Goldstein Scorecard: C+ (dated October 4, 2026). See how it is graded.
Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus Review: 10% Premium Bonus, 25% Income Base Bonus and the Vesting Catch
Written & reviewed by Hans Goldstein, EA, Independent Licensed Insurance Producer · CA license 4273294 · NPN 20602398Admitted to practice before the IRS
Facts verified against Athene's Ascent Pro 10 Bonus product guide (rates effective 08/28/2026), brochure and current rates page on October 4, 2026 · Updated
Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus is a 10-year fixed indexed annuity from Athene Annuity and Life Company with a 10% premium bonus on the cash value and a built-in income rider. Per Athene's product guide (rates effective August 28, 2026, still shown on Athene's rates page October 4, 2026), the rider adds a 25% Income Base bonus and 10% simple interest growth for up to 20 years for a 1.00% annual charge.
The premium bonus vests over time; in most states nothing vests before year 7.
Correction (October 4, 2026): earlier versions of this page listed Athene at AM Best "A" and Moody's "A2", and showed the bonus vesting 10%, 20%, 30% a year to 100%.
Athene's own brochure shows AM Best A+ and Moody's A1 (ratings as of August and July 2025), and its product guide shows that 10% a year vesting schedule applies only in California. In most states the bonus is 0% vested through year 6. Older cap figures and unverified ratings and scores have been removed.
CD vs MYGA, after tax
What $100,000 earns in 5 years: CD vs MYGA, after tax
Rates used: CD 5.00%, the top nationally available 5-year CD (Bankrate, October 14, 2026); change it to the rate you are offered. MYGA 5.95%, the best A-rated rate we track as of October 13, 2026: Delaware Life Pinnacle Plus 5-year (AM Best A-, negative outlook, 7/31/2026), $100,000 and up, effective October 6, 2026 (Delaware Life rate sheet).
| CD, interest taxed every year | $121,081 |
|---|---|
| MYGA, tax-deferred, before tax | $133,507 |
| MYGA after paying tax on all the interest at withdrawal | $126,136 |
| Tax deferral alone adds about | $674 |
| MYGA ahead of the CD, after tax | $5,055 |
Assumes 22% federal and 0% state income tax, no withdrawals, rates held for the whole term. MYGA interest is taxed as ordinary income when you withdraw it, not as capital gains. Gains taken before age 59 1/2 can owe a 10% IRS penalty, and cashing out early can cost a surrender charge.
In an IRA both grow tax-deferred, so the edge there is the rate alone. Bank and credit union deposits are FDIC or NCUA insured up to the limits; a MYGA is backed by the issuing insurer's claims-paying ability and your state's guaranty association up to its limits, not the FDIC. General education, not tax, legal or financial advice.
Current rates (effective August 28, 2026)
| Strategy | 1-year | 2-year |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed Strategy | 2.85% | n/a |
| S&P 500 point-to-point, cap (bailout cap 1.00%) | 5.50% | n/a |
| BNP Paribas Multi Asset Diversified 5, participation | 140% | 190% |
| AI Powered US Equity (AIPEX), participation | 112% | 150% |
| AI Powered Global Opportunities (AIGO), participation | 95% | 130% |
| UBS Innovative Balanced, participation | 95% | 130% |
| Nasdaq FC, participation | 80% | 120% |
| S&P 500 FC (0.50% decrement), participation | 62% | 83% |
Contract basics (verified)
| Feature | Ascent Pro 10 Bonus |
|---|---|
| Premium | Single premium. Minimum $10,000 ($5,000 in AK, CT, DE, DC, HI, ID, IL, LA, MA, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VA, VT and WA). Maximum $1,000,000 without company approval |
| Issue ages | 35 to 80, or 35 to 74 in some states per Athene's state map (minimum 50 in MD) |
| Premium bonus | 10% of premium, added to the Accumulated Value, subject to a vesting schedule |
| Withdrawal charge, most states (AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL ages 35 to 64, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, ME, MI, MS, ND, NE, NM, SD, TN, WI, WV, WY) | 12%, 12%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 4% in years 1 to 10; 0% after |
| Bonus vesting, same states | 0% in years 1 to 6, then 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% in years 7 to 10; 100% from year 11 |
| Withdrawal charge, second state group (incl. TX, PA, NJ, NC, OH, WA) | 8.3%, 8.0%, 7.1%, 6.2%, 5.3%, 4.4%, 3.5%, 2.6%, 1.6%, 0.9%; 0% after. Bonus vests 10% a year from year 2 |
| Florida, ages 65 to 80 | 10% in years 1 to 4, then 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%. Bonus 0% vested through year 6, then 20% to 80%, 100% from year 11 |
| California | 7.8%, 7.4%, 6.5%, 5.6%, 4.5%, 3.4%, 2.3%, 1.2%, 0.1%, 0%. Bonus vests 10% in year 1 rising to 100% in year 10. No MVA, and no confinement or terminal illness waivers |
| Market value adjustment (MVA) | Yes, on withdrawals above the free amount during the withdrawal charge period (not in CA) |
| Free withdrawals | 10% of Accumulated Value each contract year, starting in year 1 |
| Income Base bonus | 25% (Initial Income Base = premium plus 25%) |
| Income Base growth | 10.00% simple interest on premium (less withdrawals), years 1 to 20 or until income starts |
| 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 cancelled only after the 10th contract year |
| Lifetime income | From age 50. Level, Earnings-Indexed or Accelerated Income options |
| 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 for 90 of the last 125 days, after a one-year wait. Not long-term care insurance |
| 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 | 5.30% | 5.70% | 6.80% |
| 60 | 5.65% | 6.20% | 7.50% |
| 65 | 6.05% | 6.75% | 7.85% |
| 70 | 6.30% | 7.25% | 8.25% |
Bonus version vs the regular Ascent Pro (same date)
| Feature | Ascent Pro 10 Bonus | Ascent Pro 10 | Ascent Pro 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium bonus | 10% (vesting) | None | None |
| Income Base bonus | 25% | None | None |
| S&P 500 1-yr cap | 5.50% | 7.25% | 6.75% |
| Fixed rate | 2.85% | 3.80% | 3.70% |
| 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 | 7.50% | 8.40% | not checked |
| Withdrawal charge, year 1 (most states) | 12% | 9% | not checked |
Hypothetical: does the bonus version pay more income?
Hypothetical, for illustration only, not an Athene illustration. Age 60, $100,000, no withdrawals, income starts after 10 years at the Level payout. Bonus version: Income Base $125,000 plus 10 years of 10% simple interest on $100,000 = $225,000, times 7.50% = $16,875 a year.
Regular Ascent Pro 10: $100,000 plus $100,000 = $200,000, times 8.40% = $16,800 a year. On Athene's October 4, 2026 numbers the two land within $75 a year of each other, while the bonus version has the higher withdrawal charges, the vesting schedule and the lower cap and fixed rate.
Get an independent read on Athene Ascent Pro Bonus FIA 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+, Fitch A+ (as of August 2025) and Moody's A1 (as of July 2025), per Athene's brochure 65179 (04/22/26). |
| Rate or cap competitiveness | D | 5.50% S&P 500 cap and 2.85% fixed, below the same-day Ascent Pro 10 (7.25%, 3.80%) and far below 5.50% to 6.05% 5-year MYGAs (October 14, 2026). A 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 1.00% bailout cap is public. |
| Liquidity | D | 10-year withdrawal charge starting at 12% in most states, MVA, and a bonus that is 0% vested through year 6. 10% free withdrawals from year 1 help. |
| Costs | C | 1.00% of the Income Base every year for the full contract term, deducted whether or not income is ever taken. Rider cannot be dropped before year 10. |
| Transparency | A- | Rates, payout factors, withdrawal charges and vesting schedules by state 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 | 1.00% | 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 | C+ | Strong carrier and a clear income formula, but on current numbers the bonus version gives up cap, fixed rate and liquidity for roughly the same projected income as the regular Ascent Pro 10. |
How these contract minimums compare across products: guaranteed minimum caps across FIAs (October 2026).
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Income Base growth is a contractual 10% simple interest for up to 20 years, not tied to index performance. | The 1.00% rider charge is deducted from the cash value every year, even if income is never taken. |
| 25% Income Base bonus raises the starting income base. | The 10% premium bonus is 0% vested through year 6 in most states. |
| 10% free withdrawals from the first contract year. | Withdrawal charge starts at 12% in most states, plus an MVA. |
| Bailout: if the S&P 500 cap is set below 1.00%, a 30-day window to leave without charges. | Cap and fixed rate are lower than the non-bonus Ascent Pro 10 on the same date. |
| Enhanced Income Benefit can double single-life withdrawals for up to 60 months. | Confinement and terminal illness waivers are not available in California. |
Who it's for, and when to look elsewhere
Fits: a buyer aged roughly 50 to 70 who will take lifetime income from the rider, holds the contract at least 10 years, and has run the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus and the regular Ascent Pro 10 side by side at their own age and start date.
Look elsewhere if:
- You may need more than 10% a year before year 10. The withdrawal charge and the unvested bonus both come off.
- You want growth rather than income. The 1.00% rider charge works against the cash value every year.
- 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 5.50% to 6.05% on 5-year MYGAs and the best nationally available 5-year CDs about 4.70% to 5.00% APY (MYGAs: public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026; CDs: Bankrate and Popular Direct, October 18, 2026). Current rates: MYGA rates.
Run the numbers: annuity surrender charge calculator, annuity calculator and lifetime income rider vs annuitization. Related reviews: Athene Ascent Pro 7, Athene Agility 10, Athene product hub and are annuity premium bonuses good or bad?
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.
- Which state schedule applies to me: show the full withdrawal charge and bonus vesting schedule by year, how the MVA works, and my 10% free withdrawal amount.
- Run the same illustration on the regular Ascent Pro 10. What is the income difference at my start age, and what is the cash value difference at years 5 and 10?
- How much will the 1.00% rider charge total in dollars over 10 years on my Income Base?
- 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 on the bonus version versus the regular version, and does the longer surrender schedule pay you more? (Background: how annuity commissions work.)
From my desk
On a bonus income annuity I check three things before anything else: which state's withdrawal charge and vesting column applies, the dollar cost of the rider charge over 10 years, and the payout factor at the age the buyer will really start income. Those three decide whether the bonus is worth anything.
The number buyers misread most on this type of product is the 10% simple roll-up. It is not a return on your money. 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 is paying the 1.00% charge.
Against a MYGA, I put the guaranteed column of the illustration next to a MYGA compounding at its declared rate for the same term. 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 the bonus and non-bonus versions first, because on Athene's current numbers the bonus mostly offsets a lower payout factor.
Hans Goldstein, independent licensed insurance producer, CA license 4273294, NPN 20602398. No carrier paid for this review.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus premium bonus?
A 10% bonus on premium, added to the Accumulated Value and subject to a vesting schedule. In most states, including AL, AZ, GA, IL and MI, it is 0% vested in contract years 1 to 6, then 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% in years 7 to 10 and 100% from year 11 (Athene product guide 65220, 08/28/26). California vests 10% a year.
What are the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus withdrawal charges?
In most states: 12%, 12%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6% and 4% in years 1 to 10, then 0%. A second state group (including TX, PA, NJ, NC, OH and WA) starts at 8.3%, and California starts at 7.8%. An MVA also applies outside California. You can take 10% of the Accumulated Value each year without a charge.
How does the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus income rider work?
The Income Base starts at premium plus a 25% Income Base bonus and grows by 10.00% simple interest on premium for up to 20 years or until income starts. The rider costs 1.00% of the Income Base a year, deducted from the Accumulated Value. Lifetime income can start at age 50. The Income Base has no cash value.
What are the current Ascent Pro 10 Bonus rates?
Per Athene's product guide (rates effective August 28, 2026), matched to Athene's rates page on October 4, 2026: 5.50% S&P 500 1-year cap with a 1.00% bailout cap, 2.85% fixed, and participation rates such as 140% (1-year) and 190% (2-year) on the BNP Paribas Multi Asset Diversified 5 Index.
Is the bonus version better than the regular Ascent Pro 10?
Not automatically. On October 4, 2026 the regular Ascent Pro 10 had a 7.25% cap, 3.80% fixed rate and a higher Level payout factor (8.40% vs 7.50% at issue age 60 with 10 years of deferral). In a hypothetical $100,000 case at 60 the projected income was about $16,875 a year for the bonus version and $16,800 for the regular version.
What is Athene's financial strength rating?
Athene's brochure (form 65179, 04/22/26) lists AM Best A+, S&P A+ and Fitch A+ as of August 2025, and Moody's A1 as of July 2025, for Athene Annuity and Life Company. Contract guarantees depend on Athene's claims-paying ability.
Sources (checked October 4, 2026)
- Athene, Ascent Pro Bonus product page, with Ascent Pro 10 Bonus Product Guide form 65220 (rates effective August 28, 2026) and brochure form 65179 (04/22/26).
- Athene, Current rates, as of October 4, 2026: Ascent Pro 10 Bonus, Ascent Pro 10 and Ascent Pro 7 crediting rates, Income Base bonus, rider charge and payout factors.
- Athene, Ascent Pro product page, with Ascent Pro 10 Product Guide form 65219 (08/28/26).
- Ratings: Athene brochure 65179 (04/22/26): AM Best A+, S&P A+, Fitch A+ as of August 2025; Moody's A1 as of July 2025.
- MYGA and CD benchmark: public carrier rate sheets (MYGAs, October 14, 2026) and DepositAccounts (CDs, September 24, 2026).
Get a second opinion before you sign
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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, crediting methods, and long-term care benefit structures 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 (CA license 4273294, NPN 20602398) appointed with several A-rated carriers. His appointment with the carrier reviewed here may vary, and this review is not an endorsement. No carrier paid for this review. Always read the actual contract and consult a licensed advisor before purchasing any annuity or long-term care insurance product. Past index performance does not predict future credited interest. Annuities and hybrid life+LTC policies 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. Tax discussion of IRC §7702B, §1035, and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 reflects law as of 2026 and is subject to change.