About Freedom Equity Group
Founded in 2002 by Ron Bloomingkemper, Ron Petrinovich, and Bill St. Clair, Freedom Equity Group (FEG) is a nationally recognized Independent Marketing Organization (IMO) specializing in Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance and Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIA). Headquartered in Arroyo Grande, California with offices in Dallas, Texas, FEG partners exclusively with the highest-rated insurance carriers in the financial services industry. In 2024, FEG became a wholly owned subsidiary of F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. (NYSE: FG), a member of the Fidelity National Financial (NYSE: FNF) FORTUNE 500® family of companies.
FEG holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been in continuous operation for over two decades. The organization is committed to empowering American families to achieve financial independence through innovative, secure insurance and retirement solutions.
FEG agents operate in all 50 states across the United States, providing families and businesses with access to industry-leading Indexed Universal Life insurance and Fixed Indexed Annuity products from top-rated carriers. The organization's nationwide footprint ensures that clients receive localized, professional guidance regardless of their location.
FEG Carrier Partners
FEG partners exclusively with the highest-rated insurance companies, including Fidelity & Guaranty (F&G), American National, Life of the Southwest, AIG, Phoenix, American Equity, and National Western Life—ensuring clients have access to products backed by exceptional financial strength and proven performance.
Fidelity National Financial & F&G
Understanding the corporate lineage behind the products we recommend is important. Freedom Equity Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of F&G Annuities & Life, which is itself a majority-owned subsidiary of one of America's largest and most respected financial institutions.
FORTUNE 500® Company — Ranked #313 (2025)
Leading Provider of IUL & FIA Products
Top Life IMO & Wholly Owned F&G Subsidiary
Marc Merritt & Marylene Teopengco-Merritt, RVPs
Fidelity National Financial (NYSE: FNF)
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. is a FORTUNE 500® company ranked #313 on the 2025 list, with $13.71 billion in annual revenue (2024). FNF is the nation's largest title insurance company through its underwriters—Fidelity National Title, Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title, Alamo Title, and National Title of New York. FNF is also a leading provider of annuity and life insurance products through its majority-owned, publicly traded subsidiary F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. (NYSE: FG).
Source: Fortune.com (2025); FNF Investor Relations; FNF Q4 2024 Earnings Report
F&G Annuities & Life (NYSE: FG)
F&G (the marketing name for Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company) is a leading U.S. provider of annuities and indexed universal life insurance, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Originally incorporated in 1959, F&G has served over 900,000 people nationwide. F&G reported record gross sales of $15.3 billion for full year 2024, a 16% increase over 2023—with gross sales more than tripling since 2020.
Source: FNF Q4 2024 Earnings Report; RetireGuide.com; Annuity.org
F&G's Ownership of FEG
In October 2021, F&G initially purchased a 30% ownership stake in Freedom Equity Group, solidifying a multi-year strategic partnership. FEG contributed to F&G's rank as a top 3 middle market IUL provider by case rate, according to LIMRA. In 2024, F&G acquired the remaining interest, bringing its ownership of FEG to 100%—making Freedom Equity Group a wholly owned subsidiary of F&G Annuities & Life. F&G CEO Christopher Blunt cited the growth potential of FEG, particularly in the middle market and multicultural communities across the United States, noting that F&G has deployed nearly $700 million into owned distribution as a core part of its growth strategy.
Source: F&G Press Release, October 8, 2021; F&G Annuities & Life Q2 2024 Earnings Call; LIMRA U.S. Retail Individual Insurance Sales Reports
Why We Highly Recommend F&G Products
Financial Strength Ratings
F&G has received strong, investment-grade financial strength ratings from all four major rating agencies, reflecting solid capital adequacy and reliable claims-paying ability:
Source: F&G Corporate Overview; A.M. Best (March 2025); S&P (September 2025); Fitch (August 2024); Moody's
Industry Rankings & Recognition
J.D. Power #1 Ranking: F&G was ranked #1 for Highest Customer Satisfaction Among Annuity Providers in the U.S. in the 2023 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index, sweeping the top spot across all study factors. In 2024, F&G remained among the industry's strongest performers, ranking 7th overall.
Top IUL Provider: F&G is recognized as a top 3 middle market Indexed Universal Life provider by case rate, according to LIMRA, the insurance industry's leading research authority.
Leading FIA Provider: F&G has generally maintained a top 5 market position within its core Fixed Indexed Annuity segment in the independent agent channel.
Low Complaint Index: F&G holds an NAIC Complaint Index Score of 0.10—significantly below the national index of 1.00—indicating the company receives far fewer complaints than expected for an insurer of its size.
Source: J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Individual Annuity Study; LIMRA U.S. Retail Individual Insurance Sales Reports; A.M. Best (Jan 2024); NAIC; Annuity.org
Record-Breaking Performance
In January 2024, A.M. Best upgraded F&G's Financial Strength Rating to A ("Excellent") from A- ("Excellent"), citing strong balance sheet strength, favorable earnings, and robust risk-adjusted capitalization. F&G's parent company FNF reported $1.3 billion in full-year 2024 net earnings, with F&G contributing record gross sales of $15.3 billion.
Source: A.M. Best Press Release, January 12, 2024; FNF Q4 2024 Earnings Report
Nationwide Agent Coverage
Freedom Equity Group maintains a nationwide network of licensed, independent representatives operating across all 50 United States. This extensive footprint ensures that families and businesses in every corner of America have access to FEG's suite of industry-leading Indexed Universal Life and Fixed Indexed Annuity products.
As part of the FEG network, MMT Financial and Insurance leverages this nationwide infrastructure to serve clients across multiple states. Marc Merritt and Marylene Teopengco-Merritt currently hold active licenses in New York, New Jersey, and Arizona, with nationwide carrier appointments pending to expand our direct service capability.
Product Focus
MMT Financial and Insurance specializes exclusively in two proven product categories:
Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Insurance — Permanent life insurance with cash value growth tied to market-driven indexes, providing upside potential with downside protection through guaranteed product floors. IUL products feature living benefits, flexible premiums, and tax-advantaged cash accumulation.
Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIA) — Tax-deferred retirement savings vehicles offering principal protection, growth potential linked to market indexes, and guaranteed lifetime income options without the risks of direct market participation.
About MMT Financial and Insurance
MMT Financial and Insurance is led by Marc Merritt and Marylene Teopengco-Merritt—the "Move Mountains Team" (MMT)—bringing a combined 70+ years of experience in banking, financial services, and healthcare to serve clients with integrity, education, and personalized wealth protection strategies.
Meet Our Team
Marylene Teopengco-Merritt, RVP
Freedom Equity Group
Email:
marylene@mmtfininsurance.com
NY License: LA-1298496
Licensed: NY / NJ / AZ • Nationwide Appointments Pending