How does one evaluate companies selling annuities? (The ones which actually take your money.)

[LostDollar]

I am a consumer, not an agent.

It looks to me like AM Best ratings and Comdex ratings are for a holding company which may own multiple subsidiary insurance and annuity companies, not necessarily for the specific company that actually takes your money.

How does a consumer go about evaluating the annuity company that actually issues the contract and takes your money?