Corebridge Financial vs Lincoln Financial

Verdict

Corebridge Financial and Lincoln Financial are both publicly traded life insurers with A-range financial strength ratings, and both sell mainly through independent agents. Lincoln ranked #5 by 2024 individual life premiums ($6.37 billion) and Corebridge #13 ($3.56 billion), according to NAIC data. The important fact for a shopper is that Corebridge is not going to remain under its own name. It agreed in March 2026 to an all-stock merger with Equitable Holdings, approved by stockholders on July 30, 2026 and expected to close by year-end 2026 subject to regulators; the combined company would use the Equitable name. Corebridge's insurance subsidiaries continue to stand behind existing policies, and its profile notes S&P and AM Best have flagged possible rating changes after the deal.

Ratings are similar. Corebridge's profile lists AM Best A (Excellent, April 2026), S&P A+, Moody's A2 and Fitch A+, the same grades as Lincoln's (AM Best A, February 2026; S&P A+; Moody's A2; Fitch A+). In the J.D. Power 2026 individual life study Lincoln ranked 9th of 23 (661 points), above the 649 average, and Corebridge last (23rd, 581).

Products differ. Corebridge sells term (Select-a-Term, 18 lengths), IUL, universal and whole life, and guaranteed issue and final expense whole life bought direct through Corebridge Direct by phone or online. Lincoln sells term for 10, 15, 20 or 30 years, IUL, VUL and MoneyGuard hybrid long-term care, but no whole life and no individual online sales. Lincoln has its own transitions: reinsurance of large blocks to Fortitude Re in 2023, a 2025 Bain Capital investment, and cost-of-insurance litigation on older universal life.

Choose Corebridge Financial if

• You want to choose among 18 term lengths to match a mortgage or other debt.
• You are a senior who wants small guaranteed issue whole life bought by phone or online (ages 50 to 80, no health questions).
• You may qualify for approval without an exam through Agile Underwriting+.
• You accept that the company is expected to become part of Equitable by the end of 2026.

Choose Lincoln Financial if

• You want a MoneyGuard hybrid combining life insurance with long-term care benefits.
• You want VUL or survivorship IUL through an independent advisor.
• You want a company that is not in the middle of a pending merger.
• You want 30-year term convertible until age 70.

Key differences

Before you decide

If you buy from Corebridge, ask how the Equitable merger affects servicing, the policy issuer and your ratings review, and get the policy issuer's name in writing. Compare the same coverage from both and recheck rating dates. See when your life insurance policy is sold to another company, how to compare life insurance quotes fairly and AM Best, S&P, Moody's and Fitch ratings explained.