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Corebridge Financial + Equitable Holdings (CRBD): $1.5T AUM combined, deal set for 2026 close

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
425

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Corebridge Financial and Equitable Holdings have entered a definitive all-stock merger agreement to combine their retirement, life, wealth and asset-management businesses. The companies say the combined firm will serve more than 12 million customers and manage or administer $1.5 trillion in assets. The parties expect the transaction to close by year-end 2026, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory and shareholder approvals and the filing and effectiveness of a Registration Statement on Form S-4. Until closing, both companies will operate separately and current points of contact remain unchanged.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

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Insights

Large-scale combination expands distribution and scale across asset management and insurance.

The deal assembles Corebridge, Equitable and AllianceBernstein into a single parent with combined distribution channels and asset-management capabilities. The stated scale—12 million customers and $1.5 trillion AUM/advised—suggests potential cross‑selling and distribution opportunities, contingent on integration execution.

Realization of benefits depends on regulatory approvals, shareholder votes, and effective integration of operations and systems; announced synergies and timing are forward‑looking and conditioned on closing by year‑end 2026.

Transaction faces customary regulatory, shareholder and financing conditions; timeline and approvals are central.

The communication highlights key gating items: regulatory approvals, stockholder approvals and a Registration Statement on Form S-4. Credit ratings, insurer financial strength and the ability to raise debt on favorable terms are listed as material factors that could alter outcomes.

Investors should track the joint proxy/prospectus filing and regulatory filings for details on structure, consideration, and any material conditions or restrictions affecting closing.

Customers 12 million customers combined company total
Assets under management and administration $1.5 trillion combined company AUM/advised
Expected closing year-end 2026 transaction timing, subject to customary conditions
Required filing Registration Statement on Form S-4 will include joint proxy statement/prospectus
Registration Statement on Form S-4 regulatory
"The Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed by the new parent company"
A registration statement on Form S-4 is a formal filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission used when a company issues shares or other securities as part of a merger, acquisition, exchange offer or similar corporate deal. It bundles the transaction terms, financial statements, risk factors and shareholder vote materials so investors can assess the deal; think of it as a detailed prospectus or buyer’s packet that explains what you would own and how the deal could change your stake.
joint proxy statement/prospectus regulatory
"The Registration Statement will include a joint proxy statement of Corebridge and Equitable that will also constitute a prospectus"
A joint proxy statement/prospectus is a single, combined document that both asks shareholders to vote on a proposed transaction and provides the detailed information required when new securities are being offered. Think of it as a combined ballot and product brochure that explains the deal, the companies’ finances, key risks and how ownership will change. Investors rely on it to understand the terms, evaluate risks and make informed voting and investment decisions.
forward-looking statements financial
"This communication includes statements which...constitute 'forward looking statements'"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
Insurer Financial Strength ratings financial
"the potential impact of a downgrade in Corebridge or Equitable’s Insurer Financial Strength ratings"

FILED BY COREBRIDGE FINANCIAL, INC.
COMMISSION FILE NO.: 001-41504
PURSUANT TO RULE 425 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
AND DEEMED FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 14a–12 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE OF 1934, AS
AMENDED
SUBJECT COMPANY: COREBRIDGE FINANCIAL, INC. AND EQUITABLE HOLDINGS, INC.

Communication for Corebridge Real Estate Investors (CREI) to Limited Partners and Joint Venture Partners

[Partner Name],

We greatly value our relationship with you and are reaching out to share an important update. Corebridge Financial has entered into a definitive agreement to combine with Equitable Holdings in an all-stock merger. Together, we will be a leading retirement, life, wealth and asset management company with more than 12 million customers and $1.5 trillion in assets under management and administration.
 
For CREI, this is an exciting development. The combination brings together three exceptional franchises, Corebridge, Equitable, and AllianceBernstein, and we believe our combined company will have enhanced capabilities, scale and diversification, better enabling us to partner with you. As Corebridge Financial’s Chief Executive Officer Marc Costantini outlined in a recent investor call, the merger presents the opportunity to bring our real estate capabilities to a broader set of investors by leveraging AllianceBernstein’s global distribution.
 
We expect the transaction 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. Until the transaction closes, Corebridge and Equitable will continue to operate as separate companies. Your points of contact will remain the same at Corebridge and there are no changes to how we work with you.
 
We are excited about this next chapter and will keep you updated on any relevant developments as they occur. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out with any questions.
 
With appreciation for your continued partnership,


Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This communication includes statements, which, to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, and any related oral statements, can be identified by the use of terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “aims,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “targets,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “goals,” “guidance,” “formidable,” “preliminary,” “objective,” “continue,” “drive,” “improve,” “superior,” “robust,” “positioned,” “resilient,” “vision,” “potential,” “immediate,” and similar expressions or the negative of those expressions or verbs. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our beliefs regarding future events, which may by their nature be inherently uncertain, and some of which may be outside our control. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the expected timing and completion of the proposed transaction between Corebridge and Equitable (the “Proposed Transaction”), the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction, including estimated synergies and projected cost savings, and plans and expectations for Corebridge, Equitable or their new parent company after completion of the Proposed Transaction.

Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Key factors include, among others, the ability to complete the Proposed Transaction on the timeframe or on the terms currently anticipated or at all, including due to a failure to obtain requisite stockholder, stock exchange, regulatory, governmental or other approvals; risks related to difficulties, inabilities or delays in integrating the parties’ businesses; the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction, including estimated run-rate expense synergies and projected cost savings at the times, and to the extent, anticipated, as well as expected operating earning and cashflow generation; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of either or both parties to terminate the merger agreement; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Proposed Transaction on Corebridge or Equitable’s stock price and on their respective business, contractual and operational relationships (including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, clients and competitors); risks related to business disruptions from the Proposed Transaction that may harm the business or current plans and operations of either or both parties, including diversion of management time from ongoing business operations; the risk that the Proposed Transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of either or both parties to hire and retain key personnel; the parties’ ability to raise debt on favorable terms or at all; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Corebridge, Equitable, their new parent company or their respective directors; restrictions on the conduct of Corebridge and Equitable’s respective businesses prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction and on each their ability to pursue alternatives to the Proposed Transaction; the possibility that the Proposed Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, or unforeseen or unknown liabilities; the deterioration of economic conditions; geopolitical tensions; the potential impact of a downgrade in Corebridge or Equitable’s Insurer Financial Strength ratings or credit ratings or of the new parent company of Corebridge and Equitable following completion of the Proposed Transaction; other factors that may affect future results of Corebridge and Equitable; and management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors.


The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider these factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the new parent company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 discussed below and other documents filed or furnished by Corebridge and Equitable from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including their Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual events and results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither Corebridge nor Equitable presently know or that Corebridge and Equitable currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Corebridge and Equitable’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Corebridge and Equitable anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause Corebridge and Equitable’s assessments to change. While Corebridge and Equitable may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Corebridge and Equitable specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, unless required by applicable law. Neither Corebridge nor Equitable gives any assurance that Corebridge, Equitable or their new parent company will achieve the results or other matters set forth in the forward-looking statements.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

Important Information and Where to Find It

This communication relates to the Proposed Transaction that may become the subject of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed by the new parent company with the SEC. The Registration Statement will include a joint proxy statement of Corebridge and Equitable that will also constitute a prospectus of the new parent company. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective, the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to the stockholders of each of Corebridge and Equitable. This communication is not a substitute for the Registration Statement that the new parent company intends to file with the SEC or any other documents that may be sent to Corebridge’s stockholders or Equitable’s stockholders in connection with the Proposed Transaction.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH, OR FURNISHED TO, THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COREBRIDGE, EQUITABLE, THEIR NEW PARENT COMPANY, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.


Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by Corebridge or Equitable through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or from Corebridge at its website, https://www.corebridgefinancial.com, or from Equitable at its website, https://equitableholdings.com (information included on or accessible through either of Corebridge or Equitable’s website is not incorporated by reference into this communication).

Participants in the Solicitation

Corebridge and Equitable and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Corebridge’s stockholders or Equitable’s stockholders in connection with the Proposed Transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Corebridge, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in Corebridge’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 16, 2025, including under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Tables” and “Security Ownership of 5% Beneficial Owners, Directors and Executive Officers.” To the extent holdings of Corebridge’s common stock by the directors and executive officers of Corebridge have changed or do change from the amounts of Corebridge’s common stock held by such persons as reflected therein, such changes have been or will be reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3 (“Form 3”), Statements of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 (“Form 4”) or Annual Statements of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 5 (“Form 5”), in each case filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Equitable, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in Equitable’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 4, 2025, including under the headings “Executive Compensation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.” To the extent holdings of Equitable’s common stock by the directors and executive officers of Equitable have changed or do change from the amounts of Equitable’s common stock held by such persons as reflected therein, such changes have been or will be reflected on Forms 3, Forms 4 or Forms 5, in each case filed with the SEC. Other information regarding persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the proxy solicitation of Corebridge or Equitable’s stockholders in connection with the Proposed Transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the Registration Statement. You may obtain free copies of these documents at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Corebridge or Equitable will also be available free of charge from Corebridge or Equitable using the contact information above.



FAQ

What did Corebridge (CRBD) and Equitable announce?

They announced a definitive all-stock merger to combine their retirement, life, wealth and asset management businesses, creating a company with 12 million customers and $1.5 trillion in assets under management and administration.

When is the Corebridge–Equitable transaction expected to close?

The companies expect the transaction to close by year-end 2026, subject to customary closing conditions including receipt of regulatory approvals and shareholder approvals of both companies.

Will Corebridge’s contacts or operations change before closing?

No. Until the transaction closes, Corebridge and Equitable will continue to operate as separate companies and existing points of contact at Corebridge will remain the same.

What filings will provide details about the merger for stockholders?

Details will appear in a Registration Statement on Form S-4, which will include a joint proxy statement/prospectus to be mailed to each company's stockholders after the Registration Statement is declared effective.

What are the main risks called out in the communication?

Key risks include failure to obtain required approvals, integration difficulties, inability to realize projected synergies, rating or credit impacts, financing risks and potential legal proceedings affecting the transaction outcome.