Is the MassMutual Ascend Premier Income Bonus a Good Annuity?
The MassMutual Ascend Premier Income Bonus is a 7-year fixed index annuity issued by MassMutual Ascend, designed for lifetime income you can start now. If your goal is safe growth instead, see our MassMutual Ascend Legend 7 review. The verdict: an A++ carrier and no waiting period, but a modest 3.50% joint payout at 60.
- Best for: couples in their late 50s or early 60s who rank carrier strength and flexibility above the biggest income check.
- Not for: buyers maximizing guaranteed income, or residents of CA, PA, NY and six other excluded states.
MassMutual Ascend Premier Income Bonus at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Guaranteed lifetime income, single or joint, available immediately |
| Carrier | MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company (AM Best A++, Comdex 97) |
| Surrender schedule | 7 years: 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 3%, 3%, 3% |
| Premium | $10,000 minimum; added premium ($2,000 minimum) only in the first two months |
| Free withdrawal | 10% of premium in year 1, then 10% of account value a year |
| Waivers | Extended care and terminal illness (state rules apply) |
| Bonus | 6% added to the benefit base (income value only) |
| Roll-up | 6% simple for 10 years, up to 250% of premium plus bonus |
| Income rider | Built in; 1.15% of the benefit base a year |
| Income start | Any time, including at issue |
| Not sold in | AK, CA, NY, PA, UT, WA, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Illustration basis | May 23, 2026; joint life, both 60; Indiana; $100,000; 25% in each of four strategies |
How Much Income Does the MassMutual Ascend Premier Income Bonus Pay?
| Income starts at (joint) | Benefit base | Payout rate | Guaranteed income a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 (at issue) | $106,000 | 3.50% | $3,710 |
| 62 | $118,720 | 3.70% | $4,393 |
| 64 | $131,440 | 3.90% | $5,126 |
| 65 | $137,800 | 4.00% | $5,512 |
- Each year of waiting adds income: the base grows $6,360 a year and the payout rate rises with age.
- Single life pays more: about 0.25 to 0.50 points higher than these joint rates.
- Income now is the edge: many income annuities make you wait a year or more; this one doesn’t.
- Run your own numbers: try our income rider calculator or the live quote below.
How Much Guaranteed Lifetime Income Can You Buy?
Live quotes from today’s carrier feedHypothetical Historical Rate of Return
Our illustration split $100,000 evenly across four strategies, with income taken along the way.
| Strategy | Current rate |
|---|---|
| First Trust Barclays Edge, 1-year cap | 13.00% |
| First Trust Barclays Edge, cap locked 7 years | 12.75% |
| S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 10%, 1-year participation | 70% |
| S&P 500, 1-year cap | 8.50% |
- Illustrated result: a 7.78% net effective rate, $129,850 of lifetime withdrawals, and $500,203 left at age 95.
- Backtest caveat: that figure replays the last 10 years at today’s rates. Only the 7-year cap lock is guaranteed.
- Benchmark it: compare the 8.50% S&P 500 cap with current fixed index annuity rates.
- MYGA benchmark: At today's top 7-year rate of 7.10% (simple interest), $100,000 grows to about $149,700 over 7 years, a gain of $49,700. See current MYGA rates.
Get your Premier Income Bonus illustration for your age and state
Send us your premium amount, your state, and when you need the money. We will come back with current numbers on this contract and comparable ones from the 90+ top annuity companies on our platform, in writing.
MassMutual Ascend Premier Income Bonus Strengths and Red Flags
What it does well
- A++ carrier: AM Best’s top rating and a Comdex of 97, backed by MassMutual (founded 1851).
- Short, gentle schedule: 7 years starting at 6%, versus 9% or more on many income annuities.
- Locked cap option: the 12.75% First Trust cap is guaranteed for the full 7 years.
Red flags
- Low starting payout: 3.50% joint at 60 means $3,710 a year on $100,000.
- Modest growth engine: a 6% bonus and 6% simple roll-up build the income base slowly.
- 1.15% rider fee: charged on the benefit base every year, even in 0% index years.
- Limited availability: not sold in six states, including California and Pennsylvania.
Final verdict: the MassMutual Ascend Premier Income Bonus is built for guaranteed lifetime income with an A++ carrier behind it. It earns our 3.5 rating for couples who value flexibility over the top payout. For safe growth, the MassMutual Ascend Legend 7 fits better than the Premier Income Bonus.
Compare live rates on 137 fixed index annuities or visit our annuity review database.
This review is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation or an offer to sell any annuity. Product features, index options, and rates can and do vary by state, and this product is not available for sale in every state. Always request a carrier illustration and work with a licensed annuity agent before you buy.
Other MassMutual Ascend Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
How much income does the Premier Income Bonus pay on $100,000?
On a joint-life illustration at age 60, it guarantees $3,710 a year starting right away. Waiting until 65 raises that to $5,512 a year.
Is there a waiting period before income starts?
No. You can start lifetime withdrawals at issue. Income is higher the longer you wait because the benefit base keeps growing.
What is the rider fee?
The rider costs 1.15% of the benefit base each year, taken from the account value.
Is MassMutual Ascend the same as Great American Life?
Yes. MassMutual bought Great American Life in 2021 and renamed it MassMutual Ascend. Existing Great American contracts remain in force.
