Today's top FIA income roll-ups
| Carrier | Product | AM Best | Income Roll-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athene | Performance Elite Plus | A+ | 10.50% |
| Allianz Life | Benefit Control | A+ | 9.75% |
| Nationwide | Peak 10 | A+ | 9.25% |
How FIA "rates" actually work
An FIA doesn't pay a single APY like a MYGA. Instead, three numbers drive your return:
- Cap rate: the maximum interest credited in a given year (e.g., 8% cap).
- Participation rate: the percentage of the index return you receive (e.g., 60% participation).
- Spread: a fixed percentage deducted from the index return before crediting.
Carriers also offer index-linked strategies with different terms (1-year, 2-year, point-to-point, monthly average). The right strategy depends on your view of market direction and your need for guaranteed lifetime income.
Income roll-up vs accumulation FIAs
FIAs split into two camps. Accumulation FIAs aim to grow your contract value using high caps and uncapped index strategies. Income-rider FIAs pair a modest accumulation strategy with a guaranteed income base that rolls up at a fixed rate (today's best is around 10.50%) — used to calculate future lifetime income, not principal.
When an FIA makes sense
- You want index-linked upside without market downside.
- You need a future stream of guaranteed lifetime income.
- You have a 7- to 10-year time horizon and don't need the funds in the meantime.
- You've already used CDs, bonds, and a MYGA, and want a different return profile.
Compare FIAs against fixed-rate alternatives on our MYGA rates page or read about FIA carriers including Allianz, Athene, and Nationwide.
Frequently asked questions
- What are fixed index annuity rates today?
- Today's top fixed indexed annuity (FIA) income roll-ups from A-rated carriers reach approximately 10.50% per year, with cap rates on S&P 500-linked strategies typically running 7%–10%. The "rate" you should compare depends on whether you're buying for accumulation (cap/participation) or for future income (income-base roll-up).
- How are FIA rates different from MYGA rates?
- A MYGA pays a single guaranteed APY. An FIA combines downside protection (you can't lose money to the index) with index-linked upside, subject to a cap, participation rate, or spread. FIAs typically pay 0% in down years and earn the capped index gain in up years.
- What is a participation rate vs a cap rate?
- A cap rate sets the maximum interest credited (e.g., 8% cap means you get the index return up to 8%). A participation rate gives you a percentage of the index return (e.g., 60% participation on a +12% index year credits 7.2%). Some FIAs use a spread instead, deducting a fixed percentage from the index gain.
- Who has the best fixed indexed annuity rates?
- Allianz, Athene, Nationwide, and North American consistently rank near the top of FIA income roll-up tables. Best-of-class changes by product feature — accumulation FIAs, income-rider FIAs, and uncapped FIAs each have different leaders.
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