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
Annuities and investment opprtunities
Jim was very professional and excellent in explaining investment opportunities to a novice such as myself. Very much appreciated.
- Elijah
Satisfied Customer Listened well and put me in touch with
Listened well and put me in touch with a great advisor who was able to meet my needs.
- Irene
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
Jay at Annuity Gator was very helpful
Jay at Annuity Gator was very helpful. There is so much noise regarding annuities that I wanted to do a “gut check” with an independent advisor regarding a couple of different indexed annuities. He was very responsive and easy to speak with. I highly recommend.
- Beth
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
Ryan McNeil was truly a sincere and
Ryan McNeil was truly a sincere and professional gentleman. He did not pressure me into making any decisions and explained all the different types of annuities that are available with great precision and patience. I am very thankful for the education that he provided to me with all the options that I have to choose from. I am looking forward to continue to work with him.
- David
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
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
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
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
Advisor was very seasoned informational
Advisor was very seasoned informational and extremely knowledgeable. Great Experience!!!
- Joseph
Sean Sparkman was Totally helpful in
Sean Sparkman was Totally helpful in every step of the way, helping me to get set up with the right annuities and any time I have questions or concerns, he has been Right on Top of things to make me feel Totally at ease. Keep up the Good work, Sean!
- Larry
Very educational
Very educational. Took the time to really learn about our needs and answer questions. Built trust and rapport. James L. Robinson
- James
Toney listened to what my goals were
Toney listened to what my goals were and then did the research to find products to meet those goals. Plan came together perfectly.
- Michael
I was listened to rather than lectured…
I was listened to rather than lectured to.!
- Alan
Josh was excellent
Josh was excellent, explaining program details thoroughly and answering all questions. No pressure approach is definitely appreciated.
- Sharron
I was so fortunate to have had Scott
I was so fortunate to have had Scott Plamondon take me as his client. He is so knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of financial planning not just annuities. He has guided me through an extremely tough situation for which I am eternally grateful.
- Patricia
Very knowledgeable and solid advice
Very knowledgeable and solid advice. Great to work with. Very helpful.
- Karl
I am happy we had the talk it made me
I am happy we had the talk it made me feel safe with my annuity that I did not flush my money. I also look ford ward to us talking again.
- Lonnie
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
I found the right person
I was fortunate to have found a person that I could trust with my money. Mr Soloman is highly recommended.
- Maurice
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
Jeff Woodard was methodical and precise
Jeff Woodard was methodical and precise in explaining annuities and how they work. Furthermore, he was diligent in suggesting which annuity would best fit my particular situation. Jeff used education over sales pressure to allow me to make an informed decision. I consider myself fortunate to have contacted Annuity Gator!
- Keith
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
Training is very good
Training is very good, but you have to put the time in.
- Phillip
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
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
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
Very informative and helpful.
Very informative and helpful.
- Larry
Very informative
Very informative, this company teaches people and breaks down the confusion regarding annuities. They help you to find the RIGHT annuity for you and your goals. I highly recommend this company! Louise F
- Louise
Awesome company
Awesome company. Great experience.
- Fay
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
Jason Solomon is very informed and
Jason Solomon is very informed and professional, he helped me through the entire application process with great expertise. His level of communication was great. I will highly recommend him to my friends. Thank you so much Jason.
- Art
Great guy!!I really liked the person i was working
I really liked the person i was working with. He was knowledgeable, friendly and responsive.
- Cindy
Jason Siebert was excellent
Jason Siebert was excellent. Never rushed me, answered all my questions (many, more than once), responded promptly to emails… He is confident and has a superb knowledge of annuities.
- David
Excellent service
Excellent service, answered all my questions without being pushy
- Prem
I was looking into consolidating
I was looking into consolidating several IRA’s in hopes of lessening the time and effort needed to manage them. I wanted to check into annuities to see if they were right for me and the people at Annuity Gator spent a lot of time and sent me material to help me understand annuities. I believe they presented several products that were quite attractive but at this time I decided to continue my course of action. I will use the information they gave me so that in the future I can confidently choose an annuity from them that fits my needs.
- Jack
Annuity performance analysis augmented by IRA alternatives
Appreciated the in-depth review we received and especially the detailed data analysis and summary of our path forward thru retirement.
- atlPeter
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
Best Advice Given Hands Down
Our representative is very knowledgeable and professional as well as patient . Able to make complex issues very understandable.
- Peter
Informational!!
Informational!!
- Chemist
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
Scott was very knowledgeable
Scott was very knowledgeable. It was a good first call.
- Gary
The Spark – that lead to an Annuity Purchase
I am writing this reference to recommend Sean Sparkman, who facilitated the purchase of an annuity for us. Throughout our interactions, Sean exhibited exceptional professionalism, knowledge, patience, and dedication to customer service. Here are some key points about Sean – Expertise: Sean possesses an in-depth understanding of annuities, investment vehicles, and retirement planning. His guidance was invaluable in helping us make an informed decision, creating a retirement roadmap. Personalized Approach: Sean took the time to understand our financial goals, risk tolerance, and long-term objectives. He tailored his recommendations accordingly, ensuring the annuity aligned with our needs. Transparency: We appreciated his transparency throughout the process. He provided clear explanations, answered all our questions, and ensured we felt confident in our investment choice. Timeliness: The entire annuity purchase process was efficient, thanks to prompt communication and attention to detail. We are pleased with the annuity product recommended and have full confidence in Sean s abilities. We wholeheartedly endorse Sean Sparkman as a reliable and knowledgeable financial professional. Should you require further information or wish to discuss our experience in more detail, please feel free to reach out. All the best, Michael and Colleen Florida
- SuunyNorth
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
Great!
Greg was great to talk to. Very informative and unbiased. Appreciate the information.
- Pat
Good service
Good service! Answered all my questions. Very easy to work with.
- Richard
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
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
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
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
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
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
worth the time
Helpful advice delivered with professionalism.
- Keith
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
Outstanding Service
Our experience working with Sean was so pleasant. All of our questions were address regarding the annuity which we were interested in. When we are ready to purchase another annuity, we will definitely be working with Sean.
- Michael
Outstanding service.
Barry explained everything! He had patience and took his time to make sure we didn’t feel rushed or obligated at all.
- Christopher
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
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
Excellent summary and interactions to
Excellent summary and interactions to date.
- Robert
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
Outstanding
Outstanding Knowledgeable No hard sales Comprehensive Personable
- Michael
I received excellent service from Mark
I received excellent service from Mark Shelby.
- Lyn
Best Advice Given Hands Down
Our representative is very knowledgeable and professional as well as patient . Able to make complex issues very understandable.
- Peter
Very Honest
Jason made everything make sense and way easier to understand.
- Juan
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
Robert Baltzell was a great help
Robert Baltzell was a great help explaining the type of annuity I had been sold by another agency. He went above and beyond my expectations when contacting Annuity Gator.
- Don
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
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
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
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
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
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
Had my 401k invested in stocks but felt
Had my 401k invested in stocks but felt very uncomfortable with it and wanted to make a change. Found annuitugator onllime and called them. Was asked about my expectations and what I wanted from an annuity. At end of conversation the rep I was working with was going to do some research into what would fit my needs and agreed to another meeting the next week. At the next meeting there were several different plans to look at and the rep went through each one and explained the benefits of each one he had selected. At the end I selected with his guidance which one was the best fit and which one I liked. There was no pressure to select one or reject all of them. I made a choice and we proceeded with the paper work to apply. I have never regretted my decision and was given assistance all the way through to the end
- David
The best information on annuities out
The best information on annuities out there
- Rocky
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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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We focus relentlessly on three areas:
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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