What I asked for was opinions about what was the best, not a link to an article written by the responder.

Folks, this question's still open - the only response was from someone trying to drum up activity on his own website, and it's since been removed.

I would say AAA, State Farm, or New York Life]

I know some people are worried about dying and losing the mortality bet

You can also look at Mass Mutual and Penn Mutual Life.

I would post a link but I dont want to risk anything.

Ultimately it is up to you on what annuity you want and I dont know your intentions so I would definately look into the ones that I have gave you, annuities pay out more the older you are.

I think it would be best to go looking for the highest immediate income annuity payout. Again their is always risk involved. Dont take my advice serious because once again I do not know what your intentions are so look at the annuities that I have listed and decide the one you like.

Sorry, I wasn't looking for a brand name so much as the type of annuity - variable vs fixed vs indexed vs immediate, etc.

I wouldn't purchase an annuity as they are laden with too many fees. However if you do get want an annuity I would go with a fixed. You at least will know what you will be receiving each month.

I don't like recommending Annuities. But if I were to recommend any Annuity it will be a Variable annuity and only if the following 3 conditions are met.

1) you are already wealthy
2) you have already used all other tax-deferred options
3) you are smart

VAs are confusing and the fees are all over the board. They come with eye candy that you may or may not need but you sure will pay for.

You must understand the fees, surrender period and any eye candy options you grab.

I rather you use Mutal Funds with equal shares of the pie:

Growth
Growth and Income
Aggressive Growth
International

Choose front end load A shares several years old with a track record of good metrics for each slice of the pie.

You age makes me believe you can take some risk. But if that is not the case then pull back on the Aggressive Growth and sleep well at night.

You believe that these companies are going to payoff one way or the other?
Have you looked at what they invest in?
Usually it is government bonds, maybe a few high end companies that benefit from Bernanke's QE program.
When that stops, it is going to cause a lot of cash flow problems for both companies and insurance providers.
What I would do is look at oil and gas LP's that pay - 6% to 10% dividends.
Maybe other LP's out of Canada that are into handling water for cities - 4% to 7% dividends there.
At least that way you do not rely on one company to really control their portfolio. Think the failure of the large insurance company AIG.
Fixed or variable annuities are really a poor investment. Great for the salesman and the insurance company, but lousy for the investor.
Cheers,
thebigmozey

Some interesting, outside-the-box responses!

A couple of points I'd like to interject: 1) It's true that some annuities are, as one responder put it, "laden with fees." It's not the case, though, that all are.

2) Withdrawal fees on annuities are the price one pays for converting what's intended to be a long-term "investment" to cash. However the insurance company invests its funds, many of those investments are longer-term - short term investments don't return high rates. Liquidity has a price.

3) Because there's a potential for losing principal, variable annuities aren't a good idea for the average person approaching retirement age - one's retirement savings, at that point, need security.

I'm disappointed not to see any acknowlegement of annuities' ability to guarantee a lifetime income sttream, though. As to the suggestion that insurance companies will en masse default on their obligations: if that happens, our problems will be considerably greater.