Gainbridge FastBreak Review: How To Get Higher Rates Outside of a Bank

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Quick Take: Gainbridge is a digital platform that gives you access to annuity products that help grow your savings and wealth over time through the Gainbridge website. Not everyone trusts purchasing an annuity but Gainbridge is trying to remove any negative associations with its FastBreak offering.

Pros

  • Up to 5.70% APY
  • No hidden fees

Cons

  • Not FDIC-insured

Overview of Gainbridge® FastBreak™ Annuity

Achieving your financial goals in the long term comes down to making decisions about how you can grow your savings now. In order to expand your options, you may want to consider savings products outside of the standard bank or credit union offerings. Here are a few takeaways:

  • FastBreak helps your money grow and is designed for the digital era of investing and savings products.
  • The national average for savings accounts in the U.S. is 0.40% and the national CD interest rate average is between 0.23% to 1.70% depending on the term, according to the FDIC, but FastBreak offers a much higher rate at up to APY.
  • Unlike variable APYs, this is a fixed annuity so its rates are locked-in. 
  • The platform is self-managed, so you can be hands-on and withdraw up to 10% of your account value each year. You can withdraw up to 10% of your premium deposit in your first contract year. If you withdraw more than 10% any year, you will be charged a fee. Gainbridge applies a market value adjustment. It will also apply a withdrawal charge, anywhere from 1% to 5%, depending on the term you chose and when you take out money during a Guaranteed Interest Rate Period.
  • Withdrawing your money before the age of 59½  has no penalty. 
  • The interest is taxed as earned but the growth is tax-deferred.
  • The terms range from three to 10 years.
  • Gainbridge accounts are not FDIC-insured, however, they are backed by issuing companies and insurance products.
  • FastBreak has no hidden fees or commission fees.

Gainbridge offers several types of annuities. Here’s a brief overview of each one, and how it stacks up to FastBreak: 

Gainbridge Product Annuity Type Annual Percentage Yield Withdrawal Charge When Exceeding Free Limit
FastBreak Non-tax-deferred annuity Up to 1% to 5%
SteadyPace Tax-deferred annuity Up to a fixed 1% to 5%
ParityFlex Guaranteed income annuity Up to 1% to 5%
OneUp 5-year fixed indexed annuity Principal protection, plus 5% interest credited over 5 years — 1% for each year – 5% to 9% in other states
– 4.75% to 8.50% in California

GainBridge FastBreak: Review Key Features

To assess if FastBreak best fits your needs, this annuities review will cover such features as the following: 

  • APY
  • Fees 
  • User Experience

APY 

Growing your savings quickly is preferable and in order to do so it’s good to know FastBreak offers an APY of up to . This is well above the national average of 0.40% for savings accounts or CD accounts rates with the national average between 0.23% to 1.70% depending on the term. This is a fixed annuity, so the rates are locked in, which makes it tempting to take advantage of it right away.

Fees 

FastBreak promises no hidden fees, which is a relief when it comes to annuities. There is also no penalty for withdrawing your money before the age of 59 ½. You can try FastBreak risk-free for 30 days, so it can’t hurt to see if it fits your finances. 

It gives you access to withdrawing up to 10% of your account value annually for the first contract year and 10% anniversary value afterward without incurring a withdrawal charge or market value adjustment. A market value adjustment is based on how interest rates fluctuated from when you bought the annuity to the time of the withdrawal.

You’ll be charged a fee if you exceed the 10% free limit. Gainbridge applies a market value adjustment and withdrawal charge, anywhere from 1% to 5%. The percentage depends on the term you chose and when you take out money during a Guaranteed Interest Rate Period.

User Experience

It’s important to note that FastBreak is an annuity and not FDIC-insured. However, state guaranty associations can provide some protection if an insurance company fails, but ultimately depends on which state you live in. 

AM Best is a credit agency that determines insurance industry ratings, which can help understand an insurer’s creditworthiness and financial strength. AM Best rates insurance companies using a scale, from A++ to S. Gainbridge received an A- grade (Excellent), which is the fourth highest grade on AM Best’s scale. 

The platform is self-managed, so you don’t have to relinquish control over decision-making, which is helpful in the long run. If you have questions, there are several ways to contact experts. Agents are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. You can call, email or message agents through live chat. The website also has a form you can fill out.

How FastBreak Annuity Compares

When you purchase an annuity, the issuing life insurance company agrees to pay you interest over time until the end of your contract or when you choose to withdraw your investment. With any annuities review, it’s important to do some comparison shopping with other high-yield savings products. FastBreak offers an up to APY, but how does it compare to other term-length accounts such as CDs?

FastBreak vs. Ally Bank 12-month CD Account

Ally Bank offers a variety of CD term lengths and rates, but the 12-month CD offers an APY of . Ally also offers a 60-month CD with APY. FastBreak’s is slightly higher, but you have to think about what time commitment works best for you. 

FastBreak vs. Discover Bank 12-month CD Account

The 12-month CD from Discover Bank offers APY but requires a $2,500 minimum deposit. The FastBreak Annuity offers up to APY on account sizes ranging from $1,000 to $1 million. 

Final Take To GO: Are Gainbridge Annuities Worth It?

Your financial planning can benefit from steadily growing your money in a pre-selected investment term that makes sense for your savings timelines. With FastBreak, you have the chance to access up to 10% annually of your funds without penalty, as well as earn a higher return than most current bank products. 

FastBreak is best for those who want to take control of their financial situation. It’s a big step toward achieving your goals because push comes to shove, you want to find the highest rate for an account and term length that works best for you and your money.

FAQ

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Gainbridge.
  • Is Gainbridge right for me?
    • Gainbridge may be right for you if you’re interested in buying annuities without commission or hidden fees. It may not be the best option for you if you aren’t ready to lock in money for a period of time or don’t find the term lengths appealing.
  • Is Gainbridge FDIC-insured?
    • Gainbridge isn't FDIC insured. It's an insurance product, and earnings grow tax-deferred and are backed by the insurance issuer.
  • What is Gainbridge SteadyPace?
    • Gainbridge SteadyPace is a multi-year guaranteed annuity that is both fixed and deferred. If you deposit your funds and leave the money there for at least three years, it earns a fixed interest rate. This annuity is made to give income to your retirement savings.
  • Is Gainbridge a reputable company?
    • Yes, Gainbridge Insurance Agency LLC is a subsidiary of Group 1001 Insurance Holdings LLC, a national life insurance company.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Oct. 8, 2025.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

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