Corebridge, Equitable Merger Creates $1.5tr Platfrom
Unites Two Customer-Centric Cultures Committed to a Shared Vision
Creates Leading Retirement, Life, Wealth and Asset Management Company with More Than 12 Million Customers and $1.5 Trillion in Assets Under Management and Administration
Offers Formidable Distribution Capabilities with Enhanced Scale and Portfolio Diversification
Delivers Higher Growth, Balanced Revenue Mix and Resilient Earnings Across Market Cycles
Robust Balance Sheet with Consistent Cash Generation
Immediately Accretive to Earnings Per Share and Cash Generation, with Over 10% Accretion by the End of 2028, Supported by More Than $500 Million of Synergies
Corebridge Financial, Inc. and Equitable Holdings, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger, valuing the combined company at approximately $22 billion, based on the closing stock prices of each company as of March 25, 2026.
The transaction will create a leading retirement, life, wealth and asset management company with formidable distribution capabilities, enhanced scale and a diversified portfolio of businesses with well-established global brands. It unites two customer-centric organizations committed to a shared vision of empowering our clients to retire with confidence, and the combined company will serve over 12 million customers. Together, Corebridge and Equitable will have a highly attractive financial profile that will deliver higher growth and value creation for both companies’ shareholders. The combined company will have $1.5 trillion in assets under management and administration across Individual Retirement, Group Retirement, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Life Insurance and Institutional Markets.
Mark Pearson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Equitable, said, “This is a transformational transaction that brings together three outstanding franchises – Corebridge, Equitable, and AllianceBernstein – to create a diversified financial services company uniquely positioned to serve customers and deliver long‑term value for shareholders. By combining complementary capabilities and scale, we will enhance what we can deliver for clients – more choice, broader access to investment and retirement solutions and the strength of an industry leader with a stronger balance sheet standing behind our promises. I am excited about what lies ahead and look forward to working closely with Marc Costantini and the combined company board to shape the new company. Together, we will leverage both companies’ strengths to enhance what we can deliver for customers and shareholders alike.”
Marc Costantini, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corebridge, said, “The combined company will benefit from a strong competitive position and accelerated growth across retirement, life and institutional markets, as well as asset and wealth management. With a world-class, multi-channel distribution network and an expanded offering of innovative products, we will create a balanced and resilient business well positioned to serve customers. Together, we will continue to support financial professionals and institutions in helping individuals plan, save for and achieve secure financial futures. Importantly, upon closing, this transaction is expected to deliver compelling value to shareholders, including immediate accretion to earnings per share and cash generation, increasing to over 10% by the end of 2028. I have great respect for the business Mark Pearson and the Equitable team have built and am confident our cultural alignment will bolster our ability to execute with success.”
Satoshi Asahi, President of Nippon Life Insurance Company (“Nippon”), added, “The proposed merger is strategically compelling and has the potential to create a more competitive and resilient platform for the long-term benefit of the combined companies’ shareholders. Nippon’s three representatives serving on the Corebridge board of directors voted in favor of the transaction. Nippon expects to continue as a long-term strategic investor.”
Strong Strategic Fit with Meaningful Financial Upside
* Creates a Leading U.S. Retirement, Life, Wealth and Asset Management Platform. The combined company will benefit from a scaled distribution network, more diversified business mix and increased cross-selling opportunities. With expanded offerings across Individual and Group Retirement, enhanced wealth and third-party asset management capabilities and additional capacity for institutional transactions, the combined company will be well positioned to better serve customers and drive sustainable, long-term growth for shareholders.
* Expands Origination Capabilities Across All Asset Classes. The combined company will benefit from Equitable’s strategic partnership with its majority-owned subsidiary, AllianceBernstein, a leading global active manager with distribution in 21 countries across retail, institutional and private wealth channels as well as asset origination capabilities that are complementary to Corebridge’s. Over time, the combined company expects to shift over $100 billion of Corebridge’s general and separate account assets to AllianceBernstein, further enhancing its scale and competitive positioning.
* Unites Two Customer-Centric Organizations with a Shared Vision. The combined company will maintain its focus on disciplined risk management and operational rigor while accelerating its digitization and technology transformation. It will have increased resources as well as access to data systems and advanced technological infrastructure, allowing additional investment in growth initiatives and faster realization of economies of scale. This will support the combined company’s transformation and modernization of the customer experience, particularly for its Individual and Group Retirement businesses.
* Creates Superior Financial Profile with Increased Cash Generation. On a pro-forma basis, the company will have diversified sources of income, with a balanced mix between fees, spreads, and underwriting margin. The combined company is expected to deliver more than $5 billion of operating earnings1 and generate over $4 billion of cash2, increasing financial flexibility to invest in strategic growth initiatives while also returning capital to shareholders.
* Combines Two Strong Balance Sheets and Enhances Financial Flexibility. At year-end 2025, Corebridge had a Life Fleet RBC Ratio of approximately 435% and holding company cash of $2.3 billion, while Equitable had a Combined NAIC RBC Ratio of approximately 475% and holding company cash of $1.1 billion. On a pro-forma basis, the combined company will have over $30 billion of shareholders’ equity excluding AOCI and a leverage ratio of 26%3.
* Immediately Accretive to Earnings Per Share and Cash Generation. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to the combined company’s earnings per share and cash generation, increasing to over 10% by the end of 2028. Earnings per share is expected to be resilient across market cycles, driven by a more balanced mix of spread, fee and underwriting margin income. The combined company expects to see an adjusted return on equity of more than 15%4 by the end of 2027.
* Realizes Meaningful Synergies. The transaction is expected to deliver various synergies, including revenue, expense, capital and tax synergies. The combined company expects more than $500 million of run-rate expense synergies by the end of 2028, primarily from the consolidation of functions, information technology systems and vendor partners.
Transaction Details
Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, Corebridge and Equitable will form a new parent company and each outstanding share of Corebridge common stock will be exchanged for the right to receive 1.0000 shares of the new parent company’s common stock, and each outstanding share of Equitable common stock will be exchanged for the right to receive 1.55516 shares of the new parent company’s common stock.
Following the closing of the transaction, Corebridge shareholders will own approximately 51% of the combined company and Equitable shareholders will own approximately 49% of the combined company.
Leadership, Governance and Corporate Headquarters
Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will operate under the Equitable name and brand and trade under the Equitable ticker symbol “EQH” on the New York Stock Exchange. Marc Costantini, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corebridge, will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the combined company and Robin Raju, Chief Financial Officer of Equitable, will serve as Chief Financial Officer of the combined company.
The combined company will have a 14-member board of directors, which will include seven directors designated by Corebridge and seven directors designated by Equitable, including Marc Costantini and Mark Pearson who will serve as Executive Chair of the combined company. Alan Colberg, Chair of the Corebridge Board, will serve as Lead Independent Director of the combined company’s board of directors. The full list of directors will be announced prior to the closing of the transaction.
Following the close of the transaction, the combined company will be headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Timing and Approvals
The transaction is expected to close by year-end 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval of shareholders of both Corebridge and Equitable.
Other Matters
Each of Corebridge and Equitable will file a current report on Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) containing a summary of the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, as well as a copy of the merger agreement.
In order to allow for the companies to hold a special meeting to consider and vote on the merger transaction, Corebridge and Equitable expect to defer their respective 2026 annual shareholder meetings to a later date to be announced.
Source: Corebridge
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