A closer look at the rating agencies

A.M. Best, the oldest rating agency, has reported on the financial condition of insurance companies since 1899. Minnesota Life's A+ rating, the second highest of Best's 16 categories, is assigned to companies which have achieved superior overall performance when compared to the norms of the life and health insurance industry. We have received Best's "Superior" rating for more than 50 years. Listed below are the 16 ratings A.M. Best uses.

Fitch has evaluated the claims-paying ability of life, health, property casualty, bond and annuity insurers since 1986. Our AA- rating is their fourth highest of 19 ratings.

Standard & Poor's, which has rated the financial strength and credit quality of debt issues for over 50 years, began publicly rating insurance companies in 1983. Our AA- rating is their fourth highest of 21 ratings.

Moody's started in the bond rating business in 1904, and began offering insurance financial strength ratings in 1986. Our Aa3 rating is Moody's fourth highest of 21 ratings.

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