It is important for you to have a choice when buying an income annuity because not every company continually offers the best payment rate nor does every company offer the best rate for every different type of income annuity. Having a group of providers from which to choose helps ensure you get competitive rates.
The Fidelity Insurance Network1 offers access to a single "one–stop shop" to directly compare reputable insurance companies and their fixed annuity offerings. Since an annuity's guarantees are only as strong as the insurance company providing them, you should consider the strength of the company you select and its ability to meet its future obligations.