Fixed Indexed Annuity
Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus
Athene Annuity and Life Company · AM Best A+
3.5/5
S&P 500 annual cap
5.5%
CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026
DB-backed product comparison
Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus vs New Heights Select 9
Decision-first comparison using dated product data, carrier backing, review ratings, liquidity, surrender terms, rider mechanics, and sourced disclosures.
CANNEX-backed data via AdvisorWorld. Each available figure below carries its true source date.
View product page
VS
Fixed Indexed Annuity
New Heights Select 9
Nationwide Life Insurance Company · AM Best A+
5.0/5
Goldman Sachs New Horizons Index participation
125%
CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026
Auto-verdict
Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus leads on participation rate, liquidity, annual fee; New Heights Select 9 leads on surrender period; carrier strength and income rider availability are tied. This compares available dated accumulation metrics and is not a personalized recommendation.
- On participation rate, Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus has the higher figure (140% participation · BNP Paribas Multi Asset Diversified 5 Index · annual vs 125% participation · Goldman Sachs New Horizons Index · annual); New Heights Select 9 is lower.
- On liquidity, Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus has the higher figure (10%/yr free withdrawal vs 7%/yr free withdrawal); New Heights Select 9 is lower.
- On annual fee, Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus has the lower figure (1% max annual rider/strategy fee vs 1.1% max annual rider/strategy fee); New Heights Select 9 is higher.
- On surrender period, New Heights Select 9 has the lower figure (9 years surrender period vs 10 years surrender period); Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus is higher.
- On carrier strength, both show A+ AM Best.
- On income rider availability, both show 3 income riders available.
Auto-generated from the displayed dated data, accumulation metrics only, not a recommendation.
Dated side by side
Compare on the numbers
Only metrics that apply to this product type are shown. Missing applicable values show unavailable.
| Metric | Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus | New Heights Select 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Top annual capAnnual point-to-point cap; S&P 500 preferred when the dated strategy set includes it. | 5.5% cap · S&P 500 · 1-yr point-to-point CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 | unavailable CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 |
| Top participation rateAnnual participation strategy; not ranked against cap rates. | 140% participation · BNP Paribas Multi Asset Diversified 5 Index · annualLeading CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 | 125% participation · Goldman Sachs New Horizons Index · annual CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 |
| Performance triggerAvailable annual trigger strategy from the dated FIA feed. | unavailable CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 | unavailable CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 |
| Fixed account rateAvailable fixed account strategy when present in the dated feed. | 2.85% fixed account CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 | unavailable CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 |
| AM Best ratingCarrier financial strength from the dated product/rating feed when available. | A+ AM BestTie CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 | A+ AM BestTie CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 |
| Free withdrawalAvailable dated annual free-withdrawal percentage for the product. | 10%/yr free withdrawalLeading CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 | 7%/yr free withdrawal CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 |
| Surrender periodShorter surrender period is highlighted as more flexible. | 10 years surrender period CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 | 9 years surrender periodLeading CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 |
| Annual feeHighest listed annual rider or strategy fee; lower is highlighted. | 1% max annual rider/strategy feeLeading CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 | 1.1% max annual rider/strategy fee CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 |
| Income riderAvailability only; rider fit depends on payout, cost, and goals. | 3 income riders availableTie CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 | 2 income riders availableTie CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 |
| Minimum premiumLower minimum premium is highlighted as easier to access. | $5,000 minimum premiumLeading CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 | $25,000 minimum premium CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026 |
Scenario tool
Which one credits more in one index year?
Head-to-head crediting
Applies each product's live annual strategy rate to one hypothetical index year.
Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus
S&P 500 annual cap · 5.5% annual cap
New Heights Select 9
Goldman Sachs New Horizons Index annual participation · 125% annual participation
At a +15% index year, the credited-interest illustration is:
Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus5.5%
New Heights Select 918%
New Heights Select 9 credits more here (18% vs 5.5%).
New Heights Select 9: The slider represents an equity-style index move; the shown Vol-Controlled credit reflects the shared family guardrail.
Assumptions: one hypothetical index year, one allocation to the displayed annual strategy for each product, and a 0% floor. Caps, trigger rates, participation rates, renewal rates, allocations, and state availability can change. This is educational only and is not a carrier-approved illustration.
Illustrative tool inputs use product figures from CANNEX via AdvisorWorld · rates as of July 21, 2026.
Review-backed context
What the reviews say about each product
Linked review
Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus
3.5/5
“Discover the Athene Ascent Pro Fixed Indexed Annuity: features, rates, riders, and company details. A comprehensive review for informed decisions.”
Attributed to Nikhil Bhauwala.
Read the full reviewLinked review
New Heights Select 9
5.0/5
CFA take
“In my view, the Nationwide New Heights Select is one of the more feature-rich FIAs in the market, particularly for investors who value flexibility around income planning and active contract monitoring. The product differentiates itself through features like Daily Accumulation Value (DAV) tracking, optional lock-in of gains, and earnings capture on withdrawals — features that are not commonly available in traditional FIAs. That said, the product can feel somewhat complex, especially for investors who prefer simpler annuity structures. While the optional income riders are relatively strong, the rider costs are slightly above industry averages, and the S&P 500 participation terms are less competitive than what some peers currently offer. Additionally, most of the proprietary indices employ volatility-control mechanisms, which help stabilize returns but can also limit upside potential during strong bull markets. Overall, I would view Nationwide New Heights Select as a solid fit for retirees seeking a more interactive, feature-heavy FIA with strong income planning flexibility, rather than a straightforward accumulation-focused annuity.”
“Nationwide New Heights Select is best viewed as a feature-rich fixed indexed annuity for buyers who value Daily Accumulation Value tracking, optional lock-in, and rider-driven income planning. It is not the cleanest accumulation play: the index-crediting options rely on participation rates and spreads, and the contract asks buyers to accept a long surrender period. I would consider it for someone who wants the Nationwide chassis and optional income or death-benefit features, not for someone shopping purely for the highest simple index-crediting upside.”
Attributed to Nikhil Bhauwala.
Read the full reviewCommon questions
Decision FAQs from the same numbers
Is Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus or New Heights Select 9 better for growth?
On participation rate, Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus has the higher figure (140% participation · BNP Paribas Multi Asset Diversified 5 Index · annual vs 125% participation · Goldman Sachs New Horizons Index · annual); New Heights Select 9 is lower.
Is Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus or New Heights Select 9 better for income?
On income rider availability, both show 3 income riders available. Rider availability is only one income input; payout rates, rider fees, start age, and state availability still need review.
Is Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus or New Heights Select 9 better for liquidity?
On liquidity, Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus has the higher figure (10%/yr free withdrawal vs 7%/yr free withdrawal); New Heights Select 9 is lower. On surrender period, New Heights Select 9 has the lower figure (9 years surrender period vs 10 years surrender period); Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus is higher. On annual fee, Athene Ascent Pro 10 Bonus has the lower figure (1% max annual rider/strategy fee vs 1.1% max annual rider/strategy fee); New Heights Select 9 is higher.
How to read this comparison
Compare the product job, not just one number.
Rates matter, but surrender terms, liquidity, rider mechanics, state availability, and carrier strength decide whether a product actually fits.
Rate context
Caps, participation rates, triggers, and fixed buckets show how each FIA creates accumulation potential.
Control
Free-withdrawal and surrender terms are visible because liquidity can be worth as much as a small rate difference.
Carrier backing
Guarantees are backed by the issuing insurer, so carrier ratings and product availability belong next to the rate table.
Disclosures and sources
Displayed product figures are sourced from CANNEX via AdvisorWorld and are labeled with their true source date. Product-specific values are shown only when they apply; missing applicable values show unavailable.
The verdict is auto-generated from the available dated accumulation metrics only and is not a recommendation. The crediting and guaranteed-growth tools are illustrative, use the stated assumptions, and are not projections, quotes, or carrier-approved illustrations.
Rates vary by state, premium band, and issue age. Caps and participation rates can change. Annuity guarantees are backed by the issuing carrier's claims-paying ability and are not FDIC-insured. Educational only.
Use the comparison as a starting point.
Then go back to the main rate pages to see the broader market, or run the whole-income comparison when income guarantees are the question.
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Use the public comparison freely. A personalized report is optional when you want projections based on your age, state, premium, and goals.
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