SILAC Denali 10 FIA Review (2026)
Quick take: SILAC Denali 10 is the standard 10-year accumulation variant in the Denali FIA family — higher caps than Denali 7, no premium bonus. B+ rated, so same credit caveats as parent.
TL;DR — SILAC Denali 10
- Current 1-yr S&P 500 cap (estimate): 7.5-9.5%
- BNP/custom index participation: 50-70%
- AM Best: B+ (Good), Stable outlook
- Surrender period: 10 years declining
- Premium bonus: None on Denali 10
- Best for: B+ FIA buyers wanting standard 10-year accumulation
- Verdict: Standard 10-year Denali. B+ credit caveat applies; A-rated 10-year alternatives may be better.
Live Rate Snapshot — June 2026 (estimated)
| Crediting Strategy | Current (est.) | Minimum Guaranteed |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 1-yr point-to-point cap | 7.5-9.5% | 1-2% |
| BNP/custom indices participation | 50-70% | 5-10% |
| Fixed account 1-yr rate | ~3.0-3.5% | 1.0% |
Term-specific mechanics — 10-year contract
Surrender schedule (10-year)
| Year | Surrender Charge |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10% |
| 2 | 9% |
| 3 | 8% |
| 4 | 7% |
| 5 | 6% |
| 6 | 5% |
| 7 | 4% |
| 8 | 3% |
| 9 | 2% |
| 10 | 1% |
| 11+ | 0% |
Free withdrawal
10% per contract year. RMDs penalty-free.
MVA
Two-way MVA above 10% free band.
Minimum guaranteed values
Cap floor 1-2%; fixed 1.0%.
Why the 10-year version vs other Denali terms
- Denali 10 vs Denali 7: +100-150 bps cap, +3 years lock-in.
- Denali 10 vs Denali Bonus 10: Bonus 10 adds 8-12% upfront credit but typically with lower caps. Math depends on returns.
- Denali 10 vs Denali Bonus 14: Bonus 14 has biggest bonus + longest lock + highest caps.
- Pick Denali 10 if: you want standard 10-year FIA on SILAC without bonus complexity.
What we like
- Standard 10-year FIA structure. No bonus complexity.
- Multiple crediting strategies including BNP custom.
- State guaranty coverage applies.
- Stable AM Best outlook.
What we don't
- B+ AM Best. Below A-. Cap exposure within state guaranty.
- Caps below A+ peers. Athene PE 10 at A+ may pay similar or higher caps with stronger credit.
- 10-year lock at B+ tier. Long lock + weaker credit = harder credit decision.
- Limited renewal-rate history.
Who this 10-year version is best for
Persona: 55-68 year old placing $50K–$150K who wants standard 10-year FIA on SILAC without bonus complexity, accepts B+ credit within state guaranty limits.
Not a fit: Buyers who want bonus (Denali Bonus 10 or Bonus 14). Buyers who want A-rated quality at 10-year duration (Athene PE 10).
vs other Denali terms (sibling pages)
- SILAC Denali 7 — 7-year, lower caps
- SILAC Denali Bonus 10 — 10-year + bonus
- SILAC Denali Bonus 14 — 14-year + bigger bonus
vs competitor 10-year FIAs
| Product | AM Best | S&P 1yr Cap (est) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SILAC Denali 10 | B+ | 7.5-9.5% | This product |
| Athene PE 10 | A+ | 8.5-10.0% | A+ alternative |
| F&G Power Accumulator 10 | A- | 9.0-11.0% | A- yield leader |
| F&G Prosperity Elite 10 | A- | 8.0-10.0% | A- bonus peer |
| NA Charter Plus 10 | A+ | 7.5-9.5% | A+ peer |
Scoring frameworks
DBQS
Full accumulation at death. DBQS: 7/10.
IQS
No income rider. IQS: 3/10.
GPS
Mid-pack 10-year caps for credit tier. GPS: 5/10.
Goldstein Complexity Index
A core part of every Goldstein review. The more complex an annuity, the worse the rating in this dimension — because complexity is where buyers get burned. Simple products (SPIAs, MYGAs) score low; products with stacked bonuses + income riders + MVA + multiple crediting strategies score high.
This product's score: 52/100 — Grade B (Moderate)
Standard FIA mechanics + B+ credit decision burden over 10-year horizon.
Score breakdown
| Dimension | Score | What this measures |
|---|---|---|
| Riders | 2/10 | Optional income riders on some variants. |
| Crediting strategies | 6/10 | S&P 1-yr cap, BNP custom index participation, fixed. |
| Surrender complexity | 5/10 | Standard 10-year declining + MVA. |
| Benefit-base separation | 2/10 | Single accumulation. |
| Credit decision (B+) | 7/10 | B+ at 10-year lock is a credit decision. |
How to read this
- A+/A (0–40): You can understand what you bought. Low risk of mis-selling.
- B (41–60): Read the contract carefully and get a second-opinion review before signing.
- C (61–80): Many buyers don't fully understand what they own.
- D (81–100): Demands an independent producer second opinion before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources cited
- AnnuityRateWatch broker-channel synthesis, June 2026
- Annuity.org FIA leaderboards
- AnnuityAdvantage FIA listings
- SILAC Insurance
- NOLHGA
Related Goldstein research
- Sibling: Denali 7
- Sibling: Denali Bonus 10
- Sibling: Denali Bonus 14
- Best FIA Caps 2026
- Renewal Rate Integrity
- DBQS Framework
Bottom line
The SILAC Denali 10 is the standard 10-year Denali variant. B+ credit caveat means most 10-year FIA buyers should consider A+ alternatives (Athene PE 10, NA Charter Plus 10) first. Justified if you specifically want SILAC's BNP custom index option or have an existing SILAC relationship.
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Disclosure
This review reflects publicly available product materials and approximate rates as of the date stated above. Annuity rates, caps, participation rates, payout factors, and crediting methods change frequently — typically monthly. Always confirm current values against the most recent carrier disclosure document and the actual contract before purchasing. This article is general information for educational purposes; it is not a personalized recommendation, solicitation, or offer of any specific 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 compensation has been received from any carrier in connection with the publication of 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.