Equity Indexed Annuities
Ratings
We deal only with companies that have earned A.M.
Best's highest ratings - A++ (Superior) or A (Excellent).
The objective of A.M.
Best's rating system is to provide an overall opinion of an
insurance company's ability to meet its obligations to policyholders.
A.M. Best assigns three types of rating opinions, Best's Ratings,
Best's Financial Performance Ratings (FPR), and Qualified Ratings.
Best's Ratings are our traditional letter ratings and range from our
highest, A++ (Superior), to our lowest, F (In Liquidation). FPR ratings
are numerical ratings and range from our highest, 9 (Very Strong), to
our lowest, 1 (Poor). The majority of the companies we follow in the
U.S. qualify for either a Best's Rating or FPR. For a detailed
description on the definitions and requirements for Best's Ratings and
FPRs, refer to Sections IV and V, respectively. Qualified Ratings are
assigned to Health Maintenence Organizations (HMOs) that meet our
minimum size and operating experience requirements but do not subscribe
to our interactive rating process. The Qualified rating is therefore
based on the quantitative analysis of the HMO's financial strength,
operating performance and market profile.
Best's Ratings are based on a comprehensive evaluation of a company's
financial strength, operating performance and market profile
as compared to A.M. Best's quantitative and qualitative standards.