Ratings last updated July 30, 2026
Knighthead Life is the U.S. annuity brand of Knighthead Insurance Group whose products appear on AnnuaLife's rate boards. Its fixed index annuity guarantees are issued by Merit Life Insurance Co., which holds an AM Best financial-strength rating of A- (Excellent).
AM Best assigns Knighthead Life's issuing insurer, Merit Life Insurance Co., a financial-strength rating of A-, which sits in its "Excellent" category. An AM Best rating is an independent opinion of an insurer's ability to meet its ongoing insurance and annuity obligations, its claims-paying ability. It is not a measure of investment performance, and it is not a guarantee. Annuities are backed by the issuing insurer, not the FDIC. An A- sits in AM Best's "Excellent" category, near the lower end of that range, reflecting its assessment that the company has an excellent ability to meet those obligations. Ratings can change; the rating shown here was last checked July 30, 2026.
Knighthead Life lists fixed index annuities (FIAs) on AnnuaLife, its Chartline series. These products are covered in our fixed index guide rather than on individual detail pages. Caps below are examples as of July 30, 2026 and vary by state.
| Product | Index | Cap | Participation | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chartline 10 | S&P 500 annual pt-to-pt | 12.50% | - | $25,000 |
| Chartline 5 | S&P 500 annual pt-to-pt | 12.50% | - | $25,000 |
| Chartline 7 | S&P 500 annual pt-to-pt | 12.25% | - | $25,000 |
Fixed index annuities work differently from fixed-rate products. Learn how caps and participation rates shape your return in the fixed index annuity guide.
Sources: Business Wire. Company facts last checked July 30, 2026.
Knighthead Life is a recent entrant to the U.S. fixed index annuity market, with guarantees issued by its A- rated carrier, Merit Life Insurance Co. Its Chartline index caps run competitive, in the 12.25% to 12.5% range at the time of writing. The A- sits in AM Best's "Excellent" range, near its lower end, and the annuity operation is new, so there is less of a long track record here than with a century-old carrier. If you are comfortable with a newer issuer at an A- rating, the caps are worth a look. An advisor can weigh the rating and the caps against more established options for you.
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