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
Andrew Wallop knows annuities!
One on one service with a knowledgeable person who listened to my needs and concerns. I was furnished many options and after several meetings and countless emails, I could weed out what was not the right options. Then Andrew let me know his evaluations on what was still on the table. I never felt rushed nor pressured into anything. I feel my retirement plans are taking shape. I will contact Andrew / Annuity gator when phase two is to be put into motion.
- Thomas
David Driggers; Honest, Knowledgeable, Effective Representation
David Driggers, An agent with Annuity Gator has demonstrated through his performance to be very knowledgeable of the many aspects surrounding Annuities; He carefully determines ones’ goals, researches the most beneficial polices that meet those goals, honestly communicates the positive and negative features to consider, patiently explains and answers all questions and generally works fiduciarily in the interest of his client. One can definitely feel confident in his representation.
- Thomas
Jeff was great
Jeff was great! Taught me so much about annutities and was patience with my questions!!
- SuRo
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
very friendly and honest
very friendly honest and gave great advice on what was the best option to take in a bear market
- Francis
I received great ,knowledgeable
I received great ,knowledgeable information from them.Helped me understand my current Annuity Policies
- Howard
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
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
the information was very informative.
the information was very informative.
- Kurt
I dealt with Cal Menzies who walked me
I dealt with Cal Menzies who walked me through the maze of annuities. He was very knowledgeable, clear, patient and above all I felt he is an honest man worthy of my trust.
- Emile
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
I received excellent service from Mark
I received excellent service from Mark Shelby.
- Lyn
First conversation with Annuity Gator
Russ called at exactly 1:00PM as was arranged. He was a very pleasant person to talk to
- KISMET
Josh was wonderful to work with.
Josh was wonderful to work with. No pressure and explaining the various products available. Would recommend him to anyone wanting an annuity David Kahn
- David
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
I am not an annuity fan but I must say
I am not an annuity fan but I must say the information garnered from your reps has got me seriously thinking about putting some of my money into an annuity.
- Jack
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
Just what I needed to plan for financial security in retirement
When I started to plan for my retirement, one of the concerns is to make sure I didn’t run out of money. I needed a steady and reliable source of income. I knew an annuity would be the answer but there were so many options and choices that it was overwhelming. I had spoken with a few other advisors but they were all a little vague when answering my questions. Not so with Joshua Schlinksy. He took the time to answer all my answers accurately and thoroughly. Unlike the other advisors I spoke with, Joshua seemed genuinely interested in making sure I would be comfortable in retirement. If you are approaching or into retirement and need financial guidance, I would recommend giving Joshua a call.
- Armand
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
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
Annuity Gator Review
Annuity Gator never did make contact with me to set up a review of my financial plan?
- Robert
Great!
Greg was great to talk to. Very informative and unbiased. Appreciate the information.
- Pat
Excellent
Excellent – Jerry was professional, friendly & very helpful!
- Jeff
Very knowledgeable on products
Very knowledgeable on products available.
- David
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
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
Jason is an excellent advisor
Jason is an excellent advisor. I had a lot of support when most needed.
- Efrain
Thank you for all the important info at
Thank you for all the important info at this time of my life.
- Ronny
How do I increase my funds?
I started looking on line for a better interest rate than my bank. This was my first experience on line. It turned out beautiful. Sean was very knowledgeable and helpful. He knew his math and listened to what my needs were. He always gave several potions to choose from. Each was explained in great detail. The one I chose gave me an extended death benefit and an option if I became serious ill. I didn’t feel totally bound and not able to get my money. I was a little concerned since he didn’t have an office in my state or hometown. I have been with him for a year and am totally comfortable with my ability to talk to him when needed. This was money that was not needed in the near future yet I still could access it for a serious emergency. The entire plan seems to look out for all my worries. Sean spends the time with you! I am so lucky to have found this annuity. I did my due diligence an found this insurance company met my requirements. Sincerely, Rosemary J. Waldron
- Woody
Great info very helpful and
Great info very helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks again Matthew Taub
- Mr
James went the extra mile to ensure
James went the extra mile to ensure that our needs were satisfied.
- Kenneth
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
I was extremely impressed
I was extremely impressed with the knowledge and expertise of my advisor. He made me feel confident and secure in allowing him to prepare a retirement plan to exactly suit my needs. He listened to all my concerns and offered excellent advice
- Patricia
Hello
Hello, Sean Sparkman was Honest, hardworking and diligent. in my search for an agent for annuities he is a lucky find.
- Kyster
Excellent unbiased presentation of
Excellent unbiased presentation of products. Good communications and attention to details.
- George
Jason Siebert is the man period!
Jason Siebert is the man who you need when you consider retirement period! I m sure because I ve done my homework A year ago, when it became obvious to me that I would have to retire prematurely, I started my journey in search of retirement education and a financial advisor. I read many articles, I attended many retirement workshops, many webinars; I was meeting and conversing with many financial advisors local, throughout the country, in person, over the phone, virtually… My torment ended a couple months ago when I came across Jason Siebert with Annuity Gator. After he understood my financial needs, Jason revealed to me, using parallel comparisons, of what many brokers were offering, was without a doubt, not the best solution for my retirement goals. In just 2-3 virtual sessions with Jason, I learned more from him about annuities, retirement products, and my retirement options than I learned from others in a year. So, now I have the financial advisor. Thank you, Jason!
- Zmey
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
Exceptional Service
Mr. James Ault was my consultant and he was very concerned that the information he gave me was relevant to my situation. He explained everything carefully and answered all my questions. He sent me all the information I asked for and showed me exactly what each item was.
- Martha
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
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 Advice Given Hands Down
Our representative is very knowledgeable and professional as well as patient . Able to make complex issues very understandable.
- Peter
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
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
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
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
Great service
It is pleasure to work with Larry. It seems he knowledgeable and professional. He give multiple options and clear explanation about Output value you may expect
- Lana
Scott P was was excellent
Scott P was was excellent. Knowledgable and supportive, thank you!
- Dts
We couldn’t be more pleased!
Annuity Gator connected us with a real find, Sean Mason from Fresno Financial advisors. Sean is extremely knowledgeable, thoughtful and trustworthy, the exact type of professional we search for when it comes to consultants, from doctors to finance. Since we made contact with Sean via Annuity Gator a couple of months ago, we have established a wonderful working relationship with Sean and his great staff and completed several major transactions. We couldn’t be more pleased. Thank you, Annuity Gator.
- Barbara
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
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
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
good service answered all my concerns
good service
- sri
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
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
The advice that I received from Joshua
The advice that I received from Joshua Schlinsky was much appreciated. Rather than pushing advice which would result in an annuity sale for him, he counseled me to stick with the annuity product that I was already in. He also provided me with a book that he has written that contains some great overall investment advice.
- Robert
Mike was absolutely terrific
Mike was absolutely terrific! He walked me through everything & just sat back & let me make my own choice.
- R
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
I had a less than good results with a
I had a less than good results with a major insurance company with my retirement funds. It wasn t all their fault due to the bond market going south. But it still cost me a lot of money. I reached out to Annuity Gator to see what they had to offer. I am as skeptical because of what I had heard about annuities in general. Barry Young took me by the hand and never tried to close the deal: He was steady and reassuring from day one. I would suggest to anyone to give Them the opportunity to explain how todays annuities actually work.
- Ted
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
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
Immediate response from an extremely
Immediate response from an extremely knowledgeable and professional financial consultant.
- Kipp
Good service
Good service! Answered all my questions. Very easy to work with.
- Richard
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
Very good service and very informative.
Very good service and very informative.
- Ernesto
Eric and Terry were very educational
Eric and Terry were very educational, patient and thorough in there explanation of what our existing annuity works and offered a solution that made sense.
- TampaJoe
Great
Great, no sales pressure very informative.
- David
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
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
Constructive thoughts -guidance and
Constructive thoughts -guidance and clear practical advice opening a conversation that was of Great benefit
- O.
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
My advisor(Barbara Halperin) provided
My advisor(Barbara Halperin) provided me with appropriate educational material which enabled me to make an investment decision by selecting an appropriate annuity which meets my needs. She also helped me by assisting me in filling out all the required paperwork. I felt that my advisor was easily available to answer all questions with expertise and patience. I will certainly recommend her to others.
- Mike
Great experience
Great experience. Very knowledgeable and no pressure. Give them 5 stars.
- Judy
Helpful and thorough
Rick Sparkman was a wonderful advisor. He thoroughly considered my goal -guaranteed income -and provided a number of different options that allowed me to understand the different sort of benefits that would accrue from the different classes of offerings (cd like return, guaranteed payout for life after deferral, payout with variability indexed). I was able to clarify what my real goals are and what I was willing to sacrifice (access to the sum deposited, inheritance) in order to achieve a guaranteed high payout for life for both my wife and me. Annuities are complicated and are inherently costly but they can achieve specific goals if you understand them. Some part of everyone’s portfolio needs to be immune to market fluctuation and an annuity can be part of that strategy. I was given an excellent education with weeks of meetings and I came to a conclusion that fits my needs. Even if you do not think annuities are for you (and I was one of those) speaking with Rick helped me understand their appropriate postioning within my plans.
- Eran
Best Advice Given Hands Down
Our representative is very knowledgeable and professional as well as patient . Able to make complex issues very understandable.
- Peter
Feeling confident
Having NO experience with my finances as far as retirement goes, I went to a seminar with a different firm, and, found things that weren’t making me happy with them. The MAJOR problem was not being able to see where and HOW my money was working in Lamen terms. Very difficult to understand and also that there were fees in almost everything I wanted to do and another was all the paper work that needed to get done to obtain my own money. I investigated many other firms and decided that I would like to try Annuity Gator. Right out of the gate , they set me up with a local advisor that called me, went over things and made an appointment to come out to my house and, To make a long story short, Set me up with a plan that I understood, could see on my computer and actually understand what he was talking about. It took a couple of weeks to get things set up, but he traveled 45 min. to and from my place and even got on the phone with me and the banks that I wanted to move funds to and det up a steady monthly withdrawal that I was comfortable with. It’s only a start but at least I feel confident in this company that I won’t have to work anymore. I’m not rich nor will I be but I’ve always been a conservative and feel good at this move. Thank You, Jeff Blocker for being the professional you are. I look forward to a continues business connection with you.
- Wayne
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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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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