New York Life enters 2026 with top financial strength ratings

New York Life Insurance entered 2026 with the highest financial strength ratings currently awarded to any US life insurer, following affirmations from all four major rating agencies.

Standard & Poor’s reaffirmed its AA+ rating, the highest assigned to a US life insurer, citing New York Life’s strong business and financial risk profiles, leading position in individual life, and consistent focus on whole life policyowners. Fitch Ratings maintained its AAA rating, pointing to exceptionally strong capital, a diversified earnings mix, and a leading market position across individual life, annuities, and group benefits.

A.M. Best reaffirmed its A++ rating, highlighting strong operating performance, very strong risk-adjusted capital, and New York Life’s established career agency distribution model. Moody’s Investors Service affirmed its Aa1 rating, citing the insurer’s top-tier position in individual life, strength in group benefits, embedded profitability, and diversified investment portfolio.

Separately, New York Life previously announced plans to pay an estimated $2.78 billion in dividends to eligible participating policyowners in 2026, the largest dividend payout in the company’s 180-year history and its 172nd consecutive annual dividend.