SILAC Denali Bonus 14 FIA Review (2026)
Quick take: SILAC Denali Bonus 14 is the longest-surrender, biggest-bonus variant in SILAC's Denali family: 10-15% upfront premium bonus + 14-year surrender lock. Highest caps in the Denali lineup. B+ credit caveat applies; 14-year lock at B+ is a meaningful commitment.
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 14 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 14
- Premium bonus: 10-15% upfront (vested over 14 years)
- 1-yr S&P 500 cap (estimate) (as of June 2026): 7.0-9.0% (highest in Denali family)
- BNP custom index participation: 55-75%
- AM Best: B+ (Good)
- Surrender period: 14 years declining
- Bonus recapture: Vests proportionally over 14 years
- Best for: Buyers who want biggest visible bonus + can lock 14 years on B+ credit
- Verdict: Biggest bonus + highest caps in family BUT 14-year lock at B+ is a long credit commitment.
Rate Snapshot: June 2026 (estimated)
| Crediting Strategy | (est.) (as of June 2026) | Minimum Guaranteed |
|---|---|---|
| Premium bonus (upfront) | 10-15% | Vested over 14 years |
| S&P 500 1-yr cap | 7.0-9.0% | 1-2% |
| BNP custom indices participation | 55-75% | 5-10% |
| Fixed 1-yr rate | ~3.0-3.5% | 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: 14-year contract with bonus
Surrender schedule (14-year)
| Year | Surrender Charge | Bonus Vesting |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14% | ~7% |
| 2 | 13% | ~14% |
| 3 | 12% | ~21% |
| 4 | 11% | ~29% |
| 5 | 10% | ~36% |
| 6 | 9% | ~43% |
| 7 | 8% | ~50% |
| 8 | 7% | ~57% |
| 9 | 6% | ~64% |
| 10 | 5% | ~71% |
| 11 | 4% | ~79% |
| 12 | 3% | ~86% |
| 13 | 2% | ~93% |
| 14 | 1% | 100% |
| 15+ | 0% | 100% |
Bonus vesting illustrative; confirm on SILAC contract.
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%.
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Why the Bonus 14 version vs other Denali terms
- Bonus 14 vs Bonus 10: Bigger bonus (+2-3 percentage points), 4 more years of lock, higher caps.
- Bonus 14 vs Denali 10: Bonus + 4 more years lock; comparable caps.
- Pick Bonus 14 if: you want max bonus + max caps in the Denali family AND you'll commit 14 years.
What we like
- 10-15% upfront premium bonus. Largest in Denali family.
- Highest caps in Denali family.
- BNP custom index option.
- State guaranty coverage applies.
What we don't
- 14-year lock on B+ credit. Very long commitment at sub-A- credit tier.
- Bonus vests over 14 years. Early surrender = significant bonus loss + steep surrender charge (starts at 14%).
- Buyer must hold to year 15+ for no-loss exit.
- SILAC renewal-rate history limited.
- Common mis-sell: "bonus" as cash. Bonus is account credit, not cash, and is subject to multi-year vesting.
Who this version is best for
Persona: 50-60 year old placing $50K to $150K who genuinely will not need access for 14 years, values max upfront credit and is comfortable with B+ credit within state guaranty limits over a 14-year horizon.
Not a fit: Anyone over age 65 (14-year lock too long). Anyone who might need liquidity before year 15. Buyers focused on cap rate alone (A-rated 10-year alternatives often better on cap + credit).
vs other Denali terms (sibling pages)
- Denali 7: shorter lock, no bonus
- Denali 10: 10-year, no bonus
- Denali Bonus 10: 10-year, smaller bonus
vs competitor long-surrender bonus FIAs
| Product | AM Best | Surr | Bonus | S&P Cap (est) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SILAC Denali Bonus 14 | B+ | 14 yr | 10-15% | 7.0-9.0% |
| F&G Prosperity Elite 10 | A- | 10 yr | 5-9% | 8.0-10.0% |
| Allianz 222 (10-yr surrender) | A+ | 10 yr | 30% PIV bonus + income rollup | 3.5% (low; income product) |
Scoring frameworks
DBQS
Full accumulation at death; bonus vesting may apply. DBQS: 6/10.
IQS
No income rider. IQS: 3/10.
GPS
Highest Denali caps + biggest bonus = strong upside potential. GPS: 6/10.
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: 72/100, Grade C (Complex)
14-year lock + bonus + B+ credit. High mis-selling risk. Demands independent second opinion.
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 | 9/10 | 14-year declining + MVA + bonus recapture interaction. Longest surrender most consumer FIAs go. |
| Benefit-base separation | 2/10 | Single accumulation. |
| Bonus + 14-yr recapture | 9/10 | 10-15% bonus over 14-year vesting. Mis-selling risk: bonus read as cash; vesting schedule not understood. |
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 10
- Best FIA Caps 2026
- Renewal Rate Integrity
- Goldstein Complexity Index
My take
SILAC Denali Bonus 14 has the biggest bonus and highest caps in the Denali family BUT requires a 14-year B+ credit commitment. High complexity, high mis-selling risk. Most buyers should instead consider A-rated 10-year alternatives (F&G Prosperity Elite 10, Athene Ascent Pro Bonus 7) with stronger credit and shorter lock. Demands an independent second opinion before signing.
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.