For many retirees and pre-retirees, the core concern is not simply “How much can I earn?” but rather “How do I protect what I’ve built while still allowing it to grow?” Fixed indexed annuities address this question by linking interest credits to market indices—such as the S&P 500®, AI-driven multi-asset strategies, or volatility-managed benchmarks—while ensuring your principal is never reduced due to negative market performance. If the index declines, your contract does not lose value from that downturn. That protection-first framework is what separates indexed annuities from variable market investments. If you would like a deeper explanation of crediting strategies, caps, spreads, participation rates, and annual reset mechanics, review how a fixed indexed annuity works before comparing illustrations.

Athene Agility enhances that traditional indexed annuity structure by including a built-in Income and Death Benefit Rider at no additional cost. This is significant. Many indexed annuities require optional riders—with separate fees—to generate guaranteed lifetime income or enhanced beneficiary value. Agility incorporates those features automatically, simplifying contract design and reducing fee layering. For individuals who want income certainty without navigating a menu of rider elections, this built-in structure creates clarity from day one. If lifetime income planning is central to your retirement blueprint, you may also want to explore how annuities provide income for life and how a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) compares to traditional annuitization.

From an accumulation standpoint, Agility offers access to multiple index crediting strategies, including the S&P 500® (excluding dividends), AI-powered multi-asset allocations, and structured volatility-controlled indices such as the Nasdaq FC Index. These strategies are designed to capture upward market movements while smoothing volatility exposure. Interest credits are applied according to defined contract terms—annual point-to-point, multi-year strategies, or other carrier-defined options. Importantly, at the end of each crediting period, any gains are typically locked in, and the next period begins without prior losses carrying forward. That annual reset feature can be a powerful stabilizer in turbulent markets.

While growth potential is important, retirement planning ultimately revolves around sustainable income. The built-in rider within Athene Agility provides a defined lifetime income benefit base that can grow according to contract terms, even before income begins. When you elect to activate income, the rider calculates guaranteed withdrawals that continue for life—regardless of how long you live or what happens in the broader markets. This type of income predictability can be especially valuable for individuals concerned about longevity risk—the possibility of outliving their assets. If you are weighing whether to annuitize assets outright or use a withdrawal rider, reviewing annuitization versus income riders can clarify structural differences.

Agility also addresses legacy planning through its enhanced death benefit provision. Even if lifetime income has begun, beneficiaries may receive a protected death benefit according to rider terms. This can create a meaningful planning advantage for couples who want income certainty while preserving value for heirs. Compared to some income-focused annuities that diminish remaining contract value quickly after income activation, this design aims to maintain balance between income and legacy. If beneficiary structuring is a priority, you may wish to explore how annuity death benefits are paid and how they integrate into estate planning.

Liquidity remains another essential component. After the first policy year, Agility allows penalty-free withdrawals—typically up to 10% annually—without triggering surrender charges. In addition, nursing home and terminal illness waivers provide expanded access if qualifying health events occur. Understanding the surrender schedule itself is equally important. Every annuity includes a defined surrender period during which excess withdrawals may incur charges. Before funding any contract, we recommend reviewing how surrender charges work so expectations are clear from the outset.

Tax treatment further enhances the appeal of indexed annuities. Interest growth inside the contract compounds tax-deferred, meaning you do not pay annual taxes on credited gains. Taxes are due only when withdrawals occur, and withdrawals follow last-in-first-out (LIFO) treatment for non-qualified contracts. For IRAs or qualified rollovers, taxation aligns with existing retirement account rules. If you are evaluating how annuities integrate with broader retirement income sequencing, reviewing annuity taxation rules can help align expectations.

Agility is frequently used for IRA rollovers, 401(k) transfers, and repositioning conservative brokerage allocations. It can function as a core income engine within a diversified retirement plan—balancing equity exposure elsewhere in the portfolio. For clients asking whether annuities make sense at all in modern retirement planning, we encourage reviewing whether annuities are worth it in the context of risk tolerance, income needs, and time horizon.