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 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
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
David was informative
David was informative, prepared and candid regarding his recommendation on which plan would be best for my retirement.
- Jeffrey
Paige is wonderful!!!
Paige is wonderful. She explains everything no matter how long it takes. She is very knowledgeable about annuities and other financial areas. We are so glad we found her.
- Laura
Excellent information provided by
Excellent information provided by Barbara regarding a variety of annuities/fixed index annuities!!
- James
Marcus is the best.
I was working with Marcus. He is great at listening to your particular situation, since all potential clients requirements are not the same. He was informative, not pushy, educational, not aggressive. Just the type of representative in which I want to do business. Work with Marcus, you will be happy you did.
- Barry
Great customer service
Great customer service. My adviser Eric Welty is very knowledgable and patient and he explains and answer all my questions.
- Alma
The difference to me is having Ron
The difference to me is having Ron Allison at Annuity Gator by my side all the way through the entire process. I only hope this won’t be the last time I talk with this very kind, knowledgeable advisor. He is an asset to Annuity Gator and made me feel very comfortable even when I know I drove him crazy with all my multiple questions. He stood by me and understood my nervousness. I assure you I would not hesitate to call him again for another transfer. Thank you, Ron. L.Reynolds
- Linda
The advisor you put me in touch with
The advisor you put me in touch with (Barb Halperin) was very knowledgeable and helpful. She answered all of my questions and offered me three attractive options. Unfortunately, due to restrictions on my existing 403(b) plan that prevent me from moving money out of it while I am still actively working, I am unable to take advantage of the annuity options she offered until I actually retire or leave my job. I definitely plan to reconnect with her when that happens.
- Paula
Excellent unbiased presentation of
Excellent unbiased presentation of products. Good communications and attention to details.
- George
Rectified $40,000 mistake
Terry Ciotti was amazingly helpful and saved me from making a $40,000 mistake. He helped make direct contact with the annuity provider and guided me through the process of rectifying my mistake. I cannot recommend Terry and Annuity Gator more highly.
- Harry
Explaining my Annuity
A very helpful conversation re: explaining how my annuity works as well as the pluses and minuses!
- Connie
Worked with Ken Anderson from NJ
Worked with Ken Anderson from NJ. He walked us through the entire process, was very professional and we feel he advised us properly. We committed to an annuity that fit our particular needs, investing a lump sum , choosing to wait 4 years to start our withdrawal and feel the value is acceptable with the investment we made. We would highly recommend Annuity Gator, and especially Ken Anderson.
- David
Sean Sparkman Annuity
Sean Sparkman has not been pushy. He has been ridiculously patient with my lack of knowledge. He frequently sends educational articles.
- Minnesota
Annuity Gator-Critique
I am new to your program, but the overall-content is really good. Love the case histories & asking for permission with a prospect to tell some personal stories. I would give it a 5-Star except some people are not muted & the volume seems too low to sometimes not hear everything that is being discussed. Love the weekly feedback! Keep it going!
- Marvin
Training is very good
Training is very good, but you have to put the time in.
- Phillip
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
Advisor was very seasoned informational
Advisor was very seasoned informational and extremely knowledgeable. Great Experience!!!
- Joseph
Concise information
We are still in the informational phase. Third meeting is going go be more definitive. I am very positive I will be going with all recommendations.
- Woody
Good service
Good service! Answered all my questions. Very easy to work with.
- Richard
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
Mark Shelby has been very thorough!
Mark Shelby has been very thorough, and provided tax and other information that clearly we were not anticipating on our own. He has been a tireless and informed information provider for our unique circumstances! Thanks for all your assistance!! Henry and Lisa Austin
- Henry
Rocky was be informative and very
Rocky was be informative and very patient with my questions. He answered to my understanding and help me comprehend how annuities work. He called to check on me several times to follow-up if I had any questions. He’s been great throughout the whole process. I would recommend Rocky to anyone that was getting close to retirement and wanted to check out an annuity.
- Diane
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
Excellent explanation in detail the
Excellent explanation in detail the pros and cons of investing in annuities.
- vasilios
Glad We turned to Annuity Gator !!
Darryl J. Stein was fantastic he went through several scenarios, to ensure we got the best product. We were looking to get extra income from the money we had in other accounts. The product he found for us beat other financial advisors literally by thousands of dollars, we were very pleased with Darryl from Annuity Gator and would recommend him to all our family and friends.
- Wayne
Very personable and knowledgeable advisor
Excellent service. Appreciated the seminar by Terry. Have received excellent service, responsiveness, knowledgeable and very personable advisor, Barbara Halperin. She is great. Have already recommended her to others. Thank you, Barbara!
- Janice
Jason is an excellent advisor
Jason is an excellent advisor. I had a lot of support when most needed.
- Efrain
Annuity Gator Rep. Barbara Halperin Superstar!
Ms. Barbara Halperin was personable, uncommonly professional, impressively knowledgeable, and an excellent communicator. It was my distinct pleasure connecting with her.
- Michael
Lisa’s new annuity
I have just replaced an old annuity with a new, better one. I could not have made it through this process had it not been for my advisor, William Seeley. He guided me every step of the way, by asking what I wanted/needed the annuity to do, explaining things I didn’t understand, answering my questions and most of all, staying in contact. He worked very hard on my behalf and got me the annuity that I needed to further my retirement goals. I will definitely recommend his services to my family and friends.
- Lisa
Annuity questions!
Annuity Gator Team is very precise in assisting you with your needs. They take time out and answer all of your question without feeling that you are being pressured. Thanks
- Reginald
Best annuity adviser
Best annuity adviser . Deep and wide knowledge . Amazing analysis software for different annuity products.
- customer
Very informative and educational
Very informative and educational! Mike Kasich was very thorough explaining everything!! Just not ready to move forward at this time!
- Joanne
Annuity review
The advisor, David Driggers, was patient, informative and I felt he was looking for the best option for me. I recommend him to anyone.
- Michael
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
Exceptional Advisor
Terry Ciotti was excellent in helping me understand how annuities work and explaining the policy terminology. He has a great demeanor and concern for his client. He is a highly valued employee for annuity gator and should be referred for new clients at any level.
- Robert
Always get a second opinion
I was given incorrect information about taxes, I m glad I didn t go ahead with the transaction.
- Mark
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
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
The best information on annuities out
The best information on annuities out there
- Rocky
It was a pleasure working with the
It was a pleasure working with the advisor. The advisor provided adequate information to make a decision.
- Kishore
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
Cassy was professional and
Cassy was professional and knowledgeable.
- Mark
Very Honest
Jason made everything make sense and way easier to understand.
- Juan
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 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
Annuities and investment opprtunities
Jim was very professional and excellent in explaining investment opportunities to a novice such as myself. Very much appreciated.
- Elijah
James Ault is Excellent
James Ault, AnnuityGator Analyst, is a very honest and intelligent person who is very knowledgeable about investments, especially annuities. He is also very patient and takes the time to fully understand his customer and their goals. He also does an excellent job of explaining how the various annuities work and suggesting the best options for his customers.
- Jake
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
William Seeley was excellent in keeping
William Seeley was excellent in keeping up with the progress of my annuity. We will use him again in the future!
- Steven
Neil Dekter was precise and gave his
Neil Dekter was precise and gave his sound assurance that I would be delivered the exact product I was looking for! I am very happy with his service and believe me after dealing with my regional bank M&T this man should be given a medal,I am going to recommend Neil to all of my associates and brothers and sisters of mine and my sister UA local unions!
- John
Scott Stooksbury, Annuity Research Specialist & Advisor.
Choosing a financial adviser is one of the most important decisions you can make for yourself; it is why I would recommend Scott Stooksbury to anyone who needs financial advice and want to buy financial product tailored to your needs. He is a good listener, takes the time to get to know you, and answered your questions. He provides a comprehensive current market analyses with detailed list of Carriers and their products. Scott is trustworthy and honest. He is always prompt to respond over email and phone calls. Every meeting with him has been productive and pleasant. His professionalism and empathy make him a top financial advisor. I am glad we have chosen to work with Scott Stooksbury.
- FL
Thanks Joshua
It has been a pleasure working with Joshua. He was patient and thoughtful. he help me to understand all the type of annuities and help me pick the one that fit closest to what I wanted to accomplish. He was always on time for all of the zoom appointments that were set up. All the prelims are done and I am just waiting for my papers to be delivered. Thanks Joshua
- Charlie
A great phone meeting.
Barb was helpful, honest, obviously loves the subject-matter, and is very personable to talk to.
- Chuck
Working with Mike K
Working with Mike K. is a breeze. Appoinyments are kept and on time. He is very professional. Answers questions in a way that can be understood by a layman. Will continue to recommend his services. Thanks Mike.
- Jim
Very honest and upfront
Very honest and upfront
- James
Found the right solution for our needs
After contacting you, I was put in touch with Wendy Pyne who did an excellent job of helping us find the right annuity for us.
- George
I cannot say enough good things about
I cannot say enough good things about Terry. I was heavily invested in index annuities and Terry helped me roll everything over to fixed annunitys. It was perfect timing, seeing what is going in the stock market. His knowledge of annunitys put my mind at ease as we chose what to invest in going forward. Security was my number one concern so he helped us achieve that goal. I look forward to working with him again.
- Jim
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
Lot of great advice.
Lot of great advice.
- Sal
I have the understanding that the
I have the understanding that the appointment with your representative was for 30 minutes, not three and a half hours. Yes that’s correct, that appointment lasted nearly three and a half hours.
- Rex
Great effort had been put with client
Great effort had been put with client. Very satisfy with the service provided by Phillip. Honest answer , no pushing to do business which Mach my personality. Thank you Philip.
- Emad
Jeff was great
Jeff was great! Taught me so much about annutities and was patience with my questions!!
- SuRo
Terry is a wealth of knowledge and an
Terry is a wealth of knowledge and an asset to the annuity and insurance industry!
- John
good service answered all my concerns
good service
- sri
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
Great site
Great site, I learned a lot and follow up was great .
- Steve
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
Scott was very knowledgeable
Scott was very knowledgeable. It was a good first call.
- Gary
I was provided very useful information
I was provided very useful information about different choices available for me to meet my financial goal. Thank you very much.
- Narayan
Annuity questions!
Annuity Gator Team is very precise in assisting you with your needs. They take time out and answer all of your question without feeling that you are being pressured.
Thanks
- Reginald
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
Helpful and Easy to Understand
Scott was very helpful in clarifying how the Allianz 360, ABC and the F&G Power Accumulator 7 might work or not for my particular situation. He speaks in a language that is understandable to lay people such as myself.
- Joanne
The person who called me was very
The person who called me was very helpful. He went over and beyond my expectation. He was very professional and kind!
- La
Patiently stayed with me while I
Patiently stayed with me while I checked out several different products and was always available to answer any questions I had. Had added peace of mind for my final yeas of retirement and for my wife’s as well.
- Loren
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.
How can we help you start your
annuity journey?
Let our Licensed Annuity Investigators get you started on the path to a comfortable retirement in three easy ways.
Take the Annuity Quiz
Answer a few simple questions and instantly see the top retirement annuity recommendations for you.
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Get professional answers to your annuity questions from a Licensed Annuity Investigator, not a high-pressure sales agent.
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See how our annuity ranking software can help you research, rate, and compare the top annuities for retirement and build a customized retirement strategy.
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