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.
TL;DR — SILAC Denali Bonus 10
- Premium bonus: 8-12% upfront (vested over surrender period)
- Current 1-yr S&P 500 cap (estimate): 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.
Live Rate Snapshot — June 2026 (estimated)
| Crediting Strategy | Current (est.) | 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% |
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%.
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–$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 — 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
- AnnuityRateWatch 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
Bottom line
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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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.