An independent standard for the annuities people already own.
Annuity Benchmark reviews existing annuities for owners, financial advisors and institutions. We verify every figure with the insurance company, translate the contract into plain English and dollars, and tell people the truth about what they own, whether that’s “keep it” or “let’s look at your options.”
Give every annuity owner, and every professional who serves them, an objective way to see how an existing contract measures up.
Smarter insights. More secure retirements. A world where no annuity goes unreviewed.
Independent by design. Verified at the source. Explained in plain English and in dollars.
Three audiences. One standard of review.
Know what you own.
A flat-fee, carrier-verified review that shows what your annuity costs in dollars and whether it still fits your life.
For individuals Financial advisorsStrengthen your advice.
An independent second look at a client’s contract, with documentation for your file. Your client stays yours.
For advisors InstitutionsReview the whole book.
Consistent, documented in-force review programs with institutional controls, starting with a pilot.
For institutionsBuilt on nearly 40 years in financial services.
Phil Polito began his financial services career in 1987. Most recently he was a product manager specializing in annuities and structured products at a major bank. In 2020, when COVID emptied the branches, he shifted his focus from new sales to the contracts clients already owned.
His first book review uncovered hundreds of annuities that were out of surrender, many of which could be exchanged for newer contracts with better rates, features or terms. Over the next three years he reviewed more than 1,500 contracts, and in one 50-person department alone identified roughly $2.4 billion in annuity assets that deserved a fresh look.
The lesson was clear: annuities are sold, but rarely re-evaluated as markets, products, rates and client needs change. He founded Annuity Benchmark in 2026 to make an objective, independent review available to everyone who owns an annuity and everyone who advises them.
Every annuity deserves a second look.
The industry norm is a “free” review that ends with a sales conversation. It helps people, but the conflict remains. We built the opposite: a review you pay for, from a firm with nothing else to sell.
- 1987
- Phil begins his career in financial services
- 2020
- COVID empties the branches, and the focus turns to existing contracts
- 2020–2023
- More than 1,500 contracts reviewed; about $2.4 billion identified in one department
- 2026
- Annuity Benchmark is founded to bring independent reviews to everyone
How we work, every time.
Independent by design
No product sales, no commissions and no compensation from insurers or fund companies. Our clients are the only people who pay us.
Verified at the source
Every figure is confirmed with the issuing insurance company under signed authorization. Nothing is guessed from a statement.
People confirm the math
Technology speeds the work. An experienced annuity specialist reviews every figure and every conclusion.
Plain English, in dollars
Percentages hide the size of the check. We show what things cost in dollars and explain them in words anyone can follow.
Privacy first
We collect only what a review needs and never ask for Social Security or account numbers by email.
“Keep it” is a real answer
Our fee is the same whatever we find. When a contract is doing its job, we say so in writing.
We’re building a team of exceptional people.
Annuity specialists, client-success leaders and institutional relationship builders who care about getting the details exactly right.
Talk with us.
Every conversation is with our founder. Pick a time, or reach us directly.
- Phone
- 803-448-4040
- ppolito@eknox.co
- Location
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Media & speaking
- ppolito@eknox.co
Call 803-448-4040 or email ppolito@eknox.co and we'll find a time that works.
Know what you own. Know what you pay.
Start with your latest statement. We'll take it from there.