tailored specifically to satisfy my requirements. In closing I can say that with Mr. Seibert s assistance I am absolutely confident that I made the right choices.
- Kirk
I really like Sylvia
I really like Sylvia. My situation is complicated and feel confident that she will see me through all my options
- Donna
First conversation with Annuity Gator
Russ called at exactly 1:00PM as was arranged. He was a very pleasant person to talk to
- KISMET
Thank you
I was unfortunate to have had a very unqualified & dishonest financial advisor for my IRA investments including my Annuity. I was recommended by Fidelity to contact Annuity Gator for advice. I am fortunate to have been connected with Merrit Strunk as my advisor to advise about my inappropriate Annuity. He has shared his knowledge, expertise, & sincere caring attitude & attention to my situation. I am very grateful for his professional advice. Thank you!
- LS
Thank you for all the important info at
Thank you for all the important info at this time of my life.
- Ronny
Knowledgeable, Reliable and Trustworthy
Approximately a 15 months ago I met Joshua Schlinsky through a visual phone meeting. I was skeptical, I wasn’t a fan of discussing my needs and financial matters over the Zoom Meeting. I prefer face to face. After about 5 zoom meetings, I found Joshua to be very knowledgeable about the many constantly changing Annuities and their crediting options from different Insurance Companies. Joshua gained my Trust and I found him very easy to work with. Not a pushy salesman. He educated me with the newest options in the ever-changing market. Along with his professional advise, He and I made good solid choices. I am thankful for Joshua and his staff for being a Professional, Educated and Passionate firm representing me.
- Rosario
Robert Baltzell was a great help
Robert Baltzell was a great help explaining the type of annuity I had been sold by another agency. He went above and beyond my expectations when contacting Annuity Gator.
- Don
Annuity performance analysis augmented by IRA alternatives
Appreciated the in-depth review we received and especially the detailed data analysis and summary of our path forward thru retirement.
- atlPeter
Barbara Halperin is excellent
Barbara Halperin is excellent! She handled everything in a timely manner and explained everything in detail to us. It was a great experience doing all of this on the computer face to face. I referred Barb to my daughter and will recommend her to other friends and family.
- Christopher
Scott P was was excellent
Scott P was was excellent. Knowledgable and supportive, thank you!
- Dts
Good Customer Service
I was contacted by Bill Bieda, who did an excellent job of communicating with me by phone and email. Even though I had already lined up with another advisor, I was just checking the whole annuity idea out. He was helpful and willing to give advice.
- J.Perry
Kenneth Anderson offered excellent
Kenneth Anderson offered excellent service. He’s very professional and very informative.
- Jenny
Honest friendly advice
Very knowledgeable. Good professional advice.
- Mark
Jason Solomon is very informed and
Jason Solomon is very informed and professional, he helped me through the entire application process with great expertise. His level of communication was great. I will highly recommend him to my friends. Thank you so much Jason.
- Art
I am happy we had the talk it made me
I am happy we had the talk it made me feel safe with my annuity that I did not flush my money. I also look ford ward to us talking again.
- Lonnie
Annuity Gator STAR
Sean is a wonderful young man who is a straight shooter. He is honest and clear, able to take the time to explain all that we needed. He teaches about different types of financial plans, and he actually follows up, by calls, emails and texts! Thank you!!
- George
Pleasant and super efficient .
David was extremely helpful from start to finish. He explained and gave me time to think and ask questions . No rushing . Extremely personable. Did all the work for me . Keep me abreast of where we were in the process. I am very happy Mr David Smart was able to consolidate and set up an annuity that will meet my needs. I would definitely refer to Annuity Gator .
- Joan
Tony help me transfer my 401k to
Tony help me transfer my 401k to annuity. Very much recommended
- Ronaldo
Easy to understand
Easy to understand
- Jonel
The person I am in contact with is on
The person I am in contact with is on target for everything. He keeps me informed, answers any of my questions fluently. He doesn’t treat me like any questions are foolish or not necessary. He helps me with communication if needed on the computer. His name is Michael.
- Angelyn
Helpful advice given
Helpful advice given, good information
- Wilson
Very professional and very little
Very professional and very little pressure.
- John
I want to express my heart felt gratitude
I want to express my heart felt gratitude for the assistance and guidance that our Annuity Advisor , Neil Dekter, provided my wife and I when converting our IRA in to our current Annuity. My wife and I had experienced a most un-fortunate event related to a portion of our retirement investments and, the company that held our investments made transferring funds challenging. Neil’s Courtesy, Professionalism and Patience helped not only to execute the transfer smoothly but, helped my wife and I keep our sanity through a trying time! Through Neil’s efforts, I rest easy knowing that my wife and I will receive a steady monthly lifetime income. I am sure there are many Annuity Advisors who are experts in the industry and, Neil is not only an expert in Annuities, he is an expert in people and truly cares for his clients! My wife and I feel deeply blessed to have met Neil and had the opportunity to work with him!
- Scott
i was originally impressed by AG’s CEO
i was originally impressed by AG’s CEO, who’s experience level, background and thorough introductory video got me interested enough to call for an appoint. I’m beyond happy that Brett Toomey, also massively experienced, smart, considerate as well as very humanly approachable with a great sense of humor, was assigned to my inquiry. Brett has been beyond patient, listened to my description of my situation, spent time researching best case scenarios for me, then explaining them to me carefully. Within a few telecons, I was able to invested in a great product, an indexed deferred qualified rollover annuity I’d never heard of before. I’m beyond impressed w/Brett AND Annuity Gator!
- Connie
Mike was absolutely terrific
Mike was absolutely terrific! He walked me through everything & just sat back & let me make my own choice.
- R
Outstanding Service
Our experience working with Sean was so pleasant. All of our questions were address regarding the annuity which we were interested in. When we are ready to purchase another annuity, we will definitely be working with Sean.
- Michael
Ryan was so honest and clear in
Ryan was so honest and clear in explaining everything. He knows what he is doing and guided me to where I want and need to be. He was GREAT. I felt like he was a long time friend helping me out. I am going to recommend him to my friends and family. He was so patient and understood my poor knowledge about the terms language in this world. He made it so easy to understand this retirement world.
- Mercedes
I love Steve of Annuity Gator
I love Steve of Annuity Gator, at first I was hesitant but he was patient and so informative…and due to his thorough work I found out I was eligible for a pension from my previous employer!!! He has helped me out a lot with understanding my retirement options. And thanks to his help I feel confident about my future retirement.
- Draga
Dealing with Jeff Musgrove was
Dealing with Jeff Musgrove was rewarding and informative! Approaching retirement I had ALOT of questions pertaining to TSP ,Annuities and other options, he was considerate and responsive to working around my schedule. I still have him on call for his expertise as needed
- Mike
Sean Sparksman was very Helpful and
Sean Sparksman was very Helpful and polite I will keep him in mind for future dealings
- Paul
Joshua is very knowledgeable and not
Joshua is very knowledgeable and not pushy about the subject matter. He was very pleasant to work with.
- Rick
Great customer service
Great customer service. My adviser Eric Welty is very knowledgable and patient and he explains and answer all my questions.
- Alma
Barry is a great representative for
Barry is a great representative for your company. He is patient, knowledgeable, shows empathy and has been very professional.
- Jonathan
Easy to understand
Easy to understand, plenty of common sense examples and no pressure tactics
- Saul
First contact with Annuity Gator
John Montoya shared information that I did not know. He was also clear and concise in his communication with me. I am currently waiting for him to get back to me with advice to accomplish my goals.
- Elizabeth
Excellent information
Excellent information, explained well and no pressure.
- Suzanne
Rocky was very helpful and provided
Rocky was very helpful and provided good advise and was upfront if he didn’t know full details of a particular product.
- Ray
GOOD INFORMATION
GOOD INFORMATION
- Ine
The honeymoon phase was excellent
The honeymoon phase was excellent. I will review more as time go on. Sean Mason is an amazing advisor. He speaks in terms the layman can understand. He is not pushy and takes his time explaining and answering any questions you may have. He did not try to sell me on anything and let me soak in the information given and time to research on my own. He said he was there if I needed anything or had questions to give him a call. Give him a call and just talk to him about your concerns, I have a feeling you will be glad you did.
- Desiree
Knowledgeable on the subject
Knowledgeable on the subject . Help customer find the right product for her/his conditions . Willing to compare and find the best to fit the customer’s needs. Always prepared for online meeting with remote customers .
- customer
Most excellent information….Love
Most excellent information….Love Annuity Gator…. “Paige” is a great teacher!
- Danny
Easy to use and informative information
Easy to use and informative information the the website. Helpful consultants.
- Debbie
We were greeted with very knowledgeable
We were greeted with very knowledgeable people willing to answer a lot of different questions on a level people can understand Thank you all and we are not done yet we may need your help very soon again
- Robert
I recommend Mark Newman.
I worked with Mark Newman. When I first spoke to Mark, I didn’t know anything about annuities. Mark was knowledgeable and explained everything clearly. He helped me select the best one for me, then kept me updated on the progress in opening the annuity.
- Robert
I was in a position where I needed to move old 401k
I was in a position where I needed to move money from an old 401k into something more secure. Mark and his team provided me with all the information I needed to make an informed choice about the annuity I chose. The process and communication was very easy.
- Billy
So far so good.
So far so good.
- Pradumnakumar
I received much good information to
I received much good information to think about during our conversations.
- Robert
Matt Did a Great Job
Matt did a great job. He kept me informed, found good products and suggested alternatives. Also, he’s a pleasure to talk to on the phone.
- Fred
Jay at Annuity Gator was very helpful
Jay at Annuity Gator was very helpful. There is so much noise regarding annuities that I wanted to do a “gut check” with an independent advisor regarding a couple of different indexed annuities. He was very responsive and easy to speak with. I highly recommend.
- Beth
Merritt Strunk provided awesome help
Merritt Strunk provided awesome help with questions regarding a competitors Annuity and never even talked about another product or tried to sell me something.
- Jeff
8/28/2020. MARK KENNY
8/28/2020. Annuity Gator provided me a place where I could go to get the answers I needed. Mark Kenny who is a licensed Annuity advisor & part of their research team was quick to help me who truly dedicated his time & effort to give me a broad understanding about my annuity. He is extremely knowledgeable & very professional. I highly recommend MARK KENNY to anyone seeking how annuities work & what to expect thru understanding yours.
- SUSAN
Jerry Means did an excellent job
Jerry Means did an excellent job explaining annuities
- Dan
Brett Toomey is THE BEST AGENT EVER
Brett Toomey is the most informed, experienced financial advisor I’ve ever encountered! The online video by AG’s CEO drew me in as it’s info seemed straightforward, knowledgeable and sensible. But Brett Toomey captured my business (one Trad IRA based deferred/indexed annuity … about which I knew NOTHING until Brett explained it patiently til I DID understand it) and soon another annuity, deferred, non-IRA cash based. Because I trust Brett completely. He’s smart, likeable, has a sense of humor and seems to respect me even though I’m NOT a financial wiz!! I absolutely and completely recommend AnnuityGator, and Brett Toomey in particular. Connie B “)
- Connie
The agent went out of his way to help
The agent went out of his way to help me even knowing that I may not have been in a position to purchase. Very, very, helpful.
- Carol
Great resource and helpful and knowledgable agent
Annuity Gator was very educational for me, and ultimately I bought an annuity through Greg Ferguson I’m very happy with (and just before the market crashed!)
- Maggie
How it
Works
Meet your Licensed Annuity Investigator online
Review
First, we gather basic information from you to understand your goals and determine if a certain retirement annuity is right for you.
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Last, you can retire with peace of mind and confidence knowing that you found the right retirement annuity that provides you the highest income and benefits.
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annuity journey?
Let our Licensed Annuity Investigators get you started on the path to a comfortable retirement in three easy ways.
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How we are different…
We don’t confuse you with fancy brochures or complicated charts and graphs. We keep it simple with
honest guidance, full transparency, and personalized recommendations, all without high-pressure
sales tactics, in-person meetings, or complicated insurance jargon.
We focus relentlessly on three areas:
Honest guidance
Best annuities
Personalization
Honest guidance
We give it to you straight. We don’t hide anything or avoid conversations about fees, commissions, or fine print. Our Licensed Annuity Investigators provide full transparency, answer all your questions, and give honest guidance so you can retire with confidence.
Best annuities
With our technology-driven approach, we can investigate hundreds of top annuities from multiple top-rated insurance companies. Our Licensed Annuity Investigators can help you understand your options and feel confident you have found the best retirement annuity for your situation to financially prepare for a comfortable and worry-free retirement.
Personalization
There is no one-size-fits-all annuity. The right annuity for your retirement depends on your goals, needs, and desired retirement outcome. Our Licensed Annuity Investigators can help you customize a strategy that helps you reach your desired outcome with minimal effort from you.
Need help finding the right annuity?
We have over 100 retirement annuities in our review database.
FAQs
What are annuities, and how do they work in retirement planning?
Annuities are financial products offered by an issuing insurance company that can help you convert your retirement savings into a guaranteed income stream. They are often used as part of retirement planning to ensure you have enough money to cover your expenses throughout retirement. Depending on the type of annuity—such as fixed annuities, variable annuities, or deferred income annuities—you can receive guaranteed lifetime income, tax-deferred growth, and protection from market declines. These products can be tailored to meet your investment objectives and provide regular payments, either immediately or in the future, based on your needs.
What is the difference between fixed and variable annuities, and can I lose money with them?
Fixed annuities provide a guaranteed rate of return and predictable payments, making them a safer option for those seeking stability. Variable annuities, on the other hand, offer underlying investment options tied to market performance, which means your account value may fluctuate. While fixed annuities protect your principal, variable annuities carry market risk, so it’s possible to lose money depending on how the investments perform. Both types may include additional features like a death benefit or a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit for an extra fee.
How do taxes work with annuities, and what is tax deferral?
Annuities offer tax-deferred growth, meaning you don’t pay taxes on earnings until you withdraw them. When you take distributions, they are taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gains. This can help your retirement nest egg grow faster compared to taxable accounts. However, early withdrawals may incur surrender charges and additional penalties. It’s important to consult a licensed insurance agency or tax professional for personalized tax advice before making decisions about an annuity.
What should I consider when evaluating a retirement annuity?
When evaluating retirement annuities, consider reviewing unbiased reviews and analyses to understand the pros and cons of each product. Websites like AnnuityGator.com provide independent reviews to help you make informed decisions. Look at the financial strength of the issuing insurance company, such as York Life Insurance Company, as their claims-paying ability is crucial for honoring guarantees like guaranteed lifetime income. Also, evaluate the fees, investment options, and any additional features like cost-of-living adjustments that align with your retirement goals.
What happens to my annuity if I pass away?
Many retirement annuities include a death benefit that ensures any remaining contract value or specified funds are passed on to your beneficiaries. Some contracts also allow you to choose income options that continue payments to a spouse or heir after your death. The specifics vary depending on the type of annuity and the terms outlined by the issuing corporation. Be sure to review these details carefully when purchasing an annuity to ensure it aligns with your legacy planning goals.
See How Stephen Turned His 401(K) Into a Guaranteed Lifetime Income and Can Now Retire with Confidence