barry hobbs

Review of Athene Annuity & Life Assuranc...

Gave one star because it will not allow negative n...

Gave one star because it will not allow negative numbers. Wife retired this summer. In late November started process to withdraw annuity. Got forms and filled them out. Called for place to email them in December. Uploaded and emailed per instructions. Called a week later and was told they were never received despite having a confirming email. Called again. Same response. Resent documents. Again got confirmation. Each time with our email and phone contact information included. Called and got confirmation of receipt. Asked for expedited delivery, preferably a wire transfer which we were told was not possible. Two weeks later (about the time we were told the check would arrive) we got a letter by mail telling us the documents were insufficient as she needed a letter from an employer she worked for over twenty years ago (a school). That was the first time we had been advised of that requirement. We had to wait for holiday break to be over to ask for the letter which they faxed to furnished number immediately. They received conformation. At the same time we emailed documents and letter again and got emailed confirmation. Called several days later and they denied receiving any documents fax or email. Finally got a rep who let us send package to her direct email address while she was on the phone. She confirmed receipt on the phone and said to call back in two hours as she was forwarding the information now. We called back as instructed and were told there was no record of receiving any documents. By then it was five and they closed. Each of the various calls included 15-40 minutes on hold. All the positive reviews seem to be related to people investing. They are great at taking your money. Good luck getting it back. Customer service reps will not transfer you upstream and say they are powerless to actually do anything. Worst service ever.