California Annuity Rates & Guide
California has the largest population of seniors in the US at 5.8 million aged 65+. While the state has higher taxes, annuities remain a popular choice for guaranteed retirement income.
Key Facts for California Annuity Buyers
Tax Treatment of Annuity Income in California
California taxes annuity income as ordinary income at state rates up to 13.3%. However, the tax-deferred growth inside an annuity can still provide significant advantages for California residents during the accumulation phase.
California taxes annuity income as ordinary income with no retirement income exclusion; Social Security is exempt. The state guaranty association covers 80% of contract value up to the $250,000 cap.
Premium tax: California levies a premium tax on some annuity purchases (2.35% on non-qualified annuity premiums; 0.5% on qualified annuity premiums). Carriers build this into their quotes, which is one more reason quotes for California residents should be compared side by side rather than estimated from national tables.
Remember that federal taxes still apply regardless of your state. For non-qualified annuities, only the earnings portion is taxed (the "exclusion ratio" shelters your original investment). For qualified annuities funded with pre-tax money, 100% of each payment is taxable at the federal level. Read our complete tax guide for details.
Is Your Annuity Protected in California?
Annuity guarantees are backed first by the issuing insurance company — which is why we only quote carriers rated A or better. Behind that stands California's life and health insurance guaranty association, a state-mandated safety net funded by insurers doing business in the state.
If an insurer licensed in California were ever to fail, the guaranty association protects annuity benefits up to $250,000 in present value per contract owner, per insurance company.
Planning to invest more than $250,000? The standard approach is to split your premium across two or more highly rated carriers so each contract stays fully within the guaranty limit. Because we quote 8 A-rated carriers side by side, structuring a multi-carrier purchase is straightforward — and often captures the best rate at each company. See how this works for larger amounts in our guide to $500,000 annuity payouts.
Buying a SPIA in California: What to Know
- Free-look period. California law gives you a free-look window (at least 10 days, longer for some buyers) after receiving a new annuity contract, during which you can cancel for a full refund.
- Licensed agents only. Annuities in California must be sold by an insurance professional licensed in the state, and recommendations must meet best-interest / suitability standards.
- Rates are national — taxes are local. Carriers quote the same SPIA rates in every state (adjusted for premium tax where it applies), so the numbers in our rate tables apply to California. What changes is the after-tax income you keep.
- Quotes lock for 7–14 days. Rates reprice frequently — compare all carriers in one sitting, then lock the best one. Start with our SPIA guide or go straight to a free California quote.
Male Annuity Rates in California
Monthly income from a $100,000 SPIA for men. Rates are the same regardless of state — what differs is the after-tax amount you keep.
Male Monthly Income Rates
Updated August 2026| Carrier | Rating | Age 55 | Age 60 | Age 65 | Age 70 | Age 75 | Age 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Life | A++ | $595/mo | $627/mo | $660/mo | $740/mo | $862/mo | $1,010/mo |
| Nationwide | A+ | $577/mo | $609/mo | $669/mo | $751/mo | $873/mo | $1,041/mo |
| Western & Southern | A+ | $580/mo | $618/mo | $654/mo | $729/mo | $842/mo | $1,001/mo |
| Athene | A+ | $578/mo | $621/mo | $675/mo | $748/mo | $854/mo | $1,016/mo |
| Penn Mutual | A+ | $567/mo | $600/mo | $646/mo | $727/mo | $831/mo | $954/mo |
| Pacific Life | A+ | $518/mo | $556/mo | $597/mo | $679/mo | $798/mo | $959/mo |
| Mutual of Omaha | A+ | $518/mo | $533/mo | $583/mo | $662/mo | $777/mo | $921/mo |
| Lincoln Financial | A | $492/mo | $515/mo | $573/mo | $654/mo | $769/mo | $926/mo |
Rates updated August 2026. Based on $100,000 premium. Your exact rate may differ — request a personalized quote.
Female Annuity Rates in California
Monthly income from a $100,000 SPIA for women. Women receive lower monthly payments but benefit from longer total income periods.
Female Monthly Income Rates
Updated August 2026| Carrier | Rating | Age 55 | Age 60 | Age 65 | Age 70 | Age 75 | Age 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Life | A++ | $581/mo | $612/mo | $635/mo | $699/mo | $810/mo | $952/mo |
| Nationwide | A+ | $553/mo | $584/mo | $632/mo | $697/mo | $804/mo | $962/mo |
| Western & Southern | A+ | $574/mo | $611/mo | $637/mo | $698/mo | $801/mo | $955/mo |
| Athene | A+ | $552/mo | $593/mo | $635/mo | $691/mo | $784/mo | $937/mo |
| Penn Mutual | A+ | $559/mo | $591/mo | $627/mo | $694/mo | $789/mo | $908/mo |
| Pacific Life | A+ | $509/mo | $546/mo | $577/mo | $645/mo | $754/mo | $909/mo |
| Mutual of Omaha | A+ | $503/mo | $518/mo | $557/mo | $622/mo | $726/mo | $863/mo |
| Lincoln Financial | A | $472/mo | $493/mo | $541/mo | $607/mo | $709/mo | $856/mo |
Rates updated August 2026. Based on $100,000 premium. Your exact rate may differ — request a personalized quote.
Joint Annuity Rates in California
Monthly income for couples with 100% survivor benefit. The lower monthly amount covers both spouses for life.
Joint (Couple) Monthly Income Rates
Updated August 2026| Carrier | Rating | Age 55 | Age 60 | Age 65 | Age 70 | Age 75 | Age 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Life | A++ | $552/mo | $565/mo | $577/mo | $626/mo | $706/mo | $800/mo |
| Nationwide | A+ | $521/mo | $538/mo | $578/mo | $634/mo | $719/mo | $836/mo |
| Western & Southern | A+ | $545/mo | $567/mo | $587/mo | $640/mo | $722/mo | $837/mo |
| Athene | A+ | $522/mo | $549/mo | $583/mo | $632/mo | $704/mo | $819/mo |
| Penn Mutual | A+ | $517/mo | $540/mo | $573/mo | $636/mo | $717/mo | $810/mo |
| Pacific Life | A+ | $475/mo | $496/mo | $518/mo | $573/mo | $654/mo | $764/mo |
| Mutual of Omaha | A+ | $461/mo | $465/mo | $497/mo | $552/mo | $633/mo | $733/mo |
| Lincoln Financial | A | $435/mo | $448/mo | $492/mo | $553/mo | $640/mo | $760/mo |
Rates updated August 2026. Based on $100,000 premium. Your exact rate may differ — request a personalized quote.
Popular Retirement Cities in California
Annuity buyers in California are concentrated in the state's largest metro areas:
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Sacramento, CA
No matter where you live in California, you can compare rates from national carriers. Annuity rates are determined by the insurance company, not your location — but your state's tax treatment affects how much you keep.
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