VA sales have trended downward for five years, and the third quarter brought more bad news: the product line saw the lowest sales in 20 years. However, experts think interest may slowly pick up as advisers and insurers get more comfortable operating under the DOL fiduciary rule.
| Issuer | Net assets ($M) | % change vs. 2016 | Market share | Market share % change _vs. 2016 | Financial strength rating* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TIAA-CREF | $474,342.50 | 5.50% | 24.70% | 3.50% | A++ (Superior) |
| 2 | Jackson National | $176,606.00 | 14.40% | 9.20% | 12.30% | A+ (Superior) |
| 3 | Prudential Financial | $161,203.50 | 4.70% | 8.40% | 2.70% | A+ (Superior) |
| 4 | Lincoln Financial Group | $128,692.70 | 6.80% | 6.70% | 4.80% | A+ (Superior) |
| 5 | AXA Equitable | $114,282.40 | 6.60% | 5.90% | 4.60% | A (Excellent) |
| 6 | Brighthouse Financial | $114,084.70 | 2.90% | 5.90% | 1.00% | A (Excellent) |
| 7 | AIG | $113,673.60 | 6.60% | 5.90% | 4.60% | A (Excellent) |
| 8 | Ameriprise Financial | $78,240.90 | 4.80% | 4.10% | 2.80% | A+ (Superior) |
| 9 | AEGON/Transamerica | $74,579.10 | 6.60% | 3.90% | 4.60% | A+ (Superior) |
| 10 | Nationwide | $71,540.70 | 9.50% | 3.70% | 7.40% | A+ (Superior) |
| 11 | Pacific Life | $54,540.10 | 3.80% | 2.80% | 1.80% | A+ (Superior) |
| 12 | Voya Financial | $39,604.70 | -39.70% | 2.10% | -40.80% | A (Excellent)1 |
| 13 | Hartford | $39,076.40 | -2.50% | 2.00% | -4.40% | B++ (Good)1 |
| 14 | Allianz Life | $34,250.70 | 11.10% | 1.80% | 9.00% | A+ (Superior) |
| 15 | Thrivent Financial | $34,101.10 | 11.40% | 1.80% | 9.30% | A++ (Superior) |
| 16 | Fidelity Investments Life | $30,836.70 | 10.60% | 1.60% | 8.50% | A+ (Superior) |
| 17 | New York Life | $30,392.10 | 9.30% | 1.60% | 7.20% | A++ (Superior) |
| 18 | Ohio National | $22,362.70 | 6.90% | 1.20% | 4.90% | A+ (Superior) |
| 19 | Northwestern Mutual | $20,184.90 | 11.00% | 1.00% | 8.90% | A++ (Superior) |
| 20 | Mutual of America | $15,388.00 | 22.70% | 0.80% | 20.30% | A+ (Superior) |
| Issuer | Net assets ($M) | % change vs. 2016 | Market share | Market share % change _vs. 2016 | Financial strength rating* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson National | $3,891.70 | -9.50% | 18.90% | 1.70% | A+ (Superior) |
| 2 | TIAA-CREF | $2,611.60 | -19.50% | 12.70% | -0.30% | A++ (Superior) |
| 3 | AXA Equitable | $2,118.10 | -12.20% | 10.30% | 0.60% | A (Excellent) |
| 4 | Lincoln Financial Group | $1,595.70 | 0.10% | 7.80% | 1.40% | A+ (Superior) |
| 5 | AIG | $1,490.00 | -23.40% | 7.20% | -0.60% | A (Excellent) |
| 6 | Prudential Financial | $1,315.00 | -36.90% | 6.40% | -2.00% | A+ (Superior) |
| 7 | Nationwide | $1,221.60 | -11.70% | 5.90% | 0.40% | A+ (Superior) |
| 8 | Ameriprise Financial | $904.30 | -10.70% | 4.40% | 0.30% | A+ (Superior) |
| 9 | Allianz Life | $742.30 | 46.50% | 3.60% | 1.60% | A+ (Superior) |
| 10 | AEGON/Transamerica | $724.80 | -32.20% | 3.50% | -0.80% | A+ (Superior) |
| 11 | Pacific Life | $712.50 | 0.00% | 3.50% | 0.60% | A+ (Superior) |
| 12 | New York Life | $668.90 | 6.00% | 3.30% | 0.70% | A++ (Superior) |
| 13 | Thrivent Financial | $575.90 | -22.50% | 2.80% | -0.20% | A++ (Superior) |
| 14 | Fidelity Investments Life | $323.40 | -1.00% | 1.60% | 0.30% | A+ (Superior) |
| 15 | Brighthouse Financial | $306.50 | -39.00% | 1.50% | -0.50% | A (Excellent) |
| 16 | Northwestern Mutual | $295.90 | -4.70% | 1.40% | 0.20% | A++ (Superior) |
| 17 | Ohio National | $184.30 | -50.20% | 0.90% | -0.60% | A+ (Superior) |
| 18 | Massachusetts Mutual | $147.00 | -10.00% | 0.70% | 0.10% | A++ (Superior) |
| 19 | Great-West | $139.70 | 43.00% | 0.70% | 0.30% | A+ (Superior) |
| 20 | Mutual of America | $123.90 | -4.90% | 0.60% | 0.10% | A+ (Superior) |
Just over 10% of advisors' wealth clients come from defined contribution plans, as capacity, data and technology gaps block the bridge to wealth
Deal creates a $20B-plus custody platform for private market investing in IRAs, months after Schwab closed its Forge Global purchase
Despite the good times, advisors should tread carefully, said one veteran industry executive.
Gallagher data reveals a huge gap in financial confidence between employees who work with an advisor and those who don't.
PEP assets hit $34bn at year-end 2025 as advisors navigate mandate deadlines and a 48% employer interest rate.
Knighthead Life entered the market with a competitive MYGA. A strong launch earned advisor confidence and paved the way for FIAs.
As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor