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
We are independent investigators that investigate only top retirement annuities























Hear from our clients
Rated Excellent
Rated 4.9 | Based on 412 Trustpilot reviews
Barbara provided a broad array of
Barbara provided a broad array of information and alternatives for me that I could not have researched and gotten on my own.
- CSR
The agent was very respectful and
The agent was very respectful and knowledgeable regarding annuities. Since I had read Bank on Yourself by Pamela Yellen, it was easy to discuss the issues regarding annuities. There is a sense of security in listening to someone who knows what he is talking about void of ego.
- Mike
Well researched and helpful information.
Well researched and helpful information.
- Billie
Awesome company
Awesome company. Great experience.
- Fay
Great
Great, he was very good .
- Customer
Highly recommend
David Driggers of Annuity Gator was very thorough. Great communication and promptly responded to emails and phone calls. He was available every step of the way. Would definitely recommend.
- Linda
Spread income for retiring years will
Spread income for retiring years will bring seniors peace in mind.
- Yam
I received much good information to
I received much good information to think about during our conversations.
- Robert
Great info and helpful
Great info and helpful
- Rocky
Great site
Great site, I learned a lot and follow up was great .
- Steve
MANY ANNUITY OPTIONS
i had a very good experience working with Rick Sparkman… I was rather gun shy about attempting to search out another annuity, since my first encounter with annuities was with a financial advisor who knew little about the products and had very limited offerings.. Rick opened the gates to the many types of annuities that Annuity Gator has available.. Although, I thought the evaluation of these annuities difficult.. he made it seamless.. explaining to me which one best serves my needs.. I would recommend Rick to anyone interested in using annuities as another investment tool.
- Susan
I had a phone meeting with Joshua
I had a phone meeting with Joshua Schlinsky. He is extremely helpful and knowledgeable on the subject. He was very patient with all my questions about annuities and answered all of them. He is very good at what he does. I have decided to go another direction with my savings but Mr Schlinsky would be someone I would highly recommend to my friends and family. Thank you, Jon Jeffery Tyler
- JEFF
Great resource for professionals in the
Great resource for professionals in the financial services industry. Great sounding board.
- Elliott
Best Agent Experience!
I was pleasantly surprised at my online experience which led to a very favorable call with my agent, Cal Menzies. He surpassed every expectation as far as his knowledge of the products I considered and recommended the best option for my needs. I never felt pressured and I am now set for the remainder of my retirement years. Highly recommend him! AG is fortunate to have someone like Cal to represent them!
- Zu
Our advisor Jim Van Meter
Our advisor, Jim Van Meter, is awesome. No high pressure sales. Just common sense advise. He does his homework and gets back to you on a timely manner.
- George
Jason is an excellent advisor
Jason is an excellent advisor. I had a lot of support when most needed.
- Efrain
Seemed very impersonal and intrusive
Seemed very impersonal and intrusive
- Dilipkumar
I was contacted by Mark Shelby who
I was contacted by Mark Shelby who answered my question and patiently walk me through very clear explanation on how annuities work. I also listened to the recent webinar that was very well done. Thank you, Lyn
- Lyn
I am working with Jason Siebert
I am working with Jason Siebert. He has been incredibly patient in educating me towards products that best fit my financial needs. Very friendly and professional. Feel he really wanted to help me. No pressure. Will certainly use him for any other investment needs I may have.
- customer
jeff woodard a very dedicated person with annuity gator
it was a tough road to hoe but jeff woodard was on top of it every day. Always responded to emails and phone calls
- Stanley
Terry is a wealth of knowledge and an
Terry is a wealth of knowledge and an asset to the annuity and insurance industry!
- John
My experience with Annuity Gator
I had a bad experience with another financial advisor, and as a result, I became very skeptical, and had developed trust issues. After several contacts with Rick Sparkman, I realized that there was something different about him. By this time, I had talked with several financial advisors. I felt very comfortable working with him, he gave me many education sessions. I have no regrets, and will refer him to any one who is interested in an annuity for retirement. Working with Rick was educational and enlightening, and I am looking forward to a wonderful retirement, because I am confident that the product that was chosen for me, was not commission driven. In my opinion Rick is a true Fiduciary.
- Doreen
I was very happy with my experience
I was very happy with my experience with annuity gator, Mark the representative I worked with was patient and just let me work through the process and answered every question, and was always available via a phone call or email to answer any questions that I had, I might add that he was prompt with his responses, even after my purchase he still continues to respond in the same manner. Great job Mark I continue to be impressed.
- Terry
Great source of info and service
Excellent service, great advice. I d recommend them to anyone looking for transparent and quality annuity advice.
- Mike
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
Paige Peterson is a very helpful
Paige Peterson is a very helpful Financial Advisor.
- Jay
All my questions were answered and I
All my questions were answered and I shopped siffernt annuities for a while.
- Ron
Great Service from a Proffessional makes a difference.
My wife and I went to Annuity Gator to compare what we already had in our Annuities with other Annuities because we weren’t happy with our pay out. We contacted Darryl Stein with Annuity Gator and I must say that Darryl was the difference maker for us, He wanted for us what we wanted and that basically was to get the most out of the money we had invested. He was proffessional throughout the whole process, got us twice the payout we were going to get with our previous annuity. When we were ready to sign the documents he came to our house and went over everything including setting up the websites with the new company we invested in. To put it simply Darryl was great and we are very happy with our annuity that he set up for us.
- Wayne
John Montoya gave us very valuable
John Montoya gave us very valuable information. Pleasant and thorough. Always on time with a scheduled appointment. Will definitely consult John again.
- Robert
Jeff help me a lot and guide me to
Jeff help me a lot and guide me to choose the right annuity plan based of my current status and for my future retirement income.
- Physical
Annuity Gator helped me find a suitable Annuity for Retirement Income
After contacting Annuity Gator I was contacted by a licensed insurance advisor who offered me a choice of annuities based on my specific retirement income need. I was presented with a list of insurance companies along with their company ratings. I went with an insurance company with an “A” rating that was offering a promotional interest rate during the five year accrual period which allowed for the principle investment to grow significantly prior to the first distribution. The advisor then worked with me to fill out the necessary forms (of which there are many) to submit an application to the insurance company I chose. Keep in mind that this process takes several weeks and multiple telephone calls, but the advisor was there for me every step of the way.
- Joseph
Honest friendly advice
Very knowledgeable. Good professional advice.
- Mark
Service rep was the difference
Service rep Jeff Woodard was so helpful. He made the entire process so easy to understand. He was friendly,patient, and gave me the feeling that he was working for me, to try and get a good product within the constraints of my own personal financial situation.
- Ken
Lance Riddle worked with my wife and I
My wife and I have been working with Lance Riddle the past few months. He has been very responsive and professional. When we had questions and needed help he was quick to reply We felt very comfortable with his suggestions and recommendations. We ended up purchasing 5 different annuities while working with him.
- Kenneth
Honestly, I was frightened of this online prospect
I am of retirement age and was looking for a safe place to invest in a fixed-income annuity. I discovered that the garden variety financial advisors really don t have access to a large selection of annuity products. I was disappointed with the return I was quoted from this small selection. Consequently, I went online and found Annuity Gator. I filled out the small form on their site and a couple of days later was contacted by Jeff Musgrave. Jeff was wonderful and exceptionally knowledgeable about the sort of annuity in which I was interested. He also was sensitive to my number one fear which was the idea of working with someone whom I met online. THAT IDEA SCARED ME TO DEATH! However, in the end my fears were alleviated by Jeff s low-key, no push approach. He was glad to give me all of the time it took for me to come to my own conclusions, while at the same time, he was always free to answer additional questions. He encouraged me to do my own due diligence and provided me with suggested tools to check out the products, the companies and even him completely independent of our conversations. That made all of the difference for me and relieved those fears. I ended up buying an annuity through him and am very happy with the entire experience. He is still available to me to answer any questions. I trust him without any reservations. Anyone interested in locating and investing in an annuity can be certain of his competence, knowledge and integrity. Thank you Jeff and thank you Annuity Gator! You really made a substantial difference in my retirement income.
- Rebecca
Helpful & Not Overbearing
Was considering different annuities and thought this site might provide some clarification. Talked with Terry Ciotti who got back to me in a timely manner with some options. He listened carefully about what I wanted as an end result & provided appropriate guidance. Appreciated not having a product forced on me.
- Annuity
Great service
Marcus was very patient and clear when he explained how annuities work. I appreciated his honesty about the various choices open to me and I trusted his advice.
- Tina
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
Relationships Matter
I had contacted Annuity Gator to get a rating on an annuity product that I heard about from another financial company. Terry was completely familiar with that product along with another product to consider from the same underwriter. Terry spent as much time with me as I needed to completely understand each product, and I felt that he listened to my goals and concerns. Terry explained how Annuity Gator would provide assistance to me for multiple years over the term of my annuity, which made me feel like I was entering into a relationship with the company. Terry made me feel like a person instead of a prospect.
- Jane
Appreciate seeing the various fixed
Appreciate seeing the various fixed index annuity offerings ands their crediting methods. Prefer not to tie up my money for 7 years at this time. Will look at alternative products with a one year commitment.
- Suzanne
I’m so thankful I met Jason Siebert
Due to the current economic climate, my IRA had lost more than $100,000. I needed to stop the bleed. I was interested in Annuities because i heard you never lose money. I started to research different companies and that is when i Met Jason Siebert with Annuity Gator. I explained i was new to the world of annuities. Instead of being pushy like another annuity salesman i ran into, Jason took his time over the course of six weeks to educate me. What a treasure. I entrusted my entire retirement savings to Jason and he was able to replace the amount I had lost in the market. Thank you Jason for the ease of mind.
- PETER
Terrific explanation of annuities
Terrific explanation of annuities! Very helpful
- Kathy
the information was very informative.
the information was very informative.
- Kurt
Understanding your annuity
I feel I have a better of understanding of annuities with the help of Annuity Gator. I was hesitant to try an annuity because of things I had heard in the past. Now I think annuities have evolved for the better given the advice of financial advisors who help you focus on how the right annuity can help you achieve your goals in retirement. All of my questions were answered promptly. And I know the importance of reading and understanding all of the fine print in the contract.
- Donna
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
Adam Grubius did a good job of
Adam Grubius did a good job of explaining how various annuities could help me lock in some of the market gains in my rollover IRA. Thanks, Ed Walton
- Edward
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
Go Gators!
It was my motto in college. And coincidentally I can still confidently use it in describing my interaction with Annuiy Gator’s Barbara Halperin! I found her to be an amazing advisor encompassing many superlatives. Super knowledgeable. Highly professional. No high pressure tactics. Concerned and individualized attention.In comparison to other financial meetings and dealings, my interaction with Barbara is right up there at the top of the list. I’m deeply grateful for being able to call on such a valuable resource.
- Larry
Very informative
Terri has a great deal of info on annuities to help with your decision to buy which type of annuity.Like he tells you he doesn’t guess, he takes hard information and drafts a plan for you.
- Guy
I needed an independent review and
I needed an independent review and explanation of an annuity product I was in the process of purchasing. After Chris took my personal situation into account and gave me a clearer understanding of how the annuity would affect my personal situation. I now have a better understanding and more knowledge to give me the confidence in making the best decision for me. Chris Knight answered all my questions and addressed my concerns with no sales pitch or pressure. What a refreshing experience. I recommend anyone who is not sure or does not fully understands annuities, Annuity Gator can give some piece of mind in making some life changing decisions.
- Anita
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
Sean Sparksman was very Helpful and
Sean Sparksman was very Helpful and polite I will keep him in mind for future dealings
- Paul
Very helpful always answer my call.
Very helpful always answer my call.
- rita
Working with Cal was fantastic
Working with Cal was fantastic. We did talk to other representatives from other companies and he was by far the best. He had a lot of patience with us. Never pushed us and provided all the information that we need, asked about our goals and was always there to answer any question we had.
- Ofer
Ryan McNeill is excellent, highly recommended
Years ago, I selected an A++ provider in order to minimize risk. Recently, I discovered that states provide small investors with another form of insurance against company failure. That opened my eyes to the need to research options. Ryan was excellent in his patient exploration of my circumstances – including needs, goals and risk tolerance. Recognizing that his crystal ball is no better than mine, he presented a variety of good options, answered all questions patiently and thoroughly, without pushing. The Zoom format is wonderful – for good discussion and for handy review tapes. I hope to be able to write a more authoritative review in five years. Meanwhile, I can sleep well at night knowing I ve explored a much wider range of options and will enjoy improved financial performance.
- Norm
Very helpful full of information
Very helpful full of information
- joseph
Annuity Gator was extremely
Annuity Gator was extremely knowledgeable about my annuity question. Took the time to explain what the typical characteristics of my annuity were. Then they looked into the specifics of it and provided the information I needed to make a decision going forward. I was impressed with what a good experience my call to Annuity Gator was. I recommend them highly.
- Jim
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
Josh was excellent
Josh was excellent, explaining program details thoroughly and answering all questions. No pressure approach is definitely appreciated.
- Sharron
Felt as though he had my best interests in mind.
Cal was on time with every conference and addressed each question with an understandable answer. He came up with an annuity of which I had no prior knowledge.
- G
Writing agent/firm Review
Beginning late January ’24 to the present, our writing agent has provided extremely courteous and timely responses, not only to our initial request for an appointment but to every subsequent, product-related question that we asked. Ultimately, he recommended an annuity product that met our objectives and then some! He delivered an organized, easy to understand presentation that was supported with an equally understandable illustration. Our customer experience has been consistently positive since the end of January through today’s meeting to review the contract.
- Michael
Selecting an Annuity that suits your needs
While exploring Annuities, I was contacted by Annuity Gator. I was provided pertinent advice that helped me choose an Annuity that fits my needs.
- Jay
Mike explained very detailed and thank
Mike explained very detailed and thank you
- Venna
I was listened to rather than lectured…
I was listened to rather than lectured to.!
- Alan
Very responsive company and people
Very responsive company and people. Happy to be part of their team and journey.
- Jerry
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
Doug Bentle was very informative and
Doug Bentle was very informative and helpful in educating me on different annuities and proposed few products for me to consider investing for retirement.
- Hersh
Annuity Gator is awesome!
Scott Plamondon has been a dream to work with. He explains everything in super easy terms. I am not very savvy when it comes to insurance, retirement plans, stock market, etc but realized at age 60 that I needed to hone my skills because no one else is going to do that for me. Scott has shown me step by step how to protect my little nest egg from rising taxes and make sure I have a tax free stream of income in my retirement.
- D.
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
Very professional and very informative
Very professional and very informative
- Bob
Barbara Halperin, a trusted advisor !
Our experience with Barbara Halperin was 5 stars due to the professional presentations of the subject matter, the verbal explanations, and the detail of research on each potential annuity company.
- jpkarpo71
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
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
good service answered all my concerns
good service
- sri
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
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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