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In Context with Athene

Athene: In Context is a video series that explains how Athene’s business works, how it’s backed, and why it matters for millions of Americans counting on guaranteed income in retirement.

Hosted by Mike Downing, Chief Operating Officer of Athene, each episode features straightforward conversations with experts from across Apollo and Athene about the business behind retirement security. Think of it as the definitive guide to the insurance industry — with a bit more context.

From addressing misconceptions around “private equity ownership,” to explaining affiliated and related-party assets, to taking an inside look at the industry-leading transparency and fortress balance sheet behind it all — this is the Apollo and Athene machine, told from the inside.

Watch Athene: In Context now 

Market Leadership


#1
Market Share for
Annuity Issuances
in 20251

Retail Annuities

An annuity is a financial product issued and backed by an insurance company that provides guaranteed income payments based on the life and terms of the contract.

Athene works with financial professionals who sell Athene annuities. This can include third-party distributors affiliated with banks, independent marketing organizations, or broker-dealers.


#1
FABN Market Share
in 20252

Funding Agreements

Funding agreements are made with large institutional investors as opposed to individuals. Institutional investors pay a lump sum and receive a guaranteed rate of return over a specified period of time. 

Athene generated $35.4 billion in new funding agreement inflows during 2025.


#2
Cummulative
Market Share
since entering the
market in 20173

Pension Group Annuities​

Pension group annuity transactions guarantee retirement security for millions of people. By partnering with a highly rated and highly capitalized insurer, corporations can keep their promises to workers while transferring the liabilities of their defined benefit plan to the experts. 


2025
Record full year inflows

Flow Reinsurance​

Flow reinsurance refers to a contract with an insurance company where Athene assumes a portion of their liabilities in exchange for a portion of the premiums. In short, it’s insurance for insurance companies. 

Financial Performance

Athene has grown from a start up to a premier provider of retirement savings solutions by implementing a simple business model: earn more on its assets than it pays on its liabilities, earning spread.

The company has generated strong returns for customers and stockholders through a variety of market environments driving profitable growth.

$442.2

billion in total
GAAP assets4

$406.6

billion in total
GAAP liabilities4

$3.4

billion of spread
related earnings5

$82.1

billion in
gross organic inflows6

$292.4

billion in net
invested assets7

$3.2

billion in
excess equity capital8

Athene's Financial Strength Ratings

Independent rating agencies meet annually with Athene to evaluate our performance. Our ratings reflect our ability to meet ongoing obligations to our customers.9

Learn more about our ratings 

AM Best

as of 8/2025

A+

Outlook: Stable

S&P

as of 8/2025

A+

Outlook: Stable

Fitch

as of 8/2025

A+

Outlook: Stable

Moody's

as of 7/2025

A1

Outlook: Stable

The Power of Partnership

Athene is part of Apollo, a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. Access to Apollo’s proprietary investment-grade origination and expertise in retirement services asset management gives us a competitive advantage and provides differentiated value-add asset opportunities. 

Together, Athene and Apollo built the premier retirement services company, and our efficient model with a superior asset management strategy continues to create better outcomes for policyholders and stockholders.

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