When it comes to planning for retirement, choosing the right insurance company matters just as much as choosing the right product. American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company has built a reputation for innovation, stability, and putting their clients' retirement security first. Let me share why American Equity has become a cornerstone partner in helping Americans achieve their retirement dreams.
A Pioneer in Retirement Protection
American Equity isn't just another name in the insurance industry—they're pioneers. When fixed index annuities (FIAs) first became available in 1995, American Equity was among the earliest adopters, introducing their first FIA with a participation rate strategy in 1996. For nearly three decades, they've been refining and perfecting these products to better serve retirees.
Their headquarters in West Des Moines, Iowa, reflects their Midwest values: stability, integrity, and a genuine commitment to helping people build financial security. This isn't about flashy Wall Street tactics—it's about providing practical, reliable solutions that work for real people planning real retirements.
Recognized Excellence
American Equity's commitment to their clients hasn't gone unnoticed. They've been recognized by Newsweek as one of "America's Most Trustworthy Companies" for multiple consecutive years (2023-2025). This recognition speaks volumes about their dedication to transparency, customer service, and fulfilling their promises to policyholders.
The Power of Protection: American Equity's Core Philosophy
What sets American Equity apart is their unwavering focus on what matters most to retirees: protection. Their entire product lineup is built around a simple but powerful principle—your retirement savings should be shielded from market volatility while still having opportunities to grow.
Think about the major market downturns we've seen: the Great Depression, the Oil Crisis, and the Great Recession. In each case, it took years—sometimes decades—for investors to recover their losses. American Equity's fixed index annuities are specifically designed to protect you from these devastating setbacks. Your principal and any interest you've already earned are guaranteed never to decrease due to market downturns.
A Product for Every Retirement Need
American Equity offers a comprehensive suite of fixed index annuities, each designed to address specific retirement planning goals:
IncomeShield Series
The IncomeShield products (available in 7, 9, and 10-year terms) are built for those who want to turn their retirement savings into a guaranteed paycheck they can never outlive. With the optional Lifetime Income Benefit Rider (LIBR), these products offer:
Daily interest crediting on your Income Account Value
Protection from market downturns
Guaranteed lifetime income payments
The Wellbeing Benefit—a safety net that can boost your income by up to 200% for five years if you become unable to perform two of six activities of daily living
AssetShield Series
For those focused on accumulation and growth potential, the AssetShield family (offering 5, 7, and 10-year terms) provides:
Premium bonuses up to 22% with the Enhanced Bonus option
Multiple index-linked crediting strategies
Participation rates as high as 40% on certain strategies
Complete principal protection from market declines
EstateShield Series
The EstateShield products (9 and 10-year terms) are designed for those who want to maximize both their retirement income and the legacy they leave behind. Key features include:
A substantial 35% Benefits Account Value (BAV) bonus
Enhanced death benefit options for beneficiaries
Guaranteed lifetime income with rising payment potential
Legacy options that can provide 100% of your BAV to beneficiaries over five years
Understanding the American Equity Difference
What truly distinguishes American Equity is how they've engineered their products to work in real-world retirement scenarios. Take their approach to interest crediting as an example. When you allocate money to an index-linked strategy, your potential interest is calculated based on the performance of an external market index. But here's the critical difference: your money is never actually invested in the stock market.
This separation is what creates the "shield" in their product names. When the market goes down, your contract value doesn't decrease. When the market goes up, you have the opportunity to earn interest. And perhaps most importantly, because you didn't lose money in the down years, you don't have to spend the good years just recovering—you can start earning from day one of the market's recovery.
Built on Financial Strength
All guarantees from American Equity are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company. With nearly 30 years of experience in the fixed index annuity market, they've demonstrated their commitment to honoring their promises to policyholders through multiple market cycles.
Is an American Equity Annuity Right for You?
American Equity's fixed index annuities may be particularly well-suited for you if:
You want to protect a portion of your retirement portfolio from market volatility
You're concerned about outliving your retirement savings
You want growth potential without market risk
You're planning for both your retirement income and your legacy
You value working with a company that has a proven track record
The Next Step
Choosing the right retirement solution requires careful consideration of your unique financial situation, goals, and needs. American Equity's diverse product lineup offers flexibility, but understanding which features and benefits align with your specific retirement vision is essential.
As an independent financial consultant with Latimore Life & Legacy LLC, I work with American Equity products because I've seen firsthand how they can provide the combination of safety, growth potential, and guaranteed income that forms the foundation of a confident retirement.
If you're interested in learning more about how American Equity's fixed index annuities might fit into your retirement planning strategy, I invite you to reach out for a personalized consultation. Together, we can explore whether these innovative protection-focused products align with your vision for retirement security.
About Latimore Life & Legacy LLC
In affiliation with Global Financial Impact, we provide independent financial consulting services, helping clients navigate retirement planning with integrity and expertise. Our goal is to match you with the right solutions for your unique situation.
Important Note: This material is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or rollover any asset. It does not take into account the specific financial circumstances, investment objectives, risk tolerance, or needs of any specific person. Guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company and are not guaranteed by any bank or insured by the FDIC. Please consult with a qualified financial professional to discuss your specific situation.