AIG / Corebridge Financial Life Insurance Review (2026)

If you’ve searched for AIG life insurance and landed on something called “Corebridge Financial,” you’re not confused — AIG spun off its entire life insurance and retirement division in 2022, creating Corebridge as a standalone public company. The same carriers (American General Life, US Life of New York) still issue the policies. The name changed. The products didn’t.

As independent agents who place business with Corebridge alongside dozens of other carriers, here’s the honest assessment: Corebridge excels in term life flexibility and has competitive IUL and GUL products, but customer service remains a weak point that you need to weigh against those strengths.

The AIG → Corebridge Rebrand: What Actually Changed

In September 2022, AIG completed one of the largest insurance IPOs in recent history, spinning off its entire life insurance and retirement business into Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG). AIG subsequently sold a 20% stake to Nippon Life — Japan’s largest insurer — for $3.8 billion, with the deal closing in early 2025. As of now, AIG retains roughly a 10% stake while the rest is publicly traded.

A brief note on history: no AIG review would be complete without mentioning the 2008 financial crisis. AIG’s Financial Products division — not its life insurance operations — accumulated catastrophic exposure to derivatives, requiring a massive Federal Reserve bailout. The life insurance division was never in peril and would have found a buyer had the bailout not occurred. The company has since restructured, separated the businesses, and produced record financial results. The Corebridge spin-off completed that separation.

Financial Strength & Ratings

Corebridge’s financial strength ratings are solid but sit one tier below the top-rated carriers in the industry.

The A (Excellent) from A.M. Best is the third-highest rating — strong but one notch below the A+ (Superior) held by carriers like North American Company, Guardian, and Penn Mutual. This isn’t a red flag — an A from A.M. Best still reflects very strong claims-paying ability — but if you’re placing a large permanent policy with a 40+ year time horizon, you may want to weigh this against A+ and A++ carriers.

The S&P and Fitch A+ ratings are strong and place Corebridge on par with many of its direct competitors.

Customer Satisfaction & Complaints — The Honest Picture

This is where Corebridge’s story gets complicated, and most competitor reviews either bury this or oversimplify it. Here’s what the data actually shows:

Our honest take: The complaint picture is mixed. The overall NAIC complaint index (0.53) is actually better than average, but the individual life and annuity complaint data runs higher than expected. The BBB situation is particularly notable — Corebridge Financial (the parent) has an F rating for failing to respond to complaints, while Corebridge Direct (the consumer brand) holds an A+. This split likely reflects the messy corporate restructuring, but it’s still a data point that matters.

Most complaints we’ve seen relate to annuity service, billing confusion during the rebrand, and the SimpliNow digital application process (which can decline seemingly healthy applicants for unclear reasons). Claims payment and policy performance complaints are less common.

THE ULTIMATE FREE DOWNLOAD

The Estate Planners Tactical Guide

Essential Legal Protection for Achievers

GET FREE ACCESS

"*" indicates required fields

Email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Name*

Email*

Phone*

---

By pressing the Submit button, you agree to use InsuranceandEstates' privacy policy and terms. InsuranceandEstates may contact you at the number you entered on this webpage using our automatic dialing system to market our life insurance products. Alternatively, you can contact us at 877-787-7558.

I read the disclaimer above.*

Yes

Δ

Products: Where Corebridge Excels

Term Life Insurance — Their Standout

This is where Corebridge genuinely differentiates. The Select-a-Term product offers 18 different term durations from 10 to 35 years — including every year between 15 and 35. Most carriers limit you to 10, 15, 20, or 30 years.

Why does this matter? If you have a 27-year mortgage, a 22-year income replacement need, or any financial obligation that doesn’t fit a standard term length, Corebridge lets you match coverage to the actual need rather than overpaying for extra years you don’t need.

Key features of Select-a-Term:

• 18 term durations (10 years, then every year from 15-35)
• Minimum $100,000 face amount
• Fully convertible to permanent coverage by end of term conversion period or age 70 (whichever is first) — no evidence of insurability required
• AU+ Accelerated Underwriting: No-exam approvals for qualifying applicants (over 60% of term applications qualify)
• Flex Points Program: Meet 4+ health criteria to improve your rate class (launched 2024, replacing Health Credits)
• Competitive rates by age, particularly for applicants with pre-existing conditions like diabetes

Corebridge also offers an AG ROP Select-a-Term (Return of Premium) in 20, 25, and 26-35 year terms. If no claim is made during the term, you receive a full refund of premiums. It’s a more expensive option, but appeals to clients who want to recover their premiums if they outlive the policy.

Guaranteed Universal Life

Secure Lifetime GUL 3 provides a guaranteed death benefit for life, even if the cash value drops to zero — as long as guaranteed premiums are paid. This is a pure protection product designed for those who want permanent coverage without relying on market performance.

Key features:

• Ages 18-80, minimum $100,000 death benefit ($50,000 for ages 50-80)
• Guaranteed minimum 2% interest rate on cash value
• Lifestyle Income Solution Rider: Starting at age 85, accelerate up to 10% of the death benefit per year tax-free (up to basis)
• Flexible premiums with guaranteed continuation options

For second-to-die needs, the AG Secure Survivor GUL 2 covers two lives with a death benefit paid upon the second death — a common estate planning strategy.

Indexed Universal Life Insurance

Corebridge offers two indexed universal life products, each designed for a different objective:

Both products include S&P 500-linked index options with a guaranteed 0.25% floor (you won’t lose money in down markets) and fixed account options with a guaranteed 2% minimum. For a deeper look at how IUL works, see our complete IUL guide.

Corebridge’s IUL products compete well against Nationwide, Lincoln Financial, and National Life Group on accumulation potential. However, for pure IUL specialization, carriers like North American Company (which offers three distinct IUL products) may have an edge in product design for specific strategies.

Corebridge also offers variable universal life through the AG Platinum Choice VUL 2 for clients who want direct market exposure. For a comparison of IUL vs. VUL, see our dedicated guide.

Whole Life & Final Expense

Corebridge’s whole life options are limited and not a primary strength:

• American Elite Whole Life: Non-participating (no dividends), simplified issue up to $99,999 for ages to 55. Provides guaranteed cash value, level premiums, and guaranteed death benefit.
• SimpliNow Legacy: Simplified issue final expense for ages 50-80, $5,000-$35,000 coverage. Both level and graded benefit options.
• Guaranteed Issue Whole Life: No health questions, ages 50-80, $5,000-$25,000. Two-year graded benefit period (pays 110% of premiums if death occurs in first two years).

If whole life insurance is your primary goal — particularly for infinite banking or Volume-Based Banking strategies — Corebridge is not the right carrier. Their whole life products are non-participating (no dividends) and capped at relatively low face amounts. You’ll want to look at mutual carriers like MassMutual, Penn Mutual, or Guardian that offer participating whole life with dividends.

Annuities

Corebridge is a major annuity provider — the second-largest in the U.S. by sales volume. They offer fixed index annuities, traditional fixed annuities, and variable annuities through American General Life.

Notable products include the Assured Edge Income Builder (fixed annuity with guaranteed income stream), the Power Series Index Annuity (with Lifetime Income Max and Lifetime Income Plus Multiplier Flex riders), and the American Pathway fixed annuity.

For deeper comparisons, see our guides on best annuity companies and best annuity rates.

Key Riders & Living Benefits

Corebridge’s rider lineup is a genuine strength. The Accelerated Access Solution (chronic illness rider) stands out in particular:

• Accelerated Access Solution (Chronic Illness): If unable to perform 2 of 6 ADLs or diagnosed with severe cognitive impairment, access 2% or 4% of the death benefit annually (subject to IRS per diem limits). No receipts required — use the income however you choose. Benefits available after a 90-day elimination period. All policy and rider deductions are waived while receiving benefits.
• Terminal Illness Rider: Access to death benefit with a qualifying terminal illness (12 months or less life expectancy).
• Lifestyle Income Solution: Starting at age 85, accelerate up to 10% of the death benefit per year tax-free up to your basis. Available on Secure Lifetime GUL 3.
• Overloan Protection: Prevents policy lapse from excessive loans — critical for IUL retirement income strategies.
• Waiver of Premium: Premiums waived upon total disability before age 60-65 (varies by product).
• Child Rider: Add term life insurance for children at one set price regardless of number of children.
• Early/Enhanced Cash Value: Improves early policy cash value on qualifying permanent products.
• Return of Premium: Returns premiums paid under certain conditions.

The Accelerated Access Solution is particularly notable because it provides chronic illness income benefits without the higher premiums of traditional long-term care insurance or linked-benefit products. If you don’t need the chronic illness benefit, your beneficiary receives the full death benefit. Either way, the policy pays out.

Who Is Corebridge Best For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Corebridge Financial the same as AIG?

Not exactly. Corebridge Financial was formerly AIG’s life insurance and retirement division, spun off as an independent public company in September 2022. AIG now retains approximately 10% ownership, with Nippon Life holding roughly 20%. The same insurance companies (American General Life, US Life of New York) still issue the policies. If you had an AIG or American General policy, your coverage is unchanged.

Is AIG/Corebridge a good life insurance company?

Corebridge has strong financial ratings (A from A.M. Best, A+ from S&P and Fitch) and a broad product lineup. Their term life insurance flexibility is nearly unmatched, and their IUL and GUL products are competitive. However, customer service is below industry average based on J.D. Power rankings (19th of 22 in 2025) and above-average NAIC complaint data for individual life insurance. The products are solid; the service experience may require patience.

What happened to my American General life insurance policy?

Nothing changed. American General Life Insurance Company is now a subsidiary of Corebridge Financial instead of AIG. Your coverage, premiums, beneficiaries, and policy terms remain exactly the same. The name on correspondence may change, but the underlying company and your policy are unchanged.

Does Corebridge require a medical exam?

It depends on the product. The AU+ accelerated underwriting program allows many term life applicants to skip the medical exam — over 60% of term applications qualify. Final expense and guaranteed issue products never require exams. IUL applicants between 18-59 seeking $2 million or less may also qualify for no-exam underwriting.

Why does Corebridge have an F rating on the BBB?

The F rating applies to Corebridge Financial (the parent entity) and stems from failing to respond to 28 complaints. Corebridge Direct (the consumer brand) separately holds an A+ with the BBB. This discrepancy likely reflects administrative challenges during the corporate restructuring. It’s worth monitoring but does not reflect on the financial stability of the underlying insurance companies.

Is Corebridge good for whole life insurance?

No. Corebridge’s whole life options are non-participating (no dividends) and limited to relatively small face amounts ($35,000 max for simplified issue, $25,000 for guaranteed issue). For participating whole life — especially for infinite banking or Volume-Based Banking — use a mutual carrier like Penn Mutual, MassMutual, or Guardian.

Conclusion

Corebridge is a carrier we use regularly for the right situations — particularly custom term lengths and competitive rates for applicants with health conditions. But it’s not a carrier we’d recommend blindly. The customer service data is real, and for permanent policies with a 30-40+ year time horizon, the service relationship matters as much as the product design.

The key is matching the right product to the right need, and that’s exactly what an independent agent can help you evaluate across multiple carriers.