Updated November 2026
Short answer: Ranked by the top starting comp on our carrier list, the highest-paying annuity carriers for producers right now are Mountain Life at 10%, then American National, EquiTrust and National Western at 9%, and F&G, Prosperity Life Group and SILAC at 8.5%. Another 28 carriers top out at 7%. Those top rates apply to the youngest age band and usually the longest surrender period, so compare the full grid for the products and ages you actually write. Starting comp is where every producer begins; strong producers are contracted higher.
Our job is to beat your current annuity commission.
Stuck at your current commission level, or simply want higher commission? Our sole purpose is to scale your business by beating your current commission levels. No matter your current commission level, if you meet our minimum requirements (solo producers have none), you automatically get higher commission than where you are today. Starting comp is for every producer, including new producers with no experience — there is no production minimum. If you have strong production to show, we contract you above our starting comp. Established agencies, financial advisors and financial firms, and healthcare agencies can earn much higher too. Submit your application, schedule a Zoom, and we review your current commission levels carrier by carrier and contract you above them — with full back office support, case management, carrier contracting and sales tools included.
Highest-paying annuity carriers by top starting comp
This ranking uses the top starting comp for each carrier on our annuity carrier list, which covers 68 carriers and 345 annuity products with rates verified in October 2026. Starting comp is the level every producer starts at, with no experience requirement and no production minimum. The table lists every carrier whose top starting comp is above 7%.
| Rank | Carrier | Top starting comp | Product with the top rate | Products on our list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain Life | 10% | Skyline Peak Choice | 6 |
| 2 | American National | 9% | Rate Constant Annuity | 7 |
| 3 | EquiTrust | 9% | Bridge | 13 |
| 4 | National Western | 9% | Ultra Classic | 7 |
| 5 | F&G | 8.5% | Accelerator Plus | 10 |
| 6 | Prosperity Life Group (S.USA) | 8.5% | PathWay | 4 |
| 7 | SILAC | 8.5% | Denali and Denali Bonus | 5 |
| 8 | Atlantic Coast Life | 8.25% | Accumulation Protector Plus | 6 |
| 9 | Sentinel Security Life | 8.25% | Accumulation Protector Plus | 6 |
| 10 | Athene | 8% | Performance Elite | 10 |
| 11 | Axonic | 7.5% | Trailhead FIA & FIA Plus | 2 |
| 12 | Farmers | 7.5% | Harvest FIA | 2 |
| 13 | Nationwide | 7.5% | CareMatters Annuity | 4 |
| 14 | Oceanview | 7.5% | Harbourview FIA | 4 |
| 15 | Ohio State Life | 7.5% | NexCompounder FIA | 2 |
| 16 | Nassau | 7.35% | Personal Income Annuity | 10 |
| 17 | Allianz Preferred (Allianz Life) | 7.25% | 222+, 360 & Benefit Control+ (10 Yr) | 5 |
| 18 | Heartland | 7.25% | Secure Retirement Growth/Boost 10 Yr | 7 |
The carriers at 7% are American Equity, American Life, Americo, Ameritas, Aspida, Clear Spring Life, Corebridge Financial (American General), Delaware Life, Global Atlantic, Guaranty Income Life, Ibexis, Integrity Life, Knighthead, Lafayette Life, Liberty Bankers, Lincoln Financial, MassMutual Ascend, Mutual of Omaha, National Life Group (LSW), North American, Pacific Life, Prudential, Revol One, Sagicor, Symetra, Talcott, The Standard and Trellis Financial. Click any carrier for its full grid by product, surrender period, issue age and payout option.
What "top starting comp" actually means
Each carrier's top rate is the single highest cell on its grid. It almost always applies to:
- The youngest issue-age band, often ages 0 to 70 or 0 to 75. Rates step down for older clients.
- The longest surrender period the carrier offers, such as 10 or 14 years. Shorter surrender periods pay less.
- The heaped option, where the full first-year commission is paid at issue. Trail options pay less up front. See heaped vs trail commissions.
A carrier with a 9% top rate can pay less than a 7% carrier on the product, term and age you actually write. Compare the cells that match your clients.
Why the highest rate is not the whole story
Commission is one input. Before you move business to a carrier, also weigh:
- Product fit: the right surrender period, liquidity and income features for each client. Recommending a longer surrender period for a higher commission is exactly what the best-interest standard prohibits. See our best-interest checklist.
- Chargebacks: how long the carrier can take commission back if the contract is surrendered or the owner dies early.
- Issue ages and state availability: some top-paying products are not available in every state or at every age.
- Carrier financial strength: guarantees depend on the issuing insurer's claims-paying ability. Review current ratings before recommending a carrier.
- Service: how quickly the carrier issues business, handles transfers and pays commission.
How to earn more than the starting comp
Starting comp is the floor, not the ceiling. Producers with strong production to show are contracted above starting comp, and established agencies, financial advisors and financial firms, and healthcare agencies can earn above it too. Our job is to beat your current commission level carrier by carrier: share your current levels, schedule a Zoom and we will show you where we can place you. You can estimate the difference with the annuity commission calculator.
Carrier guides
For deeper looks at the largest annuity carriers, see our commission guides for Athene, Allianz, American Equity, F&G, North American and Corebridge.
Frequently asked questions
Which annuity carrier pays the highest commission?
On our current carrier list, Mountain Life has the highest top starting comp at 10%, followed by American National, EquiTrust and National Western at 9%. The top rate applies to the youngest age band and usually the longest surrender period, so check the full grid for your clients.
What is a good annuity commission for an agent?
It depends on the product type and surrender period. Long-surrender fixed indexed annuities commonly carry the highest rates, while MYGAs and income annuities pay less. Compare your current contract level with the starting comp on our carrier list to see whether you are being paid fairly.
Why do annuity commissions drop for older clients?
Carriers expect older owners to hold contracts for less time and to have more death claims during the surrender period, so grids pay less at higher issue ages.
Is the highest-paying carrier the best choice for my client?
Not necessarily. Product fit, surrender period, liquidity, carrier strength and service all matter, and the best-interest standard requires you to put the client's interest ahead of your commission.
Can BetterAnnuityComp.com beat my current annuity commission?
That is our sole job: no matter your current commission level, if you meet our minimum requirements (solo producers have none), you automatically get higher commission than where you are today. Starting comp is for every producer, including new producers with no experience, and there is no production minimum. If you have strong production to show, we contract you above our starting comp, and established agencies, financial advisors and financial firms, and healthcare agencies can earn above it too. Submit your application, schedule a Zoom and share your current commission levels by carrier. We compare them carrier by carrier and contract you above them, with full back office support, case management, carrier contracting and sales tools included.
Sources
- BetterAnnuityComp.com — Annuity carrier list (68 carriers, 345 products, rates verified October 2026)
- NAIC — Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation (#275)
Want to be paid above starting comp? BetterAnnuityComp.com, powered by BetterLifeQuotes.com, works to beat your current annuity commission — starting comp has no experience requirement and no production minimum, and strong producers are contracted higher — plus case management and carrier contracting. Solo producers and advisors can apply here, agencies can use the agency application, and anyone can browse the annuity carrier list. See how we beat your current commission.