Three of the five largest indexed annuity companies in the United States are based in Greater Des Moines, according to data provided by AnnuitySpecs.com. And five insurance companies with annuity operations in Greater Des Moines account for more than 40 percent of the U.S. annuities market, said Sheryl Moore, president and CEO of AnnuitySpecs, which is based in Pleasant Hill.

Total annuity sales by the 35 insurers tracked by AnnuitySpecs, which represent 99 percent of the U.S. market, exceeded $32.3 billion in 2010, a 7.4 percent increase from 2009.

Indexed annuities have grown in popularity with investors seeking a balance between safety and performance. “The growth in this market is good for Iowa’s economy, as positions at these five insurance companies contribute heavily to our work force,” Moore said.

In addition to Aviva, American Equity and ING, other insurers with a Greater Des Moines presence that sell annuities include Midland National Life Insurance Co. (4.87 percent) and EquiTrust Financial Services, a unit of FBL Financial Group Inc. (0.97 percent).