US annuity sales top $100 billion for 10th straight quarter

11 articles · Updated · Barron's · May 8

First-quarter 2026 sales were $104.6 billion, down 2% year on year, with Limra saying its survey captures 87% of the market.
Registered index-linked annuities led growth, rising 21% to $21.2 billion, while fixed-rate deferred annuities fell 16% to $34 billion and fixed-index annuities slipped 4% to $26.6 billion.
Traditional variable annuity sales rose 9% to $16.1 billion as investors sought guaranteed income, principal protection and more upside amid economic uncertainty and volatile markets.

One annuity type surged 21%, but how did a major insurer achieve 90% growth in a product category the market is abandoning?

With annuity sales hitting $100 billion again, why are investors choosing complex products while simpler fixed options are declining?

As private equity-backed firms dominate the annuity market, is your 'guaranteed' retirement income truly safe for the long term?