The issuer behind the guarantee.
An annuity guarantee is a promise from one company, sometimes lasting forty years. The product matters less than the balance sheet standing behind it.
| AM Best rating | A+ (Superior) — second-highest on the scale |
|---|---|
| S&P rating | A+ |
| Moody's rating | A1 |
| Market position | Among the largest US annuity writers by 2024 premium volume |
| BBB corporate rating | A+ |
| BBB consumer reviews | Near one star on a small sample of formal complaints |
Ratings and figures as published in our Athene review. Re-verify against the issuing agency before acting — ratings change, and a rating without a date is not a rating.
Our Athene reviews.
Three things to understand about Athene.
The agency ratings and the consumer reviews disagree
Athene carries an A+ from AM Best and an A+ corporate rating from the BBB, while its BBB consumer review average sits near one star. These measure different things — financial strength versus service experience — and a buyer should weigh both rather than pick whichever supports the decision they already made.
The index menu is wide, which cuts both ways
Agility 10 and the Ascent line offer S&P 500, multi-index, and volatility-controlled strategies. More choice means more room to match a strategy to your horizon, and more room to be sold the one with the best-looking back-test.
Surrender schedules run long
A 10-year surrender period is a 10-year commitment to leave the money alone beyond the free-withdrawal allowance. Check the free-withdrawal percentage and confirm what happens if you need more than that in year three.
How to read any carrier.
Palm Wealth Capital publishes independent annuity research and education. No carrier pays for placement on this site. Nothing here is individualized investment, tax, or legal advice.
Holding an Athene contract — or being shown one?
Send the illustration or statement. We will check Athene’s current AM Best rating and outlook against the date on this page, read the surrender schedule and any market value adjustment, price the riders, and tell you what the guaranteed terms are rather than the illustrated ones. If the answer is that you don’t need it, that is the answer you get — there is nothing here for us to sell you.
Carriers buyers weigh against this one.
Evaluating an indexed contract from this carrier? Start with how participation rates, caps, and spreads work — the three numbers that decide what any index year actually credits.