Best Annuities for Guaranteed Retirement Income (2026)

Guaranteed retirement income has never been more in demand. With traditional pensions fading and market volatility creating anxiety, retirees are turning to annuities for reliable, predictable income they cannot outlive. The good news for buyers in 2026 is that annuity rates are near 15-year highs, making these products more attractive than they have been in over a decade.

Industry data from LIMRA projects 2026 annuity sales to exceed $450 billion, driven by the favorable rate environment and a growing wave of baby boomers entering retirement. But not all annuities are created equal, and the best one for you depends on your income timing, risk tolerance, and financial goals.

This guide covers the best annuity types for retirement income, how to evaluate them, current rate benchmarks, and strategies to get the most value. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor before purchasing any annuity.

Single Premium Immediate Annuities (SPIAs): Income Now

A single premium immediate annuity, or SPIA, is the most straightforward annuity for generating retirement income. You make a single lump-sum payment to an insurance company, and income payments begin within 30 days. There is no accumulation phase, no investment decisions, and no complex riders to evaluate.

SPIAs are priced based on your age, gender, the amount you invest, and the payout option you choose. The older you are when you buy, the higher the monthly payment, because the insurance company expects to make payments for fewer years. As of early 2026, approximate SPIA payouts on a $100,000 investment are roughly $570 per month for a 65-year-old with life-only payments and roughly $650 per month for a 70-year-old.

SPIA Payout Options

• Life only. Highest monthly payment. Payments stop when you die, and beneficiaries receive nothing. Best if maximizing monthly income is your top priority and you have other assets for heirs.
• Life with period certain. Guarantees payments for a minimum period (such as 10 or 20 years) even if you die before that period ends. Beneficiaries receive the remaining payments. Monthly income is slightly lower than life only.
• Joint and survivor. Payments continue for the lives of two people, typically you and your spouse. Monthly income is lower because the insurance company is covering two lifetimes. Best for couples who want to ensure the surviving spouse continues to receive income.

SPIAs are best for retirees who need income immediately, want simplicity, and are comfortable giving up access to the lump sum in exchange for guaranteed monthly payments. The main drawback is that once you buy a SPIA, you cannot get your money back as a lump sum. The decision is irreversible.

Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs): Locking In High Rates

A multi-year guaranteed annuity, or MYGA, is a type of fixed annuity that locks in a guaranteed interest rate for a specific term, similar to a bank CD but with tax-deferred growth. MYGAs are one of the most popular annuity products in 2026 because they offer some of the highest guaranteed rates available anywhere.

As of February 2026, the best MYGA rates available include approximately 7.65 percent for ten-year terms and approximately 6.30 percent for five-year terms. Three-year terms are generally in the 5.50 to 6.00 percent range. These rates are near 15-year highs, making MYGAs particularly attractive for retirees and pre-retirees looking to lock in guaranteed growth.

MYGAs differ from SPIAs in that they do not provide immediate income. Instead, your money grows at the guaranteed rate during the term. When the term ends, you can take the money out, roll it into another annuity, or convert it into an income stream. MYGAs are best for people who want guaranteed growth at a known rate while they decide when and how to take income.

MYGA vs. CDs

MYGAs and CDs serve similar purposes but have key differences. MYGAs generally offer higher interest rates than CDs. MYGA interest grows tax-deferred, while CD interest is taxed each year. CDs are FDIC insured up to $250,000, while MYGAs are backed by the issuing insurance company and protected by state guaranty associations up to state-specific limits. CDs typically have shorter terms and easier access at maturity, while MYGAs may have surrender charges during the term. For higher rates and tax deferral, a MYGA may be the better choice if you can leave the money alone for the full term.

Fixed Indexed Annuities With GLWB Riders: Growth Plus Guaranteed Income

A fixed indexed annuity (FIA) with a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB) rider combines growth potential with guaranteed income. The base annuity earns interest linked to a market index, with your principal protected by a floor (typically zero percent). The GLWB rider guarantees that you can withdraw a specific percentage of a benefit base for life, regardless of your actual account value.

Here is how the GLWB rider typically works. The insurance company establishes a benefit base, which starts at your initial premium and may grow at a guaranteed roll-up rate (often 5 to 8 percent simple or compound) during a deferral period. When you are ready to take income, you can withdraw a guaranteed percentage of the benefit base each year for life. The withdrawal percentage depends on your age at the time you start withdrawals, usually 4 to 6 percent.

The GLWB rider adds an annual fee, typically 0.50 to 1 percent of the benefit base. This fee is deducted from your actual account value, which can reduce the account value over time. However, the guaranteed withdrawal amount does not decrease even if your actual account value drops to zero. This product is best for people who want some market participation during the accumulation phase and guaranteed income in the future.

How to Evaluate an Annuity for Retirement Income

When comparing annuities for retirement income, focus on these key factors.

• Payout rate or interest rate. For SPIAs, compare monthly income amounts from multiple carriers for the same premium and payout option. For MYGAs, compare guaranteed interest rates for the same term length. Even small rate differences can add up over time.
• Financial strength of the insurer. Your annuity income is only as reliable as the company paying it. Check ratings from A.M. Best (aim for A- or higher), Moody's, Standard and Poor's, and Fitch. Do not chase the highest rate from a financially weak company.
• Fees and charges. Understand all costs, including surrender charges, M&E fees (for variable annuities), rider fees, and any embedded costs. Lower fees mean more money working for you.
• Surrender period and charges. Know how long your money will be locked up and what penalties apply for early withdrawal. Shorter surrender periods give you more flexibility.
• Payout options and flexibility. Check what income options are available: life only, life with period certain, joint and survivor, and whether you can change options after purchase. More flexibility is better.
• Inflation protection. Consider whether the annuity offers a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) rider. Fixed payments lose purchasing power over time. A COLA rider can help, but it reduces your initial payment amount and adds cost.

The Laddering Strategy: Reducing Risk and Increasing Flexibility

One of the smartest strategies for buying annuities is laddering, which means spreading your money across multiple annuities with different maturity dates rather than investing everything in a single contract. This approach offers several advantages.

• Regular access to money. As each annuity matures, you can access those funds without surrender charges. This gives you periodic liquidity that a single long-term annuity does not.
• Rate diversification. By buying at different times and terms, you avoid the risk of locking all your money in at one rate. If rates rise, your shorter-term annuities mature sooner and can be reinvested at higher rates.
• Flexibility to adjust. As each rung of the ladder matures, you can reassess your needs and decide whether to reinvest in another annuity, take income, or use the funds for something else.

A sample MYGA ladder might look like this. With $200,000 to invest, you could allocate $50,000 to a 3-year MYGA, $50,000 to a 5-year MYGA, $50,000 to a 7-year MYGA, and $50,000 to a 10-year MYGA. Each MYGA locks in the best rate available for its term. As each matures, you decide what to do with those funds based on your needs and the rate environment at that time.

Laddering can also be applied to SPIAs. Instead of converting all your savings to income at once, you might buy a SPIA at age 65 for a portion, another at 68, and another at 72. Each purchase reflects the higher payout rates that come with older age, and you maintain flexibility in the early years of retirement.

Cost-of-Living Adjustments: Protecting Against Inflation

A significant concern with fixed annuity income is inflation. A payment of $570 per month has less purchasing power in 20 years than it does today. Some annuities offer a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) rider that increases payments by a fixed percentage each year, commonly 2 to 3 percent.

The trade-off is that a COLA rider significantly reduces your initial monthly payment. An annuity with a 3 percent COLA might start at $430 per month instead of $570 per month for the same $100,000 premium. Over time, the COLA payments catch up and eventually exceed the fixed payment, but it typically takes 10 to 15 years before the cumulative total paid under the COLA option exceeds the fixed option.

Whether a COLA rider is worth it depends on how long you expect to live and how concerned you are about future inflation. If you are in good health and have longevity in your family, the COLA rider can be valuable. If you need the highest possible income now, the flat payment may be better. This is another area where a financial advisor can model different scenarios to help you decide.

When to Buy: Timing Considerations

Annuity rates are directly influenced by interest rates. When interest rates are high, annuity rates are better, meaning you get more income for your money. The current rate environment in 2026 is favorable, with rates near 15-year highs.

However, timing the market is notoriously difficult. Rates could go higher from here, or they could fall. Waiting for the perfect rate means you miss out on income you could be receiving now. The laddering strategy described above is a practical way to manage timing risk, capturing today's rates for a portion of your money while keeping the rest available to take advantage of future rate movements.

Another important timing factor is your age. SPIA payouts increase with age because the insurance company expects to make payments for fewer years. If you can defer income for a few years and use other savings to bridge the gap, you may receive a higher monthly payment when you eventually buy. A financial advisor can help you model the trade-offs between buying now and deferring.

The Bottom Line

For guaranteed retirement income in 2026, three annuity types stand out. SPIAs provide the simplest, most direct path to immediate lifetime income. MYGAs offer the highest guaranteed fixed rates for those who want to lock in growth before taking income. Fixed indexed annuities with GLWB riders combine growth potential with a guaranteed income floor for the future.

The current rate environment is among the best in 15 years, with MYGA rates exceeding 7.65 percent for ten-year terms and SPIA payouts at multi-year highs. A laddering strategy can help you take advantage of today's rates while maintaining flexibility for the future.

When evaluating any annuity, prioritize the insurer's financial strength, compare rates across multiple carriers, understand all fees and surrender charges, and consider inflation protection. Never put all your retirement savings into a single annuity. Use an annuity for the portion of your savings that needs to generate guaranteed, predictable income, and keep the rest invested for growth and flexibility.

Before purchasing any annuity, consult a qualified financial advisor who can evaluate your complete financial picture and recommend the products and strategies that best fit your retirement income needs.