Last updated October 12, 2026. California rates are refreshed weekly; confirm today’s rate before you apply.
Athene is one of the most searched annuity companies in the country, and for good reason: it carries a top-tier financial strength rating and sells a full lineup of fixed and fixed index annuities. I’m Kevin Edwards, an independent California annuity agent. Below is what Athene is, who owns it, and exactly what its annuities pay in California this week, compared against the rest of the market.
Athene at a Glance
| Owner | Apollo Global Management (merger completed January 2022) |
| AM Best rating | A+ (Superior), affirmed August 27, 2026, stable outlook |
| Sold in California | 3 MYGAs and 7 fixed index annuities in this week’s data |
| Best CA MYGA yield | 5.90% for 7 years (Athene Max Rate 7) |
| Best CA S&P 500 cap | 9.75% with a 7-year surrender period (Performance Elite 7) |
| SPIA in our CA data | No |
Who Owns Athene?
Athene is the retirement services business of Apollo Global Management. Apollo and Athene completed their merger in January 2022, and at closing Athene became one of Apollo’s two principal subsidiaries, alongside its asset management business.
That ownership matters for how Athene invests its general account, which backs your guarantees. It is the same private-capital model used by several large annuity carriers, and it is one reason Athene can price competitively.
Athene’s Financial Strength
On August 27, 2026, AM Best affirmed the A+ (Superior) financial strength rating of the members of Athene Group, with a stable outlook. A+ is AM Best’s second-highest rating; among the six carriers I review in this series, only Nationwide matches it.
Athene Annuity Rates in California This Week
These are every Athene product in this week’s California data. Athene’s California products are listed as “Athene IA” and several are state-specific versions. Full market tables are on my California MYGA rates and California fixed index annuity rates pages.
Athene MYGAs (Max Rate)
| Product | Term | Guaranteed yield | Deposit for this rate | Lowest entry | MVA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athene Max Rate 3 (state specific) | 3 years | 5.65% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 5.40% | Yes | — |
| Athene Max Rate 5 (state specific) | 5 years | 5.80% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 5.55% | Yes | — |
| Athene Max Rate 7 (state specific) | 7 years | 5.90% | $100,000+ | $10,000+ at 5.60% | Yes | — |
Athene Fixed Index Annuities (S&P 500 annual cap)
| Product | Surrender period | S&P 500 cap | Guaranteed min. cap | Riders | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athene Performance Elite® 7 CA | 7 years | 9.75% | 0.50% | None | MVA |
| Athene Performance Elite® 7 Plus CA, FEE | 7 years | 9.75% | 0.50% | None | MVA |
| Agility 7 CA | 7 years | 5.25% | 0.50% | Rider required | MVA |
| Athene Performance Elite 10 CA | 10 years | 5.50% | 0.50% | None | MVA |
| Athene Performance Elite® 10 Plus CA, FEE | 10 years | 5.50% | 0.50% | None | MVA |
| Agility 10 CA | 10 years | 5.50% | 0.50% | Rider required | MVA |
| Ascent Pro 10 Bonus | 10 years | 5.50% | 0.50% | Must elect 1 of 2 | MVA |
My Take on Athene
Where Athene fits: buyers who want an A+ rated carrier and a MYGA rate close to the top of the market. Athene’s 3-year MYGA at 5.65% is within 0.05% of the best 3-year rate in California this week, and its 7-year at 5.90% trails the leader by 0.30%.
What to watch:
- Every Athene product in California this week carries a market value adjustment (MVA). If you withdraw more than the free amount early, the MVA can raise or lower your surrender value.
- The best MYGA rates need $100,000 or more. Below that, expect about 0.25% to 0.30% less.
- On the FIA side, Athene’s 10-year S&P 500 caps (5.50%) are well below its own 7-year caps (9.75%). Longer is not better here; compare carefully before choosing the 10-year version.
- Guaranteed minimum caps are 0.50%, so renewal caps depend heavily on Athene’s future pricing. Ask for the product’s renewal history.
- Two products include “FEE” in the name. Ask exactly what the fee is charged for and what it buys you before choosing them.
How Athene Compares in California
| Term | Athene (best) | Best in California | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year MYGA | 5.65% | 5.70% | Oxford Life Multi-Select 3 |
| 5-year MYGA | 5.80% | 6.10% | Aspida Synergy Choice 5 / Axonic Waypoint 5 |
| 7-year MYGA | 5.90% | 6.20% | Oxford Life Multi-Select 7 |
| 7-year S&P 500 cap | 9.75% | 11.65% | Delaware Life Retirement Stages Select 7 |
| 10-year S&P 500 cap | 5.50% | 12.00% | Delaware Life Target Growth 10 |
The trade-off is rating versus rate. The two carriers in this series that beat Athene on caps, Delaware Life and Global Atlantic, carry lower AM Best ratings; see my reviews of Delaware Life and Global Atlantic, or browse all annuity company reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athene a good annuity company?
Athene holds an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, affirmed August 27, 2026 with a stable outlook. Whether its products fit you depends on your deposit, timeline and how its rates compare with other carriers, which change weekly.
Who owns Athene?
Athene is owned by Apollo Global Management. The two companies completed their merger in January 2022, and Athene operates as Apollo’s retirement services business.
What is Athene’s best MYGA rate in California?
As of October 12, 2026, Athene’s highest California MYGA yield is 5.90% for 7 years (Athene Max Rate 7) on deposits of $100,000 or more. Deposits from $10,000 earn 5.60%.
Do Athene annuities have a market value adjustment?
Every Athene MYGA and fixed index annuity in this week’s California data includes an MVA, which can change your surrender value if you withdraw more than the penalty-free amount before the term ends.
Get a Side-by-Side Quote Before You Buy Athene
I’m an independent agent, so I’m not tied to Athene or any other carrier. Tell me your deposit, timeline and whether you need income, and I’ll compare Athene’s products against the rest of the California market and send you the side-by-side. Request a free annuity quote, or call (877) 854-7396.
Sources
- AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Athene Holding Ltd. and Its Subsidiaries (Aug. 27, 2026)
- Apollo Completes Merger with Athene (Jan. 3, 2022)
- California fixed annuity (MYGA) rates, Fixed Annuity Expert
- California fixed index annuity rates, Fixed Annuity Expert
Rate source: AnnuityRateWatch.com carrier data via AIP Marketing Alliance, retrieved October 12, 2026, filtered to products available to California residents. MYGA rows show guaranteed yield to surrender; FIA rows show the S&P 500 annual point-to-point cap on strategies with a 0% floor, no strategy fee and a stated guaranteed minimum cap. Products sold only through fee-based advisory accounts are excluded. Rates change without notice and must be verified with the issuing carrier at application.
Kevin Edwards, Integrity Now Insurance Brokers. California Insurance License #0D42517. Annuities are insurance products, not bank deposits, and are not FDIC insured. Fixed index annuities are not a direct investment in the stock market or any index; index-linked interest is subject to caps the insurer may change annually, subject to the guaranteed minimum. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Financial strength ratings are opinions of the rating agency, can change at any time, and are not a guarantee of an insurer’s ability to pay claims. Withdrawals before the end of the surrender period may be subject to surrender charges and market value adjustments; withdrawals of taxable amounts may be subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken before age 59½, a 10% federal tax penalty. This page is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any insurance company named. It is for educational purposes and is not tax or legal advice. Product availability and features vary by state. S&P 500® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC.