• Written By
    Sheena Zimmermann, M.Ed.

    Sheena Zimmermann, M.Ed.

    Financial Writer

    As a professional who values lifelong learning, Sheena Zimmermann joined the Annuity.org team with a deep commitment to connecting readers with resources designed to improve their financial literacy and strengthen their financial health.

    Read More
  • Edited By
    Kim Borwick
    Kim Borwick, Financial Editor for Annuity.org

    Kim Borwick

    Financial Editor

    Kim Borwick is a writer and editor who studies financial literacy and retirement annuities. She has extensive experience with editing educational content and financial topics for Annuity.org.

    Read More
  • Financially Reviewed By
    Timothy Li, MBA
    Timothy Li, MBA Headshot

    Timothy Li, MBA

    Business Finance Manager

    Timothy Li, MBA, has dedicated his career to increasing profitability for his clients, including Fortune 500 companies. Timothy currently serves as a business finance manager where he researches ways to increase profitability within the supply chain, logistics and sales departments.

    Read More
  • Updated: June 30, 2023
  • 4 min read time
  • This page features 4 Cited Research Articles
Fact Checked
Fact Checked

Annuity.org partners with outside experts to ensure we are providing accurate financial content.

These reviewers are industry leaders and professional writers who regularly contribute to reputable publications such as the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

Our expert reviewers review our articles and recommend changes to ensure we are upholding our high standards for accuracy and professionalism.

Our expert reviewers hold advanced degrees and certifications and have years of experience with personal finances, retirement planning and investments.

Why Trust Annuity.org
Why You Can Trust Annuity.org
Annuity.org has provided reliable, accurate financial information to consumers since 2013. We adhere to ethical journalism practices, including presenting honest, unbiased information that follows Associated Press style guidelines and reporting facts from reliable, attributed sources. Our objective is to deliver the most comprehensive explanation of annuities and financial literacy topics using plain, straightforward language.

Our Partnerships, Vision and Goals

We pride ourselves on partnering with professionals like those from Senior Market Sales (SMS) — a market leader with over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry — who offer personalized retirement solutions for consumers across the country. Our relationships with partners including SMS and Insuractive, the company’s consumer-facing branch, allow us to facilitate the sale of annuities and other retirement-oriented financial products to consumers who are looking to purchase safe and reliable solutions to fill gaps in their retirement income. We are compensated when we produce legitimate inquiries, and that compensation helps make Annuity.org an even stronger resource for our audience. We may also, at times, sell lead data to partners in our network in order to best connect consumers to the information they request. Readers are in no way obligated to use our partners’ services to access the free resources on Annuity.org.

Annuity.org carefully selects partners who share a common goal of educating consumers and helping them select the most appropriate product for their unique financial and lifestyle goals. Our network of advisors will never recommend products that are not right for the consumer, nor will Annuity.org. Additionally, Annuity.org operates independently of its partners and has complete editorial control over the information we publish.

Our vision is to provide users with the highest quality information possible about their financial options and empower them to make informed decisions based on their unique needs.

Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, American Equity is an American-owned and operated financial services company. They are licensed to sell annuity products in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

American Equity currently serves more than 500,000 contract owners across the United States.

About American Equity

David J. Noble founded American Equity in 1995, and the company centered on two philosophies: exemplary customer service and product integrity. With only three employees at the beginning, the company has grown to more than a 800-person staff and 24,000 agents today.

Based on the information in their 2022 Earnings Press Release, American Equity is considered a leading issuer of fixed index annuities.

American Equity has three member companies, including:

  • American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company
  • Eagle Life Insurance Company
  • American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company of New York

American Equity specializes in selling fixed index and fixed rate annuities, sharing, “We are in the business of helping individuals preserve their retirement dollars and provide a secure, predictable income they cannot outlive.”

CALLING AMERICAN EQUITY

If you’re a current annuity policyholder with American Equity, you can contact them toll-free at:

1-888-221-1234

Credit Ratings

There are many annuity providers to choose from. As you compare their rates, product options and annuity fees, it is also important to review their credit ratings.

Credit ratings are agency opinions that demonstrate an insurance company’s financial strength. American Equity has the following scores among three reports:

Standard and Poor’s Fitch A.M. Best
Insurer Financial Strength A- A- A-
Source: https://www.american-equity.com/about/ratings

The A- rating shows American Equity’s proven capacity to cover financial obligations, although the company may be more vulnerable to adverse economic conditions compared with higher-rated companies.

Annuity Products Offered by American Equity

American Equity takes pride in its personal approach to selling annuities for financial security.

The company expresses on their website, “At American Equity, we strive to provide stable annuity products backed by our company’s financial strength, disciplined investment practices and award-winning customer service.”

Current product offerings include fixed indexed annuities, fixed annuities and immediate annuities.

Fixed Indexed Annuities

Fixed indexed annuities provide premium protection with growth potential. Earnings are tied to a specific stock index, such as the S&P 500. American Equity provides several fixed indexed annuity product options:

  • Destinations
  • AssetShield 5
  • AssetShield 7
  • AssetShield 10
  • IncomeShield 7
  • IncomeShield 10
  • Bonus Gold
  • Retirement Gold

Fixed Annuities

Fixed annuities are designed to provide a reliable income stream with a guaranteed interest rate. This rate is determined at the beginning of the contract. In this category, American Equity offers the Guarantee Series and GuaranteeShield Series products.

Both fixed indexed and fixed annuities grow tax-deferred until you begin receiving payments. Your interest rate cannot fall below zero, even if the stock market experiences a downturn.

Immediate Annuities

Immediate annuities provide periodic payments for life, or a chosen timespan. American Equity’s Single Premium Immediate Annuity begins paying out within 12 months of the contract’s start date.

American Equity refers to their services as “sleep Insurance.” Instead of having sleepless nights while worrying about their retirement, policyholders can feel more secure with guaranteed annuity income.

Annuity rates on a phone

Purchase an Annuity Today

Learn how an investment today can provide guaranteed income for life.

Client Resources

At American Equity, excellent customer service is a core business philosophy. The company offers educational resources, calculators and an interactive client website. Contract owners can easily review the status of recent requests, submit online requests and access premium and withdrawal history.

LEARN MORE

If you have an annuity with American Equity, you can log into your account at:

American Equity’s Interactive Client Portal

About Annuity.org

Annuity.org has provided reliable, accurate and trustworthy financial information to readers since 2013. We partner with professionals like those from Senior Market Sales (SMS), a market leader with over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, to offer personalized retirement solutions for consumers across the country.

Any information offered about the company above is provided free of charge and individual product offerings are verified and accurate as of publication.

Our partners work with the provider companies mentioned on our site. However, Annuity.org is not a service provider. Actual products, terms and rates offered through the above company are subject to in-state availability and a variety of other factors. Visit the Our Partners page for additional information.

Please seek the advice of a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Last Modified: June 30, 2023