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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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Rated Excellent
Rated 4.9 | Based on 412 Trustpilot reviews
Hello Annuity Gator
Hello Annuity Gator, I again would like to express my praise of agent Sean Sparkman in my dealings with him to secure my income stream annuity,he followed through 100% on what he initially told me about working hard and leaving no stone unturned to help me meet my goals. I had read into annuities online and in writings but didn’t realize how limited my understanding was, he showed me an avenue i didn’t know existed strategized ,knocked on every door and negotiated. two thumbs up ! Kyster Porter
- Kyster
I had many questions about Annuity’s
I had many questions about Annuity’s and did not feel the people I had been talking to were giving me all my options. But one email to Annuity Gator began a process where they went the extra mile to inform me of the many choices out there. I even got a breakdown in the mail just today. I would recommend them to anyone looking to find out more on how annuities work and what to expect across the board. They have been outstanding in helping me make some tough decisions. Thank You!
- Randy
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
Financial advisors, investment counselors, et al. and the problem of listening
Mr. Driggers’s strongest positive trait was his desire to please the client. He seemed very motivated to do that. He also seemed knowledgeable about the topic and the products available so he could offer good choices of products. Overall, I thought he did a very good job. I might attempt one constructive general comment that goes beyond Mr. Driggers. Personally, in my 74 years of life, I have never encountered an investment advisor, financial counselor, insurance salesperson et al. who listened to the client – except for one. They all talk a lot, often very amiably, but never really listened to me. This one individual who did listen sold insurance, and he was indeed unique. When he meant with us, the first thing he said was something like, “How are you doing? Tell me about yourself and your family. What are you thinking about? What are your needs and concerns? Why are you thinking about buying this product? And then he would listen and listen, taking a few notes, asking follow-up questions that, in retrospect were quite relevant to the business at hand. We ended up buying a large insurance policy from him, and remaining loyal to him until he retired. He apparently was quite successful as we received notices of the rewards and promotions he received. I am not a financial advisor. I don’t know much about it. But as a client, it makes sense to me that listening, asking appropriate questions, and trying to understand the clients needs, concerns, biases, feelings, and so on would be very important. Mr. Driggers did a fine job. If these comments are communicated to him, I hope he will not be offended but take them as an attempt at constructive ideas from a satisfied client.
- John
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
Great service,very friendly and knows
Great service,very friendly and knows what he is talking about
- Jeffrey
Russ was great
Russ was great. Very knowledgeable and nice guy!
- Karen
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
Explaining my Annuity
A very helpful conversation re: explaining how my annuity works as well as the pluses and minuses!
- Connie
Most excellent information….Love
Most excellent information….Love Annuity Gator…. “Paige” is a great teacher!
- Danny
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
James went the extra mile to ensure
James went the extra mile to ensure that our needs were satisfied.
- Kenneth
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
Ryan was extremely helpful and I
Ryan was extremely helpful and I learned a lot about annuities from our conversations.
- Mike
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
Very informative
Very informative, Marco was very educated in showing us what annuities would fit our retirement, he a super nice man. We will be having another meeting to discuss which one we should go with.
- David
Bad information from Annuity Gator…
After talking to the gentleman about My up comming retirement I figured the information I was told would not work more than a few years at best.
- Dallas
David provided/explained the details
David provided/explained the details of my potential investment. He also kept our schedule promptly. Appreciate your help, David.
- Vannak
David was knowledgeable and forthright
David was knowledgeable and forthright in his suggestions for the best plan for us.
- John
Annuity Annual Performance
Barbara Halperin has been Exceptional revealing with my account.
- Frederic
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
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
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
Bill Decker was very helpful
Bill Decker was very informative and helped me and my wife understand all of our options. With all of the uncertainty in the investing world right now he explained our options in a way that will help us in making the right decisions going forward. I highly recommend Bill for anyone that would want an advisor that they can trust and is great at explaining financial matters in an easy to understand way.
- Paul
I received much good information to
I received much good information to think about during our conversations.
- Robert
If you are a novice invester or new to retirement – this is for you
I retired rather sudden in Jan 2024 with no planning or education of retirement finances other than you are not as agressive in retirement. I reached out to a number of people on the internet and this one guy- Sean Sparkman has been outstanding. I have been moving slowly because I have to know and understand the issues. He has shown great patience with me. We have talked weekly for most of 5 months and we have started working the plan.He has never hurryed me or tried to move me ahaed till I was ready. Most other folks gave me a call or two and if I was not ready to sign something, they moved on. He has helped educate me and answers my questionss and just does not tell me what I want to hear. I never belieced I would deal with someone over the internet instead of local, but here I am eating those words =that is how happy and satisfied I am with Sean. This is a top reccommendation to try and get with him. He will help you get to where you WANT to be and in YOUR timing. This guy is not looking for some quick sales commision and run. You will be very glad if you seek him out.
- Stephen
I had Sean Sparkman as my annuity
I had Sean Sparkman as my annuity representative from Annuity Gator for several years. I would recommend him to any prospective clients for his excellent services. I am a very cautious person and would not make an annuity purchase decision without fully understanding. Sean was so patience to explain and gave me time to read, understand and ask questions and he had never been push ! Even after I purchased annuity from him for several years, we ve still kept communicating and exchange ideas. Whenever I wrote him emails he would reply instantly and answered all my enquirers ASAP, I must rate him as the top annuity representative!
- Victor
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
I had a limited knowledge about
I had a limited knowledge about annuities and wasn’t sure if they were a good fit for my portfolio. I submitted an request to Annuity Gator for more information and was assigned to Barry Young. Over the course of several weeks and through several video conferences Barry exposed me to various companies and took the time to patiently explain pros and cons of each. He never tried to push one company over another but through talking and reading downloaded material I became comfortable with what would be a good fit for me. He also introduced me to Gradient Investments who handle the managed side for investing and between the two we came up with a workable plan for my portfolio that I could be comfortable with. I highly recommend working with Annuity Gator for developing a comprehensive plan that will weather any economic climate.
- Edward
Not needed but very welcomed advise…
I have been following Annuity Gator now for several years so by the time I was ready to discuss annuity’s with a broker I felt very comfortable understanding the different types of annuities available in the marketplace. What I really liked was the broker that was introduced to me through AG. As he evaluated my current financial scenario he actually realized I did not need an annuity. I decided to get a small one just as protection in the future of some of my retirement funds. The whole process has been very professional. Thanks AG!
- Dave
I was listened to rather than lectured…
I was listened to rather than lectured to.!
- Alan
Great info and helpful
Great info and helpful
- Rocky
Merrit Strunk was great
Merrit Strunk was great. He took a lot of time explaining different products. He was very knowledgeable in annuities. Was not pushy at all. Very good experience
- Brent
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
It was a pleasure working with
It was a pleasure working with Mr.Driggers. He gave me annuity options to consider and never pressured me to buy. He kept me well informed through all through the application process and transferring money. He was always available to talk or text. Although he is located in a different state than me, he was easy to work with. I can vouch that Annuity Gator is not a scam, but the easiest to work from the several financial advisors I had also talked to.
- Cindy
Advisor was very seasoned informational
Advisor was very seasoned informational and extremely knowledgeable. Great Experience!!!
- Joseph
I would like to let everyone know that
I would like to let everyone know that Sean Beckerman is the BEST!!!!! He is very knowledgeable and willing to explain what can be complicated in a way that I was able to understand. I have recommended Annuity Gator and Sean specifically to everyone I have spoken to regarding retirement. I am confident that Sean has created a plan specific to me based on the time he took to get to know me and help me fine tune my retirement goals. SEAN IS THE BEST!!!!!
- Jody
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
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
Steve Prce is the best “financial
Steve Prce is the best “financial person” I have ever met. He puts forth much effort and is patient w/ a novice like me. Great to work with him.
- John
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
Robert is very knowledgeable
Robert is very knowledgeable and listebed carefully to my concerns and answered my questions.
- Debbie
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’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
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
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
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
Making the Right Personal Choice in an Annuity
Investigating and attempting to understand different annuity products is very challenging. So it requires a person who can help and has great expertise and is willing to go the distance, in conveying information in an articulate and patient way. And Matthew Taub is that guy for the Job ! He truly enjoys helping people. He has been so industrious, enthusiastic and conscientious in educating me on the annuity products that are tailored to my individual needs. It is so important to find the Right fiduciary willing to point you in the correct direction ! Great Experience ! Thanks Matthew . . . You are one in a Million !
- GiGi
Feeling secure about my future
I opened My account with Joshua because when I met him, I felt very comfortable. He is very informative and explains everything. He takes his time and answers all my questions ..and he is just a phone call away. I like the fact that he is a family man because he treats all his clients as part of his family. I know he is doing the right thing for me ..I trust his decisions.
- Vivian
the information was very informative.
the information was very informative.
- Kurt
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 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
Very helpful always answer my call.
Very helpful always answer my call.
- rita
Very knowledgeable people who seem very
Very knowledgeable people who seem very transparent. Take the time to explain complex investment strategies
- George
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
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
Very knowledgeable and solid advice
Very knowledgeable and solid advice. Great to work with. Very helpful.
- Karl
Great job explaining the various
Great job explaining the various products and services in an agnostic format. I learned a lot about annuities and most of my confusion was mitigated. Thanks!
- JohnC
Jason was super patient and took the
Jason was super patient and took the time to explain our various options, based on our particular situation. Would highly recommend him!
- Larry
Honest friendly advice
Very knowledgeable. Good professional advice.
- Mark
I had an absolutely marvelous
I had an absolutely marvelous experience with annuity gator as presented to me by Barbara Halperin. This was a no pressure no high intensity sales pitch rather it was an honest and frank discussion of financial goals and the best way to achieve them. Barbara was very knowledgeable, understanding, and complete in her explanations and recommendations. There were not any hint of annoying callbacks rather only professional communication and timely phone calls. I have recommended Barbara and annuity gator to several family members and friends as a result of my experience. There were no stones left unturned and questions were answered, I m sure multiple times, with a five star rating to this company and especially to Barbara Halperin. Thanks again Barbara and annuity gator
- Bruce
Wonderful service and support
I knew I wanted the security of an annuity, but did not know much more than that. Annuity Gator and my agent, Toney Sebra, guided me through choosing the right annuity for me. Toney was extremely helpful in setting up the purchase and funding of the annuity. I am so pleased that I now have the security of guaranteed lifetime income.
- Cori
William is a trustworthy guy
William is a trustworthy guy, taking a lot of time explaining to me the ins and outs of the product we chose. He sifted through several annuities to arrive at the perfect fit. I never felt pushed or “sold”, and the transaction was smooth and quick.
- Brigitte
Annuities and investment opprtunities
Jim was very professional and excellent in explaining investment opportunities to a novice such as myself. Very much appreciated.
- Elijah
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
Before & After
Before I contacted Joseph, I knew nothing about annuities & was very sceptical of this product. After speaking with him & reading his book, “Wealth Compounded”, I feel much more at easy concerning fixed & indexed annuities.
- Bailey
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
Annuity Program Success
I had been looking for an annuity to invest in, but didn t have a clue where to go and who to contact. The representative assign to me was very instrumental in presenting and explaining the process and earnings potential. He also described the different options I had with the one program I purchased. I was pleased with his customer service and allowed me to ask a million questions and have some time to think about this before I made my decision. I am putting away a large amount of money for my future economic welfare and I believe I chose a good company to do it with. I m giving them 5 Stars and am optimistic to see my earnings potential after this first year.
- Daniel
Helpful, Responsive and Customer Focused
Mike was so responsive and helpful in educating us about annuities and providing us with four possibilities to meet our needs. We definitely recommend him as a CFP. If you re looking for a greater array of products, a licensed broker might be better. Depends on your needs.
- Jane
Spread income for retiring years will
Spread income for retiring years will bring seniors peace in mind.
- Yam
Rave Review
Outstanding service and knowledge base by professional staff. Extremely helpful in delivering quality assistance.
- Ken
Very responsive company and people
Very responsive company and people. Happy to be part of their team and journey.
- Jerry
Terrific honest insight and counsel
Terrific honest insight and counsel into often complex annuities.
- John
Outstanding Service
My advisor, Wendy Pyne, was outstanding. She spent hours with me patiently explaining the different products on the market and walking me through the unfamiliar terms and concepts used in the annuity field. Very knowledgeable! Ms. Pyne then spent additional hours helping me find the right product for my individual needs. Could not be happier with the service I received
- Joe
Marcos is excellent
Marcos is excellent. Very knowledgeable, and explains all products in simple terms. Answered all questions, explanations made simple.
- Len
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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.
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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