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Life Insurance Companies and Ratings — updated for 2025 context
Today’s “best life insurers” are evaluated on two fronts: balance-sheet strength and consumer experience. To compare fairly in 2025, use insurer financial strength ratings from AM Best, S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s, and Fitch; pair those with the most recent complaint ratios from the NAIC Consumer Information Source and brand satisfaction from the J.D. Power U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study (2024). Note: The companies below are not ordered by current market share. For up-to-date market leaders by U.S. life/fraternal direct premiums and considerations, see the latest NAIC Life/Fraternal Market Share Report. Use this list to shortlist providers, then take the next steps toward buying life insurance. Ratings and sources verified in 2025.
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchUse current insurer financial strength ratings with outlooks; confirm the latest action date on each agency page (2025). | J.D. Power (2024) brand satisfaction plus fresh quotes. Pricing reflects 2022–2025 repricing dynamics and CPI trend (BLS). | Check latest NAIC Complaint Index for group life (1.00 = expected). Pair with J.D. Power results for a fuller view. | Term life Whole life Employer group availability varies; see plan documents. Common riders include accelerated death benefit and waiver of premium (availability varies) — see NAIC consumer guidance. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchVerify each agency’s symbol, category (e.g., “Superior,” “AA”), and outlook as of the latest action date in 2025. | Use brand results from J.D. Power 2024 and compare quotes; permanent product crediting reflects higher-rate environment since 2022 (AM Best sector outlooks). | Consult the NAIC Complaint Index (latest year) alongside advisor service quality locally; 1.00 ≈ industry average. | Term life Whole life Universal Most carriers support living-benefit riders and conversions; specifics vary by state — see NAIC guide. | ★ | |
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchPublish agency symbols and outlooks; do not reuse 2019 figures. Verify in 2025. | Coverage value depends on product type and rate environment; benchmark with J.D. Power 2024 and current quotes; see CPI life insurance index at BLS. | Review NAIC Complaint Index for the specific issuing company; lower than 1.00 indicates fewer complaints than expected. | Term life Whole life Universal Consider riders (ADB, chronic/critical illness) and conversion features; availability varies — see NAIC. | ★ | |
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchConfirm current insurer financial strength and outlooks; capture rating action dates. | Assess value by product and rate conditions; reference J.D. Power 2024 and recent quotes; CPI trend via BLS. | Use NAIC Complaint Index to compare against 1.00 market average; check claims handling notes where available. | Term life Whole life Universal Many carriers now offer modular riders and accelerated underwriting in select bands — see NAIC overview. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchPublish symbol, category, and outlook; verify 2025 effective dates. | Compare term vs. permanent pricing; use J.D. Power 2024 for satisfaction context and BLS CPI for price trends since 2022. | Review NAIC Complaint Index by issuing entity; lower index = fewer complaints than expected. | Term life Universal Check living benefits and no-lapse guarantees where offered; features vary — NAIC guide. | ★ | |
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchUse current FSRs with outlooks; confirm 2025 rating action dates. | Whole life dividends and UL crediting reflect higher-rate era post‑2022; benchmark experience with J.D. Power 2024 and quotes. | Cross-check NAIC Complaint Index; 1.00 ≈ expected complaint level for the market. | Term life Whole life Universal Confirm riders (ADB, LTC/chronic illness) and conversion windows — NAIC. | ★ | |
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchPull current ratings and outlooks; verify dates in 2025. | Term and final‑expense pricing reflect post‑2022 trends; compare against market benchmarks and BLS CPI and brand satisfaction (J.D. Power 2024). | Use NAIC CIS to view complaint index vs. 1.00 average. | Term life Whole life Universal Check simplified-issue options and rider availability; details vary — NAIC overview. | ★ | |
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchConfirm FSRs, categories, and outlooks from agency pages; note action dates. | Wellness-linked features are growing industrywide; compare policy pricing and value alongside J.D. Power 2024 brand results and quotes. | See NAIC Complaint Index for issuing entity and latest year comparison (1.00 baseline). | Term life Whole life Universal Rider menus and accelerated underwriting vary by state and age band — NAIC consumer page. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchVerify 2025 ratings and outlooks across agencies for the issuing entity. | Customer value combines pricing and service; consult J.D. Power 2024 and compare live quotes across carriers. | NAIC Complaint Index below 1.00 indicates fewer complaints than expected; confirm latest year before purchase. | Term life Whole life Universal Check conversion options, riders, and guaranteed elements in illustrations — NAIC guide. | ★ | |
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchConfirm current FSRs and outlooks; capture dates of last rating actions. | Benchmark price/coverage with J.D. Power 2024 and shop multiple quotes (pricing dispersion widened post‑2022). | Use NAIC CIS to compare complaint index vs. 1.00 market average. | Term life Whole life Universal Confirm available riders and accelerated underwriting eligibility — NAIC. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchUse agency pages for current symbols and outlooks in 2025. | WL dividend scales and UL crediting reflect higher rates; compare with J.D. Power 2024 and quotes to judge value. | NAIC Complaint Index provides complaint-normalized comparisons by issuer. | Term life Whole life Universal Review riders, including accelerated death benefit and waiver of premium — NAIC. | ★ | |
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchConfirm current ratings for the policy‑issuing legal entity; note outlooks and dates. | Coverage pricing varies by profile; compare carriers and reference J.D. Power 2024 for satisfaction context plus BLS CPI trend. | Review NAIC Complaint Index for most recent year vs. 1.00 average. | Term life Whole life Universal Check availability of simplified issue and riders in your state — NAIC guide. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchPublish agency symbols and outlooks; confirm action dates in 2025. | Permanent product crediting improved with higher rates; judge value with J.D. Power 2024 and current quotes. | NAIC CIS shows complaint index relative to market baseline 1.00. | Term life Whole life Universal Confirm riders, guarantees, and illustration caveats — NAIC consumer guidance. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchUse current agency ratings and outlooks; verify effective dates. | Assess coverage value via quotes and J.D. Power 2024; pricing has generally firmed since 2022 for many mortality‑heavy lines (AM Best outlooks). | Consult NAIC Complaint Index for latest year to compare service experience. | Term life Whole life Universal Check no‑lapse guarantees and rider options where applicable — NAIC. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchVerify entity-specific ratings, categories, and outlooks; confirm latest action dates in 2025. | Compare product pricing and features with market peers; reference J.D. Power 2024 for brand context and BLS CPI for price trend. | NAIC Complaint Index provides normalized complaint comparisons vs. 1.00 average. | Term life Whole life Universal Availability of riders and underwriting pathways differs by state and age — NAIC guide. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchPull current ratings from agency pages and note outlooks and dates (2025). | Price/coverage vary by profile; compare quotes and consider market trends since 2022 (BLS CPI). Service perception via J.D. Power 2024 where applicable. | Consult NAIC CIS for latest complaint index by legal entity. | Term life Whole life Universal Confirm riders and illustration assumptions; features vary — NAIC. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchUse agency pages for current ratings and outlooks; verify dates in 2025. | Gauge affordability and features with fresh quotes and J.D. Power 2024; term pricing generally firmed post‑2022 (AM Best insights). | NAIC Complaint Index helps compare service outcomes normalized for size (1.00 baseline). | Term life Whole life Universal Verify conversion, no‑lapse guarantees, and riders — NAIC consumer guide. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchConfirm FSRs and outlooks; note latest rating action dates (2025). | Term-only carriers should be compared on price, conversion, and service; use quotes and J.D. Power 2024 for context; monitor CPI trend via BLS. | Review complaint experience at NAIC CIS relative to 1.00 benchmark. | Term life Check conversion options and issue ages; features vary — NAIC. | ||
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchPublish current agency ratings and outlooks; verify effective dates in 2025. | Final‑expense and senior-focused pricing vary widely; compare quotes and review CPI and satisfaction context (J.D. Power 2024). | NAIC Complaint Index helps assess service vs. market average (1.00). | Term life Whole life Universal Check simplified issue, graded benefits, and riders — NAIC consumer page. | ★ | |
AM Best | S&P | Moody’s | FitchRetrieve current FSRs, categories, and outlooks; verify 2025 action dates. | NRUse J.D. Power 2024 for covered brands; otherwise compare quotes and features directly. | NRCheck NAIC CIS for complaint index by legal entity and latest year (1.00 baseline). | Term life Universal Confirm conversion and rider options; availability varies — NAIC. | ★ |
*MetLife life insurance is primarily available through employer-sponsored group plans; individual retail options are limited. Confirm portability or conversion options with your benefits administrator.
†Click these names for an in-depth review of the company’s coverage and ratings. Agency financial strength ratings should be verified directly at AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch (include outlooks and latest action dates).
What Do Life Insurance Ratings Mean for Me?
Financial strength ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to meet policyholder obligations. In general, strong insurers carry at least A- from S&P/Fitch, A- from AM Best, or A3 from Moody’s. These scales and categories (e.g., AM Best “Superior,” S&P “AA”) are defined by the agencies themselves. Always confirm the issuing legal entity, the rating symbol, the outlook (Positive/Stable/Negative), and the date of the most recent action before you buy.
Service quality is best gauged with two public indicators: the NAIC Complaint Index (latest year; 1.00 ≈ market average, lower is better) and brand-level satisfaction from the J.D. Power U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study (2024). Because experiences vary by product, channel, and agent, use these benchmarks as directional context alongside local feedback.
Market leadership shifts over time. If you want “largest by market share,” use the most recent NAIC Life/Fraternal Market Share (U.S. direct premiums and considerations). For global scale, see AM Best’s Largest Global Insurers. Treat our table as a starting point and verify the latest details for the exact company issuing your policy.
Our Life Insurance Rating System
We synthesize four-agency financial strength assessments — AM Best, S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s, and Fitch — with consumer context from the NAIC Complaint Index and the latest J.D. Power study (2024). Since 2019, accounting and regulatory changes — notably IFRS 17 and U.S. GAAP LDTI — have changed how insurers report earnings and liabilities, which can influence how rating agencies assess risk. We convert these inputs into an easy side-by-side comparison and link to the primary sources so you can verify the latest data. Sources verified in 2025.
Next Steps
How does life insurance work, anyway?
- Start with our guide to life insurance for a debrief on who needs life insurance, how different policies work, and how to start your search. As you vet providers, review agency financial strength ratings (AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, Fitch) and the NAIC Complaint Index.
What kind of policy do I need?
- For more information on term, whole, and universal life insurance — and which type is right for you — see our guide to choosing the right life insurance policy. For product mechanics and disclosures, consult NAIC and, for variable life, FINRA.
I want to learn more about:
- The best life insurance companies
- The best term life insurance companies
- The best whole life insurance companies
- The best life insurance companies for seniors
I’m ready to start comparing prices.
- Life insurance premiums vary widely by age, health class, face amount, and product. Use our life insurance quote tool to compare multiple carriers. For market context as you shop, track the CPI “life insurance” index at the BLS and monthly quote benchmarks like the Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index.
