Nassau Re, formerly known as Phoenix Life Insurance Company, has been offering life insurance and annuity products from its Hartford base for many years. This comprehensive review examines the company’s financial strength, product offerings, and customer experiences to help you determine if Nassau Re is the right choice for your insurance needs.
Table of Contents
Company Overview
Nassau Re emerged from the rebranding of Phoenix Life Insurance Company, which has a history dating back to 1851. In 2016, Phoenix was acquired by Nassau Financial Group, leading to the rebranding as Nassau Re. The company has continued to evolve, focusing on developing innovative insurance and annuity products aimed at retirement planning and financial security.
Based in Hartford, Connecticut, Nassau Re serves customers across the United States, offering a range of insurance solutions primarily focused on term life insurance, final expense coverage, and various annuity products. The company has made significant strides in simplifying its application processes and enhancing its digital capabilities in recent years.
Contact Nassau Re
Main Customer Service: 1-800-541-0171 (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-6:00pm ET)
Email: service@nfg.com
Website: nfg.com
Financial Ratings and Stability
An insurer’s financial stability is crucial when considering long-term policies. Here are Nassau Re’s current ratings from major agencies:
Nassau Re’s Current Financial Ratings (2025)
- A.M. Best: B++ (Good) as of February 2024
- KBRA: BBB+ (Stable)
- Fitch: BB+ (Withdrawn rating)
- Comdex Ranking: 36
These ratings indicate moderate financial strength, though they’re lower than many industry leaders. While a B++ rating from A.M. Best is considered “Good,” customers looking for the highest-rated insurers may want to consider companies with A or A+ ratings.
It’s worth noting that in 2024, KBRA upgraded Nassau’s ratings, indicating improving financial stability. However, Fitch has withdrawn its rating, which sometimes happens when a company no longer seeks rating from a particular agency.
Life Insurance Products
Nassau Re offers a streamlined selection of life insurance products focused on simplicity and accessibility.
Term Life Insurance
Nassau Re’s term life offering is branded as Safe Harbor Term Life. Key features include:
- Term lengths: 10, 15, 20, and 30 years
- Coverage amounts: $25,000 to $500,000
- Age eligibility: 18-80 (depending on term length)
- No medical exam required: Approval based on health questions
- Living benefits included: Accelerated death benefits for terminal, chronic, and critical illnesses
- Conversion options: Available for conversion to permanent insurance (subject to term length restrictions)
The Safe Harbor Term Life policy stands out for its inclusion of living benefits riders at no additional cost, allowing policyholders to access up to 95% of their death benefit if diagnosed with qualifying terminal, chronic, or critical illnesses.
Final Expense Insurance
Nassau Re’s final expense policy offering is called Remembrance Life, designed to cover burial costs and other end-of-life expenses:
- Coverage amounts: $10,000 to $50,000
- Age eligibility: 50-80 years
- No medical exam: Simplified issue with health questions
- Permanent coverage: Whole life policy that builds cash value
- Level premiums: Fixed for the life of the policy
- Living benefits: Includes accelerated death benefit for terminal illness
Remembrance Life is designed for seniors looking to ensure their final expenses won’t burden their loved ones, with simplified underwriting that makes it accessible for those who might have minor health issues.
Annuity Products
Nassau Re has developed a strong focus on retirement planning through its annuity offerings. The company offers both multi-year guarantee annuities (MYGAs) and fixed indexed annuities designed to provide income security in retirement.
New Annuity Products (2023-2025)
Nassau Re has actively expanded its annuity portfolio in recent years with innovative products:
Nassau Income Accelerator (2024)
This fixed indexed annuity is specifically designed to help retirees maximize Social Security benefits through customized income planning:
- Flexible guaranteed lifetime income options
- Customizable income schedules
- Early high-income payment options
- Multiple index strategies for growth potential
- Free withdrawal provisions
Nassau Bonus Annuity Plus (2024)
A single premium fixed indexed annuity with impressive features:
- Up-front premium bonus of up to 18%
- Enhanced growth potential through various index strategies
- Withdrawal flexibility options
- Optional guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit
- Competitive guaranteed rates
These new products demonstrate Nassau Re’s commitment to innovation in the retirement planning space, particularly for those approaching or in retirement who are focused on securing guaranteed income streams.
Unique Features and Benefits
Several features distinguish Nassau Re from other insurance providers:
- No medical exams required: Both term and final expense policies can be obtained without medical examinations, using a simplified underwriting process based on health questions.
- Living benefits included: Unlike many insurers who charge extra for living benefits riders, Nassau Re includes these valuable options at no additional cost on their life insurance policies.
- Simplified digital application: Applications can be completed electronically in as little as 20 minutes, streamlining the traditionally cumbersome insurance application process.
- Focus on retirement income solutions: Innovative annuity products specifically designed to address income challenges in retirement, particularly around Social Security optimization.
Application Process
Nassau Re has modernized its application process to be more customer-friendly:
- Digital application: Customers can complete applications online or with an agent’s assistance
- Quick turnaround: Many policies can be approved within days rather than weeks
- No medical exams: Simplified underwriting relies on health questions rather than physical exams
- Phone interview: Some applicants may need to complete a brief phone interview as part of the underwriting process
While the simplified application process benefits most customers, some reviews indicate delays can occur when medical records need to be obtained from healthcare providers.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
Customer feedback for Nassau Re has been predominantly positive in recent years:
Trustpilot Rating: “Excellent” based on over 5,400 reviews, with 95% awarding five stars.
Common praise points:
- Responsive customer service representatives
- Clear communication throughout the application process
- Straightforward claims handling
- Easy-to-understand products
Areas where customers have reported challenges include:
- Underwriting delays for policies requiring medical records
- Limited policy options compared to larger insurers
- Some concerns about online account accessibility
Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
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Who Should Consider Nassau Re?
Nassau Re’s products may be particularly well-suited for:
- Individuals seeking simplified underwriting: Those who prefer to avoid medical exams or have minor health issues that might complicate traditional underwriting.
- People planning for retirement: The innovative annuity products are designed specifically for retirement income planning.
- Seniors seeking final expense coverage: The Remembrance Life policy offers accessible coverage for final expenses without medical examinations.
- Those valuing living benefits: The inclusion of living benefits riders at no extra cost provides added value for those concerned about potential health challenges.
Nassau Re may be less suitable for:
- Those seeking the highest available coverage amounts
- Individuals prioritizing insurers with the highest financial strength ratings
- People looking for a wide range of permanent life insurance options
Conclusion
Nassau Re has carved out a niche in the insurance market by focusing on simplified products with valuable features like included living benefits and no-exam underwriting. While its financial ratings are moderate rather than top-tier, the company has shown commitment to innovation, particularly in developing retirement income solutions through its annuity products.
The company’s strong customer reviews and streamlined application process make it worth considering, especially for those who value simplicity and accessibility in their insurance experience. However, individuals seeking the highest coverage amounts or the strongest financial ratings may want to compare Nassau Re with other options.
Ultimately, Nassau Re offers a solid middle-ground option in the insurance market—providing valuable features and customer-friendly processes while continuing to strengthen its financial position and product offerings.
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12 comments
KENNETH PAUL REDDEN
i still haven’t received my 1099 for 2022 i have called and was told it would. be mailed to me and should take 7-8 days it has benn over 2 weeks and have not received it yet. My contract no. 28181599
SJG
Hello Kenneth,
Unfortunately, many people confuse us with their life insurance company because we write articles about them. You’ll need to go back and make sure you’re contacting Nassau’s customer service department.
Best,
Steve Gibbs for I&E
Steven Gibbs is a licensed insurance agent, and the following agent
license numbers of Steven Gibbs are provided as required by state law:
Resident License; AZ agent #17508301,
Non-resident Licenses: TX agent #2273189, CA agent #0K10610,
LA agent #769583, MA agent #2049963, MN agent #40563357,
UT agent #655544.
Michael L Snyder
Please Help US.We need to cash in our two policies,.Please call &.Thanks, Michael &Shelby Snyder.
Insurance&Estates
Hello Michael, sometimes people get us confused with their life insurance companies due to the fact that we write articles about them. If you’re looking for information about your policy, you’ll need to make sure you’re connecting with the company directly.
Best, Steve Gibbs, for I&E
Michael L Snyder
Please cash out our two policies .I can no longer afford them.my address is Michael l Snyder, Shelby L.Snyder
Insurance&Estates
Hello Michael, I just noticed your comment. It looks like you have us confused with your insurance company as often happens because we write articles about various companies. You’ll want to make sure you get ahold of the agent who sold you the policy or contact the company directly.
Best, Steve Gibbs for I&E
Robert Chesek
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU GUYS BY PHONE AND CAN NOT GET THROUGH.
ROBERT CHESEK
THANK YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THEY ARE MAILED.
Insurance&Estates
Hello Robert, sometimes folks get us confused with their insurance company because we are writing articles about various companies. If you’re trying to reach Phoenix Life re; Nassau Re, you’ll need to make sure you’re on their website and are calling their customer service number.
Best, Steve Gibbs for I&E
Margaret Reed
I would like to turn in my son’s life insurance policy#2,471,266. What has to be done. Michael W. Reed is the name on the policy. Thank you, Margaret Reed
Insurance&Estates
Hello Margaret, you may be seeking the company and we aren’t them:) You’ll need to check the website as this is just an article about Phoenix Life.
Best, I&E
willie edwards
I have a whole life policy with Nassau, and I am wondering what sort of distribution options are available for my benenficiary upon my death. hopefully I can option for the stretch option I hear talk about, instead of the total lump sum payout. I have had this policy for about 60 years. Thank you.
Insurance&Estates
Hello Willie, folks sometimes get us confused with their insurance company because we write articles about various companies. If you’re looking to speak with your company, you’ll need to go to the Phoenix Life website and make sure you’re connecting with them directly.
If you would like a review of your policy, you would need to talk with one of our experts to consider anything with a current policy. You can start the process by e-mailing Barry Brooksby directly at barry@insuranceandestates.com.
Best, I&E Pro Team