How We Make Money

Complete transparency about our business model. No surprises, no hidden agendas.

The Honest Answer

GoodAnnuity is free for you to use. We earn commissions from insurance carriers when you purchase an annuity through an advisor connected via our platform.

This is the same commission structure that exists everywhere in the annuity industry. The difference? We're upfront about it, and we don't let it influence our rankings or recommendations.

Key Point: You Never Pay Us Directly

Whether you buy an annuity through GoodAnnuity or directly from a carrier, the price is the same. Commissions are built into the product by the insurance company—not added on top.

How Commission Works in Annuities

The Standard Industry Model

When you purchase an annuity, the insurance company pays a commission to the selling agent or platform. This commission typically ranges from 1-7% depending on the product type and surrender period.

  • • MYGAs: Typically 1-3% (lowest commissions)
  • • FIAs: Typically 4-7% (higher, but still one-time)
  • • SPIAs/DIAs: Typically 2-4%
  • • RILAs: Typically 4-6%

Important: These commissions are paid by the insurance company from their profit margins, not deducted from your account value. A $100,000 annuity stays $100,000 in your account regardless of commission.

GoodAnnuity vs Traditional Models

❌ Traditional Advisor Model

  • The Problem: Advisors often push products with highest commissions
  • Higher-commission products may not be best for you
  • No easy way to compare across carriers
  • Information is filtered through sales lens

✓ GoodAnnuity Model

  • The Solution: Compare first, connect with advisor later
  • We show all products—even low-commission ones
  • Side-by-side comparisons across 400+ products
  • Honest education before any sales conversation

What We Don't Do

Our business model creates natural alignment with your interests, but we've also put guardrails in place:

  • ✓ We don't rank by commission Our default sort is by rate/value to customer, not what pays us most.
  • ✓ We don't hide low-commission products MYGAs have the lowest commissions but get equal prominence on our platform.
  • ✓ We don't pressure you to buy Browse for weeks, compare endlessly—we're here when you're ready.
  • ✓ We don't sell your data Your information is never sold to third parties. Period.

Your Costs: $0

GoodAnnuity is completely free to use. There are no membership fees, subscription costs, or hidden charges.

When you purchase an annuity, you pay the same price whether you:

  • Buy through GoodAnnuity
  • Buy directly from a carrier's website
  • Buy through a traditional financial advisor
  • Buy through your bank

The commission is baked into the product by the insurance company. You get the benefit of our comparison tools and education at no extra cost.

Questions About Our Model?

We believe in complete transparency. If you have questions about how we operate, we're happy to answer.

About Us Common Questions