Athene MaxRate MYGA Rates (October 2026): 3, 5 and 7-Year Terms, Up to 6.15%
Written & reviewed by Hans Goldstein, EA, independent licensed insurance producer · CA license 4273294 · NPN 20602398Admitted to practice before the IRS
Rates verified on Athene's MaxRate cards effective 10/14/2026 · Updated
Athene MaxRate pays up to 6.15% on the 7-year, 6.05% on the 5-year and 5.75% on the 3-year for $100,000 or more, on Athene's rate cards effective October 14, 2026 (most states). Under $100,000 the rates are 5.50%, 5.80% and 5.85%. California and 18 other states get 6.00% / 6.10% at $100,000+ on the 5- and 7-year, with a lower surrender schedule. Minimum $10,000.
Also see: Annuity Terms, Traps & Little-Known Secrets
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 6.05%, Athene MaxRate 5-year, the product on this page (AM Best A+), $100,000 and up, effective October 14, 2026 (Athene rate card).
| CD, interest taxed every year | $121,081 |
|---|---|
| MYGA, tax-deferred, before tax | $134,138 |
| MYGA after paying tax on all the interest at withdrawal | $126,628 |
| Tax deferral alone adds about | $699 |
| MYGA ahead of the CD, after tax | $5,547 |
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.
Athene MaxRate rates (effective October 14, 2026)
| Term | Most states: under $100K | Most states: $100K+ | CA & other states: under $100K | CA & other states: $100K+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year (ages 0-85) | 5.50% | 5.75% | 5.50% | 5.75% |
| 5-year (ages 0-83) | 5.80% | 6.05% | 5.75% | 6.00% |
| 7-year (ages 0-83) | 5.85% | 6.15% | 5.80% | 6.10% |
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). MaxRate at $100,000+ sits inside that A-rated range; under $100,000 it is a bit below.
Rates expire like milk.
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How the contract works
Your initial premium earns the multi-year rate, guaranteed for the full term. Any money you add later goes into a 1-year fixed strategy. The minimum is $10,000.
Each year you can take out up to the multi-year rate times your accumulated value, which is roughly the interest, with no withdrawal charge or MVA. The confinement waiver (not in MA) and terminal illness waiver let you withdraw up to 100% if you qualify.
Surrender charges are 10% every year of the term in most states. California runs 8.3, 7.3, 6.3, 5.3, 4.2, 3.2, 2.1% (cut off at your term length); the other state group runs 9.3, 8.4, 7.5, 6.6, 5.7, 4.7, 3.8%. A market value adjustment also applies to excess withdrawals and surrender during the term, and it can raise or lower what you get.
MaxRate vs a CD on $250,000 for 5 years
Hypothetical, before state tax, 24% federal bracket: at 6.00% (the $100K+ 5-year rate in California, card effective October 14, 2026) tax-deferred, $250,000 grows to about $334,600; after paying 24% on the gain at the end, about $314,300.
A 5-year CD at 5.00% APY (Popular Direct, the top rate on Bankrate October 18, 2026) taxed each year ends near $301,200. The MYGA gives up FDIC insurance and cheap early access; the CD gives up about $13,000.
Current MYGA rates · Annuity vs CD · Best 5-year MYGA rates
Frequently asked questions
What are Athene MaxRate rates today?
Athene's rate cards effective October 14, 2026: in most states, 3-year 5.50% (under $100,000) / 5.75% ($100,000+), 5-year 5.80% / 6.05%, 7-year 5.85% / 6.15%. In California and 18 other states: 3-year 5.50% / 5.75%, 5-year 5.75% / 6.00%, 7-year 5.80% / 6.10%.
What is the Athene MaxRate 5 rate?
5.80% under $100,000 and 6.05% at $100,000+ in most states; 5.75% and 6.00% in California and the other-state group, per Athene's cards effective October 14, 2026.
What is the minimum for Athene MaxRate?
$10,000 initial premium. Issue ages are 0-85 for the 3-year and 0-83 for the 5- and 7-year terms.
How much can I withdraw from MaxRate without a penalty?
Each contract year, an amount equal to the multi-year rate times the accumulated value at the last anniversary. That is roughly the interest, and less than the 10% free withdrawal many MYGAs allow.
What are the MaxRate surrender charges?
In most states 10% every year of the term. In California: 3-year 8.3, 7.3, 6.3%; 5-year 8.3, 7.3, 6.3, 5.3, 4.2%; 7-year adds 3.2 and 2.1%. A market value adjustment also applies to excess withdrawals.
What happens when a MaxRate term ends?
The accumulated value moves to the 1-Year Fixed Strategy at a renewal rate Athene declares each year (never below the contract minimum). That is the moment to shop the money to a new MYGA.
Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (CA license 4273294, NPN 20602398). Not affiliated with Athene. Rates are copied from the carrier documents named, with their effective dates; they change often and vary by state and premium. Confirm current rates and read the contract and disclosure before buying. Examples labelled hypothetical are illustrations, not quotes.
Compare MaxRate against the whole MYGA market
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Tell me the amount and term. Within one business day I'll send a written comparison of MaxRate against other A-rated MYGAs available in your state, surrender terms side by side, sized to your dollar amount. A free 15-minute call if you want one.
Rather talk it through? Or book 15 minutes on Hans’s calendar, or call 213-414-2808.
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.