SILAC Denali Bonus 10 FIA Review (2026)
Quick take: SILAC Denali Bonus 10 is the 10-year + bonus variant in SILAC's Denali family: 8-12% upfront premium bonus in exchange for lower caps vs Denali 10. B+ rated, so same credit caveats as parent.
Contract minimums (checked October 4, 2026): guaranteed minimum cap 1.50% and minimum participation rate 15%, per a secondary source (AnnuityRatesHQ, CANNEX feed, checked October 4, 2026), not a SILAC statement; SILAC does not publish Denali Bonus 10 index minimums; maximum spread on the spread strategies: not publicly disclosed; bailout: none found in public documents. These contractual minimums are backed by the claims-paying ability of SILAC Insurance Company. To see how this floor compares with other fixed indexed annuities, read guaranteed minimum caps across FIAs (October 2026).
TL;DR: SILAC Denali Bonus 10
- Premium bonus: 8-12% upfront (vested over surrender period)
- 1-yr S&P 500 cap (estimate) (as of June 2026): 6.0-8.0% (lower than Denali 10)
- BNP custom index participation: 40-60%
- AM Best: B+ (Good)
- Surrender period: 10 years declining
- Bonus recapture: Vests proportionally over surrender
- Best for: Buyers wanting visible upfront credit + 10-year duration on SILAC
- Verdict: Bigger bonus than Denali Bonus 14 isn't possible; lower bonus + same lock as Bonus 10.
Rate Snapshot: June 2026 (estimated)
| Crediting Strategy | (est.) (as of June 2026) | Minimum Guaranteed |
|---|---|---|
| Premium bonus (upfront) | 8-12% | Vested over 10 years |
| S&P 500 1-yr cap | 6.0-8.0% | 1-2% |
| BNP custom indices participation | 40-60% | 5-10% |
| Fixed 1-yr rate | ~2.5-3.0% | 1.0% |
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.
Term-specific mechanics: 10-year contract with bonus
Surrender schedule (10-year)
| Year | Surrender Charge | Bonus Vesting |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10% | 10% |
| 2 | 9% | 20% |
| 3 | 8% | 30% |
| 4 | 7% | 40% |
| 5 | 6% | 50% |
| 6 | 5% | 60% |
| 7 | 4% | 70% |
| 8 | 3% | 80% |
| 9 | 2% | 90% |
| 10 | 1% | 100% |
| 11+ | 0% | 100% |
Bonus vesting illustrative; confirm on SILAC contract form.
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 floor 1.0%.
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Why the Bonus 10 version vs other Denali terms
- Bonus 10 vs Denali 10: +8-12% upfront credit; -100-150 bps cap. Math: bonus wins if you stay full term and caps stay low; Denali 10 wins if caps stay high.
- Bonus 10 vs Bonus 14: Smaller bonus (8-12% vs 10-15%); 4 fewer years of lock.
- Pick Bonus 10 if: visible upfront credit matters AND you'll stay 10 years AND you can't commit to 14.
What we like
- 8-12% upfront premium bonus. Visible credit (if you stay full term).
- Standard 10-year duration. Reasonable for FIA buyers.
- BNP custom index option.
- State guaranty coverage applies.
What we don't
- Caps lower than Denali 10. Bonus isn't free.
- B+ credit at 10-year lock.
- Bonus vests over 10 years. Early surrender = partial bonus loss + surrender charge.
- Buyers often misread "bonus" as cash.
- SILAC renewal-rate history limited.
Who this version is best for
Persona: 55-65 year old placing $50K to $150K who values visible upfront premium credit and is comfortable with 10-year lock + B+ credit within state guaranty limits.
Not a fit: Buyers who might surrender early. Buyers focused on max cap rate (Denali 10 or A-rated alternatives). Buyers willing to commit 14 years for bigger bonus (Bonus 14).
vs other Denali terms (sibling pages)
- Denali 7: shorter lock, no bonus
- Denali 10: same lock, no bonus, higher caps
- Denali Bonus 14: bigger bonus, longer lock
vs competitor 10-year bonus FIAs
| Product | AM Best | Bonus | S&P 1yr Cap (est) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SILAC Denali Bonus 10 | B+ | 8-12% | 6.0-8.0% | This product |
| F&G Prosperity Elite 10 | A- | 5-9% | 8.0-10.0% | A- bonus peer with higher caps |
| Athene Ascent Pro Bonus 7 | A+ | 5-10% | 6.5-8.0% | A+ bonus peer at 7-yr |
Scoring frameworks
DBQS
Full accumulation at death; bonus vesting may apply, so confirm. DBQS: 6/10.
IQS
No income rider. IQS: 3/10.
GPS
Bonus + lower caps = upside potential, cap drag. 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: 64/100, Grade C (Complex)
Bonus structure adds explanatory burden. Stay full term to vest. B+ credit decision over 10 years.
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, fixed. |
| Surrender complexity | 7/10 | 10-year declining + MVA + bonus recapture interaction. |
| Benefit-base separation | 2/10 | Single accumulation. |
| Bonus + recapture | 8/10 | 8-12% upfront bonus vests over 10 years. Common misunderstanding: bonus read as cash. |
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
- public carrier rate sheets broker-channel synthesis, June 2026
- Annuity.org FIA leaderboards
- AnnuityAdvantage FIA listings
- SILAC Insurance
- NOLHGA
Related Goldstein research
- Sibling: Denali 7
- Sibling: Denali 10
- Sibling: Denali Bonus 14
- Best FIA Caps 2026
- Renewal Rate Integrity
- Goldstein Complexity Index
My take
The SILAC Denali Bonus 10 trades cap rate for 8-12% upfront bonus over 10-year lock. B+ credit caveat applies. F&G Prosperity Elite 10 at A- with similar bonus and higher caps is a stronger alternative for most bonus-focused buyers.
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.