Goldstein Scorecard: B- (dated October 4, 2026). See how it is graded.
Athene Ascent Pro 7 Review: There Is No 7-Year Bonus Version
Written & reviewed by Hans Goldstein, Independent Licensed Insurance Producer · CA license 4273294 · NPN 20602398Facts verified against Athene's Ascent Pro 7 product guide (form 65218), Ascent Pro Bonus page and current rates page on October 4, 2026 · Updated
Athene does not sell an "Ascent Pro Bonus 7". As of October 4, 2026, its only bonus version is the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus. The 7-year product is the Athene Ascent Pro 7, a fixed indexed annuity from Athene Annuity and Life Company with no premium bonus, a 6.75% S&P 500 cap, a 3.70% fixed rate (rates as of October 3, 2026), a 7-year withdrawal charge starting at 8%, and an income rider that costs 1.00% a year.
Correction (October 4, 2026): earlier versions of this page reviewed an "Athene Ascent Pro 7" with a 5% to 10% premium bonus, estimated caps, a 9% first-year surrender charge and "no income rider". Athene does not list that product. Its 7-year Ascent Pro 7 has no premium bonus, a withdrawal charge that starts at 8%, and a built-in income rider. Estimated June figures, competitor estimates and unverified scores have been removed.
Ascent Pro 7 current rates (as of October 3, 2026)
| Strategy | 1-year | 2-year |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed Strategy | 3.70% | n/a |
| S&P 500 point-to-point, cap (bailout cap 3.00%) | 6.75% | n/a |
| BNP Paribas Multi Asset Diversified 5, participation | 170% | 230% |
| AI Powered US Equity (AIPEX), participation | 135% | 180% |
| AI Powered Global Opportunities (AIGO), participation | 115% | 155% |
| UBS Innovative Balanced, participation | 115% | 155% |
| Nasdaq FC, participation | 100% | 150% |
| S&P 500 FC (0.50% decrement), participation | 75% | 105% |
Contract basics (verified)
| Feature | Ascent Pro 7 |
|---|---|
| Premium | Single premium. Minimum $10,000 in most states ($5,000 in AK, AZ, CT, DE, DC, HI, ID, IL, LA, MA, MT, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NC, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VA, VT and WA). Maximum $1,000,000 without company approval |
| Issue ages | 35 to 80 (minimum 50 in MD). Not available in New York |
| Premium bonus | None |
| Withdrawal charge | 8%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3% in years 1 to 7; 0% from year 8 |
| Withdrawal charge, California | 8%, 7.6%, 6.7%, 5.8%, 4.7%, 3.6%, 2.4%; 0% from year 8 |
| Market value adjustment (MVA) | Yes, on amounts above the free withdrawal during the withdrawal charge period (not in CA) |
| Free withdrawals | 10% of Accumulated Value each year |
| Bailout | If Athene sets the S&P 500 1-year cap below 3.00%, you can leave without charges for 30 days after that contract anniversary |
| Waivers | Terminal illness and 60-day confinement waivers after year 1 (not in CA). Not long-term care insurance |
| Income Base | Starts at premium; grows 10.00% simple interest on premium less withdrawals, years 1 to 20. No cash value |
| Income rider charge | 1.00% of the Income Base a year, deducted monthly from the Accumulated Value for the full contract term. Rider can be ended only after the 7th contract year |
| Lifetime income | From age 50; Level Income or Earnings-Indexed Income |
| Enhanced Income Benefit | 2x (single) or 1.5x (joint) withdrawals for up to 60 months if confined to a Qualified Care Facility or unable to do 2 of 6 ADLs, after a one-year wait |
| Death benefit | Greater of Accumulated Value or Minimum Guaranteed Contract Value |
Lifetime withdrawal percentages (Level Income, single life)
| Issue age | Income now | After 5 years | After 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 6.70% | 7.10% | 7.75% |
| 60 | 7.20% | 7.55% | 8.35% |
| 65 | 7.75% | 8.20% | 9.05% |
| 70 | 8.35% | 9.00% | 9.40% |
| 75 | 9.15% | 9.75% | 10.50% |
So what is the bonus version, and how does it compare?
The bonus product is the 10-year Ascent Pro 10 Bonus. Athene's rates page lists it for independent agents (its IMO channel), while Ascent Pro 7 and Ascent Pro 10 are listed for its bank and broker-dealer channels. Side by side on the same date:
| Feature | Ascent Pro 7 | Ascent Pro 10 | Ascent Pro 10 Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium bonus | None | None | 10% (vesting) |
| Income Base bonus | None | None | 25% |
| S&P 500 1-yr cap | 6.75% | 7.25% | 5.50% |
| Fixed rate | 3.70% | 3.80% | 2.85% |
| Bailout cap | 3.00% | 1.00% | 1.00% |
| Income Base roll-up | 10% simple, yrs 1 to 20 | 10% simple, yrs 1 to 20 | 10% simple, yrs 1 to 20 |
| Rider charge | 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.00% |
| Level payout, age 60, 10-yr deferral | 8.35% | 8.40% | 7.50% |
| Withdrawal charge period | 7 years, 8% in year 1 | 10 years, 9% in year 1 | 10 years, 12% in year 1 (most states) |
Hypothetical: income after 10 years
Hypothetical, for illustration only, not an Athene illustration. Age 60, $100,000, no withdrawals, Level income after 10 years. Ascent Pro 7: Income Base $100,000 plus 10 years of 10% simple interest = $200,000, times 8.35% = $16,700 a year. Ascent Pro 10 Bonus: $125,000 plus $100,000 = $225,000, times 7.50% = $16,875 a year. On Athene's October 3, 2026 numbers the 7-year product with no bonus lands within $175 a year of the bonus product, with three fewer withdrawal charge years.
Get an independent read on Athene Ascent Pro 7 before you sign.
Send your email and I'll send you what this product actually guarantees, what the surrender schedule really costs you, and the two or three carriers paying more for the same guarantee. If it's already a good fit, I'll tell you that.
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Goldstein Scorecard (dated October 4, 2026)
| Dimension | Grade | Basis (sourced fact) |
|---|---|---|
| Financial strength | A | AM Best A+, S&P A+ and Fitch A+ (as of August 2025) and Moody's A1 (as of July 2025) for Athene's operating subsidiaries, per Athene's investor relations site (checked October 4, 2026) and Athene product brochures dated 04/22/26. |
| Rate or cap competitiveness | C | 6.75% S&P 500 cap and 3.70% fixed (October 3, 2026), below 5.80% to 6.00% 5-year MYGAs (September 24, 2026). The 1.00% rider charge comes out of the Accumulated Value on top. |
| Guaranteed floor | D | 0.50% minimum cap and 10% minimum participation are public (Athene allocation form 22627 (Rev. 03/24), checked October 4, 2026); the Minimum Guaranteed Contract Value rate is in the Certificate of Disclosure and not publicly disclosed. The 3.00% bailout cap is public. |
| Liquidity | B- | 7-year withdrawal charge from 8%, MVA outside CA, 10% free withdrawals each year, 3.00% bailout cap. |
| Costs | C | 1.00% of the Income Base every year for the full contract term; the rider cannot be ended before year 7. |
| Transparency | A- | Rates, payout factors and withdrawal charges are published and dated on Athene's site. |
| Guaranteed minimum cap | 0.50% | S&P 500 1-year cap, Athene allocation form 22627 (Rev. 03/24) (checked October 4, 2026). |
| Minimum participation rate | 10% | Uncapped index strategies (100% on the S&P 500 cap strategy), Athene allocation form 22627 (Rev. 03/24). |
| Bailout | 3.00% | Bailout cap rate on the S&P 500 1-year cap: if Athene declares a lower cap, you can withdraw without withdrawal charges for 30 days after the anniversary (Athene product guide). |
| Overall | B- | Strong carrier and a shorter schedule than the bonus version for nearly the same projected income on current numbers; the rider charge is the main cost if income is never used. |
How these contract minimums compare across products: guaranteed minimum caps across FIAs (October 2026).
Get the current numbers for your amountor call 213-414-2808
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 7-year withdrawal charge, starting at 8%, three years shorter than the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus. | No premium bonus, if an upfront credit is what you wanted. |
| Income Base grows a contractual 10% simple interest on premium for up to 20 years. | The 1.00% rider charge is deducted every year, even if income is never taken. |
| 3.00% bailout cap: if the S&P 500 cap is set below it, a 30-day window to leave without charges. | Cap of 6.75% and fixed 3.70% are below current 5-year MYGA rates. |
| 10% free withdrawals each year. | MVA applies outside California on excess withdrawals. |
| Enhanced Income Benefit can double single-life withdrawals for up to 60 months. | Terminal illness and confinement waivers are not available in California. |
Who it's for, and when to look elsewhere
Fits: a buyer roughly 50 to 75 who wants lifetime income from an index annuity, prefers a 7-year withdrawal charge over 10 years, and is buying through a bank or broker-dealer where Athene lists Ascent Pro 7.
Look elsewhere if:
- You came here for a 7-year bonus. Athene does not offer one; the bonus version is the 10-year Ascent Pro 10 Bonus.
- You want growth rather than income. The 1.00% rider charge works against the cash value every year; Athene's accumulation line is Performance Elite 7.
- You mainly want a known rate. A MYGA locks a declared rate for the term, backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer. For comparison, A-rated-or-better insurers were paying about 5.80% to 6.00% on 5-year MYGAs and the best nationally available 5-year CDs about 4.35% to 4.50% APY on September 24, 2026 (AnnuityRateWatch carrier data; DepositAccounts). Current rates: MYGA rates.
Run the numbers: annuity surrender charge calculator, annuity calculator and lifetime income rider vs annuitization. Related reviews: Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus, Athene Agility 10, Athene product hub and income rider fee vs payout math.
Questions to ask your agent
- What are the minimum cap, minimum participation rates and Minimum Guaranteed Contract Value in my Certificate of Disclosure? Please give them to me in writing.
- Show me the full withdrawal charge schedule for my state by year, how the MVA works, and my 10% free withdrawal amount.
- Run the same illustration on Ascent Pro 10 and, if you can sell it, Ascent Pro 10 Bonus. What is the income difference at my start age, and the cash value difference at year 7?
- How much will the 1.00% rider charge total in dollars over 7 years on my Income Base, and what does the guaranteed column show at year 7?
- How are you paid on this product? Commission comes from Athene and is built into the product's pricing, not deducted from my premium. What percentage is it, and does a longer surrender term pay you more? (Background: how annuity commissions work.)
From my desk
When someone asks me for a "7-year bonus" Athene product, the first thing I check is the product name on the application, because it does not exist on Athene's site. What does exist is a 7-year income product with no bonus and a 10-year bonus product sold through a different channel.
The number buyers misread most on this type of product is the 10% simple roll-up. It grows the Income Base, which has no cash value, and it is simple interest on premium, so it does not compound. Meanwhile the cash value pays the 1.00% charge.
Against a MYGA, I put the guaranteed column of the illustration at year 7 next to a MYGA compounding at its declared rate. If the buyer will never turn income on, the MYGA usually wins that comparison on the published numbers. If lifetime income is the goal, I compare payout factors at the real start age across Ascent Pro 7, Ascent Pro 10 and the bonus version.
Hans Goldstein, independent licensed insurance producer, CA license 4273294, NPN 20602398. No carrier paid for this review.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an Athene Ascent Pro 7?
No. As of October 4, 2026, Athene's Ascent Pro Bonus page and current rates page list only one bonus version, the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus. The 7-year product, Ascent Pro 7, has no premium bonus and no Income Base bonus.
What are the Athene Ascent Pro 7 rates?
Per Athene's current rates page (as of October 3, 2026): 6.75% S&P 500 1-year cap with a 3.00% bailout cap, 3.70% fixed, and uncapped participation rates such as 170% (1-year) and 230% (2-year) on the BNP Paribas Multi Asset Diversified 5 Index.
What are the Ascent Pro 7 withdrawal charges?
8%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4% and 3% in contract years 1 to 7, then 0%. In California: 8%, 7.6%, 6.7%, 5.8%, 4.7%, 3.6% and 2.4%. A market value adjustment applies outside California. You can take 10% of the Accumulated Value each year without a charge.
Does Ascent Pro 7 have an income rider?
Yes. The Income Base starts at premium and grows by 10.00% simple interest on premium (less withdrawals) for up to 20 years. The rider charge is 1.00% of the Income Base a year, deducted from the Accumulated Value for the full contract term, and the rider can be ended only after the 7th contract year.
Where can I buy Ascent Pro 7 vs Ascent Pro 10 Bonus?
Athene's rates page lists Ascent Pro 7 for its bank and broker-dealer channels and Ascent Pro 10 Bonus for its independent marketing organization (independent agent) channel. Availability depends on who sells it to you and your state. Neither is sold in New York.
What is Athene's financial strength rating?
Athene's investor relations site lists AM Best A+ (August 2025), S&P A+ (August 2025), Fitch A+ (August 2025) and Moody's A1 (July 2025). Contract guarantees depend on the claims-paying ability of Athene Annuity and Life Company.
Sources (checked October 4, 2026)
- Athene, Athene's Ascent Pro page, with Ascent Pro 7 Product Guide form 65218 (08/28/26) and brochure form 65177 (04/22/26).
- Athene, Athene's current rates page, rates as of October 3, 2026 (checked October 4, 2026): Ascent Pro 7, Ascent Pro 10 and Ascent Pro 10 Bonus crediting rates, rider charges, payout factors and sales channels.
- Athene, Athene's Ascent Pro Bonus page, with Ascent Pro 10 Bonus Product Guide form 65220 (rates effective August 28, 2026).
- Athene, investor relations site, ratings: AM Best A+, S&P A+, Fitch A+ (August 2025), Moody's A1 (July 2025), checked October 4, 2026.
- MYGA and CD benchmark: AnnuityRateWatch carrier data and DepositAccounts, September 24, 2026.
Get an independent quote on this product
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Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer appointed with multiple A-rated carriers
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Disclosure
This review is based on the carrier's public product materials and rates as of the date shown above. Annuity rates, caps, participation rates, payout factors, and crediting methods change often, sometimes monthly. Confirm current figures in the latest carrier disclosure and the contract before you buy. This is general education, not a personal recommendation or an offer of any product. Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398) appointed with multiple A-rated carriers; the producer's specific appointment status with the carrier discussed in this review may vary, and this review is not an endorsement or representation of carrier appointment. No carrier paid for this review. Always read the actual contract and consult a licensed advisor before purchasing any annuity. Past index performance does not predict future credited interest. Annuities are long-term contracts with surrender charges; they are not suitable for funds you may need before the end of the surrender period. AM Best ratings and tax treatment are subject to change.