20 Largest Life Insurance Companies 2023
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Americans interested in buying life insurance have no shortage of options, with hundreds of companies to choose from. The major players in the life insurance space are financially strong, offer a range of policies to suit different needs, and have long histories — some spanning more than 100 years.
Biggest life insurers in the U.S.
Here are the 20 largest life insurers in the United States based on market share for individual policies in 2021, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. This is the latest data available. The top nine companies are the same as 2020’s list, with some fluctuation in market share.
Click on the links to learn more about the companies and the types of life insurance they offer.
Company | Life insurance options | Market share in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
Term life. Whole life. Universal life. | 11.5% | |
Term life. Whole life. Universal life. Variable universal life. | 7.3% | |
Term life. Whole life. Universal life. Variable universal life. | 7.1% | |
Term life. Universal life. Variable universal life. Indexed universal life. | 5.1% | |
Term life. Universal life. Variable universal life. Indexed universal life. | 4.2% | |
Term life. Whole life. Universal life. | 3.3% | |
Term life. Universal life. Variable universal life. Indexed universal life. | 3.2% | |
Term life. Whole life. Universal life. Variable universal life. | 3% | |
Term life. Whole life. Universal life. Indexed universal life. | 2.8% | |
Term life. Universal life. Variable universal life. Indexed universal life. | 2.8% | |
11. Sammons (Midland National) | Term life. Indexed universal life. Guaranteed universal life. | 2.6% |
12. MetLife | Life insurance offered through workplace plans only. | 2.5% |
Term life. Whole life. Universal life. Variable universal life. Indexed universal life. | 2.2% | |
14. Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Life) | Term life. Whole life. Variable universal life. Indexed universal life. Guaranteed universal life. | 2.2% |
15. Nationwide | Term life. Whole life. Universal life. Variable universal life. | 1.8% |
16. Equitable (formerly AXA) | Term life. Variable universal life. Indexed universal life. | 1.8% |
17. Primerica | Term life. | 1.7% |
18. Penn Mutual | Term life. Whole life. Variable universal life. Indexed universal life. Guaranteed universal life. | 1.6% |
19. National Life Group 4.0 NerdWallet rating | Term life. Whole life. Universal life. Variable universal life. Indexed universal life. | 1.6% |
20. Globe Life | Term life. Whole life. | 1.5% |
Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence, compiled April 11, 2022. Market share is based on 2021 direct ordinary premiums, from U.S. subsidiaries only. | ||
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Learn about more life insurers
Read NerdWallet’s life insurance company reviews:
Find the best life insurers
In the market for a specific policy? Check out NerdWallet’s top picks across these life insurance categories:
How to choose a life insurance company
What makes a good life insurance company? A few factors. When comparing life insurers, consider:
Financial strength ratings. These ratings are assigned by agencies like AM Best, and point to a company’s ability to pay out claims long into the future. Each ratings agency uses its own criteria and has its own ranking system, so an A+ from one agency will not mean the same as an A+ from another agency.
Complaint ratios. These indicate how satisfied customers are with the service they receive from their life insurance companies. NerdWallet’s star rating methodology assesses data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and favors life insurers with low complaint volumes. The complaint volumes are adjusted for company size.
Policy options. Some companies specialize in term or permanent life insurance, but most offer both types. It’s important to choose a carrier that offers the type of policy that will meet your goals and needs.
