Last updated October 12, 2026. California rates are refreshed weekly; confirm today’s rate before you apply.
Nationwide is one of the most recognized names in insurance, and many people first hear about its annuities from a bank or an advisor they already use. I’m Kevin Edwards, an independent California annuity agent. Here is an honest look at Nationwide’s financial strength and what its fixed annuities pay in California this week, compared with the rest of the market.
Nationwide at a Glance
| Issuing company | Nationwide Life Insurance Company (Columbus, Ohio), part of the Nationwide Mutual group |
| AM Best rating | A+ (Superior), affirmed November 7, 2025, stable outlook |
| Sold in California | 8 Secure Growth MYGAs in this week’s data |
| Best CA MYGA yield | 4.80% for 5 years (Secure Growth 5) |
| Fixed index annuity in our CA data | None met this page’s filter this week |
| SPIA in our CA data | No |
Nationwide’s Financial Strength
On November 7, 2025, AM Best affirmed the A+ (Superior) financial strength rating of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and its life and annuity subsidiaries, with a stable outlook. AM Best assessed the group’s balance sheet strength as strongest, its highest category, and noted strong premium growth driven mostly by annuities.
These companies are the key life and annuity subsidiaries of Nationwide Financial Services, which sits within Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company’s group, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
Nationwide Annuity Rates in California This Week
Nationwide’s California fixed annuities this week are its Secure Growth MYGAs, including return-of-premium (ROP) versions. None carry a market value adjustment. Full market tables are on my California MYGA rates page.
| Product | Term | Guaranteed yield | Deposit for this rate | Lowest entry | MVA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secure Growth 3 | 3 years | 4.00% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 3.60% | No | — |
| Secure Growth 3 ROP | 3 years | 3.85% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 3.35% | No | Return-of-premium feature |
| Secure Growth 4 | 4 years | 3.85% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 3.55% | No | — |
| Secure Growth 4 ROP | 4 years | 3.70% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 3.35% | No | Return-of-premium feature |
| Secure Growth 5 | 5 years | 4.80% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 4.05% | No | — |
| Secure Growth 5 ROP | 5 years | 4.10% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 3.85% | No | Return-of-premium feature |
| Secure Growth 7 | 7 years | 4.35% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 4.10% | No | — |
| Secure Growth 7 ROP | 7 years | 4.15% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 3.90% | No | Return-of-premium feature |
No Nationwide fixed index annuity met the filter on my California FIA rates page this week (an S&P 500 annual cap with a 0% floor, no strategy fee and a stated guaranteed minimum cap). That doesn’t mean Nationwide sells no index products; ask me if you’ve been shown one.
My Take on Nationwide
The honest read: Nationwide’s rating is excellent, but its California MYGA rates this week sit near the bottom of the market. On a $100,000 deposit, the gap between Secure Growth 5 (4.80%) and the best A-rated 5-year options is more than a full percentage point a year.
Where Nationwide can still fit:
- You want an A+ rated carrier and value that above yield.
- You want a return-of-premium version, which lets you get back at least what you put in (less any withdrawals) if you surrender early, in exchange for a lower rate.
- You want no market value adjustment. Every Secure Growth product here has none.
What to watch: the published rates need $100,000 or more. At $10,000, Secure Growth 5 drops to 4.05%. If you’ve been offered a Nationwide annuity through a bank, compare it against the full California list before you sign.
How Nationwide Compares in California
| Term | Nationwide (best) | Athene (also A+) | Best in California |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year MYGA | 4.00% | 5.65% (Max Rate 3) | 5.70% (Oxford Life Multi-Select 3) |
| 5-year MYGA | 4.80% | 5.80% (Max Rate 5) | 6.10% (Aspida / Axonic) |
| 7-year MYGA | 4.35% | 5.90% (Max Rate 7) | 6.20% (Oxford Life Multi-Select 7) |
See my Athene review for another A+ rated carrier, or browse all annuity company reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nationwide a good annuity company?
Nationwide Life Insurance Company holds an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, affirmed November 7, 2025 with a stable outlook. Its California MYGA rates this week are well below the market leaders, so whether it fits depends on how much you value the rating and features like return of premium.
What is Nationwide’s best fixed annuity rate in California?
As of October 12, 2026, the highest Nationwide MYGA yield in California is 4.80% for 5 years (Secure Growth 5) on deposits of $100,000 or more.
What does ROP mean on a Nationwide Secure Growth annuity?
ROP stands for return of premium. Those versions let you surrender and receive at least your original deposit, less any withdrawals, in exchange for a lower interest rate than the standard version.
Do Nationwide Secure Growth annuities have an MVA?
None of the Nationwide Secure Growth products in this week’s California data include a market value adjustment.
Get a Side-by-Side Quote Before You Buy Nationwide
I’m an independent agent, so I’m not tied to Nationwide or any other carrier. Tell me your deposit, timeline and whether you need income, and I’ll compare Nationwide’s products against the rest of the California market and send you the side-by-side. Request a free annuity quote, or call (877) 854-7396.
Sources
- AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Its Key Operating Subsidiaries (Nov. 7, 2025)
- California fixed annuity (MYGA) rates, Fixed Annuity Expert
- California fixed index annuity rates, Fixed Annuity Expert
Rate source: AnnuityRateWatch.com carrier data via AIP Marketing Alliance, retrieved October 12, 2026, filtered to products available to California residents. MYGA rows show guaranteed yield to surrender; FIA rows show the S&P 500 annual point-to-point cap on strategies with a 0% floor, no strategy fee and a stated guaranteed minimum cap. Products sold only through fee-based advisory accounts are excluded. Rates change without notice and must be verified with the issuing carrier at application.
Kevin Edwards, Integrity Now Insurance Brokers. California Insurance License #0D42517. Annuities are insurance products, not bank deposits, and are not FDIC insured. Fixed index annuities are not a direct investment in the stock market or any index; index-linked interest is subject to caps the insurer may change annually, subject to the guaranteed minimum. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Financial strength ratings are opinions of the rating agency, can change at any time, and are not a guarantee of an insurer’s ability to pay claims. Withdrawals before the end of the surrender period may be subject to surrender charges and market value adjustments; withdrawals of taxable amounts may be subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken before age 59½, a 10% federal tax penalty. This page is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any insurance company named. It is for educational purposes and is not tax or legal advice. Product availability and features vary by state. S&P 500® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC.