MassMutual Reaches $3.5B Deal To Acquire Great American Life

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. announced Wednesday it has reached agreement to acquire  Great American Life Insurance Co. and other subsidiaries and affiliated entities, which primarily offer traditional fixed and fixed indexed annuity products.

The purchase price is $3.5 billion, subject to adjustment at closing. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory and other necessary approvals. Upon the close of the transaction, Great American Life will operate as an independent subsidiary of MassMutual.

Great American Life is a highly respected leader in the annuity market, known for its competitive product suite, excellent customer service, and deep distribution relationships with banks, independent agents, and independent broker-dealers, MassMutual said in a news release.

This transaction significantly advances MassMutual’s strategy as Great American Life complements the company’s existing annuity business by broadening and diversifying its product and distribution capabilities, allowing MassMutual to reach more customers in need of lifetime income solutions.

In addition, Great American Life will provide MassMutual with another diversified source of earnings, helping to deliver additional value to its policyowners and position the company for long-term growth.

“This acquisition is an excellent strategic fit for MassMutual that will broaden our product offerings, expand our distribution, and generate additional earnings, allowing us to build a true lifetime income franchise and deliver ongoing value to our policyowners and customers,” said Roger Crandall, Chairman, President and CEO, MassMutual. “With MassMutual’s enduring financial strength, broad investment capabilities, and end-to-end digital experience, we will build on the outstanding leadership position that the talented and dedicated Great American Life team has built over generations, enabling us to help even more people secure their future and protect the ones they love.”

S. Craig Lindner, AFG’s Co-Chief Executive Officer, commented, “This transaction presents an excellent opportunity for Great American Life and MassMutual to be one of the leading providers of traditional fixed and indexed annuities in major distribution channels and markets. In fact, MassMutual has among the highest insurance financial strength ratings, which we believe will result in enhanced distributor recruitment and policyholder retention.”

Great American Life will continue to be led by its current president, Mark Muething, and its more than 600 employees will remain headquartered in Cincinnati as part of the transaction.