Last Updated: November 6th, 2025
Corebridge Financial is the new name for AIG’s life insurance division, which became an independent company in September 2022. Your coverage remains unchanged if you have an existing AIG or American General policy. Corebridge offers term life, whole life, universal life, and final expense insurance through the same issuing companies (American General Life Insurance Company, The United States Life Insurance Company, and VALIC) with strong financial ratings and over $400 billion in assets under management.
If you’re searching for information about AIG life insurance or American General and finding references to “Corebridge,” you’re not alone. The life insurance landscape changed significantly in 2022, and many policyholders and shoppers are understandably confused.
Corebridge Financial is the current name for what was formerly AIG’s life insurance and retirement division. This comprehensive review explains the rebrand, evaluates Corebridge’s life insurance products, and helps you understand whether this company is right for your needs. With over 4.2 million policies in force, Corebridge Financial remains a major player in the life insurance market.
Whether you’re an existing policyholder trying to understand the name change or a new shopper researching your options, this guide covers everything you need to know about Corebridge life insurance.
What Happened to AIG Life Insurance? Understanding Corebridge Financial
The confusion surrounding AIG, American General, and Corebridge has a straightforward explanation rooted in corporate restructuring.
In September 2022, AIG completed a spinoff of its life insurance and retirement services division, creating Corebridge Financial as an independent, publicly traded company (NYSE: CRBG). This was one of the largest insurance industry IPOs of 2022, with Corebridge raising $1.68 billion and managing substantial assets at launch.
The brand evolution timeline helps clarify the changes:
- 1926: American General Life Insurance Company founded in Houston, Texas
- 2001: AIG acquired American General for $23 billion, creating AIG’s life insurance division
- 1995-2024: The direct-to-consumer division operated as Matrix Direct, later rebranded to AIG Direct
- 2020: AIG announced plans to spin off its life and retirement business
- September 2022: Corebridge Financial launched as an independent company via IPO
- 2024: AIG Direct transitioned to Corebridge Direct as part of the ongoing rebrand
- September 2024: Corebridge name replaced AIG branding on the company’s Houston headquarters
What stayed the same: Your actual life insurance policies remain valid and unchanged. The three issuing insurance companies continue to operate under their original names: American General Life Insurance Company, The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, and The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC). These are the companies that actually issued your policy and hold legal responsibility for your coverage.
What changed: The parent company name changed from AIG Life & Retirement to Corebridge Financial. The direct-to-consumer brand changed from AIG Direct to Corebridge Direct. Company websites, marketing materials, and correspondence now use the Corebridge name. The corporate structure shifted from being an AIG subsidiary to an independent public company.
If you’re an existing policyholder, your coverage, premiums, beneficiaries, and terms remain exactly as they were. You don’t need to take any action. Your policy documents may still reference AIG or American General because those were the issuing companies at the time of purchase.
Corebridge Financial: Company Overview and Financial Ratings
Corebridge Financial operates as one of the largest life insurance and retirement solutions providers in the United States. The company manages over $400 billion in assets as of 2024 and maintains approximately 4.2 million active life insurance policies across the country.
According to company reports, Corebridge ranks among the top life insurance providers in the United States for term life sales. This market position reflects decades of experience under the American General and AIG brands, now continuing under the Corebridge name.
The issuing companies that underwrite Corebridge policies include:
American General Life Insurance Company (AGL) – Based in Houston, Texas, this is the primary issuing company for most Corebridge life insurance policies. Founded in 1926, American General has nearly a century of experience in the life insurance market.
The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York (US Life) – This company issues policies for New York residents and handles certain specialized products. It operates under strict New York insurance regulations, which are among the most consumer-protective in the nation.
The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC) – Primarily focused on retirement products and group insurance, VALIC also issues certain life insurance policies, particularly for education, healthcare, and government employees.
These issuing companies maintain strong financial strength ratings from major independent rating agencies:
| Rating Agency | Rating | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| A.M. Best | A (Excellent) | Stable |
| Standard & Poor’s | A+ (Strong) | Stable |
| Moody’s | A2 (Good) | Stable |
These ratings indicate strong financial stability and the ability to meet long-term obligations to policyholders. The “A” range ratings from multiple agencies suggest Corebridge’s issuing companies have excellent capacity to pay claims.
Corebridge Financial operates through four business segments: Individual Retirement, Group Retirement, Life Insurance, and Institutional Markets. The life insurance segment offers protection products to individuals and families through both financial professionals and direct-to-consumer channels.
Corebridge Life Insurance Products and Coverage Options
Corebridge Financial offers a comprehensive range of life insurance products designed to meet different coverage needs, budgets, and life stages.
Term Life Insurance
Corebridge’s term life insurance provides affordable coverage for a specific period, with terms ranging from 10 to 35 years depending on the product and your age.
Term policies offer level premiums throughout the term, meaning your rate stays the same for the entire coverage period. Coverage amounts range from $50,000 to several million dollars, depending on your age, health, and financial needs. The policies include a conversion option, allowing you to convert to permanent coverage without a new medical exam before the term expires.
Term life insurance from Corebridge works best for people with temporary coverage needs like mortgage protection, income replacement while children are young, or business loan collateral. The rates are competitive with other major carriers, particularly for healthy applicants.
Whole Life Insurance
Corebridge’s whole life insurance policies provide permanent coverage that lasts your entire lifetime as long as premiums are paid. These policies build cash value over time, which grows tax-deferred and can be accessed through loans or withdrawals.
The premiums remain level and guaranteed never to increase. The death benefit is also guaranteed, providing certainty for estate planning purposes. The cash value accumulation follows a guaranteed schedule, so you know exactly what your policy will be worth at any given age.
Whole life insurance works well for people seeking permanent protection, those who want to build cash value as part of their financial plan, and individuals using life insurance for estate planning or wealth transfer strategies. The premiums are higher than term insurance because of the lifetime coverage and cash value component.
Universal Life Insurance
Corebridge offers several universal life insurance options that provide permanent coverage with more flexibility than whole life. Universal life policies allow you to adjust premiums and death benefits within certain limits as your needs change.
Their guaranteed universal life (GUL) products focus on providing affordable permanent coverage with minimal cash value accumulation. These work well for people who need lifetime coverage but don’t need significant cash value growth.
Indexed universal life (IUL) policies tie cash value growth to stock market index performance, offering growth potential while protecting against market losses. The cash value grows based on the performance of indexes like the S&P 500, but with a guaranteed floor that prevents losses in down markets.
Universal life insurance suits people who want permanent coverage with premium flexibility, those seeking cash value growth potential, and individuals who may need to adjust their coverage as circumstances change.
Final Expense and Burial Insurance
Corebridge offers simplified issue life insurance designed specifically for final expense coverage. These policies typically provide smaller coverage amounts suitable for funeral costs, medical bills, and other end-of-life expenses.
The application process is streamlined with simplified underwriting, meaning fewer medical questions and no medical exam required in most cases. Coverage is available for seniors up to age 85, making it accessible for older applicants who may not qualify for traditional life insurance.
Premiums remain level for life, and coverage is guaranteed once issued. The policies typically include a graded benefit period for the first two years, where a return of premiums plus interest is paid if death occurs from natural causes during this time.
Final expense coverage from Corebridge works best for seniors who want to spare their families from funeral costs, older applicants who may not qualify for traditional coverage, and individuals seeking small permanent policies without extensive underwriting.
Corebridge Direct: Simple Life Insurance Without an Agent
Corebridge Direct represents the company’s direct-to-consumer life insurance channel, formerly known as AIG Direct and originally launched as Matrix Direct in 1995. This division has helped millions of people secure life insurance coverage without working through a traditional insurance agent.
The direct-to-consumer model offers a streamlined approach to buying life insurance. You can get quotes, compare options, and apply for coverage entirely online through Corebridge’s direct-to-consumer channel or by calling to speak with a licensed agent.
Corebridge Direct offers term life insurance with simplified underwriting options. Many applicants may not require a medical exam, depending on their age, coverage amount, and health history. The application takes minutes to complete online, and decisions often come within days rather than weeks.
Advantages of Corebridge Direct:
- Convenient online application process available 24/7
- No need to schedule in-person meetings with agents
- Streamlined underwriting with many no-exam options
- Transparent pricing and coverage details
- Licensed agents available when you need guidance
Potential drawbacks:
- Limited product selection compared to agent-distributed options
- May not offer the most competitive rates for complex health situations
- Less personalized guidance for complex insurance planning needs
- No ongoing agent relationship for policy reviews and updates
Corebridge Direct works well if you prefer online shopping and want a straightforward term life policy, have standard health and don’t need specialized underwriting, want coverage quickly without extended medical underwriting, or are comfortable making decisions with minimal guidance. However, if you have complex health conditions that need specialized underwriting, want permanent life insurance with cash value features, need comprehensive financial planning alongside insurance, or prefer ongoing relationships with a dedicated agent, working with an independent agent who can compare multiple carriers might serve you better.
How to Apply for Corebridge Life Insurance
The application process for Corebridge life insurance varies depending on whether you’re working with an agent or applying directly through Corebridge Direct, and the type of coverage you’re seeking.
For traditional fully underwritten policies, the process begins with a detailed application that covers your health history, lifestyle, occupation, and family medical history. Your agent or Corebridge representative submits this information for review. The underwriters evaluate your application and determine whether a medical exam is needed based on your age, coverage amount, and health disclosure.
If required, a medical exam is scheduled at your home or office at no cost to you. A paramedical examiner collects basic health measurements like height, weight, and blood pressure, and takes blood and urine samples. The exam typically takes 20-30 minutes. The underwriting team reviews your application, exam results if required, and may request medical records from your doctors. They assess your risk and determine your premium rate and coverage approval.
Once approved, you receive your policy documents for review. You have a free look period (typically 10-30 days depending on your state) to review the policy and can cancel for a full refund if it doesn’t meet your needs.
Simplified underwriting options are available through Corebridge Direct and for certain products like final expense insurance. These applications involve fewer health questions and no medical exam. The process is faster but may have lower coverage limits or higher rates than fully underwritten policies. Approval decisions often come within days, and coverage can start quickly once approved.
Several factors influence your approval and premium rate. Your age is the primary factor, with rates increasing as you get older. Your health status matters significantly, including conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer history. Lifestyle choices like tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and participation in high-risk activities affect pricing. Your occupation plays a role if you work in hazardous industries. Your family health history can impact certain underwriting decisions.
The timeline from application to coverage varies. Simplified issue policies may provide faster decisions, often within a few business days. Traditional fully underwritten policies typically take several weeks from application to policy issuance, depending on medical underwriting requirements. Complex cases requiring additional medical records may take longer.
Corebridge Life Insurance Riders and Add-Ons
Corebridge offers several optional riders that allow you to customize your life insurance policy to better fit your needs. These riders add specific benefits or features to your base policy, usually for an additional premium.
Accelerated Death Benefit Rider allows you to access a portion of your death benefit while still living if diagnosed with a terminal illness, typically defined as having 12-24 months or less to live. This rider helps cover medical expenses, end-of-life care, or other financial needs during a terminal illness. There’s usually no additional premium for this rider.
Waiver of Premium Rider continues your life insurance coverage without requiring premium payments if you become totally disabled and unable to work. This rider ensures your policy stays in force even if disability prevents you from paying premiums. There’s typically a waiting period of six months, and you must meet the policy’s definition of total disability.
Child Term Rider adds coverage for your children under a single rider on your policy. It’s an affordable way to provide life insurance protection for all your children. Coverage typically ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 per child. Children can often convert this coverage to their own permanent policy when they reach adulthood without a medical exam.
Accidental Death Benefit Rider pays an additional death benefit if you die as a result of an accident. This doubles or triples the policy’s base death benefit in cases of accidental death. It’s sometimes called “double indemnity” coverage.
Return of Premium Rider refunds all premiums paid if you outlive your term life insurance policy. This makes term insurance feel more like an investment since you get your money back if you don’t use the coverage. However, this rider significantly increases your premiums, often by 30-50% or more.
Not all riders are available on every policy type, and availability may vary by state. Your agent or Corebridge representative can explain which riders are available for your specific policy and coverage needs.
Is Corebridge Life Insurance Right for You?
Corebridge life insurance serves a broad range of customers, but it’s particularly well-suited for certain situations.
Existing AIG or American General policyholders benefit from continuity with the same issuing companies and underwriting standards they originally qualified under. If you’ve been happy with your AIG or American General coverage, Corebridge represents the same company under a new name.
Those seeking direct-to-consumer convenience will appreciate Corebridge Direct’s streamlined online application process. If you prefer shopping online and want to avoid agent meetings, the direct channel provides a user-friendly alternative with licensed agents available when you need help.
Applicants with specific health conditions may find competitive rates with Corebridge depending on their situation. The company has experience underwriting a wide range of health profiles and may offer favorable terms for conditions like controlled diabetes, managed high blood pressure, or past cancer history, depending on specifics.
Families needing comprehensive coverage options can choose from term, whole, universal, and final expense products all from one carrier. This makes it easier to coordinate multiple policies or convert coverage as needs change over time.
Seniors seeking final expense coverage can access simplified underwriting options designed specifically for older applicants who want to cover funeral costs and spare their families from financial burden.
However, Corebridge may not be the best fit in every situation. Those seeking the absolute lowest rates should compare quotes from multiple carriers, as Corebridge’s rates are competitive but not always the cheapest option for every profile. High-risk applicants needing specialized underwriting might find better terms with carriers that specialize in high-risk cases. Individuals who want extensive personal financial planning should consider working with an independent agent who can provide comprehensive guidance across multiple insurance and investment products.
The best approach is to compare Corebridge with other top-rated carriers based on your specific age, health, coverage needs, and budget. An independent agent can help you evaluate multiple options to find the best value for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corebridge Life Insurance
Is Corebridge the same as AIG life insurance?
Corebridge Financial was formerly AIG’s life insurance and retirement division. In September 2022, AIG spun off this division as an independent company called Corebridge Financial. The issuing insurance companies (American General Life Insurance Company, The United States Life Insurance Company, and VALIC) remain the same and continue to back all policies.
What happened to my American General life insurance policy?
Your American General policy remains valid and unchanged. American General Life Insurance Company is now a subsidiary of Corebridge Financial instead of AIG, but your coverage, premiums, beneficiaries, and policy terms stay exactly the same. You don’t need to take any action.
Are AIG Direct and Corebridge Direct the same company?
Yes. AIG Direct was rebranded to Corebridge Direct in 2024. It’s the same direct-to-consumer life insurance business that has operated since 1995, originally under the name Matrix Direct. The products, underwriting, and service remain consistent under the new name.
Will my existing AIG policy be affected by the rebrand?
No. The rebrand to Corebridge is a corporate parent company name change only. Your policy contract, terms, premiums, death benefit, and beneficiaries all remain unchanged. The issuing insurance company on your policy continues to hold legal responsibility for your coverage.
Is Matrix Direct still in business?
Matrix Direct is no longer a brand name, but the business continues as Corebridge Direct. Matrix Direct was the original name of the direct-to-consumer division when it launched in 1995. It became AIG Direct in the early 2000s, and then Corebridge Direct in 2024. It’s the same company serving customers continuously for nearly 30 years.
How does Corebridge compare to other life insurance companies?
Corebridge is one of the largest life insurance providers in the United States and holds strong financial strength ratings (A from A.M. Best, A+ from S&P). The company’s rates are competitive with other major carriers, though not always the lowest. The advantage lies in the company’s financial stability, comprehensive product lineup, and flexible application options.
Can I still work with my American General agent?
Yes. Agents who previously sold American General and AIG products now sell Corebridge products. Your existing agent relationship continues unchanged. The company still works with financial professionals and insurance agents to distribute policies.
Does Corebridge offer no medical exam life insurance?
Yes. Corebridge Direct offers simplified issue term life insurance that may not require a medical exam for qualifying applicants, depending on your age, coverage amount, and health disclosure. The company also offers final expense insurance with simplified underwriting for seniors.
Key Takeaways: Corebridge Life Insurance Review
Corebridge Financial is the new name for AIG’s life insurance division, which became an independent company in September 2022. All existing AIG and American General policies remain valid with no changes to coverage, premiums, or terms.
The issuing insurance companies haven’t changed. American General Life Insurance Company, The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, and VALIC continue to underwrite and back all policies.
Corebridge is one of the largest life insurance providers in the U.S. with approximately 4.2 million active policies and over $400 billion in assets under management.
The company maintains strong financial strength ratings including A (Excellent) from A.M. Best and A+ (Strong) from Standard & Poor’s, indicating excellent ability to meet long-term obligations to policyholders.
Corebridge offers a comprehensive product lineup including term life insurance, whole life insurance, universal life insurance, and final expense coverage to meet different needs and budgets.
Corebridge Direct provides a streamlined direct-to-consumer option for shoppers who prefer online applications and don’t need extensive agent guidance. Many applicants can qualify without a medical exam.
The company works with both independent agents and direct customers giving you flexibility in how you purchase coverage. You can get quotes through Corebridge’s direct-to-consumer channel or by contacting a licensed agent.
If you’re an existing AIG or American General policyholder, no action is required. Your coverage continues uninterrupted under the Corebridge name with all original terms intact.
Ready to Compare Corebridge Life Insurance Quotes?
Understanding the Corebridge rebrand is just the first step. Whether you’re an existing policyholder or shopping for new coverage, comparing quotes from multiple carriers ensures you get the best value for your specific situation.
Our independent agents can help you compare Corebridge with other top-rated carriers, explain your options clearly, and find coverage that fits your needs and budget. Get your free, no-obligation quote today by using our online life insurance quoter on this page.
