Pacific Guardian Life At a Glance: Rates, Products and Reviews

Pacific Guardian Life Insurance Company, Ltd. (Pacific Guardian Life) is a life insurance and annuity company founded in 1961. In 1985, it became a subsidiary of Meiji-Yasuda Life, but it continues as a community-minded annuity company with a strong focus on customer service and satisfaction.

With over 60 years in business, it now boasts over 1,000 brokers and agents with service in 46 states. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), it represents 0.013% of market share with over $323 million in annual premiums, with a below-average complaint index for its size.

Pacific Guardian Life financial products include multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs).

Pacific Guardian Life retirement planning includes the Diamond Head MYGA as its annuity option.

The Diamond Head MYGA features a guaranteed crediting rate for steady growth, with protection against market downturns. There is a $10,000 minimum premium with a guarantee period of three to 10 years. Features include flexible systematic withdrawals, plus the option for penalty-free withdrawals that begin immediately after the 30-day free look period.

Pacific Guardian Life annuities earn a guaranteed interest rate, which allows capital and interest to grow without risk. Investments also grow on a tax-deferred basis. Pacific Guardian Life annuities also include the free life events rider, which allows you to make a one-time withdrawal of up to 10% of your account. This withdrawal can be made for any reason and without any surrender charges. A death benefit is also included at no cost, with the option for full account value or spousal continuation.

Pacific Guardian Life does not publicly disclose its fees, but a licensed financial advisor can provide further details.

Pacific Guardian Life financial products receive excellent scores across the board for both customer satisfaction and financial strength.

The NAIC reports only one complaint, with Pacific Guardian Life representing just 0.0021% of market complaints. That earns the company a very low company complaint index of 0.16 based on an average 1.00 rating. Its excellent customer satisfaction is echoed by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which awards Pacific Guardian Life an A+ rating. It has been accredited since 1971 and shows no complaints within the last year.

For financial stability, AM Best gives Pacific Guardian Life an A (Excellent) rating, the same rating it receives from S&P Global. It is not rated by Fitch Ratings, but parent company Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company earns an A rating, further inspiring confidence in Pacific Guardian Life’s financial ability.

Pacific Guardian Life is a smaller annuity company with an established financial excellence record. Its annuity products are extremely limited, with only MYGAs available, but they come with extra features and benefits that keep you in control of your money at all times.

With fantastic financial strength and superior customer satisfaction, Pacific Guardian Life follows through on its promise to serve its community with financial products they can trust. A licensed financial advisor can help you get started, but be advised that financial advisors are limited and not available in all states.

Editor Norah Layne contributed to this article.