Important: Rates shown are for illustration and comparison purposes. Actual rates may vary based on your state of residence, deposit amount, and other factors. Rates are subject to change without notice. Rates are updated daily from Cannex, the industry standard for annuity rate data. Annuity.com independently compares products from 60+ carriers and is not captive to any single insurance company. All content is reviewed under the editorial oversight of our Advisory Board. Always consult with a licensed financial professional before making purchase decisions.
What Is a Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA)?
A multi-year guaranteed annuity, or MYGA, is a type of fixed annuity that offers a guaranteed interest rate for a set period of time, typically ranging from 2 to 10 years. Think of it as the annuity equivalent of a bank CD — but often with higher rates, tax-deferred growth, and the backing of a life insurance company rather than a bank.
When you purchase a MYGA, the insurance carrier guarantees your principal and locks in a fixed interest rate for the entire term. Your money grows tax-deferred until you withdraw it, which can be a significant advantage over taxable savings accounts and CDs.
How MYGAs Compare to Bank CDs
MYGAs and CDs share a similar structure — both offer guaranteed rates for a fixed term. However, there are important differences. MYGA interest grows tax-deferred, meaning you don’t pay taxes on the growth until you withdraw it, while CD interest is taxed annually. MYGAs are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company, while CDs are backed by FDIC insurance (up to $250,000). Annuities are not FDIC-insured. MYGAs often offer higher rates than CDs for comparable terms, especially in the 5–10 year range.
Who Should Consider a MYGA?
MYGAs are particularly well-suited for people who want guaranteed, predictable growth without market risk. They’re popular among pre-retirees and retirees who want a safe place to park funds earmarked for retirement income, people looking for higher yields than bank CDs with tax-deferred growth, and anyone who values the certainty of knowing exactly what their money will earn over a set period.
Understanding Carrier Ratings
Because MYGAs are backed by the issuing insurance company (not FDIC), the financial strength of the carrier matters. We display A.M. Best ratings for every carrier in our comparison tool. A.M. Best is the oldest and most widely recognized rating agency for insurance companies. Ratings of A- or higher are generally considered strong. We include carriers of all eligible ratings in our comparison, but you can filter by rating to focus on the strength level you’re most comfortable with.
Content reviewed under the editorial oversight of Bart Catmull, CPA, NACD.DC, Advisory Board Chairman. Last updated: February 2026.