What Is the Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus?
The Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus is a fixed index annuity built around guaranteed lifetime income. It stacks a 10% premium bonus on the accumulation value, a 20% income base bonus at issue, and a guaranteed 10% simple interest roll-up on the income base for the first 10 years. On a live illustration we ran on May 23, 2026, a male annuitant age 60 with $100,000 premium and a 10-year deferral locks in $16,500 per year of guaranteed lifetime income starting at age 70. That is a 16.5% income-to-premium ratio, one of the highest available at the A+ tier in the current rate environment.
The product is distinct from the Athene Ascent Pro 10 (the non-bonus version). The Bonus variant trades slightly lower crediting rates and a 10-year vesting schedule on the premium bonus for materially higher up-front income base growth. For accumulation-and-income buyers in their late 50s and early 60s, the trade is usually worth it. Here is the full breakdown.
Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with built-in lifetime income rider |
| Carrier | Athene Annuity and Life Company |
| Surrender Period | 10 years |
| Premium Bonus | 10% to accumulation value at issue (vested over 10 years) |
| Income Base Bonus | 20% to benefit base at issue ($120,000 starting base on $100,000 premium) |
| Income Roll-Up | 10% simple interest, guaranteed for 20 years |
| Rider Fee | 1.00% annually, deducted monthly from accumulation value |
| Issue Ages | Up to 80 (qualified and non-qualified) |
| Minimum Premium | $10,000 most states ($5,000 in AK, CT, DE, DC, HI, ID, LA, MA, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA) |
| Free Withdrawal | Up to 10% of accumulated value annually after year 1, plus RMDs |
| Market Value Adjustment | Applies to excess withdrawals during surrender period |
| AM Best Rating | A+ (Superior) |
| State Availability | All states except Guam, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands |
Is Athene a Good Annuity Company?
Athene Annuity and Life Company has been the #1 selling fixed indexed annuity carrier in the United States every year since 2020. Athene posted $15.0 billion in FIA sales in 2025, the largest single-carrier FIA result in the 11-year LIMRA dataset. The carrier is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Global Management since the January 2022 merger, and its general account is invested in alternative credit instruments (private loans, asset-backed securities, middle-market direct lending) that typically yield more than the investment-grade corporate bond portfolios that dominate traditional insurer balance sheets. That spread is what funds Athene’s competitive crediting rates and large income base bonuses.
AM Best rates Athene A+ (Superior). The Comdex composite of all four major rating agencies sits at 87. For full context on the carrier’s M&A history (Aviva USA 2013, Apollo merger 2022, Jackson and Voya in-force blocks 2018-2020), the AM Best upgrade history, and the financial strength profile, see our Athene Annuity Review. For the broader story on how Athene took the top spot in the FIA market, see our FIA industry sales history covering 11 years of LIMRA carrier rankings.
The Three Bonuses That Drive Income
The Ascent Pro 10 Bonus is designed around stacking guaranteed growth on day one and every contract anniversary. Three features compound to produce the headline income number:
1. Premium Bonus: 10% to Accumulation Value
On day one, Athene credits an additional 10% of your premium directly to the accumulated value. A $100,000 premium becomes $110,000 of accumulation value the moment the contract is funded. The bonus is subject to a vesting schedule that runs alongside the surrender period:
| Contract Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus Vesting | 0% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
The bonus is fully vested if the contract is held through annuitization or used for lifetime income. The vesting schedule only affects what happens if the contract is surrendered early. If you intend to hold the contract for the full 10-year surrender period and turn on income at year 10, the full 10% bonus is yours.
2. Income Base Bonus: 20% on Day One
Separate from the accumulation bonus, the income rider attached to the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus credits a 20% bonus directly to the income benefit base at issue. A $100,000 premium creates a $120,000 starting benefit base. This is the number the income roll-up grows from and the number the lifetime withdrawal percentage is applied against when income begins.
3. Roll-Up: 10% Simple Interest, Guaranteed
Each contract anniversary during the first 10 years, Athene credits the income base with 10% simple interest based on the original premium. On a $100,000 premium that translates to $10,000 added to the benefit base every year, regardless of whether the underlying index strategies earn anything. The roll-up continues at 5% in years 11 through 20.
Starting from the $120,000 bonus-adjusted base, here is how the benefit base grows year by year:
| End of Contract Year | Annuitant Age | Benefit Base |
|---|---|---|
| Issue | 60 | $120,000 |
| Year 1 | 61 | $130,000 |
| Year 5 | 65 | $170,000 |
| Year 10 | 70 | $220,000 |
| Year 15 | 75 | $270,000 |
| Year 20 | 80 | $320,000 |
Guaranteed Lifetime Income by Activation Age
When you turn on income, the lifetime withdrawal percentage applied to the benefit base scales with the annuitant’s age at activation. The older you are when income begins, the higher the payout rate. On a single-life male annuitant age 60 with $100,000 premium, the guaranteed annual income at each potential activation age is:
| Activation Age | Benefit Base | Withdrawal Rate | Annual Lifetime Income | Income / Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $170,000 | 6.20% | $10,540 | 10.54% |
| 66 | $180,000 | 6.40% | $11,520 | 11.52% |
| 67 | $190,000 | 6.60% | $12,540 | 12.54% |
| 68 | $200,000 | 6.85% | $13,700 | 13.70% |
| 69 | $210,000 | 7.10% | $14,910 | 14.91% |
| 70 | $220,000 | 7.50% | $16,500 | 16.50% |
| 71 | $230,000 | 7.90% | $18,170 | 18.17% |
| 72 | $240,000 | 8.30% | $19,920 | 19.92% |
| 73 | $250,000 | 8.35% | $20,875 | 20.88% |
| 74 | $260,000 | 8.40% | $21,840 | 21.84% |
| 75 | $270,000 | 8.75% | $23,625 | 23.63% |
Two things to notice on this table. First, the 10-year deferral to age 70 produces $16,500 of annual guaranteed lifetime income on $100,000 of premium, an income/premium ratio of 16.5%. That is materially above the typical 5% to 8% lifetime withdrawal rates offered by single-premium immediate annuities at the same age. Second, every additional year of deferral past age 70 adds roughly $1,500 to $2,000 of annual lifetime income, so buyers who can delay activation are rewarded.
For context, the Allianz 222+ in a matched single-life male illustration ($100,000 premium, age 60, 10-year deferral) guarantees $8,360 per year at age 70, and Nationwide Peak 10 guarantees $15,413. The Ascent Pro 10 Bonus wins both. For the full head-to-head, see our Athene vs Allianz comparison.
Enhanced Income Benefit for Care Events
The Ascent Pro 10 Bonus includes an Enhanced Income Benefit that doubles the lifetime income withdrawal amount for up to 60 months if the annuitant is confined to a qualified care facility or unable to perform at least 2 of 6 activities of daily living (ADLs) for 90 out of the last 125 days. Confinement must occur after the first contract year. Eligibility must be certified by a licensed physician.
For the $100,000 / age 60 / activation 70 illustration above, the Enhanced Income Benefit raises the annual lifetime income from $16,500 to $33,000 during the qualifying care window. Over five years (60 months) that is $165,000 of additional income available specifically for late-life care costs. After the 60-month enhanced period ends, the income returns to the standard lifetime amount and continues for the rest of the annuitant’s life.
This feature is not available in Massachusetts. For buyers concerned about long-term care expenses without wanting a separate LTC insurance policy, the Enhanced Income Benefit is a meaningful built-in hedge.
Index Crediting Strategies
The Ascent Pro 10 Bonus offers a focused lineup of crediting strategies. As of May 2026, current rates on most state contracts are:
| Index Strategy | Crediting Method | Current Rate |
|---|---|---|
| BNP Paribas Multi-Asset Diversified 5 | 1-Year point-to-point participation rate | 140% |
| S&P 500 | 1-Year point-to-point cap | 5.5% |
| Fixed Account | Declared annual rate | Set at issue |
The BNP Paribas Multi-Asset Diversified 5 is a volatility-controlled custom index targeting 5% annualized volatility across a basket of U.S. equities, international equities, fixed income, and commodities. The 140% participation rate means the contract receives 140% of whatever the index returns in a contract year, with no cap on the upside. Lower volatility means index returns tend to be smaller in absolute terms than the S&P 500, but the participation rate above 100% compensates. For more on how this index works, see our BNP Paribas Multi-Asset Diversified 5 review.
The S&P 500 1-year point-to-point cap of 5.5% is the more straightforward strategy. If the S&P 500 returns 8% over the contract year, you receive 5.5%. If it returns 3%, you receive 3%. If it returns negative, you receive 0%. Many buyers allocate 50/50 between the two strategies to combine cap-rate certainty with participation-rate upside.
Surrender Charges and Free Withdrawals
The Ascent Pro 10 Bonus has a 10-year surrender charge schedule. In most states the schedule is:
| Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surrender Charge | 8.3% | 8.0% | 7.1% | 6.2% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 3.5% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 0.9% |
Beginning in contract year 1, you can withdraw up to 10% of the accumulated value each contract year free of withdrawal charges, premium bonus vesting adjustment, and market value adjustment. Required minimum distributions (RMDs) count toward the free withdrawal amount. Withdrawals above the free amount during the surrender period trigger both the surrender charge and a market value adjustment. For more on how surrender charges and MVAs work, see our annuity surrender charges guide.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Highest guaranteed lifetime income at the A+ tier. $16,500 per year on $100,000 premium with a 10-year deferral to age 70 beats both Allianz 222+ ($8,360) and Nationwide Peak 10 ($15,413) on matched single-life illustrations.
- Three-stacked bonus structure. 10% premium bonus to accumulation value, 20% income base bonus at issue, and 10% simple roll-up on the benefit base for 10 years. Few competing FIAs combine all three with this level of generosity.
- Enhanced Income Benefit for care events. Doubles lifetime income for up to 60 months if confined to a qualified care facility or unable to perform 2 of 6 ADLs. A meaningful built-in hedge for late-life care costs.
- Apollo-backed balance sheet. Athene’s alternative-credit general account funds more competitive crediting rates than most mutual carriers can offer.
- Strong index lineup. The BNP Paribas Multi-Asset Diversified 5 at 140% participation pairs well with the S&P 500 cap for buyers who want both volatility-controlled upside and traditional equity exposure.
Cons
- 10-year surrender period. Long commitment. Liquidity beyond the 10% annual free withdrawal is expensive during the surrender window.
- 1.00% annual rider fee. Not free like some Athene contracts (the non-bonus Ascent Pro 10 and the Agility 10 include the rider at no charge). The fee is reasonable for the benefits provided but it does reduce accumulation.
- Bonus vesting schedule. The 10% premium bonus is not fully yours until year 10. Early surrender forfeits part of the bonus.
- S&P 500 cap is moderate. At 5.5%, Athene’s S&P cap on the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus is lower than Nationwide Peak 10’s 6.25% or some Corebridge contracts. The 140% participation on BNP Paribas Diversified 5 typically compensates, but cap-rate shoppers may prefer a different contract.
- Not available in New York. Like most Athene products, the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus is not approved for New York residents.
Who the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus Is Best For
This contract is a strong fit for retirees and pre-retirees age 55 to 70 who want guaranteed lifetime income starting between 5 and 15 years from now and are willing to lock up $50,000 to $1 million for the full 10-year surrender period. The income/premium ratio at activation age 70 is hard to beat at the A+ tier, and the Enhanced Income Benefit makes the contract useful as part of a late-life care plan even without a separate long-term care policy.
It is not the right contract for someone who needs liquidity within the next 10 years, who lives in New York, or who is buying primarily for pure accumulation without an income use case. For pure accumulation, the Athene Performance Elite 7 or a competitive MYGA usually wins on net credited return.
How It Compares to Other Income-Focused FIAs
The Ascent Pro 10 Bonus sits in the same competitive set as the Allianz 222+, Nationwide Peak 10, F&G SecureIncome 7, and North American Income Pay Pro 10. For head-to-head analyses with matched live illustrations, see:
- Athene vs Allianz Annuities: 2026 Comparison
- Athene Ascent Pro 10 vs North American Income Pay Pro 10
- North American Income Pay Pro 10 Review
- F&G SecureIncome 7 Annuity Review
- Nationwide Peak 10 Annuity Review
How to Buy the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus
My Annuity Store places the Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus through Athene’s independent distribution channel. We are licensed in 47 states and have placed more than $1 billion in annuity premium since 2020. To request a personalized illustration showing your specific premium, age, gender, and state combination, use our free annuity quote request form or call us directly at 855-583-1104.
The illustration referenced throughout this review (male, age 60, $100,000 premium, 10-year deferral) was run May 23, 2026. Current crediting rates, bonus levels, and income withdrawal percentages are subject to change. Your specific guaranteed income amount may be higher or lower depending on age, gender, state of issue, premium amount, and deferral length.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guaranteed lifetime income on a $100,000 premium at age 60?
On a single-life male annuitant age 60 with $100,000 premium and a 10-year deferral, the Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus guarantees $16,500 per year for life starting at age 70. The income/premium ratio is 16.5%. A 15-year deferral to age 75 raises the guaranteed annual income to $23,625.
How is the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus different from the regular Ascent Pro 10?
The Bonus version adds a 10% premium bonus to the accumulation value at issue, with a 10-year vesting schedule. The non-Bonus version does not include this bonus. Both contracts share the same income rider structure (20% income base bonus, 10% simple roll-up). The Bonus version typically has slightly lower current cap rates on the S&P 500 strategy as the trade-off for the up-front premium bonus.
What happens if I need to access more than 10% of my money before the surrender period ends?
Withdrawals above the 10% annual free withdrawal during the 10-year surrender period are subject to a surrender charge (starting at 8.3% in year 1 and declining to 0.9% in year 10), a market value adjustment, and a premium bonus vesting adjustment. Required minimum distributions count toward the free withdrawal amount and do not trigger charges. For unplanned liquidity needs beyond RMDs, the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus is an expensive contract to exit early.
Is the Enhanced Income Benefit a substitute for long-term care insurance?
The Enhanced Income Benefit doubles the lifetime income withdrawal for up to 60 months if the annuitant qualifies (confined to a qualified care facility or unable to perform 2 of 6 ADLs for 90 of 125 days). It is a meaningful built-in benefit but it is not a substitute for a standalone long-term care policy. The benefit limit is 60 months, the benefit doubles only the lifetime withdrawal amount (not unlimited care costs), and qualification requires physician certification. For buyers with significant LTC concerns, a separate LTC or hybrid life-LTC policy may be more appropriate.
What is the financial strength rating of Athene?
Athene Annuity and Life Company carries an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best. The Comdex composite of all four major rating agencies sits at 87. Athene is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Global Management since the January 2022 merger and has been the #1 selling fixed indexed annuity carrier in the United States every year since 2020.
Can I buy the Ascent Pro 10 Bonus in New York?
No. The Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus is not approved for sale in New York, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. New York residents who want a comparable income-focused FIA should consider the Nationwide Peak 10 (which is approved in all 50 states) or another New York-approved contract.
Final Take
The Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus is currently the highest-guaranteed-income FIA we place at the A+ tier for buyers in their late 50s and early 60s who want lifetime income starting in 5 to 15 years. The stacked bonus structure (10% premium bonus + 20% income base bonus + 10% simple roll-up) produces a guaranteed income number that beats Allianz, Nationwide, and most of the rest of the income-focused FIA category on matched illustrations. The Enhanced Income Benefit adds a meaningful care-event hedge. The trade-offs are real: 10-year surrender period, 1% annual rider fee, and a vesting schedule on the premium bonus. For buyers who can hold the contract and want a guaranteed income floor they can plan around, those trade-offs are usually worth taking.
To request a personalized illustration based on your age, premium, and state, use our free annuity quote request or call 855-583-1104. We do not charge for the illustration or the consultation.
