Is the NAC BenefitSolutions 10 a Good Annuity?
The NAC BenefitSolutions 10 is a 10-year fixed index annuity issued by North American, designed for guaranteed lifetime income. If your goal is growth with a bonus, see our North American Charter Plus 10 review instead. The verdict: a 20% income base bonus and guaranteed step-ups to 180%, but its top-rated Barclays indexes only launched in March 2023.
- Best for: buyers 55 to 70 who want guaranteed income starting at 65 or later and can hold for 10 years.
- Not for: growth buyers, or anyone who may need more than the free withdrawal in the first 10 years.
NAC BenefitSolutions 10 at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Guaranteed lifetime income (rider built in) |
| Carrier | North American Company for Life and Health Insurance (AM Best A+, S&P A+, Fitch A+), part of Sammons Financial Group |
| Surrender schedule | 10% / 10% / 9% / 9% / 8% / 8% / 7% / 6% / 4% / 2%, then 0% (varies by state) |
| Market value adjustment | Yes, during the surrender period (how an MVA works) |
| Premium | $20,000 minimum, qualified or non-qualified |
| Issue ages | 40 to 79 |
| Free withdrawal | 5% in year 2; 10% from year 3 if you took nothing the prior year |
| Bonus | 20% on the benefit base only; none on the cash value |
| Income rider | Guaranteed Benefits 10 Rider, built in, 1.20% a year on the benefit base |
| Index options | 16 strategies on 7 indexes, no strategy fees, plus a 2.30% fixed account |
| Nursing home benefit | Lifetime income doubles after 90 days of confinement, from year 2 |
| Death benefit | Accumulation value as a lump sum, or the full benefit base paid over 5 years |
| Illustration basis | Illustration October 15, 2026: male, 60, Arizona, $100,000 non-qualified |
Full details are in the official NAC BenefitSolutions 10 brochure.
How Much Income Does the NAC BenefitSolutions 10 Pay?
| Start income at | Benefit base floor | Payout factor | Guaranteed income per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 (at issue) | $120,000 (120%) | 5.08% | $6,096 |
| 64 | $120,000 (120%) | 6.44% | $7,728 |
| 65 (5th anniversary step-up) | $150,000 (150%) | 6.83% | $10,245 |
| 69 | $150,000 (150%) | 7.93% | $11,895 |
| 70 (10th anniversary step-up) | $180,000 (180%) | 8.17% | $14,706 |
Single life, male 60 at issue, $100,000, October 15, 2026 illustration. Rider fee 1.20% a year on the benefit base. Joint payouts are lower.
- Wait for the step-ups: starting at 65 instead of 64 adds $2,517 a year, and 70 instead of 69 adds $2,811.
- Performance rollup: 100% of each index credit also goes to the benefit base, so good years lift income above the floor.
- When the rider beats plain withdrawals: once the account runs dry, the guaranteed income keeps paying for life.
- Estimate your own age and deposit with our income rider calculator.
See what the NAC BenefitSolutions 10 would pay you for life before your next birthday
Lifetime income depends on your age, your premium and when you start. Run the numbers in our income rider calculator, or request a quote with current carrier figures for your age and state, in writing.
Hypothetical Historical Rate of Return
Our illustration put 100% in the 1-year Barclays Transitions 12 VC strategy at 45%. It uses 2016 to 2025 index data at October 2026 rates, with income starting at 65.
| Year | Hypothetical value | Cash surrender value | Guaranteed cash value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $102,197 | $91,977 | $88,704 |
| 5 | $148,340 | $137,660 | $90,602 |
| 10 | $99,945 | $97,946 | $40,554 |
Years 6 to 10 include lifetime income ($13,101 hypothetical, $10,245 guaranteed). Values are after the 1.20% rider fee. Hypothetical, not guaranteed.
- Backtest caveat: Barclays Transitions 12 VC launched March 31, 2023. Its live years credited 8.76%, 1.06% and 0%.
- Hypothetical income: $13,101 a year from 65, versus the $10,245 guaranteed. Our planning range is 4% to 7% a year credited.
- The account runs dry at 80 in this illustration, and the $13,101 payments continue for life.
- MYGA benchmark: At today's top 10-year rate of 6.30% (compound), $100,000 grows to about $184,218 over 10 years, a gain of $84,218. See current MYGA rates.
Compare these participation rates with current fixed index annuity rates from other carriers.
Get your NAC BenefitSolutions 10 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.
NAC BenefitSolutions 10 Strengths and Red Flags
What it does well
- 20% income base bonus: a $120,000 benefit base on a $100,000 deposit at issue.
- Guaranteed step-ups to 150% at year 5 and 180% at year 10, no matter what the markets do.
- Nursing home doubler and a death benefit that can pay heirs the full benefit base over 5 years.
Red flags
- Thin live record: the two highest-backtesting indexes, Barclays Transitions 12 VC and 6 VC, have about 3 years of live history.
- 10% surrender charge in both year 1 and year 2, plus an MVA.
- Tight free withdrawals: 5% in year 2, and 10% later only if you skipped the year before.
- 1.20% rider fee is charged on the benefit base, so the dollar fee grows as the base grows.
- Cash value shrinks with income: $148,340 at year 5 fell to $99,945 by year 10.
Final verdict: the NAC BenefitSolutions 10 is built for guaranteed lifetime income. It earns our 4 rating for buyers who can wait for the step-ups at 65 or 70. For growth instead, the North American Charter Plus 10 fits better than the NAC BenefitSolutions 10.
Compare live rates on 137 fixed index annuities or visit our annuity review database.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the NAC BenefitSolutions 10 income bonus work?
The 20% bonus goes on the benefit base, not your cash value. A $100,000 deposit starts with a $120,000 base for income, but only $100,000 you can withdraw.
Are the NAC BenefitSolutions 10 index returns real?
Mostly not. The Barclays Transitions indexes launched March 31, 2023, so earlier illustration years are back-tested. The guaranteed income is contractual; the projected growth is not.
Can I start income before age 65?
Yes. On $100,000 at age 60, income starts at $6,096 a year, but waiting for the year 5 step-up raises the guaranteed amount to $10,245.
Is North American a good annuity company?
North American is rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best and is part of Sammons Financial Group. See our North American company review.
Other North American Reviews
Sources: NAC BenefitSolutions 10 brochure; North American illustration and product details via Annuities Genius, October 15, 2026; AM Best ratings affirmation (August 2025); Barclays Transitions index announcement; SEC investor bulletin on indexed annuities.
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.
