F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. (FG)

Executive Summary / Key Takeaways

• Capital-Light Inflection Point: F&G's August 2025 launch of a Blackstone-backed reinsurance sidecar fundamentally transforms the business model from capital-intensive spread earnings to fee-based, capital-light income, enabling faster AUM growth without balance sheet constraints while improving return on equity.

• Distribution Moat Widening: The company's unique relationship with majority owner Fidelity National Financial provides proprietary distribution channels that competitors cannot replicate, while strategic acquisitions in owned distribution (nearly $700 million invested) are generating over $80 million in annual EBITDA and creating a self-reinforcing sales ecosystem.

• Operational Leverage Materializing: Scale benefits are driving a clear inflection in efficiency, with the operating expense ratio improving from 62 basis points to 52 basis points year-over-year and management targeting 50 basis points by year-end 2025, directly boosting return on assets toward the 133-155 basis point medium-term target.

• PRT Growth Engine Accelerating: Pension Risk Transfer sales surged 61% in Q3 2025 to $536 million, putting FG on track to hit its $1.5-2.5 billion annual target. This high-margin institutional business benefits from a robust pipeline of $3.8 trillion in fully-funded corporate pension plans and minimal competitive disruption from industry lawsuits.

• Valuation Disconnect: Trading at 0.94x book value and 9.8x earnings despite a 9.94% ROE and 2.97% dividend yield, FG's multiple does not reflect the structural improvement in earnings quality and capital efficiency from its transformation, though execution risks around reinsurance concentration and interest rate sensitivity remain critical watchpoints.

Setting the Scene: The Annuity Provider Reinventing Itself

F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. (NYSE:FG), founded in 1959 and headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, operates in one of the most attractive corners of financial services: providing retirement security solutions to aging baby boomers. The company sits at the intersection of powerful demographic tailwinds—the U.S. Census Bureau projects a 30% increase in Americans aged 65-100 over the next 25 years—and macroeconomic volatility that makes guaranteed income products increasingly compelling. Yet what makes FG genuinely interesting today is not its end market but its deliberate transformation from a traditional spread-based insurer into a capital-light, fee-generating platform.

The annuity industry has historically been a capital-intensive business where insurers take balance sheet risk to earn spread income between invested assets and credited rates. FG is systematically dismantling this model. Since partnering with Blackstone (BX) in 2018 to build a private equity portfolio, the company has evolved its strategy to offload risk through reinsurance while capturing fees for originating and servicing business. This shift accelerated dramatically in June 2020 when Fidelity National Financial (FNF) acquired majority ownership, providing not just capital but a unique distribution ecosystem tied to real estate transactions. The June 2020 acquisition enabled rating upgrades that unlocked bank and broker-dealer channels, while subsequent Blackstone partnerships in 2021 introduced Funding Agreement Backed Notes (FABN) and pension risk transfer capabilities.

The result is a company that looks like a traditional annuity provider from the outside but operates as a fee-based platform on the inside. This changes everything about the earnings profile: lower capital requirements, higher returns on equity, reduced sensitivity to interest rate cycles, and scalable growth that doesn't require constant equity issuance. The market has yet to fully price this transformation.

Technology, Products, and Strategic Differentiation: The Reinsurance Sidecar as a Game-Changer

The single most important development for FG is the August 2025 launch of Fort Greene Reinsurance SPC Limited Segregated Portfolio No. 1, a Blackstone-managed reinsurance vehicle with approximately $1 billion in anticipated capital commitments. This isn't a traditional reinsurance treaty—it's a permanent, on-demand capital source that fundamentally alters FG's economics. The sidecar cedes certain Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) policies on a coinsurance funds withheld basis and certain funding agreements on a modified coinsurance basis, meaning FG originates the business, services the customers, and collects fee income while transferring the balance sheet risk.

This enables FG to grow AUM without hitting capital constraints that traditionally limit insurers. Management explicitly states the sidecar "will provide long-term on-demand capital to support our growth and move F&G further toward a more fee-based, higher margin and less capital-intensive business model." The immediate impact is visible in the sales mix shift: management expects FIA economics to become "relatively more attractive" and anticipates evolving toward a 50-50 retained versus ceded split for FIA sales, up from a higher retained proportion previously. This directly improves capital efficiency and should drive ROE higher over time.

The product portfolio reflects this strategic pivot. Indexed annuities remain the largest contributor to sales ($1.7 billion in Q3 2025), but the company is gaining traction in Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILA) , a strategic product launched in 2024 that has already onboarded seven partners. RILA offers downside protection with upside potential, appealing to broker-dealer platforms where FG previously had limited presence. While still a modest contributor, management sees potential for annual RILA sales reaching billions over the medium term as platform expansion continues. This product typically carries higher margins than traditional FIAs and opens new distribution channels.

Owned distribution represents another layer of differentiation. FG has invested nearly $700 million across four distribution companies (two majority stakes, two minority stakes), creating a vertically integrated sales ecosystem. These holdings are performing well, with the portfolio generating over $80 million in EBITDA expected for 2025, up from $65 million in 2024. Two life IMOs produce about 50% of FG's IUL sales, while two annuity IMOs generate approximately 15% of annuity sales. This reduces customer acquisition costs, provides direct control over sales quality, and creates a diversified earnings stream that isn't tied to spread income. As independent agent distribution consolidates, FG's owned platform becomes increasingly valuable.

Financial Performance & Segment Dynamics: Evidence of a Working Strategy

FG's financial results provide clear evidence that the capital-light transformation is working. Third quarter 2025 adjusted net earnings of $165 million ($1.22 per share) included a $10 million tax valuation allowance release and $4 million actuarial reserve release, but the underlying earnings power is stronger than the headline suggests. The company benefited from approximately $25 million in strong prepayment fees and a lower effective tax rate, while alternative investment income was $67 million below the long-term expected return of 10%—a headwind that masks underlying strength.

The operating expense ratio improved to 52 basis points in Q3 2025, down from 62 basis points in Q3 2024, reflecting increased scale and operational discipline. Management expects this ratio to reach approximately 50 basis points by year-end 2025, with potential for an additional 1 basis point improvement per quarter in 2026. This demonstrates that FG's growth is generating genuine operating leverage, not just scale for scale's sake. Every basis point improvement flows directly to the bottom line and supports the medium-term target of 133-155 basis points of adjusted ROA.

Segment performance validates the strategic focus areas. Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) premiums surged 61% in Q3 to $536 million, with the in-force block crossing $6.5 billion by year-end 2024 serving over 100,000 participants. The PRT market offers a robust pipeline of midsized deals between $100-500 million where FG competes effectively, and management is on track to achieve its $1.5-2.5 billion annual sales target. PRT is capital-efficient institutional business with predictable cash flows and minimal mortality risk compared to traditional life insurance.

Indexed Universal Life (IUL) sales grew 9.6% year-to-date to $137 million, with management describing the business as "humming" and meeting the needs of the underserved multicultural middle market. While smaller than the annuity business, IUL provides diversification and benefits from the same distribution infrastructure. The universal life gross liability grew to $3.3 billion, showing steady accumulation.

The owned distribution segment delivered $24 million in revenue in Q3, up 20% year-over-year, and is on pace for over $80 million in EBITDA for 2025. This represents a 14-15% EBITDA margin on invested capital of nearly $700 million—a solid return that will improve as the businesses scale. The strategic value extends beyond the financial contribution: owned distribution provides FG with direct visibility into sales trends, customer preferences, and competitive dynamics that traditional insurers lack.

On the liability side, Fixed Rate Annuities (MYGA) sales declined 41% in Q3 to $969 million, but this reflects deliberate capital optimization rather than competitive weakness. Management considers MYGA "opportunistic" and dynamically adjusts volumes based on economics and flow reinsurance capacity. The company expects to reinsure the vast majority of MYGA sales going forward, preserving capital for higher-return opportunities. This disciplined approach shows FG is managing its balance sheet strategically rather than chasing top-line growth at the expense of returns.

Funding agreements (FABN/FHLB) also demonstrated opportunistic execution, with a record $800 million FABN issuance in Q3 bringing year-to-date placements to $1.6 billion. These institutional products provide flexible, low-cost funding that supports the overall asset-liability management strategy.

Outlook, Management Guidance, and Execution Risk

Management's guidance frames a clear path toward the October 2023 Investor Day targets: grow AUM by 50%, expand adjusted ROA (excluding significant items) to 133-155 basis points, and increase adjusted ROE to 13-14%. The company is "well positioned to deliver on our targets as we move further toward a more fee-based, higher-margin and less capital-intensive business model," according to President and CFO Conor Murphy. This confidence rests on several key assumptions that investors must evaluate critically.

First, the operating expense ratio improvement from 60 basis points at year-end 2024 to approximately 50 basis points by year-end 2025 appears achievable based on the Q3 52 basis point result. Management expects an additional 1 basis point improvement per quarter on average in 2026, implying continued scale benefits. This assumes FG can maintain current spending levels while growing AUM, a reasonable assumption if the reinsurance sidecar enables growth without proportional expense increases.

Second, the flow reinsurance income normalization assumption is critical. Q3 2025 results included a $16 million reinsurance true-up adjustment, and management expects the sidecar to make FIA economics "relatively more attractive" with a 50-50 retained/ceded mix. This implies fee income will become a larger portion of earnings, reducing volatility from investment results. The risk is that reinsurance partners could reprice terms or that concentration risk with key reinsurers (Aspida Life Re, Somerset Re, Everlake, Wilton Re) could pressure economics if any fail to perform.

Third, management expects near-term headwinds from Q1 2025—excess cash from CLO prepayments, lower surrender income, and weaker owned distribution—to prove temporary. The rebound in MYGA and owned distribution activity in April 2025 supports this view, but investors should monitor whether these headwinds persist into 2026. The actuarial assumption review resulted in $6 million after-tax higher amortization expense in Q3, with an expected $5 million incremental impact in Q4 2025 that will diminish through H1 2026. This temporary drag masks underlying earnings power.

The PRT sales target of $1.5-2.5 billion for 2025 appears well within reach given the $1.3 billion year-to-date performance and robust pipeline. The broader market driver—$3.8 trillion of U.S. corporate pension plans at or near full funding—provides a multi-year tailwind that supports sustained growth beyond 2025.

A critical variable is the effective tax rate, which was 8% in Q3 and 13% year-to-date, well below the 21% statutory rate due to valuation allowance releases on capital deferred tax assets. The partial valuation allowance of $47 million against $159 million of net deferred tax assets suggests further releases could provide episodic earnings boosts, but investors should focus on pre-tax earnings power to assess sustainable profitability.

Risks and Asymmetries: What Could Break the Thesis

The capital-light transformation, while strategically sound, introduces concentration risk that could materially impact financial position. FG has significant reinsurance concentration with Aspida Life Re Ltd., Somerset Reinsurance Ltd., Everlake, and Wilton Reassurance Company. If any reinsurer fails to perform, FG would be forced to retain risks it assumed were ceded, potentially straining capital and requiring higher reserves. The entire thesis depends on reliable, long-term reinsurance partners. The Blackstone sidecar mitigates but doesn't eliminate this risk.

Interest rate sensitivity remains a structural vulnerability despite the fee-based pivot. A 100 basis point increase in rates would decrease the fair value of fixed maturity securities by approximately $2.9 billion, decrease interest rate swaps by $0.1 billion, and decrease combined embedded derivatives and market risk benefits by $0.7 billion. While these are mark-to-market impacts rather than cash losses, they affect book value and could constrain capital ratios. Floating rate debt and funding agreements would see expenses increase by $25 million annually per 100 basis points, directly pressuring margins. FG's fixed annuity products have long-duration guarantees that become less attractive in rising rate environments, potentially slowing sales and pressuring spreads.

The DOL Fiduciary Rule, though currently stayed, represents regulatory tail risk that could fundamentally alter distribution economics. Management acknowledges that "current and emerging developments relating to market conduct standards for the financial services industry may, over time, materially affect the way in which our agents do business, the role of IMOs, sale of IRA products...compensation practices and liability exposure and costs, all of which could adversely impact our business." FG's owned distribution strategy and IMO relationships could face higher compliance costs or restrictive compensation structures that reduce sales effectiveness.

Competitive pressure in the FIA space is intensifying. Athene (ATH) holds a 12.6% market share and benefits from superior investment yields through its Apollo partnership, while Brighthouse (BHF) and Corebridge (CRBG) compete aggressively on product innovation. FG's mid-tier positioning (estimated 3-5% market share) means it lacks the scale to match leader crediting rates while maintaining margins. The RILA product, though promising, faces slow platform adoption—management admits "it's taken longer to get on platforms"—which could limit growth below expectations.

Execution risk on the capital-light transition is real. If FG cannot achieve the targeted 50-50 FIA retained/ceded mix, or if reinsurance economics prove less attractive than modeled, the ROE expansion story falters. The Q1 2025 headwinds, while deemed temporary, could persist if surrender activity remains elevated or if owned distribution performance doesn't rebound as expected.

Valuation Context: Pricing a Transforming Business

At $33.72 per share, FG trades at 0.94x book value of $35.83 and 9.8x trailing earnings, metrics that suggest a traditional value insurance multiple rather than a capital-light platform. The valuation doesn't appear to reflect the structural improvement in earnings quality. The price-to-operating cash flow ratio of 0.94x and price-to-free cash flow ratio of 0.94x indicate the market is pricing the stock at less than one times cash generation—an anomaly that suggests either skepticism about sustainability or a lack of investor awareness of the transformation.

Comparing to direct peers reveals a mixed picture. Athene trades at higher multiples reflecting its market leadership and superior investment yields, but lacks FG's distribution moat. Brighthouse trades at 0.59x book but carries higher variable annuity risk. Corebridge trades at 1.19x book with a 20.66x P/E, reflecting its scale but also its slower growth. Equitable (EQH) trades at negative book value due to legacy issues, making comparison less relevant. FG's 9.94% ROE lags Brighthouse's 16.18% but exceeds Corebridge's 7.19% and Equitable's negative ROE, positioning it as a solid mid-tier performer.

The enterprise value of $3.6 billion represents 0.69x revenue and 4.39x EBITDA, suggesting reasonable valuation relative to earnings power. The debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46x is conservative, and the company maintains $750 million of revolver capacity plus $200 million from FNF, providing ample liquidity. The 14% dividend increase to $0.25 quarterly yields 2.97% with a sustainable 25.58% payout ratio, offering income while investors wait for the transformation to be recognized.

What the market appears to be missing is the earnings quality improvement from fee-based income. Traditional insurers trade on book value and spread margins; capital-light platforms command premium multiples for predictable, scalable fee streams. FG is in transition, and the stock appears to be priced for the old model while the new model emerges. The key valuation catalyst will be sustained demonstration that fee income can grow faster than spread income declines, driving overall earnings growth with lower volatility.

Conclusion: A Transformation at a Discount

F&G Annuities stands at an inflection point where a decades-old business is reinventing itself as a capital-light, fee-generating platform backed by Blackstone's capital and FNF's distribution. The evidence is compelling: a new reinsurance sidecar that enables 50-50 risk sharing, owned distribution generating over $80 million in EBITDA, operating expense ratios improving toward 50 basis points, and PRT sales surging toward a $2 billion annual run rate. These aren't isolated improvements but interconnected elements of a deliberate strategy to improve returns on capital while reducing sensitivity to interest rate cycles.

The investment thesis hinges on two critical variables: execution of the capital-light transition and recognition of the distribution moat's value. If FG can consistently cede 50% of FIA production through the Blackstone sidecar while maintaining pricing discipline, ROE should expand toward the 13-14% medium-term target, justifying a higher multiple. If owned distribution continues scaling at double-digit rates, the earnings mix will shift toward stable fee income, reducing volatility and attracting growth-oriented investors.

The primary risks—reinsurance concentration, interest rate sensitivity, and competitive pressure—are real but manageable. The Blackstone partnership mitigates capital constraints, the FNF relationship provides unique distribution, and the company's conservative balance sheet offers flexibility. At less than book value and one times cash flow, the market is pricing FG as a stagnant spread insurer rather than an evolving fee platform. For investors willing to look through the transition, the risk/reward appears asymmetric: limited downside from a already-discounted valuation with significant upside if the transformation gains recognition. The December 2025 FNF distribution, increasing public float to 30%, may be the catalyst that brings this story to a broader audience.