American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company specializes in providing fixed interest annuities and fixed annuities tailored to meet the retirement planning needs of individuals. The company is committed to offering solutions that emphasize financial strength and reliability, aiming to help customers secure their future and achieve a confident retirement. With a focus on sound investment strategies and a history of consistent performance, American Equity serves a diverse clientele, including retirees and individuals approaching retirement age who seek stable income options. Their product offerings include fixed index annuities, immediate annuities, and a variety of income planning tools designed to provide tax-deferred growth and market downside protection. The company prioritizes customer service and transparency, ensuring that clients receive the support they need throughout their retirement planning journey.
American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company receives overwhelmingly negative feedback from consumers, with all reviews rating it at 1 star. Reviewers express frustration over the lack of clarity in the sales information regarding annuities, describing the materials as confusing and misleading.
Many feel they have been misled into poor investments, with one customer noting that after fourteen years, their account balance barely increased. Complaints also highlight unethical practices, including difficulties in transferring funds and allegations of fraudulent behavior by agents. The high fees associated with their products are frequently criticized, with some stating that hidden charges significantly diminish returns. Overall, the sentiment is decidedly negative, with consumers strongly advising against engaging with the company.
Summary generated with AI from recent reviews
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
| Source | Rating | Reviews | Weight | 6-mo | Fake risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trustpilot Low volume · weighted down | 1.0 | 7 | 100% | ● Not enough data |
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people · latest review Dec 2025.
| Month | Average | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 25 | 1.0 | 1 |
| Mar 25 | 1.0 | 1 |
| Apr 25 | — | 0 |
| May 25 | — | 0 |
| Jun 25 | — | 0 |
| Jul 25 | — | 0 |
| Aug 25 | — | 0 |
| Sep 25 | — | 0 |
| Oct 25 | 1.0 | 1 |
| Nov 25 | — | 0 |
| Dec 25 | 1.0 | 2 |
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 7 most recent reviews.
“Today, after all that time, my account balance is still only about $21,000, with a surrender value of just $19,000”
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Finance & Insurance.
| Company | Overall | Legit | Trend | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 out of 5 (poor) | 67 out of 100 | — | 7 |
| 4.2 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | — | 1,200 | |
| 4.7 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | — | 1,060 | |
| 4.8 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | — | 1,060 | |
| 4.8 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | — | 1,060 |
Bottom line: American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company is #5 of 5 on overall rating in this group.
7 reviews of American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company. Filter by what matters to you.
10 months ago
The sales information of these annuities are not really clear. The salesman talks on and on like you understand. The printed material is even worse. This is the worse Annuity I have ever bought and... See more
11 months ago
I feel like I was sold a bill of goods. Fourteen years ago, I invested $20,000 in the company’s annuity. Today, after all that time, my account balance is still only about $21,000, with a surrender va... See more
Over a year ago
American Equity is extremely unethical. My mom bought a policy in 2021. We have been working for over a month now to get the funds transferred to Fidelity. We've gotten nothing but lies and push ba... See more
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The sales information of these annuities are not really clear. The salesman talks on and on like you understand. The printed material is even worse. This is the worse Annuity I have ever bought and I have several with other companies. This company just sells and does not care after that. Stay away. Buy fixed annuities from other companies.
I feel like I was sold a bill of goods. Fourteen years ago, I invested $20,000 in the company’s annuity. Today, after all that time, my account balance is still only about $21,000, with a surrender value of just $19,000. If I were to start taking payments now at age 70, my annual payout would be only $1,900—about $155 per month. That means it would take me ten full years just to recoup my original investment. I wouldn’t even begin to receive any true “interest income” until age 80. At that point, I would have had my money tied up for 24 years before seeing any return. I’m not sure how many years beyond 80 I’ll even be around to benefit. Overall, it’s been an absolutely terrible financial instrument for me. My only advice: RUN if anyone suggests investing in an annuity.
American Equity is extremely unethical. My mom bought a policy in 2021. We have been working for over a month now to get the funds transferred to Fidelity. We've gotten nothing but lies and push back from American Equity. The funds have been missing since February 5th.
I took a 2 year annuity out with 110 k from a retirement account I had to move. All I heard about from the con man how sold it to me was how much money I was going to make. Fast forward to now. I haven't made 1 dime in 2 years and the economy has been pretty good. Theses dumbasses could not even make up the 1 percent fee up. Big rip off do not get mixed up with American equity!!!
#AmericanEquity to protect their Fraudulent Agents, Rob their Clints: Since May 23, 2023, Frederick Saide has been fraudulently presenting himself as the Managing Director/Partner of an unregistered, unlicensed and non-existent company, MoneyMattersUSA, Advisory LLC, with non-existent branches in Bridgewater, Short Hills, and Cranford, New Jersey. Under this guise, Mr. Saide solicited and sold annuities and insurance products to us from May 23, 2023, to May 24, 2024, including the American Equity contracts. For an entire year, Mr. Saide harassed the undersigned to get their existing all/every insurance/annuity personal, family and company business from him. The proof for this was also provided to regulatory agencies as well as AEL. The core issue here is not just about the contracts we purchased but about the fact that a conman was able to represent AEL and sell us these contracts. AEL has not admitted its failure in supervising its agent, Mr. Saide, nor did it conduct a thorough background check on him. AEL has knowingly failed in its fiduciary duty, and for this reason, we demand a full refund with interest and penal interest. We thought because of our action, AEL may learn from this incident and ensure that someone like Frederick Saide never represents them again. Unfortunately, it appears that AEL cares more about protecting fraud individuals like Mr. Saide than their small contract holders or future small customers from the public. Moreover Fred made upfront $52,000 by selling us a bad AEL contract by making us loser even if we stay with the contract. We accept AEL’s fraudulent offer for a partial refund of our money under protest. The SEC, NJDOBI, Iowa Insurance Division, and American Equity should be ashamed for failing to protect small investors like us. They should not claim to care for the small investor if they cannot provide assistance in such clear cases of fraud promoted/protected by Insurance companies like AEL. Furthermore, could any of these aforementioned entities explain where in the USA one can borrow money at 1% compound interest per annum? AEL is essentially committing daylight robbery under the watch of regulatory agencies by offering us a mere 1% interest and fraudulently describing it in the agreement as "a compromised resolution for a disputed claim." The real dispute is that AEL was represented by a conman, Frederick Saide, under the guise of fraudulent MoneyMattersUSA Advisory LLC. Moreover, the terms and rate of interest were never discussed or negotiated between both parties, still AEL with guns pointing towards us call it a compromised resolution! On 09-06-24 we are going to sign a amended contract by correcting their one sided contract to get our money back. We are not sure they will accept the amended contract even if we are willing to accept 1% offer. DOES ANYONE KNOWS WHERE IN THE USA, I CAN BORROW FUNDS ON 1% per Annum?
Awful company with nepharious intentions in their business. 10% cascading fees are 2x that due to hidden language. Good job lawyers. Good job company. 100% don't recommend. They prey on baby boomers and sculpt their seemingly desirable offering through empathy and compassion. Their returns are 0%-3% with an average 1% annually. If you invest your money you can't remove it without paying 2xannual termination rate% (10%×2=20% in year 1) and over a 10 year time frame you won't make more than 22% average total. Stay away like the plague. Invest through Charles s w a b bond s instead if you want better returns.
American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company specializes in providing fixed interest annuities and fixed annuities tailored to meet the retirement planning needs of individuals. The company is committed to offering solutions that emphasize financial strength and reliability, aiming to help customers secure their future and achieve a confident retirement. With a focus on sound investment strategies and a history of consistent performance, American Equity serves a diverse clientele, including retirees and individuals approaching retirement age who seek stable income options. Their product offerings include fixed index annuities, immediate annuities, and a variety of income planning tools designed to provide tax-deferred growth and market downside protection. The company prioritizes customer service and transparency, ensuring that clients receive the support they need throughout their retirement planning journey.
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