Athene Agility 7 and 10: begin with the income question
Athene Agility is a fixed indexed annuity family. If you are comparing Agility 7 or Agility 10, start with when you need income and how much money must remain accessible. A product name or illustrated benefit is not enough to decide whether a long-term contract fits your retirement.
This guide explains questions to review using Athene’s public materials. First Freedom Life is an independent insurance business, not Athene customer service. For an existing contract’s values, claims or service requests, contact the issuing insurer. Availability and any proposed offer require current state, distributor and contract verification.
Separate the benefit base from spendable money
Agility includes an income and death benefit rider. Its benefit base is a calculation value used for rider benefits; it is not cash or a surrender value that you can take as a lump sum. A benefit-base bonus is therefore different from a bonus deposited into money available for withdrawal. Athene’s consumer brochure explains this distinction.
Ask for the accumulated value, cash surrender value and benefit base to be labeled separately in an illustration. Then ask what happens to each after a planned withdrawal. Comparing a benefit-base number with another contract’s cash value would answer the wrong question.
Match the income waiting period to your timeline
The rider’s lifetime withdrawals have a waiting period. The brochure ties eligibility to the end of the withdrawal-charge period and an age requirement. Confirm the exact rules for the contract under consideration. Ask for an illustration using your intended income date and household circumstances, including a spouse if relevant.
Check what withdrawals are permitted while waiting and how taking more than the rider allows could affect future income. An income projection should be reviewed alongside the money needed for emergencies and near-term spending. A future income benefit does not solve an immediate cash need.
Review growth, access and care provisions separately
Agility offers fixed and indexed crediting choices. An indexed strategy does not mean direct ownership of an index or receipt of its full return. Read the current crediting rules and renewal provisions in Athene’s product materials. A zero interest credit is possible; it is not a promise of a particular annual gain.
Withdrawal charges and a market value adjustment can affect money taken out early beyond contractual allowances. Care-related enhanced income also has eligibility conditions and is not long-term care insurance. Ask which provisions apply to your actual state form rather than assuming every advertised feature is available.
Prepare a comparison that answers your decision
Bring your intended income start date, funding source and access needs to a review. If moving money from another annuity, obtain its current surrender quote and benefit information first. Do not surrender an existing contract based only on a new illustration.
The NAIC’s annuity overview provides category context. Investor.gov explains that insurer obligations depend on financial strength and claims-paying ability. Ask for guaranteed and illustrated outcomes to be distinguished. An inquiry can start an insurance comparison; it does not establish product availability, acceptance or suitability.
Frequently asked questions
Is Agility’s benefit base money I can withdraw?
No. The benefit base is a rider calculation value, not a cash or surrender value available as a lump sum. Request separately labeled accumulated and surrender values.
Can the income rider start paying immediately?
Do not assume so. Athene’s brochure describes a waiting period tied to the withdrawal-charge period and an age requirement. Verify the actual contract and intended income date.
Does the care-related enhanced income replace long-term care insurance?
No. Athene states that this benefit is not long-term care insurance. Eligibility and benefit conditions must be reviewed separately.
Can First Freedom Life service my existing Athene contract?
Contact the issuing insurer for official values, claims and servicing instructions. First Freedom Life is an independent insurance business; an inquiry here can start a discussion of insurance options.